Freeman's Odyssey
Chapter: 22
Enter: The Freeman Effect
Disclaimer: The characters of Mass Effect the original video game were created and owned by someone else, this is just for fan fiction purposes only.
A pentagram like structure floats in space at a location in the Milky Way galaxy in the Serpent Nebula. The facility looks like a space station as to many this place is known as the Citadel in which no one knows who constructed this massive space station. By the looks of it, this place has been here a very, very long time. There is over third-teen point two million life forms either living, working or just come here for their own reasons.
A governmental council runs the political spectrum consisting of three major races. Asari, Salarians and Turians. Special Forces of the council send called Specters handle the tough assignments when needed and what of humans. With all they had accomplished in reaching the stars they do not have a seat on the council. They do have an Alliance embassy here in the Citadel.
Any person whom has come here for the first time would be impressed as it would take anyone's breath away and Gordon Freeman is impressed by the sheer layout and design of this place. He had only arrived in this dimension ten minutes ago, appearing out of no where and had startled a few people. He is very impressed, but not just this place or space station in fact he had realized he is not on Earth. He can see humans and aliens all over the place.
None of them are Combine or Vorganites. Perhaps these people are unaware of the Combine and the threat they pose to this dimension. Many people are giving him odd looks as if who is he and why is he wearing that type of armor. Gordon noticed the word Presidium in holographic words. The Presidium itself was like the Garden of Eden despite the overwhelming technology that surrounds the area.
Gordon walked past some sort of monument that gave off strange vibes and the object looked like a tuning fork. Then he stopped and stared at a large statue of a creature that looks like a cross between a dinosaur and a frog. It looked like a very formable alien that is fore sure and it looked like it could handle just about anything the Combine can throw at it.
"Now that is a face a mother could love," muttered Gordon
"Not really," spoke a voice to his right
Looking to his right Gordon he sees the same creature that looks almost identical to the statue. This alien creature has scaring upon his face and armor that is a red color, along with his eyes in which he suspected he has been around for a very, very long time. Gordon can see the alien creature looking up at the statue for a moment and looking at him. The one-free-man raised a brow behind his glasses in wondering what his story is and noticed a large shot gun strapped upon the right hip of the alien creature.
"The statue represents the values of the krogan - honor, loyalty, courage, fortitude" said the alien "It was commemorate the krogan contributions in the war against the Rachni which have now been lost to my people since the Krogan Rebellions and the devastating genophage."
"Uh…..Krogan, Rachni, Rebellions and Genophage," said Gordon slowly "You kind of lost me there."
"Are you an idiot," asked the Krogan "Surely someone like you in the Alliance knows about it by now, the information is out there."
"No, just overwhelmed that is all," shook the head of Gordon "I don't work for this alliance."
"You look like you've been in many battles," said the Krogan "I know mercenary work can be a bitch at times, but pays well and…." The Krogan draws closer to him, almost nose to nose "Don't get in my way, the bounty is mine."
"Relax frogman," said Gordon who didn't look intimidated "I'm just passing through. So I don't care about this bounty you mentioned."
"See that you don't," said the Krogan "Or I will shove my shotgun up your ass."
"I'm a hop, skip and a jump away," replied Gordon "Mister….Uh!"
"Wrex," said the Krogan as he walked away from him.
Gordon Freeman watched the Krogan called Wrex walking away and mumbling to himself. He walked away as well but found himself near a terminal and suddenly a female hologram appeared whom has a colors of either pink or purple.
"Greetings, welcome to the Citadel," said the female hologram "How may I help you."
"Tell me everything," said Gordon.
The female hologram told him in detail the best she could on Krogans first with their history and just about everything like the rebellions, genophage, and creatures called Rachni. Then she went onto explain about another alien race called Salarians and their history. After that she told him about an alien race called Turians about their military and their values, along with the first contact war with a human organization called Systems Alliance.
Along with that she went on to explain the Systems Alliance and all they had accomplished as she mentioned they do not have a seat on the Citadel council or have no human Specters. She told them they do have an embassy and went on to explain about other races as well in which Gordon is simply fascinated by all of this. Including technology, ships and other areas of interest like an Omni-tool and an organization called Cerberus. Also places on the Citadel as well.
The Asari was the last thing she had mentioned about a race of females and only females. It reminded Gordon of ancient amazons and their culture. He asked about a race called the Combine, however she had no information. Then he asked about the name Gordon Freeman. The female hologram merely stated that the name does not exist in any past or present records. Gordon noted that he does not exist in this dimension.
"Where can I find this Omni-tool?" asked Gordon
The female hologram went on to explain where he can get an Omni-tool
"Thank you," said Gordon as he rubbed the back of his head in a sheepish way "Talk about sensory overload."
Gordon walked away as he passed by a female Asari staring right at him near a place called the Consort briefly for a moment he looked back at her as if she is zoned out into space for a moment. Then the female Asari snapped back into reality and went back inside the consort but not before whispering to the other Asari at the door as well. Gordon paid no mind to that as he came upon a place the Emporium as a floating red jelly fish is hovering there as the hologram had already explained this was a Hanar.
"Do you have any omni-tools" asked Gordon
"It has many omni-tools," said the Hanar "This one only sells the finest and most luxurious items that credits can buy, observe."
Gordon sees an array of objects and notices an omni-tool, he didn't had any credits so he waved the palm of his hand over it as his suit is scanning so it can replicate the omni-tool for his personal use.
"Do you wish to buy for this one?" said the Hanar
"No I am fine," said Gordon as he walked away and activated from his forearm the omni-tool as it looked rather nice and flashly as he'll wander this Citadel.
Gordon spent several hours wandering the Citadel either observing or examining whatever is here. He had just left a club called the Flux in which he had a good meal and drink. He heard in the background there was some kind of attack on a human colony.
The place was very lively and now he is wandering some more in which he is about to turn a corner he collided with someone as the both of them stumbled to the floor for a moment as Gordon got up and offers a hand to the person that fell over. She appears to be a female in a suit and from the appearance this must be a Quarian but looks injured.
"Woops guess I wasn't looking where I was going," said Gordon
"No, no, it was my fault." said the female Quarian as she takes his hand and is helped up "I was in a hurry to see a doctor. I am a Quarian you know."
"Uh-huh," said Gordon "I'll help you to the Doctors officer as I just passed by the place."
"Thank you," said the female Quarian "It is not everyday someone helps a Quarian and I like your armor, what is that symbol upon your chest?"
"It's one of those long, long stories." said Gordon "And here we are Miss…"
"Tali'Zorah nar Rayya," said Tali
"Uh….nice name." said Gordon "Well gotta go." Then he muttered to himself "Cute girl."
The Quarian Tali'Zorah nar Rayya limped inside the doctors office to get treated. While Gordon wandered in the other direction as he went on to explore more of the Citadel for awhile until he had learned about several situations going on at once as he walked to an allyway and heard voices.
More like an argument between a the female Quarian he helped and a couple of others who seemed to be out to kill her. Gordon uses his suits replication system to bring forth a weapon of his choice a pulse rifle and he heard other voices as well he did not reconized. Then the shooting started.
But Gordon didn't hesitate and just fired with dozens of energy shots upon the people who were about to harm the Quarian female known as Tali. Even before they got their shields up as he had taken them by surprise. Gordon stepped out of the shadows as their attention is drawn to him as he put away his weapon for the time being.
"Oh it's you stranger," said Tali "And thanks for the rest of you in helping me"
"Seems like the gang is all here." said Gordon
He noticed a human male with a black suited armor with N7, a human female with a red and white armor and Turian male holding a sniper rifle in hand. They withdraw their weapons and the human male walked towards the female Quarian named Tali. They spoke for a few moments as Gordon heard about someone called Saren. Then the man with the black suited armor walked towards Gordon and stopped.
"I'm Commander Shepard," said Shepard "Alliance Navy of the Normandy, identify yourself."
"Gordon Freeman," said Gordon "Wanderer." He wondered if this man is any relation to Adrian Sheppard
"I've seen this human," said the Turian called Garruss "C-Sec had him under surveillance due to the fact he appeared out of thin air."
"What do you know about Saren?" asked the armored woman "And seriously you appeared out of thin air."
"Never heard of him," shrugged Gordon "I take it he is some sort of nut case."
"Appearing out of thin air is theoretically impossible, due to various sciences and unknown variables." said Tali "I suppose he must have a cloaking device upon his armor and I would like to examine his armor. You were saying something about talking to the council about the evidence I have on Saren, Commander Shepard."
"Yes, let's go." said Shepard with a nod and turned to look at Gordon "I suggest you come along as well, you might learn something about this."
"We don't need his help skipper," said the armored woman
"Relax sweet heart," said Gordon "I might as well tag along," then turning to look at Tali "Not as theoretically impossible as you say considering how one point in space and time can intermingle with one another to create a possibility even you can't fathom. But it would be best to explain it to later."
"Sweet heart," snarled the armored woman as she reaches for her weapon "Why you son-"
"Stand down Williams," said Shepard "Were wasting time here, let's move out."
"Yes, sir," nodded Williams then muttered under her breath "Asshole."
All of silently walked away from the ally as Gordon kept getting looks from Commander Shepard for some reason, but he ignored his looks as all of them headed to an elevator and as the doors closed.
The elevator headed upwards for what is seemed about five to ten minutes as news broadcasts are heard in the background until finally all of them reach the designated floor for them to be on. Gordon is told that they are meeting with the council he simply nodded as they walked up the steps are two men are waiting form them.
Captain Anderson and Ambassador Donnel Udina
Gordon watched in the background everything fall into place and mentions of this along with that as well. This is the one of many things Gordon would never like to see or witness again politics. Evidence is presented as a woman's voice is heard as well an asari Matriarch named Benezia. Decision is made
"Commander Shepard - step forward." said the Asari Councilor "It is the decision of the Council that you be granted all the powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel.
Shepard does just that.
"Spectres are not trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle; those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file." said the Salarian Councilor
"Spectres are an ideal, a symbol." said the Asari Councilor "The embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will."
"Spectres bear a great burden." said Turian Councilor "They are protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold."
"You are the first human Spectre, Commander." said Asari Councilor "This is a great accomplishment for you and your entire species."
Commander Shepard nodded as others everywhere looked as if they are witnessing history, then the council is adjourned for the time being and Shepard along with the others walk down the steps as Shepard is having a conversation with a Captain in which the ship known as the Normandy is his, along with a set of coordinates to find someone. Besides, hunting down Saren, after that Gordon gave a pat on the shoulder of Shepard!
"Nice job," said Gordon.
"Will you be coming along, we could use your help," said Shepard "Besides what is your story?"
"Sure why not," said Gordon "Beats standing around here, kind of stuffy and all. My story is a long one, but not right now." He turned to the Turian named Garruss "You know your people almost look like cockroaches."
"What's a cockroach?" said Garruss
Ashley Williams snorted
"Uh, never mind" said Gordon "Lead the way Mister Shepard."
To be continued
Chapter: 23
Planetary Adventures