ABOUT 14 YEARS AGO, MINDOIR
"Come on, John. We are getting late." Miranda called to John, who was still busy, looking for something inside. "Coming!" Came the reply from inside the room. A few seconds has passed and she saw that they are really getting late for their school. She felt irritated because their teacher reminded them to reach school a little earlier today and they are getting late because of him. Miranda started to lose her patience. Don't get her wrong, she loved him like no other, but sometimes he tend to get on her nerves. Still, she can never stay angry at him for long, because he is too adorable and she just cannot ignore him. She tried sometimes, but no matter how hard she tried, he had managed to break her walls every time with his innocent and adorable ways to make her smile.
But this time she is really angry. She cannot figure out what was taking him so long. She marched inside with the intention to find out herself and drag him out by his ears if necessary. Well, that was exaggeration, she can never do that to him. She entered inside the room angrily. Her eyes swept the room and found the object of her musing. He was sitting on the bed searching for something among the books.
"What are you doing?" Miranda huffed angrily, folding her arms over her chest and leaning on her right leg.
"I cannot find my books." He looked a little frightened.
Miranda rolled her eyes and sighed. Sometimes she also couldn't figure out what to do with this boy and this is one of those times. She approached him and snatched his bag away from his hand. She opened the bag and held it in front of his face. "I have already packed your bag yesterday because I knew you will forget and will try to do it at the last moment." She scolded. John's eyes widened and his face turned red. "Seriously, John you didn't even check your bag? It feels heavy than normal and one could see that it contains something."
He looked down, ashamed of his stupidity. "I am sorry. We were getting late and I panicked. It's just…" John tried to apologize but Miranda cut him off. "We are still getting late, in case you haven't noticed. Come on." She started to drag him out by his hand. John almost fell down from the bed but he somehow kept his balance and took hold of his bag before leaving the room.
The two of them managed to reach the school, just in time before class but they couldn't make in the time that their teacher asked them for. When they entered the class, the teacher was already there and she looked angrily at them. "You are late." The teacher, Mrs. Grim scolded the two. "I have expected better from you, Miranda than disobeying her matter."
Miranda looked down ashamed. "I….." She tried to defend herself and John but Mrs. Grim cut her off. "No. I don't want to hear any excuses. You should be ashamed of yourself and…." This time someone else stopped Mrs. Grim from continuing. "Please Mrs. Grim, it wasn't her fault. I got her late. This is entirely my fault." John confessed.
Miranda gave him a look which said, "What are you doing, stupid?", but he ignored her look. He brought this on her and he won't let her take the blame. "And what made you late, Mr. Nobody?" Mrs. Grim asked. She enjoyed rebuking him. Most of the students and teacher does because he has no identity. He is an orphan. There are other orphans too, but he is targeted solely because of his lack of identity. Sometimes, John curses his luck and even get angry at his parents for leaving him. But he cannot hold that grudge against his parents forever, because deep inside he knows that parents will never abandon their child willingly. His life could have been different if he had his parents with him. He could've had a brother or a sister or both. They would've been a happy family. Despite this desires he thanks his parents for leaving him, otherwise he wouldn't have met her, Miranda Lawson, his Miri. To him she is the most amazing girl in the world and no one can even be compared to her. No matter what, to him, she will always be special. She is the most important person in his life. Nothing will come before her. Ever.
He hates the fact that everyone rebukes him because of his absent identity, even some of the teachers but there was nothing to say in return because he truly had no idea who were his parents or why they left him or are they still alive or are they dead. A few times, Miranda had tried to defend him but it only got her insulted instead, so he made her promise that she won't try to defend him, if anyone tries to insult or rebuke him. She didn't agree at first but he made her. Now he looked at her from the corner of his eyes and saw her clenching her fists in anger. Her jaws tightened and she looked ready to strike any moment like a serpent. He shook his head and warned her silently, not to do anything stupid. The anger from her face gone and got replaced by sadness.
"You are what? Deaf? I asked you a question." Mrs. Grim's voice shook him out of his thoughts. Most students laughed at his expense. There were only a handful of them who didn't.
"I couldn't find my books." He answered truthfully.
"I didn't expect more than that from you." Mrs. Grim said. "Sit down everyone." She paused for a moment and looked at her students. John and Miranda looked at each other. There were only two sits empty, one at the front and one at the last. John encouraged her to go to the front seat while he went for the last one. She seemed reluctant but went anyway. "As I was saying before I got interrupted, we are having a very important event next week. The student's ball." Everyone cheered in excitement. Some of the girls giggled and begin to whisper among themselves. Miranda turned her head backwards and her eyes met John's. Her eyes were shining with excitement and joy. John smiled back. The teacher continued, "You have one week to find yourself a partner. So, be prepared." Most of the boys' stare immediately got fixed on Miranda which she ignored. Who can blame them? She was smart, intelligent, funny, kind and not to mention excruciatingly beautiful. There's no doubt that every boy in the school will want her to be their date for the prom. John glared daggers at the other boys but no one saw it.
She is mine. He thought, possessively.
It was lunch time at the school and the students were bust than usual because of the prom. Some boys were asking some girls to be their date and some others taking advise from their friends on how to ask a girl out. But Miranda wasn't busy. She sat on a bench in front of her table, eating her lunch. John was at her side her doing the same. At that moment a boy approached her where she was eating.
"Hey babe, wanna go to the prom with me?" The boy asked with an arrogant smile. He was confident that she would agree because no girl has ever refused him because he was handsome and rich.
"No." Came the blunt reply. The smile on his face vanished and got replaced by shock, then anger. "Did you just refuse me? Me? Tanner Woodsworth?"
"Are you deaf? Or you are so stupid that you don't know the meaning of the word 'No'?" Miranda said, still eating her lunch. Students who were around them, sniggered at Tanner's humiliation.
"How dare you refuse me? Don't you know who I am?"
Miranda put away her lunch to stood up to look at Tanner. "Yes, I know who you are. You are a spoiled little brat. Arrogant, selfish and a bastard. Now leave me." She sat down again and begin to eat her food again. Tanner was fuming at her. An evil smile appeared on his face. "You are going with Mr. Nobody I think?"
"What is it to you?" Now Miranda was angry. This boy has started to get on her nerves and how dare he insult John, her John?
"Come on we know what's going on here. Everyone here knows that you two stay together and….. Should I say more?" Tanner said, smiling arrogantly. In the next moment there was a loud crunching noise of wood breaking. John has clenched his fingers at holding the edge of the table and it snapped under his strength. Miranda placed her arm on his thigh under the table to calm him down.
"Not everyone is like you, Tanner who forces every girl into his bed." Miranda replied with an edge of steel in her tone.
"Looks like I hit someone's nerves." He high-fived with his gang. "Are you his little whore?" The entire area suddenly went silent with everyone's eyes fixed on Miranda and Tanner. Miranda felt John tensed. It is just a matter of time before he snaps and she knew it. She cannot let his happen. Once he gets out of control, she don't know what he will do. She had to take the matters in her own hand. Swiftly she stood up on her feet and slapped Tanner, hard across the face. The sounds of her hand meeting his cheek echoed through the entire area. Tanner looked shocked, while holding his cheek which had already turned red.
After few moments of silence some people begin to cheer and then everyone followed. Some even whistled. Nobody likes Tanner and his groups. They are the bullies. Tanner and his group looked around and left the area embarrassed. Some of the students even yelled, "Way to go Miranda! You put him in his place!" She sat down beside John and resumed eating. Soon the chaos died down and everything turned back to normal. From the corner of her eyes she saw John is looking at her with a smile on his face. She stopped eating to look at him. "What?" She asked.
"That was some slap, Miri." John said with a smile. She smirked. "Thanks. So….."
"So…. What?" He asked.
"Any of the girls asked you out yet?" She asked. John noticed she had a hint of jealousy and possessiveness in her voice.
"No. Why would they? I mean you know what they think of me." John said sadly. "And besides I don't want to go."
"Hey, ignore them." Miranda placed her hand on his and squeezed his fingers gently. "But why don't you want to go? Everyone is excited about this."
"Do you want to go with me, Miri?" John asked, looking in her eyes.
"You already know the answer, John." Miranda said, holding his hands in hers.
"I know." He sighed. "I think it is better that you should go with someone else."
Miranda was shocked. "What?! Why?"
"I saw how good you are in dancing and I always make a complete fool of myself in dancing. I will ruin your evening." John answered truthfully.
"That's what you are worried about? That's your reason for not wanting to attend the ball?" Miranda asked. He nodded. "John…." She whispered. "Look at me." He did. "I don't care whether you can dance or not. All I want is to spend that evening with you. It will be a special moment. Our special moment and our first date. All I ever wanted is to spend some time with you." Miranda tried to make him understand. John looked confused. "But you spend all the time with me." He said. "Yes." Miranda answered. "Because that's what I want. That's all I ever wanted and I ever will. Because I don't want to go anywhere where you are not present. When will you understand that?" She smiled gently at him. Her eyes shining with love for him. A single tear dropped from John's eyes. He leaned towards her and placed his head on her shoulder. Her arms automatically went around his shoulders to hold him, for comfort and because she wanted too. So many years have passed and John still wonders how he managed to win the heart of an amazing girl like her. He didn't know the answer but he knew one thing – He can never lose her. Without her his life has no meaning. As his thoughts ended he placed his left arm around her waist possessively at which Miranda could only smile.
"I love you, Miri." He whispered.
She smiled again. She never gets tired to hear those words from his mouth because she knew he meant them every time he said that. "I love you too."
A few minutes later, the lunch was almost over and Miranda stood among the other girls. She noticed that they were whispering among themselves and glancing towards her occasionally. "If you girls have something to say, speak your mind." Miranda said aloud, without looking at them. They were startled for a moment but composed themselves quickly.
"Yes. We were wondering why you always stick with Mr. Nobody. You can do much better than him. Sure he has the looks to which I even considered myself to ask him out but he is just a 'Nobody'. He has no identity." One of the girls said.
Miranda felt pissed off but she composed herself. "I will answer your questions in short. First of all, no, I can't find anyone better than him. No one can. He is amazing. You girls don't get it? Do you?" They shook their head negatively stating that they don't understand. "You only look at him from far but if you girls had really made some time to talk with him, you would have seen what I've seen. He is the most kind-hearted and gentle person who respects girls unlike other boys. He is loyal. Brave. Intelligent, well most of the time but sometimes he can be stupid but I kind of find that adorable and innocent about him. He is honest. He respects me. And he cares for me. What else a girl could desire?"
As Miranda revealed the character of John she could see that the girls' are thinking about what she said. "But you didn't answer about his identity."
"You want to know what I believe about him?" Miranda asked them. They nodded. "Then come with me." Miranda marched down the hall, with the intent to find John, the other girls followed her. She found him near his locker. She grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the girls. She saw that everyone was looking at her now. "What are you doing?" John asked, baffled. She ignored him for the moment. She clasped their fingers together and held it up in front of the girls' faces. "You people always ignored and insulted him, by saying that he is a 'Nobody'. But I can assure you that one day, he will create an identity of himself which everyone in the galaxy will know and respect. He will also be the object of desire of every girl and woman in the galaxy." She paused. "That's what I believe." She finished at the stunned students and a more than stunned John who had his mouth wide open. At that moment, Miranda really didn't knew how much true her words is going to be. If she knew, she would've withdrawn the part about the women wanting him to be theirs.
PRESENT TIME
Miranda stared daggers at the female crew members of the Normandy who are currently present in the cargo bay of the Normandy and are busy watching their Commander with affection in their eyes. But their Commander didn't notice who seemed busy training with Samara. Miranda remembered her declaration in the school that day. She really regrets what she said about women being chasing after him. It's not that, she has no faith on him, which she has, but sometimes he is too naïve about what other women wants from him and he is just too good to behave rudely with a woman. Her eyes fell on Samara. The asari has kept her words and continued on training him. The display of biotic powers were really amazing to see. Samara had said that he has learned almost everything but there is something which he haven't and that's the most important thing. When Miranda asked Samara about it, she refused to give any further explanation. Miranda wasn't a type of woman who would take a 'No' easily, but this time she remained silent, because she knew better than to question Samara. She noticed Garrus at the corner, tinkling with his guns. Jacob was there too, listening to the instructions of Samara. Jack was also there, whose concentration was entirely on Samara and John. Miranda could tell she was listening to every word the asari was saying to John. Miranda herself wanted to say but she had too much to do other than doing training. There's also another matter that is nagging her for some time now. It has been a week since she last contacted Oriana. Yesterday, she tried to contact her sister but Oriana is yet to return her message which is quite unusual because whenever Oriana missed her message she always messaged back within six hours to calm Miranda down and prove that she is safe and sound. Miranda has suspicions that something must have happened which is causing the delayed communication. She decided to wait a few hours for reply, otherwise she will take the matter in her own hand.
AN UNKNOWN WORLD, SOMEWHERE IN THE GALAXY
A dark figure sat on a large throne inside the large throne room. He sat under complete darkness, so his identity remained completely unknown. A man slowly approached the dark figure and bowed. "Are they here?" The figure asked. His voice held something dark. The man who seemed to be some kind of palace guard shivered hearing his tone.
"Yes, Emperor. They are here." The man bowed.
"What is their demand?" The Emperor asked.
"They want it, your Majesty."
"Impossible. I don't have access to it, yet. I need more time."
"Your majesty, they seem out of patience. And angry." The man replied. His voice laced with fear.
"I will go and talk to them. We need her to talk. Only she knows the way inside the vault." The Emperor said while getting up from his seat. At that moment a guard came running inside. He looked feared and out of breath. "Your Majesty!" He greeted and bowed.
"Yes?" The Emperor asked.
"She… she escaped. The Princess is gone." The guard stuttered in fear. He gulped as he stared at his King who still stood motionless in the dark. Then a shot rang out and the guard fell down on the floor lifeless with a hole on his forehead. "Get rid of it." Came the Emperor's steely order. The superior officer was still in shock as he looked between the Emperor and the dead body of the guard lying on the floor. "I want her back. At any cost." The Emperor ordered.
SOMEWHERE IN THE FOREST AREA
A young woman who looked no older than her mid-twenties was creeping through the darkness of the forest silently. She had blonde hair, green eyes, red lips and perfect skin. One can easily see that she is from a royal family. She held the beauty and the grace of a Princess. All her looks were speaking her heritage except the baggy and torn clothes she wore, also the dirt all over her hands, legs and face. She looked frightened. She took cover behind a large tree and checked to see whether anyone was following her or not. Once she was satisfied that she has managed to escape, she let out a sigh of relief and sat down on the forest ground with her back resting against the tree trunk. She leaned her head back against the tree and closed her eyes. It has been eight years. Long eight years since she was imprisoned by that monster. The monster who murdered her parents. The King and the Queen of the kingdom. Then he abducted her and kept her in a cell for these eight long years. Stream of tears ran down from her closed eyes as she thought about her parents. Her memories of them were still fresh and alive. The people loved and respected their rulers as they were kind, honest and caring. But the monster has ruined it all. He has destroyed countless lives including hers. Isn't there anyone who can put a stop to his evil rule?
Her train of thoughts broke as she heard the sound of a broken twig. She immediately got alerted and hid behind the tree again. Her eyes wondered the darkness of the forest trying to locate the intruder but she couldn't find anyone in her sight. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shouldered and she jumped. Believing that she got caught again she started to run. But the voice stopped her. "Princess?!" It was a male voice. "You have escaped?"
She stopped because she knew that voice. This voice used to tell her stories when she was a child. "Dorian? You….. you are alive?" She asked, surprised.
"Unfortunately yes, my Princess. But I wish the monster has killed me then." Dorian said sadly.
"Don't say that!" She snapped. "You are all I have left." Then she rushed towards the old man and hugged him tightly and begin to sob heavily.
The old man begin to run his hands through her hair in a soothing manner. "I am sorry, my dear. I can imagine what you are going through. But are you alright?" He asked concerned about her well-being.
The Princess pulled back from the embrace to look at Dorian. "I am okay."
"Did he… did he torture you?"
"Surprisingly, no. He didn't."
"Wha…. Wait. This place is not safe, we must go." Dorian suggested. The Princess agreed.
A few minutes later they had reached a hidden shelter far deep inside the forest. "What is this place?" The Princess asked.
"This my dear, is the base of the resistance." Dorian answered.
"Resistance? You are planning to fight him?" She asked bewildered.
"Yes. We must dethrone him. But come on, let's step inside. We will discuss this later once you are fed and rested." She nodded at his suggestion. The people inside were more than happy to see the free Princess. Their Princess. Some even cried holding her hands in theirs. But Dorian separated her from them explaining them that the Princess needs to eat and rest. Immediately the people went to work. Some begin to prepare food and others begin to prepare a room for her. Once she and Dorian were alone, she turned to Dorian and looked straight in his eyes.
"Dorian can you answer something truthfully?" The Princess asked.
"Of course." He agreed.
"Is there really any chance to defeat him and his army in combat? Say the truth please." She requested.
Dorian looked down and didn't answer immediately. "None." He replied.
The Princess' eyes widened. "Then why are you sending these people to their death? They stand no chance against his immortal army. They will only get killed."
"I am not sending them, Princess. I am not a leader. I am a writer. They want to fight and who am I to stop them?"
"Then, I will. I won't let them die. Not anymore. Too many people has died." The Princess said.
"They will listen to you. But….." Dorian hesitated.
"But?"
"There is a chance."
"What chance? Tell me about it."
"Perhaps we should discuss this later? You are exhausted and hungry."
"You are right. I am feeling tired and hungry. But can you arrange a meeting for tomorrow? I want to talk to them, myself." The Princess agreed.
"Consider it done." He bowed. "I will leave you to eat and rest for now."
After Dorian left, the Princess wondered what was chance he was talking about? What could it be? The Emperor is too powerful, how can they stop him? She reluctantly pushed those thoughts at the back of her mind and concentrated on the food which was served just then.
I will find soon enough. She thought.
SOMEWHERE ELSE
The Emperor marched alone to a secluded area alone. He had no guards with him. He looked around and after few seconds he spotted his targets. The aliens slowly approached him.
"You are running out of time." One of the aliens said who was different from the others. Its whole body kept on glowing the whole time.
"I just need some time. I will make the girl speak." The Emperor said.
"That's what you said last time." Came the reply in a synthetic voice.
"This is final. What can you provide you in exchange of some time?" The Emperor requested. He looked at all the aliens. They looked just like the Protheans yet, they looked different as if they were mutated into something else.
"Bring me Shepard." The glowing alien said. "This is your last chance, human."
"Thank you." The Emperor said sincerely. "When you will visit next I will give you Shepard, either alive or dead."
"Don't disappoint us again." The possessed Collector said while walking back to their ship.
"I won't." The Emperor whispered to himself. A cruel smile formed on his face.
NOTE: For whoever who is feeling confused after reading the chapter, the unknown world is the very place which is ruled by the Empire. Ah, well as always please review and let me know what you think about this update.
