Disclaimer: I do not own Halo, Warhammer 40k, Stellaris, Kaiserreich, HoI4, Clannad, Star Wars, or Mass Effect. This is a fanfiction, and I don't have ANY monetary reward for making it. Any political or religious beliefs mentioned in this story do not reflect my own. This is purely for fun.

WARNING: This is an M-rated fanfiction. Sexual content and graphic depictions will appear from time to time.

This is not your normal Halo and Mass Effect crossover, it's a three-way crossover.

AN: This is a fluff chapter, so fair warning. It's meant for character development, and I need this interaction for reasons you'll see later on. I'll be posting another chapter tonight that jumps to the beginning of Mass Effect 1.

Ludwig Fugger always considered himself a proud German. He was born to a minor noble family and had the option for a comfortable life. All he'd have to do was be a good leader, and study to become a good officer.

However, the Human-Covenant War was still raging long before he was born. He wanted to help make a difference and did so the best way he knew how.

The Jaegers.

They were the best of the best, and the laws of the Kaiserrich reflected as such. The Noble status given to Jaegers was above what Ludwig was born with. Jaegers weren't Könige, but they were high enough that a König couldn't forbid his daughter from marrying a Jaeger.

It was a law many of the Könige didn't like, but the Kaiser cared little for the opinions of the Könige. In the Kaiser's eyes, a Jaeger was far more valuable than a simple König.

A Jaeger squad was considered equivalent to a Voltsengel Krieger. A feat few could achieve, but it helped that after a Jaeger graduate they were trained by a Voltsengel for a year.

Like many other Jaegers, Ludwig also had ambitions. Gaining High Noble status was very appealing to Ludwig.

Many who sought to become Jaegers did so solely for the status, but they never made it. Through a grueling series of tests and exercises, the weak were culled. No man who didn't fully embrace the Art of War or wasn't loyal to the Kaiserrich could ever pass. A class of Jaegers could be as large as ten thousand, but only one could become a Jaeger.

They were the pride of the Vaterland for a reason. It was one of the few fully meritocratic institutions of the Kaiserrich, anyone from Könige to basic citizens could attempt to become a Jaeger. They didn't care about someone's title, they wanted warriors.

Ludwig didn't mind ending up in a new Universe. He and his family were estranged due to his decision to become a Jaeger.

His older brother was the heir of the family, and what little it had. Ludwig's father thought he wanted the higher title from being a Jaeger to steal the family's wealth.

To be fair, it was a real risk. The people Jaegers knew tended to be powerful and were constantly invited to balls by local Könige. Some disliked the power the Jaeger title had, but there were more who'd love to have their daughters marry a Jaeger.

By the time Ludwig graduated from Jaeger school, his father had almost disowned him.

It didn't matter though, Ludwig was a Jaeger.

No longer was he merely 'Lord Ludwig Fugger.'

He was 'Jäger Ludwig Fugger,' a title bestowed upon him by the Kaiser himself. The Kaiser also gave Ludwig a personal favor. An IOU for use whenever he decided.

It was tradition for the Kaiser to grant a single request of every Jaeger, as long as it was legal and reasonable.

Ludwig could have used his connections or favor to gain the wealth of his family. He didn't care about his family's wealth though, so he wasn't going to waste such a valuable favor on his petty family.

He wanted to be a respected warrior of the Vaterland, and his life goal came true. Ludwig didn't need the money of a minor noble family.

Ludwig and his team were chosen by König Erwin August Wolff, a well-known figure in the Kaiserreich and Imperium at large.

It was an honor, and Ludwig never regretted joining Supreme Commander Wolff's personal legion. Even if it meant never seeing the Vaterland again, it didn't matter. The men on board the Intrepidus were his family now.

Even when transported to a new Universe, he was still a warrior. Ludwig's job was to make the Xenos fear the Vaterland and Imperium, no matter where he was.

Instead of being depressed about how he'd never see the Vaterland again, he was invigorated. A new Universe with a new enemy; why would Ludwig ever wish to return to his backwater homeworld?

Though the inhabitants were Baselines, they had a very soft view of reality. Some were insults to the Empire by the very being. Like the Batarians; created by modulating the genes of Baselines and combining them with some ugly creature on Khar'Shan.

The Batarians may have been offshoots of Baselines, but they weren't part of Mankind. The Empire and late Confederacy had strict definitions of what defined a Human. The Batarians and many others feel well outside of that definition.

They were nothing more than savage Xenos that needed to be put in their place.

And put in their place they were.

The Batarian slave owners who died from the relatively quick executions by the hands of Clone Troopers were lucky.

When the Jaegers got their hands on a slaver, the outcome was a disturbing display of a Xenos body in old German Pagan ritualistic sacrifices.

The old religions of the German people were considered gruesome. One method used was opening a Batarian's rib cage up in a manner that emulates a bird spreading its wings. It took time because the Batarian had to be alive for the entire ritual.

The examples of the Batarian slavers were probably the most brutal in Imperial history.

Never before had such a weak Xenos race dared to defile Baselines.

Every Xenos needed to be under the Imperial boot. They acted like savages otherwise. If they weren't enslaving, then they were killing each other.

So what was Ludwig doing here when there were Xenos dogs that needed to be subjugated?

He looked up at the blue sky and slowly breathed in the fresh air.

That's right.

Supreme Commander Wolff basically ordered Tyr squad to take leave.

While Oden squad was off killing Batarian kakerlaken, Ludwig was just sitting on a primitive world.

Though he had to admit, it was a beautiful world.

The primitives called it Eden Prime.

Being a parallel Universe; Ludwig would think the Star Systems would be similar, but they were anything but.

As far as he knew, Terra didn't have such a system so close to it. He'd know, everyone knew of the Core worlds and their Systems.

The world was a natural paradise for Humans, which was extremely rare. It was a pleasant temperature with few ecological differences. No deserts or inhospitable jungles, just different types of forests and plains.

Ludwig only saw such worlds within the Empire, and they were only paradises due to extensive terraforming.

He looked ahead and continued his walk through the forest.

Ludwig was alone, something Supreme Commander Wolff only allowed Jaegers to do. The rank and file legionaries of the Weltraumwölfe were only allowed to go to certain planets in groups.

The last thing König Wolff needed was one of his men getting kidnapped. However, that was highly unlikely as even the basic legionary was more than capable of defending themselves. Ludwig was highly doubtful there existed a force in this Universe capable of covertly subduing a contubernium of legionaries.

Not only were all Imperials deadly, but they brought basic self-defense equipment. Every man going on leave had to have his personal egis and a pistol within his dimensional storage.

The egis was the lowest level of armor worn by Imperials. It was a skin-tight armor that had built-in dimensional storage, life support, and hard light shielding. The exterior of the suit was made of a flexible material similar to leather, but stronger than anything the primitives could make. The interior of the egis was made of a soft and smooth material that was chosen by the user; it could feel like silk, cotton, or whatever the user desired.

The dimensional storage wasn't that large, so they only had the basic pistol used for self-defense. It was a beautiful piece of weaponry often worn as a decorative piece at balls in the Kaiserreich. However, it wasn't just for show, they were scaled down hell lances; they'd take out a primitive tank in one shot.

Ludwig knew for sure nothing in this Universe could harm a Jaeger in nothing more than civilian clothing. When he had the Imperial egis and pistol; there was no place in the Milky Way dangerous to Ludwig.

Over the egis, Ludwig wore basic civilian clothes. Everyone normally wore something over the form-fitting armor.

The men on leave were supposed to be incognito, and running around in only an egis is pushing it.

Ludwig saw a small group of the local organisms. The inhabitants of Eden Prime called them 'Gas Bags.' They were ugly creatures and supposedly made a popping noise when shot.

He called the small pistol from his dimensional storage and aimed at one of the primitive creatures.

Ludwig wasn't sure what it was, but he hesitated. The creature was alive, and its species peacefully evolving. It didn't do anything to him, and he was going to kill it for mild amusement.

That single action would cause its genes to be lost forever. But it was a primitive, why should he care?

A high zapping-hissing noise followed the creation of a violet hell lance bolt. The thin projectile traveled at practically the speed of light.

Ludwig couldn't see the projectile, only a flash of violet and an exploding primitive.

He lowered the pistol and looked at the mangled and scorched body of the Gas Bag.

"That wasn't very satisfying." Ludwig thought.

He looked down to the engraved sidearm and thought about it for a moment.

"Goddess, what was that!" A surprised but soft voice spoke behind a tree.

Ludwig snapped the pistol in the direction of the voice. Part of the reason he doesn't like being on leave is he gets sloppy. Being around nothing but primitives only worsens the issue.

Ludwig turned around to see a beautiful Asari and frowned.

He was snuck up on by a Xenos no less.

They may look Human, but they were undeniably Xenos. Their reproductive systems were proof of their alien nature. However, he was mildly curious if the blue imposters were good fucks.

Though, he shouldn't be thinking like that. Sexual relations with Xenos was taboo within the Empire, double so in the Vaterland.

On the other hand, he was a Jaeger, and no one would know.

"W-What are you doing!?" She asked in a frantic but somehow smooth voice.

Taking a closer look at the blue Xenos, Ludwig had to admit she was stunning. She wore tight clothing that showed off her athletic body and assets. The only thing distinguishing her from Mankind was the head tentacles.

The blue skin was sexy and exotic, but some minor Imperial cultures genetically engineered blue skin into their people. It wasn't unheard of for some Humans to have exotic features. Namely some Americans and Japanese got very creative with eyes and hair.

However, the skin seemed to have some kind of texture or pattern on it. That only added to her exotic charm.

He also noticed the fear in her eyes and enjoyed the fact he was able to frighten her so much. She was clearly just a Xenos civilian.

"You snuck up on me." Ludwig lowered his pistol and responded to the blue Xenos in a low, calm tone.

He still wasn't happy about it.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." The Xenos sincerely apologized.

The blue Xenos seemed to relax a bit and walked towards him.

"Brave little thing." Ludwig thought.

"I don't have very much experience with your race, but I didn't think Humans got your size." She looked up at him curiously.

"I'm… different," Ludwig responded in a rough voice.

"Oh, sorry I didn't mean to offend you." She softly apologized.

Ludwig wasn't sure what it was, but something about her voice was appealing. It was probably because she was so soft-spoken.

The blue Xenos stared into his eyes, and he met her stare almost challengingly.

After a few seconds, he shrugged his shoulders and started to walk towards the nearby settlement.

Once he walked past the blue Xenos, she turned on her heels and followed.

"When did you get into town?" She curiously asked from behind.

"If you're referring to the settlement a few hundred meters away, then I haven't yet." He curtly answered.

"What do you mean?" The blue Xenos seemed confused.

"I've just arrived."

The Xenos seemed unusually talkative, but Ludwig wasn't interested in small talk.

"Did you park a skycar somewhere out here? You shouldn't do that. It's a safe community, but we have parking lots in the main tower." She was trying to be helpful to the giant Human.

"No, I walked." He stated as they walked.

"What!? How, the nearest town is over fifty kilometers away!?" She exclaimed.

Ludwig rolled his eyes.

The primitive thought that was a long distance to walk. He was a Jaeger and expected to run that distance in a few minutes. To be fair, his time on Venus probably desensitized him a lot.

"That's not very far. It was an enjoyable walk." He answered.

In reality, it was far longer. He's been out in the wild for a while; enjoyed nature, camping, and hunting.

Ludwig tapped the pistol on his right hip, and the pistol disappeared.

"What was that?" The Xenos asked another question from behind.

"Dimensional storage. Don't think about it too much." Ludwig didn't really care if she saw his technology.

If she tried screaming about it online, then Ares would deal with it. The AI probably wouldn't need to; everyone would think she's crazy.

"How could you tell me not to think about it!? That was amazing! How does it work!?" She asked in a relatively quiet state of awe.

"You're not capable of understanding." Ludwig emotionlessly answered.

"I'm not stupid." She responded in an irritated tone.

"To me you are."

"That's quite mean," she sourly pouted.

He continued walking towards the nearby settlement known for Prothean ruins. As much as he believed in the superiority of his people, it was interesting seeing how some Xenos lived.

The Empire was one day going to have countless cultures under its banner. Ludwig didn't see anything wrong with experiencing other cultures as long as he knew where his loyalty was.

The rest of the walk was uneventful. He enjoyed his time alone in the wild, it was relaxing and had a soothing effect on his soul.

The last few days he was camping and hunting all alone. It was very therapeutic, and he got to try new forms of meat.

Perhaps he needed the vacation. God knows the horrors of the Flood we're going to stay with him forever.

Ludwig truly hated the San'Shyuum, but the way those things burrowed into their skin was stomach-turning. The worst part was the way they talked afterward; they were still in there, but different.

He saw one comfort another San'Shyuum as its chest was being carved by an infector. Telling its fellow Xenos it was better on the other side.

Despite their differences, Ludwig started to love and respect the Forerunners. They made the Halos and cleansed the Galaxy of that ungodly life form.

Ludwig walked into the settlement and was surprised by its tranquility.

The settlement was relatively small but surrounded by beautiful forest and crystal blue waters. The buildings were smooth like American architecture but much more primitive. The centerpiece of the settlement was a large triangular tower that housed most of the population.

The buildings didn't exude a feeling of civility and culture only obtained by tens of thousands of years of improvement.

Yet something was endearing, almost beautiful about the structures. The unified culture of the Alliance was far too disagreeable to Ludwig, as he was a firm believer in the Vaterland and its ideas.

However, it was a budding culture of Mankind; entirely different from anything in the Empire. Supreme Commander Wolff told him to think of them as a lost tribe, and that helped him see things differently.

There were countless forms of civilization within the Empire, this was to be another. It was young… they all were.

"I know a nice hotel you can stay at." A seemingly more and more familiar voice spoke next to him.

The walk after meeting the primitive was admittedly less enjoyable. She kept on asking questions and trying to start a conversation.

He regretted ever showing her his dimensional storage. At first, it was just her curiosity and sexual attraction to him; but after she saw his technology, she was far more persistent.

She was like a shy child on Christmas morning.

"No need, I'm going somewhere first." He shot down her offer.

Ludwig noticed he was getting a lot of attention from the people in the settlement. It was to be expected, he was an eight-foot plus Human. These primitives have never seen anyone like him before.

He noticed an attractive brunette looking at him, and a familiar want took over. It's been a while since he had the company of a woman.

"The Prothean ruins? You know those are just the tourist sections. I know a much better place." She offered but seemed to be a little annoyed for some reason.

Ludwig was slightly intrigued and agreed to her offer. However, the blue Xenos wasn't going to do it for free.

"This location is where I work, I could get fired. In exchange, tell me your name." She lightheartedly demanded.

It was almost painful to see her flirt. She was very shy but did hide it well for a primitive.

"Ludwig."

They arrived at a site further away by skycar half an hour later.

Normally he wouldn't dream of using such a primitive transport over an enjoyable stroll in paradise, but the blue Xenos insisted on the skycar.

He was curious about her off-grid site, so he had to sit in the painfully slow transportation. However, the painful experience was worth it.

It was a freshly dug dig site, and they had to use an elevator to get down to the Prothean structures.

Ludwig was greeted by black buildings that were clearly not built by the primitive members of Mankind.

The site was large and had multiple buildings. It was only Ludwig and the blue Xenos at the bottom of the site.

The buildings had an interesting design. They were simple, yet elegant. Harsh geometry with black and green patterns.

The culture must have been fascinating, but like the Alliance, they were primitive. A budding culture that failed to make it in the harsh Cosmos.

Ludwig wasn't a Xenophobe, as the primitives called it. He was rather liberal for a German and enjoyed experiencing the spice of life.

Ludwig placed a hand on the black monolithic structure and felt despair. They were dead. They'd never see their young grow again. What was it like looking at your children knowing they'd be the last generation?

He didn't know how these people died, and perhaps it was the unknowns. However, he knew one thing; they'd be alive if they were subjects of the Empire.

The Empire will always see Mankind dominant, but the lesser races are protected from genocide.

"They're fascinating, aren't they?"

His thoughts were broken by an amazed, soft, and feminine voice. He looked down at the blue Xenos looking at the large black structure with awe.

Ludwig turned back to the black tower before responding.

"That's not the word I'd use for it." He softly replied.

"How so?" She curiously asked in a slightly flirtatious voice.

"They're dead." He plainly answered.

"Oh."

The blue Xenos then seemed almost ashamed.

"But, doesn't that make it our job to remember them; to celebrate the lives they once lived?" She hopefully asked.

She was very optimistic.

"Perhaps, but they shouldn't have to be remembered." He somberly answered.

There was a pregnant pause, and the green buildings seemed much more dreary.

Ludwig was by no means a Voltsengel, but he was a very powerful psionic. The only Avatars he couldn't beat were God level one, but those were extraordinarily rare.

He could feel the Protheans, they must have been a psionically powerful race. The residual presence was very weak, but enough to feel the prevalent emotions.

Dread, fear, and helplessness.

"They vanished over a hundred thousand years ago. We couldn't have done anything." She hesitantly told him.

"Perhaps not your people."

Ludwig wasn't sure why he said that, but it felt right.

A hundred thousand years ago was a long time for even the Empire. Mankind was just stepping out of Sol, and the Terran Confederacy was formed to prevent future wars.

"If I may, where are you from?" The blue Xenos gently asked.

"Very far away."

"You look Human, but are you a new species? You're not thos-" She dug.

"No, I'm a member of Mankind. Just a different variant."

He didn't know why he was responding to her all of the sudden.

"How?" She curiously asked.

The blue Xenos did have a charm about her. She was shy and unsure, but also a curious little Xenos.

"My people are far older than your kind believe." He responded almost sagely.

"Oh."

Ludwig was walking through the settlement in the middle of the night with the blue Xenos. She still tried to start conversations, and Ludwig found himself talking to the little thing.

After they got back from the site, she asked if he'd walk her home. The excuse the Xenos used was one of seeking safety.

As they got closer to her appointment, she became timider.

Eventually, they arrived at a door inside of a large building.

"I was wondering… if you didn't… I mean if you need a place to stay…" she stumbled as she played with her hands.

Something changed in Ludwig after the Prothean site. Maybe he was grateful she went out of her way to share her passion for archeology with him.

One thing's for sure, he was checking her out more.

Instead of answering her, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards her apartment.

Ludwig casually brushed his hand across a holographic display, and it turned green.

"Wha-" she tried to ask in shock.

"I'm going to break you, Asari," Ludwig growled at the bashful blue Xenos.

Ludwig was beginning to think he made a mistake. He was starting to enjoy the blue girl's company; not just sexually.

He looked down at the sleeping girl on his chest.

The sex was great. She had an amazing rear, and he loved seeing how much the timid girl could squeal.

The girl believed she'd be able to take the lead psionically, but she couldn't have been more wrong.

He's been in the settlement for three days, and each day was spent with her. The blue girl was bright, and a decent conversationalist.

Though, that was when he didn't have her pinned against a wall, bed, or shower.

Ludwig knew better than to get attached. She wasn't a Human, and couldn't offer him what he wanted. Plus she'd never be accepted in German society, and the Asari girl would have to undergo extensive genetic modification to become compatible with him.

There was no way he'd father more Asari with Imperial genetics. First off, that'd be gross. Second off, German law would demand the child's execution.

Either way Ludwig cut it, he shouldn't get attached.

It was very early in the morning, and the blue girl was exhausted. He was far more gentle with her than the first time, but Ludwig still wore the blue girl out.

It seemed like a good time to leave.

Using a gentle psionic intent to keep the blue girl asleep, he gently rolled her over. Then carefully got out of bed, and got dressed.

After he was fully dressed, he grabbed his phone from the nightstand. Ludwig couldn't believe how much he shared with her.

Ludwig looked at the girl's exposed breast but found his eyes drifting up. Something came over him, and he felt guilty.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead before walking towards the door.

"Goodbye, Liara."

Hell Lance:

Hard-light technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since the late days of the Forerunner Ecumene. Traditional hard-light used by the Forerunners were used for shielding, structural support, and hard-light projectiles. Forerunner weaponry traditionally had slow velocities but was very effective against organic targets. However, Imperial kinetics and fibril cutters were far superior. However, the technology had a breakthrough in the form of the Hell Lance.

The need for a more robust weapons system arose once Imperial dark matter deflectors and Adamantium severely hampered the fibril cutter's effectiveness. The fibril cutters were also very energy-intensive and were hard to miniaturize. The smallest weapon to use fibril cutters were carbine-sized beam weapons. However, the weapons systems still had their uses.

Hell lances were the merging of Forerunner hard-light and Ancient Human fibril cutters. While primarily a hard-light weapon and has a minuscule amount of mass, it still attains the dimensional properties of the fibril cutters. The hell lances also have far superior velocity, to the level of 99% c and up. However, the ability to disintegrate organic matter was largely lost in exchange for velocity and dimensional properties; only a small area hit by a hell lance bolt is disintegrated primarily due to the heat and kinetic energy of the bolt.

Though the hell lance did not replace the fibril cutters.

A relatively accurate analogy would be flame throwers and kinetic bullets; both weapon systems use mass but in radically different ways. Hell lances are good for high-level armor and shield penetration. The fibril cutters are good at emitting vast amounts of energy and are perfectly effective against targets without dimensional defenses.