Author's note: Well here's the next part of this story. This is only half as long as last chapter, but the important thing is to keep the story moving forward so…
Just one thing before starting. Could someone tell me where I have to go to post some story challenges? I've been coming up with some ideas for some interesting stories and I would like to see if some of the writers that hang around here would like to take up on the task at writing them. I can't I'm too immersed in writing this story to do it. I've simply having them flying around in my head, no plot bunny has emerged as of yet but I would certainly like to read a story with this ideas of mine.
They're 3. First a Hellsing/ X-com: enemy unknown crossover, in which Integra is chosen to become the X-com commander. The gist is that the Millennium attack in London is abruptly brought to an end by the Alien Invasion. An alien warship appears on the skies above London to do a terror attack and decimates the entire Nazi/vampire army from the sky before landing and began carrying on with their abductions. The attack also kills most of the Iscariot and leaves the organization leaderless with the dead of father Maxwell, which in the aftermath and in order to fight this new threat against humanity. Father Anderson and his posse consisting of Heinkel Wolfe and Yumie Takagi join X-com. Maybe some of the agents of Millennium can also join, seeing how a global alien invasion practically changes the rules of the game, some members like the doctor or Zorin or Schrodinger mayand that's a big may, join. But the Major definitely has to die; no way would Alucard or Integra leave him alive.
The next is a Watchmen/ Borderlands crossover in which Rorschach is sent to Pandora and he becomes a marshal. I had this dream one time of Rorschach killing bandits and blowing the face off handsome Jack with a conference call shotgun. Traveling the wastes, killing any poor idiot standing in his way. I believe Rorschach could very well tame the wilderness of Pandora all on his own. He should have to arrive on the interim between the first and second games, so he can build up a reputation and be present during the Hyperion take over, so that they can learn the meaning of fear. Preferably during the destruction of new heaven where he will slaughter the Hyperion forces and allow the town to be safely evacuated and relocated to sanctuary. Obviously he would change the main story line of the second game with his presence. Like when Jack shoots Roland, during the entire cut-scene the vault-hunters simply stand there and do nothing! WTF? A bunch hardened killers simply decide to stand stiff as a rod instead of shooting the mother-fucker who's been fucking with them during the entire game? That has no sense at all. I wanted to shoot the bastard the moment I saw his shitty-face out in the open. Rorschach would definitively shoot him.
And finally a crossover between the original and the new version of the Thundercats, because I saw the first chapters of the new version and it didn't end convincing me quite well. The new, younger Lion-o even though he walks the path of the just, I just simply can't shake the feeling he's lacking something. So what would happen if he met the Original Lion-O that although he made a lot of mistakes during his journey, he became an example of a true great leader comparable to that of Optimus Prime. So I really would like to read a story where the original Thundercats, after the return comic-series and before Dogs of War, found themselves transported at the beginning of the new series. No need to follow canon at all.
Anyway, if you could point me to the proper place where I can post this challenges I will really appreciate it, or if you want to give it a try and develop one of this ideas fine by me.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing all belongs to EA.
CHAPTER 13
NORMANDY'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
Sitting inside the Kodiak shuttle, the ground team was on its way of returning back to the Normandy. A second shuttle had been sent to haul the cloning pod that contained Okeer's Krogan super soldier back to the frigate. Currently, the commander decided to use the free time they had during the transition to ask Alice a few questions about her disappearance. The girl in question was currently sitting in the opposite seat in front of him, watching with great interest through the shuttle window their breaking off of the planet atmosphere. This was her first time inside an atmospheric vehicle, so there was not much surprise that she be enthralled by the sights.
"So Alice, what you been up to since you left?" asked the commander pulling Alice out of her sight-seeing with the sound of his voice. The girl was momentarily startled by his approach before relaxingback down once she became aware that she was being addressed at.
She promptly apologized for her lack of acknowledgement "Oh? Sorry commander, my mind was elsewhere. Did you say something?"
"I just want to know what you've been doing while you were gone. We still don't know what it was what caused the drive core to spike like that. So I would like you to tell me if you discovered anything on your end." Shepard asked getting comfy in his seat.
Alice replied with a sway of her head "No, sorry commander. There was nothing out of the ordinary for what I could tell when I woke up, just the same old, boring and regular London. Truth is; your glowy engine getting all haywire was not something that would particularly strike me as odd. Things always tend to get a little… hectic before I leave wonderland. You could say is something like an early notice that tells me when I'm about to wake up. It never fails." She stated with the outmost certainty.
"Well, regardless. I have to say you were pretty fast in coming back to us; you didn't waste any time for what I can tell" Shepard said, stroking his chin.
"Not soon enough if you ask me, it was hard enough to keep my excitement on a tight leash during a whole day. The anticipation of getting back to continue with my appraisal of all your technological marvels once again was almost too much to bear."
"A day? Alice, you were gone for only 3 hours."Stated Shepard with genuine surprise.
"What?" Replied Alice caught off guard by that answer"How is that possible commander? I spent the entire day wandering through London's streets and alleyways. Its only recently when I went to sleep that I was able to find my way back." She stated utterly at a loss.
"Believe I can explain" said Mordin barging in the conversation "Considering young Alice indeed is moving back and forth between different time periods. Then time dilation could be only plausible explanation. Basically, an individual from a specific time-continuum could travel to any future date at any given moment, regardless of what transpires in own era, so long as it is to a later period from its own time-continuum. Could leave now and spend days, weeks or months at own century. But appear just a few seconds after departure from our own time period. Depends which date she wishes to arrive." Mentioned the Salarian doctor rubbing his chin in thought
"I think I can get the idea, Professor." said Shepard mulling about the subject. "Very well I guess that explains it. Anyway Alice, I want to start with your instruction once we return to the ship and I dealt with our new friend first." He said referring to the tank-grown Krogan they had picked up in Kolrus.
"As you wish commander, I shall await for your word when you have need of me." Replied Alice curtly.
"Just make sure not to get in trouble in the meantime" Shepard said absentmindedly before going back to the task of finding a comfortable spot in his seat.
Once the ground team was already back aboard the ship. The first thing Shepard set to do was to collect the reports of what had transpired inside the ship during his absence from his officers on the CIC. The moment the doors of the elevator began to open, Shepard was confronted by the figure of Yeoman Chambers.
"The Illusive man wishes to speak to you, commander" she informed him. Great! Just the last person he wanted to speak right now. Ugh, might as well get over with it quickly. Shepard had a good guess of what this little social call was about. He barely paid attention to Kelly's further news, stating he had new messages before he double backed and headed towards the conference room.
He entered inside the briefing room, the QEC springing to life as soon he set foot inside the place. The meeting table lowered unto the floor and a holographic grid appeared showing a full-size image of the secretive leader of Cerberus, sitting leisurely on a chair with his ever present smoke in hand. "Hello Shepard. I've just got word of your most recent acquisitions for your team. I must admit, if anyone else but Miranda had informed me of this, I would have labeled it as a bad attempt at a joke. But seeing EDI's recordings as proof, well… I got to say I'm curious. Is not every day you meet real life fiction characters, more so when they display such impressive array of skills".
"So I take it you know about Alice?" said the commander crossing his arms.
The Illusive man took a drag from his cigar before answering "How could I not. It has my entire science division in a bit of an uproar trying to find a logic explanation for the impossibility of this event. And according to Miranda's reports, Alice has the potential of virtually surpass the combined biotic prowess of the entire Asari matriarchal body with the power of her mind. Having the ability to make things happen just by thinking them, being able to break the barrier of space and time at a whim; imagine what this could do for our understanding of the workings of the mind. We could unlock the secrets about humanity biotic potential and improve the human condition in ways we could have never considered before. The things we could learn from this girl."He stated, his glowing eyes taking a faraway look for a few moments at the possibilities that were being conjured inside his head.
"Alice is not some lab rat for you to experiment with. She's a human being, who's lost in a strange place and away from her home. Her gifts are not a plaything for you to exploit". Shepard answered back in a fit of hot temper.
"Of course, I meant no disrespect, Shepard. I was just pointing out something worth to consider for a later date. After all, I wouldn't want this to interfere with your current mission. So I hope the girl's presence doesn't prove a distraction for you and your team. It would not do if you were to lose sight of the real objective we're trying to accomplish in here, commander."
"Alice has proved herself as a very capable fighter. Her abilities are certainly something that comes really handy to have on your side during a fight. She's a little rough on the edges I'll admit, but I'm positive that I can straight her out. Don't you worry about my team; we will be ready when the time comes to strike back at the collectors"
The Illusive man exhaled a puff of smoke, looking at Shepard with an expression that could be labeled as amused. "That's good, Shepard. Once again you prove that my decision of not sparing any expense in your reconstruction was the right one. Continue building your team commander. I'll be keeping an eye on your progress." He said before signing off, leaving Shepard with a bad feeling nagging him at the back of his head.
Sometime later
Shepard stood in front of the cloning vat that held Okeer's ultimate Krogan warrior. It had been placed in an empty storeroom in engineering that was overlooking the hangar bay. Yeoman Kelly Chambers, XO Miranda Lawson and even EDI had expressed their concern of having a more than likely ravenous Krogan on-board After all Krogan weren't know for having the most cheerful of personalities. They had told him that if he was set into awakening the Krogan, then at least he should take the proper precautions before doing so. Except in the case of EDI who told him opening that casket was against regulations; something about untested alien technology or something like that.
Of course the Commander, being the bad-ass soldier he is, didn't listened to any of his officers qualms. Citing; "He's either a powerful addition to the crew or a time bomb. I'd rather deal with it now" So in short, the first thing they told him not to, the first thing he was set on doing.
He would have been practically alone on his own when that casket -containing a possibly savage and violent alien-was open (Again another brilliant idea) if it wasn't because Alice was also with him in the room. With nothing in particular to call for her attention, the young woman had stayed behind to witness the unloading and transportation of the Cloning Vat to his new dwellings. She was just leaving when she saw Shepard exit from the elevator and striding towards the storeroom. Being the curious girl she is, she decided to tag along and accompany him.
Which bring us back to the situation at hand. EDI gave Shepard one final ultimatum "Very well, Shepard. The controls are online. The switch –and consequences—are yours"
He took a look above his shoulder to address Alice. "Maybe you want to take a few steps back?" He said, with Alice promptly doing so without complaint.
Shepard approached the casket and activated the release mechanism. The liquid inside the big transparent tube was drained and the glass opened in half by the middle, allowing its occupant to take his first true breath in his life. The Krogan stumbled and fell on his knees, all wet and coughing water out of his lungs.
After spewing the liquid out of his system, the Krogan rose to his full height, towering over Shepard and everything else in the room. Alice had to admit that he looked quite intimidating in that faded gray armor of his. Shepard took a few tentative steps forward and approached the newly born alien.
For a moment, the Krogan looked mild enough and confused, still trying to take a grasp at his surroundings. But then all of the sudden his eyes gained focus and with the bellowing of a strained moan, the Krogan charged, colliding into Shepard head-on and hurling him like a rag doll.
"Commander!" Alice shouted, concerned for Shepard's well-being.
The Krogan then put an end to his mad dash by smashing the commander into a wall, effectively pinning him with an arm pressuring at his throat.
"Human, male" The krogan growled in a deep raspy voice "Before you die, I need a name"
Alice had already materialized her Hobby horse in her hands and was about to strike the bulky alien away from the commander. But Shepard, with a motion from his hand and a stern look, signaled her to stop. Against her urges, the girl relented and backed off, not willing to make a mistake that could prove fatal towards the commander in her haste.
Shepard took his attention back at his assaulter and looked him in the eyes "I'm Commander Shepard and I don't take threats lightly. I suggest you too relax." He warned in a tone that was both calm and commanding.
"Not your name. Mine." Rebuked the Krogan not caring about his answer, his voice sounding empty somehow. "I am trained; I know things, but the tank… Okeer couldn't implant connection. His words are hollow." The bulky Alien began to ramble in his thoughts "Warlord, legacy, grunt… grunt. "Grunt" was among the last. It has no meaning. It'll do."
The newly designated "Grunt" seemed pleased with his choice in name. "I am Grunt. If you're worthy of your command, prove your strength and try to destroy me" he challenged.
Now Alice began to get anxious. The violent creature didn't seem of the idea of calming down any time soon. This volatile situation could burst at any moment and with the way he was holding the commander, it could very well end in tragedy. Her grip on her Hobby horse began to increase until her knuckles began to turn white.
Surprisingly, the commander managed to talk his way out and was able to convince Grunt to back down and join his crew. The promise of battle against tough enemies was more than enough to sway him. It came as a surprise to see that Shepard had his gun pointing all this time at Grunt's sternum. When did he pull that thing out? Alice never realized when it happened.
Grunt seemed amused by that trick; he seemed to like the Commander boldness "Ha! Offer one hand, but aim the other. Wise, Shepard. If I find a clan, if I find what I… what I want, I will be honored to eventually pit them against you." He said giving Shepard a nod of respect before walking off.
Alice released a breath she didn't know she was holding. Dear lord, she never expected things could get this tense when she accepted the commander offer of joining in his ventures.
Even more time later
Alice was sitting minding her own business in one of the tables in the mess hall. Shepard had ordered her to go and wait for him in there while he kept questioning Grunt. She didn't mind, the Krogan wasn't much for friendly chat. He had made a very rude comment about her complexion once he had spotted her. Stating how weak and fragile she looked and that he could snap her like a twig using only his thumbs. That didn't help him to earn any points with her; not that he would care. The confrontation would have escalated very quickly if it wasn't for Shepard stepping in. That's how she found herself sitting in the Mess hall.
At least her waiting wasn't boring. She had found Garrus in there and promptly engaged him in conversation. She liked Garrus, the Turian may not be the most polite person he knew, he liked to make vulgar comments from time to time. But he had a personality that she couldn't help but find charming, despite the ego and lame jokes. She really enjoyed having him around, not to mention the stories he liked to tell, which were very entertaining and funny to listen. Right know he was telling her about what The Commander and the rest of the ground team had done just before she arrived in Purgatory.
"So we are stopped the moment we leave the Normandy by a group of thugs, demanding we surrendered our weapons if we wanted to set foot inside Purgatory. One of them was stupid enough to get on Shepard's Face. Trying to be all hotshot, pointing his rifle at him, being all like –Relinquish your weapons!- but Shepard was not impressed, he was all cool and immutable. And replied by pulling his gun out –like this- aiming it towards the poor fool head and said-I will relinquish one bullet. Where do you want it?-"Said Garrus doing his best impersonation of Commander Shepard, much to Alice amusement.
She could barely hold back her laughter at such ridiculous rendition "yes, I didn't know the commander could be so wily in his replications."
"Yeah! So we basically enter in a bit of a standoff, until that corrupt Warden –his name's Kuril, if you remember- Appears and he's all like. – I'm Warden Kuril and this is my ship. Your weapons will be returned on the way out. You must realize this is just standard procedure- But the commander didn't lose a beat and replied -It's my standard procedure to keep my guns with me at all times- and then began staring each other up. Trying to determine who was top dog. Of course Shepard managed to force Kuril to back down and he let us in with our weapons."
"I'm pretty sure he ended regretting that decision, after how things turned out." Alice proclaimed.
Their conversation had to be put on hold for a later, as Shepard approached them. "I hope you haven't been corrupting our newest addition Garrus. I would be really worried if she suddenly starts acting like you." Shepard jested at his old friend.
"Yes I know, it would be too much awesomeness for the ship to bear" Stated Garrus quite humbly.
"Well, at least she's more pleasing to the eye than you. By far"
Garrus huffed in mock indignation "You know I had to take that missile to keep the ladies off me, the only way I could get some peace and quiet was by marring this ungodly sexy face of mine. Oh! It's my curse for being so handsome."
"Yes, keep telling yourself that." Shepard deadpanned while Alice tried to stifle a laugh.
"Anyway, I'll have to leave you now to keep this young lady entertained on my behalf. There are still lots of calibrations that I need to finish. See you around, Shepard."
Shepard waved his old friend goodbye before turning his attention towards the young woman "Well Alice, I know I said I was going to instruct you in proper military doctrine. But I'm afraid that would have to wait for a little bit. I've just received a message from the council –That's the ruling body that governs the galaxy in case you don't know- They're requesting my presence for an emergency meeting."
"For the way you put it. It sounds pretty important" the girl pointed out.
"It is. The ship's already underway to the Citadel for this meeting. We will arrive in 3 hours. That's not enough time for me to begin with your instruction. But it is enough to begin teaching you the basics of how modern society works and bring you up to speed on all that's happened on Earth story in the last 300 years"
Alice pondered this new information for a few seconds and eventually raised a query. "Not that I doubt in your tuition abilities or anything, commander. But that seems to me a pretty tall order to accomplish in only 3 hours. How do you plan to attain that goal?"
"I'm glad you asked Alice. Because I have just the right thing for the job." Shepard said, lifting a finger for emphasis. He rummaged through the pockets of his uniform and presented a wrist-sized compact device to Alice "Here take this, your brand-new personal Omni-tool. If you're going to be around hanging with us in these modern age and time, is almost mandatory to have one. This one comes with the most recent version of the Galaxy codex already installed" Shepard explained while Alice fumbled with the device in her hands "It will tell you all you need to know of how the Galaxy is run day to day. Consider this a gift to you from my part"
Alice was at a loss for words, this was certainly a magnificent gift. Already, pretty well aware of the glowing device capabilities, having witnessed Mordin and Garrus use it to launch elemental attacks or interfere with the performance of any advance piece of technology with it. She would have never imagined that she would become the owner of one of such devices. The surprise was pretty evident in her voice.
"I don't know what to say. I… Thank you very much commander. I assure you I'll put it to good use" She replied in a rush of excitement, a foolish grin adorning her face. She quickly set on the task to examine her new toy, but after a few unsuccessful attempts to operate the device. It became quite clear that Alice didn't know how to use it.
"Ummm… I'm afraid I have no idea how to manipulate this complex device" She confessed lamely.
"It's nothing complex once you know how to use it. Here let me show you." And so the commander took a seat next to the girl and began to guide her on her first steps into the galaxy at large.
Well there it is my most recent advance; hope it was good and all that. Also I have a little thing in store for next chapter, so make sure to keep an eye for the next update. And as always don't forget to review.