Mass Effect: Massive Shock

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Mass Effect or the BioShock franchises or any characters or property that BioWare or Irrational Games has staked claim upon. However I do own copies of the games Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 and BioShock and BioShock Original Characters I come up with are MINE to use and distribute.

A/N: Hi everyone!

I'm posting this super early today, like exactly when Tuesday starts, 12 in the morning, because I'm going to be super duper busy today. Can you guess why? It's Valentine's Day, duh! I'll be busy ALL day so I won't get anything done, but I couldn't forsake you guys so I'm putting this out there now while I have a little time. So Happy Valentine's Day! Well... it is right now. If you're reading this in the future, then how could you do that? At the time it's the present right? So therefore this statement is in the past, but I just said you may read it in the future. So it's false? If I were a robot my head would've just exploded.

Well, I hope you guys have a great Valentine's Day, you lovers and haters out there. For all you Forever Aloners out there you're not alone. You got me! Love you! Big love to all you sexy sexy readers out there! Nothing a girl or guy loves more than sophistication and you're reading the most sophisticated literature out there! Nuts to Shakespeare this story has lightning and fire!

I feel a quick recap is in order here. I'll do this every 10 chapters for your benefit.

Alight so here's the skinny: On my seventeenth birthday I got sent to Rapture in the Bioshock Universe in 1962. After six years I find myself trapped in a living nightmare.

Then as Rapture sinks to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean I am again transported to another universe. This time however I find myself on the Citadel in the Mass Effect Universe in late December of 2181. Vague memories of the game let me recall that Mass Effect 1 takes place in 2183, allowing me an entire year to find a way to become part of this universe.

Since then I've made friends, become a mercenary, and even integrated myself into the events of Mass Effect 1 in some small way. Recently, however, I have made enemies with Cerberus, or rather they made enemies with me after they kidnapped my friends to find out the secret of my plasmids. I saved them and shown one of the most powerful organizations in the galaxy that I'm a force to be reckoned with.

I can feel that the Universe is changing just for me being here and I worry that my presence may tamper with the Balance.

Alright you guys are refreshed and rejuvenated, ready for some action?

Not yet! Two more things first:

First, I lied. This story is not 30 chapters. I hated how Ch. 30 turned out so I canned part of it and rewrote it. Now it's 32 or more chapters and whatever pages long. That's right! Two more chapters of content and plot! Excited? Wait like... 22 weeks and see!

Second, I've had this (probabl)y stupid idea. I was thinking about making this into an audio book. I'll read each chapter out loud, doing silly character voices and stuff, edited and mastered for clarity, and post them online for free. There'll be unedited versions as well filled with banter and commentary that I throw in there. Anyway it was just an idea. Not sure if I'll do it or not.

As always, write a review telling me what you all think about this chapter! This and the next chapters are lead ins to a 5 chapter long multi-part event that will blow your minds! Hope you all like it!

With Love, more strong than that of Goddess born from the castrated loins of Ouranos Aphrodite and her messenger slave Dwarf Cupid

*Mockingbird79*

"A good name will shine forever."

~Proverb~

Ch. 10: Red Metal

?

"Scream whelp. Scream!" The Grim Reaper's fingers stab into another part of my torso. I scream again and fill the Dark with my voice.

The Grim Reaper laughs. "You are finally ready."

I loll my head forward and stare into the eyes of the Grim Reaper, one cold and metal and red, the other a dark void. I try to speak but I am unable, as always.

The Grim Reaper drops me onto the ground and it straightens. "It is time for you to do your part. We will come, ready for war. But they lie dormant. We will wake them. Together."

The Grim Reaper grabs my face and lifts my head up to look into his eyes. "Speak."

I gulp down blood. "Together…"

The Grim Reaper laughs, a vile sound. "You will fulfill your destiny soon, slave. Now… Sleep!"

The Noise returns and rips through my soul. I scream.

5:14 AM February 28, 2182

I scream and sit up.

Mother fucker!

These dreams… I need help! I can't take it anymore! For the last few days, every time I fall asleep, I have a dream of that Place and each one is worse than the last. Ever since we got back from that Cerberus base, since Jin died.

I need professional help…

Hey… I have an idea…

12:19 PM February 28, 2182

I finish the bowl of asari soup that I bought for lunch and toss it in the trash can near me. I have to say, asari cuisine isn't bad. It's more "elegant" than human food. But I didn't come here to sample the food.

I came to talk to the Consort.

Yep, that's right, I'm here outside the Consort Chambers to schedule an appointment with the Consort. From what I know it'll probably be a few months before I can see her. But, meh. I have time to kill before the attack on Eden Prime next year. Plus, if I can do some work for her or something then maybe she'll talk to me sooner.

I don't plan on having sex with her either. I never really thought that the Consort was attractive. Though I would say that she has quite a seductive demeanor. I won't fall prey though! I'm harder than steel… Not in that way.

I push myself off of the railing and take a breath of fresh air. I haven't been out of my armor much in the past couple of days so the cool air is refreshing. I can't wear it anyways, it's too damaged. I did a job just yesterday that involved a shipping container, a pack of rabid varren, and a frozen bag of peas that tore it to shreds but I don't like to think about it…

I need to get it repaired but the guy who made it for me is on an extended vacation, probably with the money I paid him too. I also need it refitted. It hardly fits anymore. My muscle mass has grown quite a bit in the last month or so. I'm actually looking a little more like my pre-Rapture self: tanner and more muscular. I'm taller than I was though which is a good thing. I guess the sudden muscle growth is from all the protein I've been getting from the Topari… No, that can't be it, I only discovered it a few days ago. Never mind…

I'll get to that later. For now I have to make an appointment. I take a few steps toward the building but stop to take a glance at the spot where I first woke up on the Citadel. Funny I've been here for almost three months and yet I have more questions than when I came here. Damn I have to stop getting side tracked!

I shake stray thoughts out of my head and walk into the Consort Chambers. I walk through the short hall and up to the asari greeter lady… oh yeah! She's the one that resuscitated me back when I almost drowned! Man that feels like it was ages ago.

The greeter smiles at me warmly. "Welcome, I am Nelyna. I don't recognize you as one of our scheduled appointments. Are you going to be making an appointment with the Consort today?"

I nod. "Yes. My name is Robert Jackson."

Nelyna nods and starts typing into her console. "Okay… I have your name on the list. It's going to be… oh… 8 to 10 months."

I nod, I expected as much. "How much will a session with the Consort cost?"

"For an hour long session, the normal rate is 6,700 credits."

I nod. "That'll be fine."

Nelyna smiles. "Okay. Then I guess I'll be seeing you again in a few months."

I smile back. "I guess so…"

I turn and start walking away. I stop.

Ah what the hell. I turn around and walk back up to her. "You don't remember me do you?"

Nelyna looks up at me confusion written in her eyes. Ew, I must sound like a creeper, better break the tension. "I didn't know that knowing CPR was a requirement around here."

Nelyna stares at me for a few seconds before her eyes brighten. There we go. "Oh! You're the guy who almost drowned a few months ago! I almost didn't recognize you, you look quite different!"

I smile. "I hope that's a good thing."

She laughs a little. "Oh it is. I remember you were quite scruffy when we first met. You looked like you were homeless to be honest."

I laugh. "I was, sort of, at the time. I'm doing much better for myself now, however."

Nelyna nods and keeps her smile wide on her face. "That's clear since you have money to spend on the Consort. What do you do now?"

"I'm a mercenary. I've actually become quite successful."

Nelyna gasps and feigns fear. "Oh! A dangerous mercenary in the Consort Chambers! How will we protect ourselves?"

I laugh. "Don't worry miss. Splicer doesn't harm innocents."

Nelyna drops the fake persona and looks at me in… awe? "You're Splicer?"

I raise my eyebrows. "You've heard of me?"

"Who hasn't?"

I can't help but hide my confusion. I'm famous? Who knew? Not me obviously.

Nelyna turns around and digs around in a cabinet. She pulls out an eBook and hands it to me. It's a newspaper. There's an article about me! With a picture of me in my armor! Luckily with my helmet on. It says:

Notable mercenary, bounty hunter, and rumored hitman "Splicer" takes down serial killer Arthur Pendosa. Little is known about the mercenary, other than he gets quick and efficient results. In an interview with Executor Pallin of C-Sec, he said of the mercenary:

"If it weren't for Splicer, it is quite possible that more innocents would be dead. He managed to track down, and apprehend Mr. Pendosa in a matter of days without using any provided C-Sec resources and little information. While I don't entirely agree with his work ethic, I am impressed with his results. Granted he doesn't respect codes of conduct that all C-Sec officers follow, but he did manage to apprehend a dangerous fugitive without breaking any laws. I am disappointed that it had to come to hiring a mercenary to finish our detective's job, and hopefully it won't happen again. However, it is almost a guarantee that more work will be waiting for Splicer, if he chooses to accept it, or better yet put his skills to better use and join C-Sec."

Not everyone agrees with Pallin however. When we spoke to the detective in charge of the search for Arthur Pendosa, Detective Garrus Vakarian, he had only this to say on Splicer:

"He has no respect for law and order. I respect his skill and character. But I can't say that I approve of his chosen line of work nor do I approve of the results he brings. People seem to forget that he seriously injured the rest of Pendosa's gang.

This reporter, and many other people all look forward to seeing Splicer in action again, fighting crime, and helping to keep the Citadel safe. As for the next time we see him in action, we'll try and get an interview.

-Head reporter Khalisah al- Jilani, Westerlund News

Wow, they made me sound really good in here. But al-Jilani did the report on me so I don't really know how things will turn out later. I have no doubt that she'll try to undermine C-Sec by making me look good. I know how to beat her though, just make HER seem like the bitch. Shouldn't be too hard seeing as she is one.

I hope I don't get TOO much notoriety from this though. Too much is always bad. It's a shame. Garrus doesn't like me and Pallin does. I always figured it would be the other way around.

I hand the datapad back to Nelyna who gladly accepts it. "Everyone was afraid to walk the streets at night because Pendosa was on the loose. People see you as a hero Mr. Jackson."

I hold up a hand. "Please, people have taken to calling me Jackson. That'll be fine."

Nelyna nods and smiles. "Alright Jackson. I have a question to ask, if you don't mind."

I scratch the back of my head and gesture for her to continue.

She puts the datapad back in her cabinet and faces me. "Why do you go by an alias? Wouldn't you want people to know your name?"

I smile and chuckle. This must be what a celebrity feels like, and I definitely don't feel like a celebrity. "The alias just kind of happened. Besides, I'm kind of glad people see that black armored mercenary as the celebrity and not me. I'm suddenly very thankful that I wear my helmet on jobs. I'm sure that your Consort, on some level, would like a quieter life than the one she lives now."

Nelyna thinks about my response for a moment before nodding in agreement. "That does make sense. So how busy are-"

"Nelyna!"

Nelyna turns around and faces the attendant that called her. "What is it Sarah?"

The human attendant named Sarah walks up and gives me a quick smile before facing Nelyna. "Nelyna, you're supposed to be taking appointments for the Consort and the other attendants and seeing your appointments. I have a client who's been asking for you for 10 minutes, and you've been talking to… this guy the whole time."

Nelyna blushes and averts her eyes from mine. "I'm sorry. I forgot. I'll get to the client right away!"

Sarah shakes her head. "Forget it. He's gone."

Nelyna looks at her a little shocked. "What? Oh no!"

Sarah looks at Nelyna apologetically. "I'm sorry Nelyna. The Consort wishes to speak with you."

I see a few tears roll down Nelyna's cheeks. She starts walking with her head down toward the stairs at the back that lead to the Consort's room.

Sarah turns to me. "I'm sorry, but I must ask you to leave now."

I look at her then at Nelyna who disappears behind the wall. "Hey is she going to get fired?"

Sarah give a reluctant nod. "It's a possibility."

I shake my head. "No it's my fault. I can't let the Consort fire her."

I push past Sarah and start jogging toward the stairs. I hear Sarah behind me shouting in protest but I ignore her. It's my fault that Nelyna was preoccupied not hers. Today's going to be a long day, I'm going to miss my haircut!

I enter the Consort's room and see Nelyna sitting across from the Consort at a table across the room. Both pairs of eyes look at me as I enter. Nelyna looks at me with an air of both confusion and gratitude, while the Consort stares with a sort of creepy intellect.

The Consort stands and takes slow sashaying steps towards me. "Ah. You must be Mister Jackson. Nelyna was just telling me that she was 'distracted by a famous person.' You must be quite a person then to distract my hand-picked attendants."

I ignore her statement. "Please. I was just thanking her for saving my life a few months ago and I was making an appointment. It's not her fault, Nelyna doesn't deserve to be fired for being friendly and welcoming."

I see Nelyna mouth "Thank you." behind the Consort, who is steadily approaching. "So you are Splicer then? The mercenary who tracked down Arthur Pendosa?"

I nod, reluctantly. Really the fewer people who know who I really am the better.

The Consort stops just inches away from me. She places a finger on her chin and looks me up and down.

She then waves a hand at Nelyna. "Leave us and return to your duties. See that we aren't disturbed."

I gulp. Uh oh… Nelyna stands and quickly hurries out of the room. The Consort takes a step away from me and gestures to a vacant chair.

I walk over and sit in it. The Consort paces around the room.

After a long silence, she finally speaks. "If the rumors are true, then you are not just a mercenary, correct? You are also a hitman?"

I nod but remain silent.

The Consort faces me. "Then I would have you assist me. A favor for a favor."

I nod again. "Who do you need taken care of?"

The Consort walks over and takes a seat across from me. "I have a problem that requires the upmost secrecy. A recent client of mine, a human by the name of Izar Rhodes has been making trouble with my attendants. Izar leads a local street gang that go by the name of 'The Colossuses.' They've tracked down and attacked several of my attendants and I fear for their safety. The last one they attacked was killed, supposedly by accident, but they've taken it too far. I want Izar and his whole gang eliminated. Can you do this for me?"

I nod. "Yes I can. But in return, I need questions answered. I have secrets that can never escape my lips but I'll tell them to you because I have nowhere else to turn. This simple task that you ask of me does not repay the service you will do for me after, but I will do anything that you require of me if you help me."

The Consort smiles and stands. "It seems that I may be helping you more than you help me, but we have a deal. Leave now. Do not return until you have completed your task."

I stand and leave the Consort's room. Looks like I may have my questions answered sooner than I thought. Hopefully I'll find the answers I'm looking for and not some cryptic response. And hopefully I can complete this mission soon. I have a feeling that my dreams will continue to haunt me for a long time. I walk down the stairs into the main room and I walk down to Nelyna who is typing into her console.

She looks up at me as I approach. She offers a smile, but nothing else. I guess that's for the best so I keep walking and I exit the Consort's Chambers.

If I'm going to be taking on a gang, I'll have to find somebody to repair my armor.

11:19 AM March 2, 2182

This can't be right…

I seem to have found myself in the slums of the Wards. Is this where my new armorer is supposed to be? I recheck the address on my omni-tool. Yep that's right.

I sigh, readjust my armor case in my hand, and walk into the semi-large shanty house. The interior is, thankfully, nicer than the exterior. The place is clean but the house is makeshift. The low-lying ceiling suggests that there's a second floor. I also spot a stairwell leading downwards just behind a table on the far side of the house.

I hear stuff coming from downstairs so I walk down the stairs and find myself in a small but sophisticated and neat workshop. I spot a krogan with his back turned to me. I can see a bright light coming from in front of him, but his body blocks whatever it is he's working on.

I clear my throat to get his attention. The krogan looks over his shoulder at me. He drops what he's doing and turns around to face me. This krogan is very muscular, but pretty short. His skin is a pale green with a nearly black head plate and scales with just the lightest green tint to it. He also has jagged shrapnel scars crisscrossing his face.

The krogan holds a hand out to me. "Nice to meet ya'. Jorgal Tyrannax, best weapons and armor smith in the Galaxy, at your service."

I take the offered hand and shake it, despite the crushing grip. Krogan really need to ease off of the tough handshake. His voice is interesting, it's far deeper and rougher than any krogan I've met before which is surprising.

I withdraw my hand from his grip and put my armor case on the table in between us. "My name is Splicer. I need my armor repaired and refitted, and I need it done as quickly as possible."

Tyrannax takes the case and opens it. "So you are Splicer. You are a fierce warrior you are a suitable person to make armor for."

Tyrannax starts removing pieces of my armor from the case. After he gets them all out he discards the case and examines a piece of my armor.

He suddenly lets out a disappointed sigh. "This is very poor craftsmanship. All bark no bite. All fashion, no function. I could make it ten times as effective and look ten times as intimidating."

He's certainly not lacking for confidence. "How much is this going to cost?"

Tyrannax rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Between supplies and service: Approximately 8,000 to repair and refit. In advance"

I frown. That's a lot cheaper than I thought it would be.

I transfer the funds to him, and Tyrannax nods. "Thanks. I'll have it done for ya' in at least a week. Come back tomorrow and I'll refit you."

"Wow you work fast."

Tyrannax shrugs. "Satisfaction is my third priority, behind keeping you from getting killed and behind getting paid."

I smile and turn to leave, when something catches my eye, a bunch of rolled up blueprints in a wastebasket. "What are these?" I ask, pointing at them.

Tyrannax looks up from my armor. "Those? That's just design ideas for armor upgrades that nobody wanted to buy."

I take an armful of blueprints out and carry them to a vacant table. "Do you sell many ideas to companies?"

Tyrannax adopts a hostile tone. "No! Nobody wants them! They think they're unorthodox, unnecessary, or too expensive."

I unroll a blueprint. It looks like a detailed design of a cool leg armor design. It looks like thick metal plates over small diamond interlocked alloy of some kind. For the calves it looks like very heavy armor that would give me incredible protection. Each piece is disassembled in layers showing various components and mechanisms. "Hey what's this?"

"Hm? Oh that's a 'kinetic distribution system.' It's kind of like fall shock absorbers like the ones on your armor, but those redirect kinetic force outwards. It pretty much takes the force of a fall and redirects it into a wave that blasts out from your armor. It may look really bulky and heavy but the alloy is actually iridium nano-fiber with aluminum tungsten composite. Very light and nearly impenetrable."

I look at Tyrannax stunned. "That's genius! Why didn't anybody want that?"

"They thought it was too unorthodox. They said that it wouldn't be a regular enough occurrence where your fall from a high drop into a group of enemies." Tyrannax shrugs.

"You'd be surprised! I'll take it!"

Tyrannax looks up. "Huh?"

"I want that on my armor! How much?"

Tyrannax looks at me surprised. "Uh, another 13,000?"

"Done!" I transfer the credits and go over the next blueprint. This one is of an awesome looking… face mask thing. "What's this?"

Tyrannax looks up. "Tactical hard-plate. It's a special kind of helmet that amplifies the shields around your head and gives you a sealed environment, without a bulky helmet. And it looks cool."

I laugh. I'll save that one for later… "Alright listen. I want you to go totally nuts with my armor. Use that iridium nano whatever for all of it and throw in a few upgrades too."

Tyrannax looks at me stunned. "R-really? That'll cost a lot!"

I shake my head. "Money is not an issue. I'm going to go through these blueprints and show you what I want."

Tyrannax nods enthusiastically. "Yeah! Absolutely! Oh man, this is great!"

7:23 PM March 13, 2182

Let's test this out!

I jump off of the 5 story building and plummet toward the group of about 10 or 12 Colossus gang members.

I land and my new kinetic distribution system kicks in. The force travels through my armor, making it look like it almost ripples. Then when it builds in small nodes on my chest, legs and back, it explodes outwards, taking all 19000 newtons of force from the fall and generating it out at the surrounding gang members.

Granted it has a limited range but the effect is awesome. The nearest gang members are taken off of their feet and the fall to the ground. The others just stumble back and are stunned… by my awesomeness.

I draw my pistol and my knife and prep my Aero Dash plasmid as well. A few shots hit my shields but I ignore it. I shoot a Colossus center mass a few times and I then spin and stab another in the throat with my knife.

I use Aero Dash just as bullets begin striking my new extremely powerful Cyclone kinetic barriers and I slash a distant enemy's throat. I spin and shoot a Colossus in the back and another in the head while their backs are turned. They all turn around and start firing at me again.

I activate Incinerate and set a few enemies aflame with one snap. I use the distraction to gun down a few more enemies with my shotgun. Only three gang members remain.

I use Telekinesis and throw one against a wall. He instantly dies, leaving a splatter of blood on the wall. I then make use of my Spring Heel tonic to leap over the other two gangsters.

I stab one in the head with my knife and point my shotgun at the other's head before he can turn around.

He spins around and looks down the barrel of my shotgun. I use Telekinesis and pull him to his knees. "Where's your boss, Izar?"

The gangster points at a small shed nearby. I shoot the gangster in the head, obliterating his head with the shotgun. I know that sounds harsh, but the job is to eliminate everybody.

I holster my shotgun and walk over to the shed. I kick the door down and find Izar, holding a woman hostage, with a knife at her throat.

"Get back! Get the fuck back or I'll cut this bitch."

I raise my hand. I use Telekinesis to pull the knife out of his hand and into my hand. Izar looks at me confused. The woman elbows him in the stomach and runs behind me.

Izar backs up into the corner and covers his head. "Please don't kill me! It wasn't my fault! It was that fucking bitch Sha'ira! She's the devil! Don't kill me!"

I hold the knife firmly in my hand, then I lift it up and point it at him. I use Telekinesis to send in flying into his chest. Izar gasps and clutches at the knife before he dies.

I turn around and face the woman. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

The woman shakes her head. "N-no, I'm okay, I was just passing by and he grabbed me. Thank God you came when you did."

I huff. "God has nothing to do with it, Miss. It was just a coincidence."

She shrugs. "Can't say I can complain either way. Are you Splicer?"

I roll my eyes under my helmet. "Yes."

"Wow! Wait'll the girls hear about this! I was saved by Splicer!"

I roll my eyes again. "Call C-Sec, tell them to clean this mess up. I need to go complete the contract."

The woman smiles and opens her omni-tool. "Sure thing Splicer."

What is she my side-kick? I already have one: The Fornax Kid. Nah that's not a good one for Vaga is it? Ah well I'll think about one later. For now I need to get some answers. Oh hang on.

"Uh miss?"

The woman turns around. "Yeah Splicer?"

"When C-Sec asks you what happened, could you tell them that the gang captured you and that I heard your yelling and came to your rescue? I need this on the down low. If you agree I'll give you a little reward."

The woman nods enthusiastically. "Absolutely! What kind of reward?"

Uh… "How about an autograph?"

She screams in excitement and looks around for something for me to sign.

I raise my eyebrows. What am I to these people? Some kind of crime fighting super hero?

She then shrugs, hands me a pen, and lifts up her shirt revealing her bra. "Sign my bra!"

I shiver. "Okay."

I sign the bra reluctantly and start walking away. I hear the woman from behind me. "Nice armor change by the way!"

I sigh. She was kind of annoying. But I have to agree. My armor is much bigger now. I have an entire set and my body is totally protected. Tyrannax ditched the Nano-Suit arms from Crysis and just gave me simple armor that looks like the Stabilizer Gauntlets from ME2. These however amp my strength and come with a few tools like a cutter laser and such. My palms are still bare however, and that's just because if I used my plasmid with gloves on then they'd get destroyed. So it's sort of pointless. Also my chest is bulked up by a heavier combat plate. My helmet also has a t-shaped reinforcement over the glass dome part. All in all my armor is now nearly impenetrable. The problem is though that my mobility has completely plummeted. I also am no longer able to be as agile as I was. Hell, not like I was agile to begin with anyways.

Well I better get going.

8:44 PM March 13, 2182

I walk into the Consort's Chambers, feeling a little anxious. I don't actually know exactly what I'm going to ask her but I need to ask her something.

I walk up to Nelyna. "Hey Nelyna. I'm here to speak with the Consort."

She nods. "She's been expecting you. Oh and I never thanked you for helping me keep my job. It was really sweet. I really wouldn't have been able to find work anywhere else, there is a lot of a controversy and rumors about the Consort and her attendants."

I nod. "I know. It was no trouble either. I would have done it for anybody really."

Nelyna's smile straightens a little and she looks down at her console again. "Thanks again. The Consort is waiting for you. Maybe I'll see you later?"

I nod. "For sure."

I walk through the Chamber toward the stairs at the back and then into the Consort's room. I find her standing in the middle of the room with her back to me.

I enter and close the distance between us. She turns around after I get close enough.

She starts pacing around me. "I heard about Izar. I wanted to thank you for helping me."

She finishes a circle around me and stops in front of me.

I narrow my eyes. "Our deal isn't done."

Sha'ira nods. And takes a few steps away from me facing the wall. "Of course. Ask your questions then."

I stare at the floor. Where should I start? I look up and find the Consort standing right in front of me, staring into my eyes.

I sigh. Here we go… "I've been having these… dreams. More like nightmares."

The Consort turns away again and walks over to a couch. She motions for me to sit next to her. I do.

"Go on."

I balance my elbows on my knees and let my head lower.

I pull my helmet off and place it on the spot in between us. "I feel like the dreams… the nightmares. They're more than just dreams I think. I want to know what they mean."

The Consort smiles knowingly. "I see. You want me to look into your mind."

I nod. "Yes. But I will warn you. This could… break you. I don't want to hurt you."

The Consort smiles again. "Don't worry. I am an asari Matriarch. My mind is far superior to yours. If you can take these 'dreams' then I can too."

I nod. "Okay do it then."

Sha'ira moves my helmet onto the floor and scoots closer to me.

She places her hands gently on the sides of my head and closes her eyes. "Clear your mind."

I sigh and think of nothing, save for what is about to happen.

Sha'ira opens her eyes and they're black. As black as the void, as the Dark. "Embrace Eternity!"

The black of Sha'ira's eyes envelops me and becomes the Dark. I can feel her, quivering, shaking, and then howling in pain from the Noise in my head. I can feel her eyes darting around the Dark searching for a way out, frantically, and panicked. Then she sees the same thing I always see emerging from the Dark. The Grim Reaper. The Monster comes face to face with me, her. I hear Sha'ira scream in sheer terror. I cannot scream for I have long since abandoned my voice. The Grim Reaper opens its maw and instead of the Lips, there are many beings trying to escape from its mouth. They all scream at us, howl for help. We do not want to join them. I feel Sha'ira trying to pull away, trying to escape. But the Grim Reaper holds too strong.

Suddenly I think, I cognate and the Grim Reaper recoils in shock. I cannot let this Monster take another. I take a step forward and the Grim Reaper closes its maw and backs. I take another step. The Monster withdraws and drifts far away but is still in view. I look down at my arm. I focus. I activate Incinerate.

The Noise screams louder than ever, not in laughter now, but in shock and hate. The Grim Reaper opens its maw again and consumes me, us.

I open my eyes and Sha'ira stumbles away from me screaming. Her hands dart away from the sides of my head and she falls off of the couch and lies on the ground, breathing frantically and shaking.

I stand and kneel next to her. "A-are you alright?"

She looks up at me. "What has happened to you?"

I turn away. "I… I cannot tell you. But what can you tell me? What have you learned?"

I help her to her feet. Sha'ira stumbles again, but I catch her and seat her on the couch.

Sha'ira places a hand on her forehead. "Um… I'm afraid that that was like nothing I had ever witnessed before. All I can tell you is… is that there may be something… else."

I frown. "Something else? What do you mean."

Sha'ira reaches forward and touches my forehead with her finger. "Something… or somebody else. Inside."

I recoil. "No. They're just dreams. Delusions."

Sha'ira shakes her head. "That thing I saw. It wasn't you. I could feel it. And there are others too, linked with you, by that… monster."

My eyes widen and I turn away from her. Others? Others linked with me. They see what I see? I… I don't understand.

"Neither do I."

Stupid inner monologue. I smile and start to laugh. "Ironic. I came with questions that have been plaguing me for a long time that I wanted answered. But now, I have even more than when I started."

Sha'ira stands shakily and places a consoling hand on my shoulder. "I wish I could say more. I will meditate on these events. Perhaps I will find answers in the grace of the Goddess."

I use Telekinesis and retrieve my helmet. I then put it on my head and leave without another word. Thanks for nothing!

I descend the stairs and walk out into the lobby. Nelyna spots me and smiles. She is wearing street clothes instead of her Consort robes.

As I approach she calls out to me. "Hey Jackson! I was wondering, are you busy right n—"

I walk straight past her very quickly and leave the Consort's Chambers. I don't have time for this. I feel like something is about to happen. I'm on the precipice of something big, I can feel it.

I walk past Dellan's Emporium and head toward the Transit Hub next to Barla Von's office. I am just about to pay for the toll when I hear something behind me.

I turn and see a turian hurrying out of Barla Von's office. His demeanor troubles me. I watch him walk away and I spot something… oh fuck. He has a gun in his hand…

I look over my shoulder at the door to Barla Von's office. I walk up to it and open the door. A gasp escapes me at the sight of Barla Von's dead body, lying in the middle of the office, his suit riddled with bullet holes and a small pool of blood expanding from his corpse.

This is it… I've ruined everything…