Just Built Different
Max Barrett is an original character (OC). His conception was thought up and altered over the course of 7 months with no influence from other characters or people. Any resemblance with anyone else is no more than mear coincidence. Originally he was just supposed to be a completely normal human with military training. This was changed to him being really smart. Then I decided to instead make him able to lift a car over his head. This eventually lead to the final decision of making him a hyper-intelligent supersoldier.
Chapter 3: To Earth and vague history
Jack Harper, otherwise known to the galaxy as 'The Illusive Man', sat in his chair smoking a cigarette. His cybernetic eyes focused on the reports currently floating before him in the form of holographic projections. He reached up and swiped to the next page when the door behind him suddenly opened. In stepped an attractive human woman with a curvaceous body clad in a white skin tight body suit.
She approached the man before placing an old leather bound journal in his expectantly out stretched hand.
"It's done then?"
"Yes. It's been fully translated. Even the blueprints."
Jack Harper took a drag from his cigarette. A long exhale of smoke left his mouth as he placed the nicotine stick on the table next to him. "Good. Have preparations made immediately. The sooner we can capitalize on this the better." He held the book carefully in his hand. He found it amazing that the most valuable item Cerberus has in it's possession happened to be no more than an old leather journal. An old leather journal that happened to belong to humanity's greatest mind. And with it the key to making Cerberus, and humanity to an extent, the dominant power in the galaxy.
"Shall we make contact?"
Jack turned over the question in his head for a moment, thinking of the implications. "No, not yet. This is Max Barrett, the smartest man ever born. We need time to figure out how we can convince him to join us. If we approach this the wrong way we will only cause him to lose interest. He's smart enough to realize that what we're doing would be considered unethical and might even try to bring Cerberus down." He collected his thoughts and began forming strategies in his head. "He's been around humans exclusively his entire conscience life. If we explain humanity's situation to him he might become sympathetic."
He hummed as he picked up and took another drag from his cigarette. A sigh was followed with a stream of smoke. "Hopefully it won't be that difficult to convince him of humanity's dire need of him."
The Citadel, Inner Ring...
"I won't do a thing for humanity." Max, in the basement of his brand new high end apartment, was currently informing his bff, BT, of his ideas of how he could have fun in this universe.
" Explain."
"Well you know how humanity is acting like I'm the second coming of Christ? Well I stopped and thought about how funny it would be if the greatest of humanity just went ahead and did everything for the aliens and nothing for them. I know this is literally the perfect opportunity to pull a Warhammer forty k and become the God Emperor of Mankind but to be honest I really just don't feel like it."
" You are a child."
"Besides, humanity seems to be doing just fine on its own." BT took a close note of Max's grin. A grin that told him that his human was lying through his teeth. But he didn't need that to know Max's opinion of his own species was regrettably poor.
" Max, I do not believe this is the smartest move."
"Of course it isn't." He shrugged. "I'll definitely be ostracized by my own species when they figure out I'm not going to do a damn thing for them. But I honestly don't care, humans are boring anyway."
" I do not find you boring."
"I know, buddy." Max petted BT affectionately. "Because I'm the most interesting man in the galaxy, possibly the universe. And I know you love me."
" I do."
Max smiled. "Love you too, BT." He stood from his seat, his phone held up near his head. "Wellp, we better get going. Did you sell the apartment yet?"
" I did."
"Good. And how's the hacking of The Alliance going?"
" Already done."
"Great." He went up the stairs to the main level and grabbed the bag full of his stuff. The 'stuff' being clothes that was placed in the closet of the main bedroom specifically for him before his arrival yesterday. As well as a toothbrush, toothpaste, all-in-one hair-body wash, a comb for his luscious dark brown hair, and a few other things. "Did you reconnect with your main core back on Earth?"
" I attempted to when we were first unsealed. Unfortunately my attempts were unsuccessful. The security systems of the alternate BT has shut me out, apparently he does not recognize me. As a side note I would like to emphasize the need for a more powerful antenna as I have lost connection with Earth upon leaving the solar system."
Max nodded. "Alright. Now, as much as I would like to go and explore the Citadel there are things I need back on earth." He put BT in his pocket then put an earpiece he made in his right ear. "Those Quarians you hired, they still coming along?"
" Indeed. They were quite eager upon being told what it was you needed them for."
"And the Krogan?"
" Yes. Although they have demanded double the agreed upon payment when they discovered we were going to Earth. I accepted this change as I knew you would not have cared."
"And you were right. Comparatively not even a scratch on the proverbial paint that is my mountain sized pile of money." Ah yes. His riches. He was pleasantly surprised when he discovered his company was not only still running to this day but it has also grown into one of the biggest, most profitable, and most powerful companies in the galaxy. They do everything. Everything between weapons and babybottles, cars and tanks, lightbulbs and omnitools, space fairing ships and submarines. When it comes to humanity and it's ex-Covenant allies there is almost nothing Barrett Industries isn't involved with in someway.
And the best part? They haven't had another CEO after he disappeared. Or rather the him of this universe. Hmm, now that he thought about it what IS this universe's version of him like? He'll have to do some indepth research of the alternate Max Barrett. If someone comes along and asks him about something the other him was involved with he can't just respond with "What the fuck are you talking about?" or else people will think he lost his memory. And only bad things will happen if they think he needs mental help. Which he doesn't. And his desire to have fun while ignoring humanity's needs is definitely not a sign that he does.
A ring from his omnitool broke his train of thought. Checking it he noticed it wasn't a number he recognized. He swiped his hand over the glowing 'accept' button. "Drem yol lok, daar los Max Barrett. Fos los nii tol hi huvut do zey?"
The person on the other side didn't speak for a moment. " I'm...sorry. My translator didn't pick that up. Could you repeat that?"
Max grinned. "Greetings, this is Max Barrett. What is it that you require of me?"
" Good morning Mr. Barrett, this is Nelyna from the Consort's Chambers."
Max raised an eyebrow. Oh? And how did you get my number I wonder.
" I am calling on behalf of Sha'ira. She-"
"Sha'ira? The Asari Consort?"
" Yes. She wishes to speak to you-"
"I have heard of her and her borderline meretricious ways. Tell her I have no use of her whorish services."
" But-"
He ended the call with a swipe of his finger. Max knew it was a bad idea to piss off an Asari, considering how powerful even a weak one is, but he had no time for attractive blue women right now. And if he was being honest the head tentacles was a bit of a turn off. He knows they're technically not women and that the things on their heads are not tentacles but they certainly look like it.
" Max, there are five armed individuals attempting to gain access to the apartment."
He dropped his head in exasperation. "I can't go five damn minutes without something happening can I?" He drew a pistol from his back pocket. It was a standard issue Hahne-Kedar weapon given to him before leaving the hospital. It's a piece of shit compared to what I can make. Luckily, the basement was outfitted with various tools, machines, materials, and metal scrap for him to tinker with. Probably set up specifically for him. The result was an upgraded pistol that was now not-as-much-of-a-piece-of-shit, as he liked to call it. Using knowledge of Mass Effect weapons he gained last night from a how-to video on the extranet, he cracked it open and fiddled with the insides to increase the velocity and size of the rounds fired. "So long sand grain rounds, hello twenty two caliber." The quick calculations he did in his head told him the gun will now break the wrist of any normal human that tries to fire it, and that's with the improved recoil dampener.
"Accelerating tiny metal shavings to sub-light speeds, horribly inefficient, completely unnecessary, and extremely dangerous. What the fuck were they thinking?" He had considered removing the recoil dampener and weakening the mass effect field before selling it online to a human buyer. He found the thought that someone somewhere will have to go to the hospital due to their arm disintegrating into a fine red mist to be funny. Fortunately BT convinced him not to. Claiming that while no government that would care about the incident would willingly do anything to him he should still keep it as a form of protection "just incase". And in this instance, he was right.
Although that didn't stop Max explaining to him that he doesn't need a gun to protect himself.
He dropped his bag to the floor before approaching the door to the apartment. Swiftly swinging it open revealed a human man squatting in front of the doorway, his omnitool on, apparently trying to hack his way past the automated security lock. Which was something that would never have worked considering the fact that BT, in his ever present desire to protect his creator, had personally saw to it to improve the security systems to a point that only an AI can get past. Or Max if he's fast enough.
The other four were in pairs of two on either side of the entrance and standing in a way that blocked anyone from viewing the man attempting to beat BT's security. All were staring at him in surprise.
Amateurs.
Max lifted his gun and shot the still squatting man in the knee, his weak kinetic shield shattered like glass against the force of the upgrades. His pained yelling causing the others to break out of their stupor. Max was faster. He got one more shot off, hitting one on his right in the thigh before the rest ripped their concealed weapons out. They weren't fast enough. He charged forward and grabbed the still screaming man off the floor and swung him around like a bat. The three remaining mercs all fell to the ground, their weapons falling out of their hands. Max slammed the now passed out merc into the stomach of the last one on his right. Letting go of his improvised weapon he turned and brought down both his fists into the faces of the last two mercs, knocking them out cold as well as some of their teeth.
" All threats incapacitated."
Max let out a sigh. "Why do they always send noobies after me?" He gazed down at the bloodied unconscious men. "I can't wait to meet a Spartan. At least they would actually stand a good chance of beating me." The thought of facing off against a Mgalekgolo caused him to pause. They are strong. Stronger than even him. He would have to avoid getting into a fist fight with one if he planned on living for long. Mgalekgolo are one of the few intelligent species he might come to hold any amount of fear towards. He gulped. The idea of being cleaved in half by the blunt two ton shield they constantly lug around was a thought that did not sit well with him.
" You could have shot all of them."
Max's response to this was a shrug followed by a "Felt like hitting something."
Walking back into his apartment he quickly recalled the feats of multiple beings. He's stronger than spartans but not as fast. Jiralhanae and Krogans are strong enough to provide him a physical challenge. Salarians might surprisingly be smart enough to trick him if one ever decides to try. Sangheili are strong, fast, and skilled enough to meet him head on. He is stronger than Yahgs...probably. And Mgalekgolo will throw him around like a ragdoll.
Oh yeah, he has his work cut out for him in this universe.
He rubbed his hands over his face. "Why can't this universe be simple?" Under normal circumstances he would revel anything that provides him a actual challenge.
But these are not normal circumstances.
"How the hell did this even happen?" He grabbed his bag and made his way back to the door. "Was that a interdimensional cryopod? Is some diety out there just fucking with me?" Stepping through the doorway he noticed there was a number of people standing in the hallway. Max smiled at them. "Howdy neighbors." He nonchalantly stepped over one of the mercenaries and put his foot down on the next one. The downed man groaned in pain as Max put his full weight on his chest while bringing his other foot forward and over him.
Max continued walking, nodding to one of his Turian neighbors as he passed by. "Already called C-Sec. They're on their way." Actually it was BT that called, but he didn't clarify this as he didn't feel like getting arrested for illegally possessing an AI that wasn't registered with the UNSC or the Citadel. Something that surprised him was the fact that after the First Contact War, or the 'Relay Incident' as it's almost exclusively called due to it not being humanity's first interaction with aliens, was that AI's are legal in Citadel space in this universe. Probably has something to do with the UNSC's abundant use and requirement of them.
Although that made him wonder. The UNSC and their new ex-Covenant allies, a conjoined military force officially -and ironically to Max- designated 'The Alliance', had roughly thirty one years to help eachother out and share intelligence, culture, and a number of other things. Including technology. Did the UNSC show the uses and effectiveness of smart AI's to their new alien friends? Do the ex-Covies use smart AI's now? These are all questions he would like answered. He needs to know if his precious BT had become outclassed. In his current state of being reduced to just the phone he could just barely compare to the data-crystal based AI's. Of course though when he's hooked up to his main core in Max's basement on Earth he's probably in a similar league as a Forerunner computer...probably.
At this point he had finally reached the elevator. He swiped his hand over the luminous green hologram button thing and stepped on. The elevator began moving downwards after he tapped his destination on the screen. The lights on the ceiling were somewhat annoying with their blinding whiteness, causing his pupils to shrink with a slight sting in his eyes. He had spent too much time in the dark basement of the apartment.
" In recent news: Max Barrett, the human who went missing in the year twenty twenty and was recently discovered to still be alive, has checked out of the hospital after only a week of recovery. Being the greatest human mind back in his time, it has been speculated that he might still be one of humanity's brightest even today. Because of this, the galaxy is eagerly waiting to see what he will do first. More on this story after the break."
Max's left eye twitched in agitation. "Can this elevator go any fucking slower?" He turned his head to the hidden speaker in the corner of the ceiling. "And I can guarantee you that only humanity and maybe the Sangheili are waiting to see what I will do. The rest of the galaxy couldn't care less!"
The only reason the Sangheili would care is due in part to their present protectiveness towards humanity. After the Human-Covanent War the four jawed aliens had quickly grown fond of humans. One would say that such fondness grew because of their guilt in what they've done during the war. They did, after all, kill off most of humanity. Though none can say for certain except for a few, which includes Max. Max took one look at the behavior of the Sangheili, their history, and what they've done after the war.
It was definitely born from guilt.
Of course though he would never say this outloud to a Sangheili. He likes his teeth where they are thank you very much. They also have sharp claws and, contrary to his ridiculous physical resilience, his flesh actually cuts easily. With a sharp knife his skin will slice open like a normal person's but it will require someone of considerable strength to cut his muscles. Someone like a Sangheili or even a Turian if they do enough strength training.
His muscles are built into two layers, the deeper thicker layer that makes up almost the entirety of each muscle possesses nothing unique about them, excluding the near unnatural density that causes his superhuman strength and speed. The thin outter layer however has a slight soft rubber like quality to them. This in turn grants him a noticeable resistance to blunt force trauma but is still susceptible to sharp objects.
Ounce for ounce bone is actually stronger than steel. Due to the genetic abnormalities he was born with his bones -and muscles- are significantly denser than what would be found on a normal human. And unlike other humans one of these abnormalities happened to be a near lack of myostatin production, meaning that his bones and muscles will retain their density even when it's not required. This explains why he kept so much muscle and skeletal mass but it's not the only reason. The second explanation is his unique set of genes that boost his amino acid metabolism, resulting in greater concentrations of certain nonessential amino acids that fuels muscle cell growth, preventing muscle atrophy.
In other words, he's a grizzly bear.
Ironic.
Honestly, if he didn't know any better he'd say his genetic abnormalities were all perfectly selected for him, like he hit some twisted genetic lottery machine when he was conceived. Some would even say they were suspiciously perfect. How was it possible that someone could have so many unusual yet advantageous genetics and not suffer from a number of DNA based deficiencies? Genetics is a give and take process, when something big is taken in other things need to be let go in order to progress forward.
But hey, who was he or anyone else to judge him for being the sum of humanity's potential? In another way of putting it, genetic perfection.
DING
Fucking finally.
He stepped off the elevator and began his journey to the local ship docking area, pointedly ignoring the strange looks he received from both his own species and aliens alike. But he didn't blame them. He completely understood their reactions to his presence.
Unfortunately that didn't stop his superior hearing from picking up on the whispers.
Is he a spartan?
No, he's way before any of the spartan programs.
Yeah, but isn't he super smart? He could've just given himself augmentations.
I guess that's true.
Even the aliens.
So that's the guy the humans won't shut up about.
He's shorter than I expected. Maybe he's not as great as they're saying he is?
Doesn't matter. He'll still catch a fine price as a slave.
Damn batarians. Max never liked them. Even though they're aliens he still could not find it in himself to grow any form of fondness for them. They're horrible, slave trading, smooth brained troglodytes. Not to mention that they're just. So. Fucking. Ugly. Nothing like the incredible sexyness of the Sangheili. With they're long, hot, reverse jointed legs. They're four fingered, double thumbed hands. They're scaled hides. They're long, thick-
Goddamn it. He gone and gave himself a semi. Oh well.
He continued to ignore the existence of everyone around him, opting instead to carry on his trek to the docks, all the while whistling ' Wouldn't it be nice' by The Beach Boys.
Finally finding himself outside, he looked up and around, admiring the amazing view of the Citadel's inner ring. The short trees, pretty flowers, and colorful shrubs, all from some far off planet, were planted in small gardens that showed up in every section and level on the inner ring. The enormous screen that took the place of a ceiling held a light blueness to it, accompanied by puffy white clouds. It may be a false sky but it was still gorgeous. People of all species milled around everywhere, the daily community. "Absolutely beautiful. Truly society at it's finest."
Looking over the crowd, he noticed something quite peculiar. All the humans he could see were...
...Short?
Average?
Every human his perfect eyes could spot were of average size. The men were either five foot nine or close to it while the women were in a similar situation at five foot four inches. Everywhere he looked he could not stop the onslaught of painfully average.
A frown adorned his face as he narrowed his eyes. "I fucking knew humanity would spread genetic engineering to itself." He looked around once more, glaring distastefully at his fellow genetically "improved" humans. "Solving problems by eliminating redundant or harmful genes, sure, I get that. But taking away physical differences? Locking the average in place and making it bigger? Now that's a problem." The only outward differences he noticed were the faces, hair, and only slightly different body shapes.
Disgusting.
" It appears that humanity's gene-editing technology has improved, now being capable of performing large scale genetic improvements across the entire species."
Max's left eye twitched. "Thank you for your input, BT." He once more continued on his walk, ignoring the looks he was getting. "They're on their way to genetic sterilization and it will be entirely their own fault."
" I agree."
The silence between them lasted only for a few seconds. But in those few seconds a large number of thoughts flew through Max's head, all of them regarding humanity's current situation.
" Max, are you sure you don't want to help them? I calculate it will be-"
"Yes, BT. I am very, very sure." He stared straight ahead, his eyes glazed over slightly in contemplative thought. "This is a problem they have to solve themselves. I'm tired of humanity looking to me like I'm here to solve everything." He sighed. "I will not help them."
" If you are sure."
"I ammmm..." Max trailed off, becoming distracted by a Sangheili sitting on a nearby bench just up ahead, typing away at an omnitool while ignoring everything around him. Max shifted his gaze down and all around the alien, taking in his form, clothes, visible skin and scales, everything.
The Sangheili, a male, wore a set of cultural looking tan colored robes that bared an odd resemblance to a Japanese kimono. His shoes appeared more like fancy sandals and was probably crafted with high grade materials if that strip of gold-like yellow cloth along the side was anything to go by. His long, dexterous fingers moved with a speed and skill one would not expect from appendages as large as his. His head, as Max would personally describe, was incredibly attractive. Dark gray mandibles held tightly to a face of the same shade and color, his eyes a deep yellow with a black slit for a pupil.
The word Adonis flashed through Max's mind, he completely agreed with the voice.
On the front of his robes, just bellow the neck a dark brown spot interrupted the otherwise perfect tan of the lightly decorated cloth. It resembled a coffee stain.
Can Sangheili drink coffee?
Or maybe it was perhaps from some other drink he didn't know about.
Well whatever it was it doesn't matter. The Sangheili, apparently sensing the growing perversion of Max's stare, had turned his eyes away from his omnitool and up towards him instead. Max, deciding to play the suave card, had grinned and winked at the taller alien.
Eight foot five inches if he were to guess, taller than most of his species.
The Sangheili had no visible reaction to this besides following him with his eyes as Max walked past. As Max got further and further away, his grin slowly began to fade.
Damn, I lost my game.
Just then a ping rang from his omnitool. A quick check revealed a contact number. He glanced over his shoulder. The tall, handsome Sangheili was still staring at him, but before he looked away he had closed his right eye in a wink, his mandibles flexing in a way that gave Max the impression of a smirk.
Max, now sporting a massive smile while trying to suppress his giddiness, had turned back to the direction he was walking.
I still got it.
--
Max, having finally found his way to the designated ship docks, glanced around. Humans and aliens of all species milled about their business, thankfully not noticing him. Yet.
" They are near the ship entrance, seven rows down the left walkway."
He glanced up at the 'hidden' security camera at the far corner of the ceiling, giving it a nod with a smile. He didn't even need me to tell him to hack the security, I'm so proud of him.
He turned left and walked, passing by more people who stopped and stared. How obnoxious. He guessed he'll just have to get used to it, this will definitely be an unfortunate trend for a long while.
" Max, I have been doing research on this universe's alternate version of you. I would appreciate it if we discussed this topic further on the ship."
"Of course, BT."
In the mean time during his treck down the walkway he couldn't stop himself from admiring the ships, each varying in shape, size, and design. There was even a Quarian ship! Just like the others of the Flotilla this ship looked run down and only somewhat ancient. Rust, blotches of oil and various other signs of an old vehicle littered a good portion of the outer hull. It vaguely reminded Max of an old truck that's body was rusted through. He clicked his tongue and silently inspected the aged ship with comprehensive eyes, taking in the sight of every little detail and design flaw he could catch. Something that he found few of.
"Quarians really are the Germans of Mass Effect, they're all natural engineers." It was then that he noticed the group of aliens standing near the ship's docking Bay. "They're the.." They were all looking at him. All twenty of them. "Yup. They're the ones we hired. And that's the ship we're riding." He sighed, gaze falling back onto the near rundown ship. Well, I guess we couldn't really go for first class. Gotta make it off the Citadel somehow without the council or the UNSC finding out and stopping us. Unfortunately the only route was the lowest mode of transport barring being a stowaway.
" I'm sorry Max, but this was the only way off the Citadel without interference from the council."
"It's alright BT. As long as we have a room to ourselves then it shouldn't be a problem." He began walking over, putting on a large grin as he approached the hirees. All of whom were giving him strange looks, or at least he assumed so. Even he can't see behind those Quarian visors.
"About that..."
Max let out a quiet "Goddamn it." His smile, however, never faltered. "Drem yol lok fahdon! Zu'u los Max Barrett ahrk Zu'u los het wah vokras hi do hin ailments!"
The Quarians and Krogans looked between eachother in confusion, wondering if any of the others had understood what he said. Giving up, one of the masked humanoids looked back to him. "What?" Through the mask the voice held a metallic feminine twinge to it. Which, in his opinion, matched perfectly with the thin curvaceous body complete with all the outward parts of a mature woman. The form fitting envirosuit made of cloths and leathers held tight by straps and buckles left little to the imagination as an added bonus. Back in his time the way she dressed would be considered provocative with how much her suit complimented her body.
'Back in my time', Fuck I feel old.
"Dreh hi ni mindoraan dovahzul?" Max allowed a slight bit of confusion to take on his face as he pretended to pause in thought, looking off into the distance. He let out a low humm as he turned his eyes back down to the much shorter Quarian. Five foot eight inches by his estimation. "Do you understand me now?" The way each of they're heads perked up slightly was a signal enough. "Allow me to formally apologize for my transgression. My long and unexpected cryo-sleep must have addled my brain as I seemed to have developed an unfortunate tendency to forget that your translators are not equipped with all of humanity's many languages." He held out his right hand with the biggest friendliest smile he could conjure. "Let us start over shall we? My name is Max Barrett, and it's quite the pleasure to meet such esteemed members of the modern community."
The Quarian female stared down at his hand. Again, he couldn't see behind her visor but he could guess her stare was of the kind one would give to an object that defied their understanding of the laws of physics. With a great deal of hesitation she slowly extended her own hand and shook his with a slight limpness. This did not impede Max's enthusiasm however as he shook back with perhaps a bit more intensity than he should have.
"It-it's fine. You don't..need to apologize." Her head turned up to meet his eyes. She would have asked about the strange sounding language if it wasn't for one of the Krogans speaking up.
"Fuckin' hell. Did all humans sound like that back then?"
Max set his gaze upon the green shelled Krogan that rather rudely interrupted his conversation with the attractive Quarian woman. If he were to guess, judging by the various queues of her voice she probably was about middle aged. A milf undoubtedly. "Of course we didn't. At least not in America. I'm not sure if you can tell by my teeth but I'm not European." He loved jokes that offended people, even better if he made them. "I'm just messing with you. You won't have to put up with such prudish talking."
The Krogan snorted out of his nose a waft of foul smelling air, completely unaffected by Max's intense stare. "Good. I won't have to knock your teeth out then."
The blank look on Max's face slowly morphed back into his usual wide grin, slightly disturbing some of the Quarians. "Something tells me we're going to be great friends, dii lot braan."
He slowly shifted his gaze over the group of aliens. Ten Quarians and ten Krogan. Five males and five females of each species. He did not know where BT could have possibly found the female Krogans to hire given how rare and well sheltered they are from generally everything but it was probably best he didn't ask. "So!" He clasped his hands together after setting his bag down. "Are we ready to depart? I'd like to get started as soon as possi-"
"-rett!"
Max paused. Ears twitching, he could have sworn someone just said his name.
"Mr. Barrett!"
He turned his head to gaze behind him. It took a moment to remember who the human female was but he did, in fact, recognize her. He had a great time forcing Shepard to awkwardly punch and headbutt her in the face throughout the trilogy. He also noted that this character shouldn't exist in the twenty sixth century. Jogging up to them was none other than-
"Khalisah?"
And floating right next to her was her ever present camera drone. Max would deny it later on but he in that moment felt a mild form of panic upon seeing her. "Fuck." He turned back to his new alien camaraderies and began shooing them over to their vessel. "Go go go go go!" He grabbed his bag and flung the strap over his shoulder to free his hand. Using it instead to help lead (shove) his new friends (test subjects) into the airlock. "Quickly!"
But it wasn't enough. Khalisah was now running and will make it before the ancient doors could close. Unfortunately for her Max will not give up so easily. Dropping his bag he reached out and grabbed a pair of hand holds on either door when they came close enough and pulled. His skin took on a slight red shade and his muscles bulged as he willed his adrenal glands to work their magic. Utilizing every ounce of his might, the doors let out a metallic creaking as the sounds of overworked machinery came from the walls. The doors, due to Max's effort, were closing twice as fast now.
She won't make it.
Khalisah was less than ten feet away, yelling for him to wait up, when the doors let out a loud bang as they shut closed. Locked tight and not to be opened until the ship landed on Earth. Max turned around and released a heavy sigh, his skin tone returning to normal and muscles no longer two sizes larger. His use to be somewhat tight clothing was now slightly stretched out. He could also feel his heart rate going back to a steady rhythm.
"Those doors..."
He looked down. In the overcrowded airlock he could see one of the Quarians looking intently into his eyes. Their's wide and glowing behind their mask in a way that suggested shocked curiosity.
"Those doors are hydraulically driven. And you pulled them together with your bare hands."
Max's mind flashed through a wide number of explanations, the consequences of each calculated and considered. Being an eccentric weirdo he of course was obligated to choose the option that confused them the most.
"Well it's funny you should mention that 'cause I actually killed a bear with my hands."
They stared at him completely blank faced, absolutely no reaction.
Max tilted his head to the side, eyes turning upward to the ceiling. "Well actually I killed it with my shoulder but that's a minor detail." His eyes slowly clouded over as his face dropped into a neutral expression. "Sometimes I can still hear the crack of it's spine..." There was something in his eye. An emotion that only the Krogans recognized. The next words out of his mouth came out in a whisper. "...and the screams of it's children."
They couldn't question what he said though as the moment was suddenly washed away.
Decontamination complete.
The doors leading into the ship opened almost as slowly as the others closed. The automated voice from the hidden speakers having awoken Max from whatever flashback he was having. He beamed down at them, or rather most of them considering that some of the Krogan matched or even surpassed his height. "Well that's enough backstory from me today. Let's get going!" With his hands clasped behind his back and posture straight as a pole he marched to the doors on the other side of the airlock, the others making way for his large muscular body. They stared after him as he heartily greeted the crew of the old Quarian ship. Shaking the surprised hands of startled crewmembers as he walked down the hallway, probably on his way either to the mess hall or whichever room he was given.
Slowly, the group filtered out of the airlock. The only ones to not leave being two male Krogans, them being two of the three that were taller than Max.
"I like him." The Krogan with a light red shell spoke up, a small smile tugging at the ends of his wide lips.
The orange one, however, gave him a strange look before crossing his tree trunk arms over his broad chest. "He's a fuckin' weirdo. Nothin' likable about him, except his money."
A shrug of the shoulders was followed by "Yeah, he's weird and he pays real well. But that's not gonna stop me from fucking him into the mattress." He was pleasantly surprised when he discovered he was sharing a room with the tall human.
"That disgustin' human fetish of yours is gonna get us into trouble one of these days, Kurdon."
Kurdon, of course, knew this already due to past experience. Apparently UNSC generals don't like it when their barely legal daughters sleep around with aliens twice their size. Did he regret it? Not at all. Having an entire magazine dumped into his back wasn't enough to deter him from having another orgy with those same girls if he ever had the opportunity again. He didn't know what it was but there was just something about humans that drew him in. Was he crazy? Probably. Insane? Definitely not...maybe. "Too late for that, Tuxx. You should have said that a year ago when it would have ment something." He did pump them pretty full though. He wondered about the chance of impregnation. Although he knew enough about biology to know that the chance of such a thing was virtually zero he couldn't stop himself from wondering.
"You're fuckin' nasty, Kurdon. Just do us a favor and don't fuck this up for the rest of us." Tuxx marched out of the airlock, leaving the contemplating Krogan behind to think about his past bed partners and his people's current generational stagnation caused by the genophage.
"You know that, according to his file, he isn't biologically recognized as a human right?"
Tuxx groaned and rolled his eyes. "Human enough for you apparently."
--
Max, to his credit, managed to find his room with little help from BT who only occasionally whispered directions into his ear. Having run into nearly half the crew on his way he was now certain that the majority of which was made up of Quarians. Something that was to be expected on an ancient Quarian vessel but still slightly surprising. There are two beds on opposite sides of the otherwise small empty room, both being designed with a Krogan in mind. Giving Max a clue as to what his roommate will be. "Maybe this won't be so bad after all."
" I implore you to think otherwise."
"Too late."
Max dropped his bag at the foot of his chosen bed. A resigned sigh left him as he dropped onto his back in the less than comfy mattress. He rubbed his eyes with one hand. "OK, first things first. How many Mass Effect characters on currently alive in this century?"
" Almost all of them. Although I am unable to locate a small number of major and minor characters for various reasons. Whether they simply are not registered as a citizen of citadel space or they possibly never existed. Unfortunately I cannot connect with any systems beyond what The Citadel has access to, so I cannot say for certain."
Max interlocked his hands on top of his chest and tapped the pads of his thumbs together. "Alright. Do you have a scan record of the cryopod and it's fuel cell, BT?"
" I'm sorry, Max. But I'm afraid I do not. We were removed and taken away before I could restart my systems in time for an environmental scan."
A sigh. "Can you set up a meeting with whoever is in charge of studying them?"
" Of course, but it will take some time."
"Thank you."
There was a short pause before BT spoke up again.
" Max, if I may ask. Why is it that you desire to see the cryopod? What are you looking for?"
The human hummed in thought for a moment. "I'm wondering if this secret organization is somehow responsible for this. If they managed to invent dimensional tech, whether on purpose or by accident, then they need to be investigated. There's no way we can allow anyone access to such technology if we can help it. It would be disastrous for the multiverse."
" I agree. If such technology exists then we must destroy it."
"Woah, BT. Let's not get ahead of ourselves now. I like this universe and shit as much as the next guy but if we have a chance to return to our universe then we have to take it. Then we'll destroy it...after studying it 'cause there is no damn way I'd willingly let this slip through my fingers."
" I..see."
Another short pause.
" The way you suggested the unknown organization being behind our situation tells me that you have another theory. Can you elaborate?"
Max smiled as he closed his eyes. "Sharp as a fucking razor aren't you, BT? Like always. Yes, I have another theory. Everything we've seen so far has been far too suspicious to be coincidental. Mass Effect characters existing in the same century and decade as Halo characters a mere thirty one years after the events of Halo three. And we appear right smack in the middle of the exact time in which Halo and Mass Effect would finally interact at the beginning of the first game. The fucking Reapers haven't even attacked yet!"
" Where are you going with this?"
Max sighed again as he considered what he was about to say. "I'm saying that this doesn't at all seem like just a coincidence. I want to check the cryopod because I want to make sure that we aren't getting screwed with by some interdimensional god or something. Because if we are then we're in deep shit."
An uncomfortable silence filled the room as both thought over the implications of what Max said. Neither of them liked either theory but at this moment they didn't have much of a choice but to investigate and make sure shit doesn't hit the fan if it does turn out to be dimensional technology.
"Either those two or this is all just some loser's poorly thought out fanfic who's wrighting this instead of sleeping. And I'm the unfortunate star character."
" That seems inane and highly unlikely."
"You're right, BT. It's obviously gotta be one of the first two."
The door of the room suddenly opened without warning, revealing who Max immediately guessed to be his new roommate.
He sat up in his bed, looking over the seven and a half foot tall Krogan with calculating eyes. The reptilian alien doing the exact same thing to him.
Kurdon shifted his eyes over Max, taking in his sitting form. Short dark brown hair filled a head of lightly tanned skin. The beginnings of a 5 o'clock shadow pierced the flesh around his somewhat square lower jaw, giving his face a slightly darker appearance. Striking blue eyes seemed to stare straight into his soul, and yet Kurdon remained unfazed, this being nowhere near the first time he was given such a look. A plain white shirt hugged a heavily muscled torso, complimenting his thick arms and rippling pectorals. His loose pants, however, did little for his legs beyond the tightness him sitting has caused, showing off his tree trunk thighs and nothing else. "You talking to someone?"
Max tilted his head slightly to the side, his gaze never wavering. He recognized this game. "Only to myself. You'd be surprised how much it helps."
Kurdon huffed through his nose and crossed his arms, still standing in the doorway. "Tried it. Didn't work. Only drove people away. Most don't like it, it would seem."
"Guess you just don't have the mindset for it. Have you tried yoga?"
That got a laugh out of the old reptile. His chest heaving forward and back with the force of it. He uncrossed his arms and threw his bag across the room and onto the unoccupied bed. Kurdon approached Max, his eyes once again roving over the human's form but this time with a far more ravenous look. "Wanna fuck?"
"I thought you'd never ask."
When they emerged from their shared room hours later they both walked with a slight limp. "Didn't think you'd want a turn with a Krogan's ass." "Well, in the wise words of Bob Parr: Ass is ass." Max's tendency to make references that no one understands was an unfortunate personality trait that Kurdon realized he would have to get used to but he could live with it for now at least. It was made easier when the human offered to make him a set of armor superior to any he's ever worn and a set of brand new guns designed by him. "Must be an early Christmas." Max had expressed how much he loves it when aliens use human idioms, which was made even better with knowledge of their culture.
Besides his interactions with his now third favorite Krogan (no one will ever replace Wrex and Grunt) he had a lot of fun with the rest of the crew for the three day journey to Earth. In the engineering bay he had fun showing off how to improve their tech. Even going so far as to work directly on the engine after they recognized his talent for engineering, making it more efficient in nearly every capacity. He was finishing up on making a wearable powered exoskeleton he made with scraps he found laying around, exciting those watching him work his magic, when everyone was called up to the mess hall for lunch. After tasting the food only once he immediately decided to show the cook on how exactly to make food, levo and dextro, both taste good and provide all the nutrients the body needs. He was thanked and promptly shooed out of the kitchen by the old cook so he can get back to work making dinner. Later that night Kurdon thanked him for the improved meal by railing his ass again. Max had promised that, if he managed to convince him, then he'll make the new set of armor into power armor. He also made a mental note to make a Jiralhanae Gravity Hammer to go along with it.
The mental image of a Krogan in Astartes Space Marine armor weilding a Thunder Hammer appeared in his head. Truly a terrifying thought. He might as well kill Kordon at that point because he'd be too dangerous to be left alive.
Near the end of the third day was when they arrived. Blue and green beauty reflected back at them by the sun's rays of light bouncing off the surface. With a wide swing of his left arm he gestured down at the planet with all the grace of a fencer and the grandeur of a posh rich man. "Behold.." He turned to his hirees. "..my home. Welcome to Earth."
Subject: Max Barrett (New updated info)
Species: Meta-Human (Previously 'Human') (After Max Barrett's return from the grave he once more takes up the spotlight of humanity's focus, reigniting the never settled discussion of whether he should be reclassified as something other than human. This discussion ended a week later with Max Barrett officially being redesignated as 'Meta-Human' as a callback to old comic books.
Age: Physically: 22, Actually: 584
Height: 7' 2" (218.44 cm)
Health: 85/100
Intelligence: Unknown/10
Strength: Unknown/10
Durability: 20/10 (Max displays a level of resistance to blunt force trauma due to a natural rubber like layering on his muscles. This resistance does not extent to anything sharp or pointy as his skin and the rubber muscle layering cuts easily. However to cut any further one must have incredible strength. Example: A Turian with years of high end strength training and a sufficiently sharp enough blade [preferably an axe or a polearm or anything with plenty of leverage and weight] should be enough to begin to cut into deeper muscle.)
Speed: 15/10
Weaknesses: Bodies of liquid deep enough to drown in. Inner bodily functions are almost as easily prone to damage as a normal human's (i.e. wrong blood type transfusion). Attraction to Sangheili and a fear for Mgalekgolo. (Max's attraction to Sangheili and a few specific characters could be used against him by a smarter character. In addition to this he holds the beginnings of a growing fear for Mgalekgolo [Hunters as they are referred to by humans]. Max openly acknowledges that they are multiple times stronger than him, strong enough to cleave him in half with a good enough swing from their 2 ton shield. Their armor is durable enough to tank even Max's strongest hits without a problem, requiring him to aim at weak points with extreme precision and extreme strength. Max is not as fast as Spartans and cannot dodge every attack thrown by a Mgalekgolo, demanding him to end the fight as quickly as he possibly can. Anti-very heavy armor weapons are extreme recommended for this enemy as per BT's orders (demands).
Notes: Die Young is still Max's quilty pleasure song.
End 3rd entry.