Mass Effect: Lost Son of Terra

by Ares007

The Reapers had a system. They let Civilizations grow, then harvested once they were at their peak. What will happen when a wrench is thrown into that system in the form of Erwin Wolff. A broken man whose sole purpose was to kill Xenos. Pulled into a Xenophilic Galaxy. How will he deal with the Mass Effect trap and navigate new aspects of his life?

9. Shepard's Hope

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. This is purely for fun.

WARNING: This is an M-rated fan fiction. Limes will appear from time to time.

This is a double post. I hope you enjoy chapter 8.

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Chapter VIII

Shepard's Hope

Erwin's starfighter entered Illium's atmosphere, the DM deflectors pushed air away from the fighter's body. The starfighter was cloaked, only the displacement of air was proof of its existence.

The day length of Illium was twenty-five hours. Meaning the days on Illium could be treated like Earth days. No odd scheduling.

It was a good four hours until daybreak, but the sky of Illium was alive with city lights.

The starfighter stopped moving. It hovered five kilometers above the ground.

Below was Furukawa's apartment tower.

Erwin walked towards the floor exit, and the hole opened.

"Got everything?" Ares asked.

"Yep."

"You'll do fine. Just don't kill any of her friends." Ares encouraged.

"Yeah…"

Erwin looked through the hole, at the city below. He was high enough for the city to look like a canvas of grey and lights.

"See you later, Ares."

Erwin jumped through the hole, feet first.

He could feel Illium's gravity accelerating him towards the city. Erwin flipped, so he was diving through the atmosphere.

Erwin turned off the Armor's inertial dampeners. He loved the feeling of gravity grabbing his guts.

Erwin's speed picked up rapidly as his Armor's DM defectors allowed the air to flow around him with minuscule air resistance.

To add to the velocity, Erwin used his suit's thrusters to push him down faster. He was careful not to break the sound barrier. The loud boom could possibly wake up a certain someone.

Erwin flipped himself, so he was feet first again. Then started using the Armor's thrusters to bleed off speed.

He fell past the Furukawa's apartment balcony, only for his Armor's DRDs to slowly ascend Erwin back up.

Erwin softly landed on the balcony. Then he deactivated the Armor's cloak.

He walked over to the sliding door, and quietly opened it.

Inside was dark, the family fast asleep. It didn't matter, his helmet's sensors were capable of seeing through the darkness.

Not that he needed it, Anglian eyes…

He was trained to be stealthy from a young age, and he was good at it. He was probably the best Spartan at stealth, Jun could probably beat him in certain environments. However, urban environments were Erwin's specialty.

Erwin made his way to the guest room, or was it his room?

He didn't know. It probably was, it had his clothes and other personal effects. Erwin didn't need it though, he had an entire Solar System.

Erwin quietly opened the guest room door, he knew who was inside.

Looking over at the bed, he found a sleeping Oriana. She had one of those silly romances playing on the TV.

She did this a lot. Whenever she thought he was going to be coming in, she'd sleep in the guest bed. Her logic was he'd have to wake her up if Erwin wanted to sleep.

He snuck over to the bathroom and closed the door. It'd have enough room to take off the Armor. The process wasn't loud, but not exactly quiet either.

The Armor reluctantly let go of its Core. Leaving Erwin only in his underwear.

Oriana was a powerful biotic, and her connection to Erwin was only making her stronger. It was normal, if a female became intimate with an Anglian they normally improve rapidly. Anglian biology can be mysterious and intense.

Anglian biology was the reason every Anglian must be loyal to the Terran Empire. Anglian genes were hyper dominant and powerful.

Oriana would normally be able to detect Erwin if he was in the System, much less the next room over. However, Erwin was completely masking his psionic presence. It was an advanced psionic skill that few Anglians learned, and it was hard for Erwin to learn.

It was worth it, he couldn't be detected by any psionic being. It was the primary reason he survived Reach, and got the nickname "Ghost of Reach."

A mischievous grin formed on Erwin's face.

He was going to be waking up Ori anyway, might as well have some fun with it.

Erwin sent a slight psionic pulse through the apartment, then sealed his presence again.

He felt Oriana wake up, she was curious and excited. She got out of bed and walked out of the room. The kitchen's lights registered as on, through his neural lace.

Erwin walked out of the bathroom and leaned against the wall next to the guest room's door.

He heard Ori's light footsteps walk back to the guest room, she'd given up looking for Erwin through the house. He could tell she was disappointed and longing through the bond.

She walked through the door and passed Erwin. It was interesting how people tend to overlook you when lacking a psionic presence. To some degree, every living being can detect psionic energies.

Erwin checked the girl out. She was only wearing a sports bra and panties. He got a good view of her swaying hips and firm ass. Oriana was about to climb back into bed when Erwin spoke.

"You shouldn't be up so late, Ori." Erwin quietly teased. He then opened his psionic presence.

Oriana yelped from the sudden presence, then turned around.

"Erwin!" She exclaimed and ran towards Erwin.

Oriana jumped into Erwin's embrace. She wrapped her legs around his abdomen, and her arms around his neck.

She viciously kissed Erwin. He kissed back, and she moaned in desperation.

Erwin held Oriana by her legs. He walked towards the bed. He laid down on his back and pulled the covers over them.

Oriana was still latched onto him and was begging for him to fully open the bond. Not verbally, but through the psionic bond.

Erwin obliged, and fully opened his end. She moaned loudly into his mouth, and her body started to tremble.

His psionic power was opened a fair bit and was flooding the bond. The amount of psionic energy would have completely drowned out anyone else's, but that wasn't the case for Oriana.

Instead of drowning out Oriana's presence, it only made her own more vibrant. Erwin's energy focused on every minuscule scrap Oriana projected.

From the outside, it'd seem like Erwin's psionic presence completely drowned out Oriana's. It was only because her entire psionic presence became the center of Erwin's own.

There was no competition between the two different presences. Instead, Erwin's much larger presence became a solid shield for her, carefully caressing and prodding the much smaller psionic presence. Tending to her presence as if it was the most precious thing in existence.

Oriana saw his presence as beautiful and protective, loving even. However, she could never imagine what an outsider would feel.

Near the shell of the psionic energy "dome," Erwin screamed pure unadulterated danger. His psionic presence dared anyone to try and take its precious warm sweetness.

Planets and Avatars were utterly annihilated for less.

Oriana desperately tried to deepen the kiss, her tongue was trying to wrap around his own. He moved his hands up and caressed her ass with psionic energy lightly coating his hands.

She cried out in pleasure as he groped her. Oriana pulled back and sat up. She desperately tried to pull the sports bra off.

"Erwy!" She moaned in frustration as it wasn't coming off as quick as she wanted. More like she wanted him to help, and quicken their connection.

He leaned up, and held her in place, arms wrapped around her waist.

Erwin moved his hands up, along her petite lean body, then under her bra. With one swift movement, his hands pulled the bra over her head.

Erwin has rarely seen such a pair of breasts before. They were large for a primitive, around upper D cup. However, they didn't hang nearly as much as they should. They fully supported themselves, Oriana honestly didn't need a bra.

A small hungry growl escaped Erwin's throat.

He activated his eye's calming, protective, commanding, dominating, and lustful patterns. Along with showing the representation of his true power, and flooding even more psionic power through the bond.

"Ahh… Erwy… P-Please!" Oriana panted and moaned in need.

He wrapped one arm around her thin waist, and the other hand gently kneaded her left breast.

Erwin could feel she was almost there, so he finished the poor girl off.

He mashed their lips together, capturing Oriana in a searing and dominating kiss. Then focused more psionic energy into his thumb and index finger, before he firmly pinched her nipple.

Erwin felt the shock of her orgasm from the bond and held her close as she shook. He swallowed her crazed moans and whimpers in a gradually softening kiss.

He deactivated his eyes, and they slowly laid back down. Erwin supported and held the girl experiencing aftershocks.

Erwin liked the satisfied, loving, and wanting sensations she was sending his way. She cuddled into his chest and looked up at him.

He could always get lost in those crystal blue eyes. They seemed to put even the mighty Pacific to shame.

Her breast pressed into his chest, and he wrapped her small frame into a protective embrace. The urge to protect and provide for this girl was incessant.

The skin contact and Oriana's afterglow only intensified the connection.

Erwin could feel Oriana's feeling of safety, euphoria, and… nervousness?

"I love you, Erwin." She timidly admitted.

It felt like a plasma lance pierced him. He knew she felt that way for a while now, but hearing it was entirely different.

"I know, Ori…" Erwin soothed with every bit of compassion he could convey.

"You don't have to say it back. I just wanted you to know. Just... hold me." She told him with a fervid need for closeness.

Erwin held onto the blue-eyed girl a little tighter, and the loving silence was all that needed to be said.

Skin contact was a good conduit for the psionic bond. Oriana simply refused to let him sleep with a shirt on. Plus she developed a habit of caressing his left chest scar.

They enjoyed the moment for what felt like hours. Until Oriana broke the silence.

"Please stop going away for so long, Erwy." Oriana softly begged.

"There will be times when I have to leave. Know that I'll miss you every time, Ori." He tenderly told the girl.

"You missed me?" Ori asked with a playful hopefulness.

"Yes."

"Such a romantic…" Oriana said sarcastically, but she was undeniably happy.

"I know what the ladies like." Erwin told the girl huskily with confidence.

Erwin knew a certain friend of his was smiling down at him.

"Ladies?" Oriana asked possessively as she stared up at him.

Now… that friend was probably laughing at his whipped ass.

"It's just a saying." Erwin said and rubbed little circles on her back while using psionics to massage.

"Humm… yeah... you do." She agreed in contentment.

"Shut up, Johnson…" Erwin could feel the American laughing at him.

After a few minutes of Erwin gently caressing Oriana's back, and her returning the favor with his chest; Oriana spoke.

"Can I go with you, next time?" Oriana asked.

"No."

"Why not?"

Erwin had a lot of reasons not to bring his nineteen-year-old girlfriend on his little expeditions.

"Why do you want to go so badly? Don't you have your studies, and what about your family?" Erwin asked.

"I get a month-long break soon, and my family will be fine. I'm eighteen and can financially support myself, I don't need my parent's permission. As for why I want to go… I want to explore the Galaxy with you."

"Ori… it can be dangerous." Erwin gently explained.

"What is more dangerous? Me adventuring through the Galaxy alone, or with an eight-foot supersoldier?" Oriana pushed.

"Oriana, you're not going to go poking around dark corners of the Galaxy." He firmly told her.

Oriana sat up, straddling his waist. She only had panties on, Erwin had to hold back the urge to take her. She leaned towards him, resting her hands on his chest.

"And who's going to stop me?" Oriana sassily dared.

"Your Father for one."

Erwin didn't tell Ori, he'd deploy a platoon of clones to keep her here. The Galaxy was not as bright as she thought. Oriana has only seen it from the protected and ideological position of the upper class.

"I'm an adult."

"A young sheltered one."

"That's why I want to explore the Galaxy! See the Citadel, Tokyo, Thessia, and maybe visit my uncle Wrex on Tuchanka. We can help people along the way, too!" Ori explained with hopeful excitement.

"Uncle Wrex?"

Erwin searched for a Wrex on the Extranet. The only one was a warlord by the name of Urdnot Wrex.

"Was that the Battle Master she was talking about? Why the hell is she so close to a Xeno Warlord!?" Erwin thought in horror.

He was a part of Shepard's team and spent a few months on Illium before he took up conquering Tuchanka.

"Why the hell does my girlfriend know so many dangerous characters from Shepard's little pirate group?"

He was very tempted to do a deep search on Oriana. Erwin was having a mild panic attack thinking of his Ori roaming Tuchanka alone. Wrex wouldn't take small primitive hunting… hopefully. Not if he wanted to keep his primitive little empire in one piece.

Erwin looked into Ori's eyes and saw a demanding fire, cooled by a gentle pleading.

"Fuck, Ori would be the one asking to go hunting…"

A clone security detachment looked more and more appealing.

"Ori, it's dangerous. You're talking about a vacation, adventures don't exist." Erwin sighed.

"Oh, don't be like that! Please…" Oriana childishly begged.

"We'll talk about it later." Erwin put the topic to bed.

"Fine…" She whined.

Ori laid back down on Erwin's chest.

"Happy birthday." He told the blue-eyed girl on his chest.

"Oh, yeah! I guess it technically is my birthday."

"Thank you, Erwy." She finished in a much more loving tone.

"You're welcome, Ori. Now get some rest." Erwin soothed.

"Goodnight, Erwy."

Erwin woke up from a peaceful slumber, it was long overdue. The naked sleeping bombshell on his chest drove Erwin crazy sometimes. Who wouldn't? She was sleeping on his chest in nothing but panties, and he couldn't do anything.

At least he wasn't going to push anything. If names are powerful, then making love to the girl would seal the bond.

Almost... in terms of percentages, it'd be ninety-nine percent towards merging.

That last one percent would entail Oriana ascending.

Anglians don't simply have children, only bonded Anglians are fertile. When Oriana and Erwin fully merge, the bond will be completed. Their psionic presence would be stained with the others. They don't become one, but more along the lines of laying claim to each other.

Oriana's presence would be like a white shirt with a black stain. Erwin's like a black shirt with a white stain. That's the best example, but it still didn't fully describe the nature of a merging.

Erwin and Oriana would never find another member of the opposite sex attractive again. A fully formed bond is strong and permanent. When an Anglian's bond-mate is killed, they normally join them. Unless children were involved, then the other would live on for their children's sake.

It was a common practice for Anglian men to impregnate their wives before shipping out. They cursed their bond-mate to life, their child forcing the other to live on.

More than two-thirds of the Anglian male population was killed during the war. Most left a broken bond-mate and child. The remaining third? They were tasked to help raise the new generation of the fatherless Sons of Anglia.

The other Imperial Human states also had similar practices. While the Sons of Terra gave their blood to win Humanity's future, the Daughters of Terra held that future.

There was a practical aspect to the practice. It'd allow the population to quickly rebound after the war and gave men more peace of mind. If they knew their genetic line was protected, they'd be more likely to kill more Xenos before their deaths.

Erwin was raised with similar circumstances, his father died when he was ten, an infant by Anglian standards. He was taught valuable life lessons by a trusted German Officer. An Anglian boy was an important future war asset, resources were spent to ensure their healthy development.

Oriana would also go through a metamorphosis of sorts, after the merging. In layman's terms, she becomes half Anglian. She'd become much more intelligent, strong, and psionically powerful. She'd have to, carrying and birthing an Anglian was not an easy task. Plus, it'd allow for a proper parent-child relationship between her and their children.

Anglians naturally took a thousand years to fully physically develop. It was another physical trait bestowed by the Precursors. When Anglias can live for hundreds of thousands of years, a single millennium was nothing. For a primitive, it'd be odd seeing a hundred-year-old still a toddler. However, the slow growth ensured a solid connection between parents and children.

The Precursors also gave the Anglians an odd form of reproduction. They wanted to prevent the same downfall their race experienced.

One of the leading causes of the Precursor fall was the loss of form. They could transform into any desired body and mate with any species.

The offspring of Precursors and primitives were immensely powerful. Gods among their people.

The powerful Precursors simply evolved out of their original forms. Many subraces formed from the once-powerful race.

And evolution wasn't perfect...

At some point, they couldn't regain their original forms.

Only three original Precursors were left, and considered the True Precursors, or "Royals." There wasn't a very accurate translation for what they were.

Anglians we're not the byproduct of a Human and Precursor mating. Rather the "King" and "Prince" combined their beings with the Emperor. The "Queen" did the same with the Empress.

No one knows when Anglians emerged. It was some time after the Halo Arrays fired. Only the Emperor and Empress knew, and they swore to the True Precursors never to tell.

The True Precursors were no more. They were as much of Erwin's ancestors as Humanity. It was said Humanity itself was the second coming of the True Precursors, so perhaps they were one and the same.

The deformed Percussors were hunted down and exterminated by their own children, the Forerunners.

The Forerunners were the byproduct of Precursors and Ancient Humans mating. The deformed Precursors found Human females very attractive.

The surviving Precursors entered a form of merged hibernation. They were corrupted and combined into a single consciousness.

The once-powerful and wise race that seeded the entire Universe with life was no more.

From their ashes, they left three legacies.

Forerunner.

Flood.

Anglia.

An Ancient Human warship was later found. It had an AI pilot that held the knowledge of the lost people. The technology was used to fully expel the Covenant and Elves from the Milky Way. The Ancient Human gene-seed was also gained.

Humans that stayed true to the Confederacy, and later Empire, were evolved with the gene-seed. The gene-seed was tweaked a bit, but not by much.

The AI only gave Humanity the knowledge on one condition. Within the large warship was a chamber holding ten million fertilized Ancient Human eggs.

A few planets were set aside for the lost people to return as an Imperial State.

Ancient Humanity was formed in the image of the True Precursors. Perhaps the Forerunners were jealous of the favoritism Precursors showed Humans. Humans were devolved by their own cousins after a bloody war.

Ancient Humanity was thought to be lost to time.

Yet the Forerunners did something every race does, they underestimated Human cleverness. When Charum Hakkor fell it was a Human victory, the massive battle was merely a distraction for a single Human warship to run off with hope.

As for the Ancient Human Empire… they did not go quietly into that good night.

The revival of Ancient Humans and the evolution of Imperial Humans marked the true return of the fourth legacy.

Humanity.

The evolved humans were called Imperials. They were much stronger, larger, and far more intelligent than baseline Humans.

Imperial Human's development was also slowed down to a thousand years. It was requested by many within the Empire. In times of war, the process could easily be sped up.

Even with the return of the fourth legacy, Anglians were still superior in power. They would be the ones to lead life into a new golden age.

Though Anglians and Ancient Humanity were different legacies, they were one people.

With one mission.

Anglians just happened to be the leaders.

The True Precursors saw to this by adding in many biological mechanisms that could never be replicated.

Long term, Merging and Bonding was designed to prevent Anglians from falling to the same fate as their Precursor ancestors. The Anglian form would be protected.

The unique mating ritual and long development also reflected True Precursor culture. They were remarkably similar to Humanity, even in looks. However, they did have their differences.

Anglians and Imperials enjoyed the slow growth rate, especially mothers. Many found even a thousand years was too little. No matter how much time was given, it always seemed like not enough.

Erwin's own mother was a case of a female ascending. She was a German Noble's daughter, and Erwin's father fell in love with her. His father even took her last name, making a new familial line.

And there's a political aspect to a merging. Oriana would automatically gain Anglian, German, and Imperial citizenship. Imperial citizenship was the most important part. She'd be classified as a High Imperial citizen, Imperial nobility. Meaning any attack on her person by a foreign nation was a declaration of war against the United Terran Empire.

If a Batarian Hegemony raiding party harmed even a single hair on her head, then Imperial wartime laws would be in place. Glassing would be required by Imperial law, under the circumstances.

Not that Erwin would need Imperial law to tell him. He'd even crack their planets only after burning the mongrels.

Anglian biology and Imperial law can be intense. Examples may be cruel, but they served as valuable warnings to other races.

Erwin wanted Oriana to know what she was truly getting involved in before they had sex. She deserved to know what he truly was, and what he's done. Not to mention the fact she'd be undergoing a month-long evolution, transforming her into a member of an Apex race.

Nothing compared to a natural-born Anglian, but it was close enough. Hell, naturally born Anglian females could throw around Krogan.

On the upside, Oriana would become even more beautiful. Women that undergo merging with an Anglian become incomprehensibly beautiful, for various evolutionary reasons. They didn't look different, but a multitude of small improvements compound.

Oriana was already stunning, Erwin could only imagine what the blue-eyed girl would look like afterward.

Erwin heard little footsteps coming down the hall, and his eyes widened. He quickly locked the door with his psionics.

He heard the door latch wiggle a little bit.

"Oriana! Mom said to wake up!" Kyou yelled through the door.

Oriana stirred.

"She's too loud." She complained groggily.

"Mom! Oriana locked Erwin's door, and won't come out! I bet she was drinking too!" Kyou's muffled shouts could be heard through the door.

Oriana looked beside the nightstand to the half-empty bottle of Asari honey mead.

"And a snitch…" Oriana grumbled.

"She's not that bad." Erwin soothed the grumpy nineteen-year-old.

"You defend them because they adore you." She pouted.

"Maybe, now put your clothes back on." Erwin demanded.

"You know…"

Oriana leaned up to Erwin's ear and seductively whispered.

"I love when you take charge."

Erwin groaned. Her tits were pressing into his shoulders, and he could feel her nibbling his ear.

"Ori… unless you want me to take you, put your fucking clothes back on." He growled in frustration.

Erwin may have let her act like this around him and keep her cherry, but even he had limits. The growing bond didn't help matters.

Oriana blushed, then timidly nodded.

Erwin and Oriana got out of bed, and she put her sports bra back on. He stopped his girlfriend from leaving the guest room.

"Hold on, come here first." He led Oriana into the bathroom.

Erwin walked over to his standing Armor, and held out his hand. A small box appeared from the dimensional storage.

Oriana's eyes popped when she saw the box magically appear from nowhere.

"Internal storage. No, I won't show you how it works; cutting edge Imperial technology." He lectured before she could ask.

He handed her the box, it was wrapped in blue wrapping paper.

"Your birthday present." He kindly informed her.

She held the box gratefully. Erwin could feel her happiness, excitement, and gratefulness through their bond.

"Thank you, Erwy." She sincerely thanked him in a small voice.

She ripped the wrapping off and opened the metal box. She wore a wide smile when she saw what was inside.

"Is this…" She hopefully asked.

"It's just like the one I have, so do not use it in public. It'll only work for you, your family, and me. However, it identifies you as its owner. Just ask it for instructions if you don't know how something works. The device has a rudimentary intelligence, called a Machine Spirit." Erwin confirmed.

Oriana closed the box, then lunged at Erwin. He caught the girl, and she pulled him down into a kiss.

"I love it! I promise not to betray your trust." She said after Erwin broke the kiss.

"Good. There's another one, but I'll give it to you later." Erwin told her.

"Erwy… this is plenty, you didn't have to…" Oriana protested.

Erwin gently grabbed her chin with his finger and thumb and tilted her head up. They locked eyes, and they got lost in the moment. He caressed her cheek with his thumb.

"You're right, I didn't have to. I wanted to." Erwin finally spoke in a commanding but gentle voice.

"You're too good to me." Oriana admitted in a soft loving tone.

"Maybe, but I've never been one to care what others think." Erwin told her as he embraced the girl.

Oriana's present was an Imperial phone. The sophisticated synthetic-organic parts were grown from Erwin's own blood. The phone was encased in Adamantium, and the screen was formed from a crystallized alloy of the same material. Unlike Erwin's phone, it was a vibrant dark blue, along with elegant and feminine engravings.

Oriana made her way out of the bathroom, and he took a freezing shower. He put on the form-fitting undersuit, and a pair of boardshorts. Erwin thought the suit was an appropriate level of modesty, but the shorts helped prevent unwanted glances.

---

Erwin walked into the kitchen and saw the family eating breakfast. Oriana had the decency to put on some clothes. Though, perhaps not much decency.

She wore a pair of short shorts and a tight tank top. Simple clothing, but each article looked expensive.

"Erwin!" Nagisa was the first one to notice him.

She bolted from her chair, and lunged at him, hugging Erwin by the waist.

Kyou and Ryou weren't far behind, each one hugging a leg.

"Hey, little ones. Have you been good for your parents?" Erwin asked in a happy, gentle voice.

"Yes! Did you bring more chocolate?" Kyou jumped.

Erwin grinned and nodded his head.

The United Terran Empire had many technological advances, but one, in particular, would catch the attention of the average soldier.

Sure weapons capable of destroying entire worlds were cool, and many jarheads would do anything to control an Imperial heavy battle armor. However, one invention would have even children excited.

Food processors.

They were marvelous inventions. The sophisticated machines only required energy and were able to produce an unlimited amount of food. Everything from rare meats to ice cream could be produced in vast quantities and superb qualities.

One particular food was driving the girls crazy, Oriana and Sanae included. Imperial chocolate cake rolls.

Hard chocolate shells coved a spongy cake, with a liquid chocolate filling. They were bite-size, he didn't need the girls making a mess with the liquid filling.

"Yes, but you'll be getting them later. You girls will get fat with how much you eat." Erwin teased.

"No, we won't!" Nagisa protested.

Sanae walked over to Erwin and hugged him.

"Welcome back, Dear. Is there a reason you had my daughter climbing up walls the past few weeks?" Sanae, sweetly teased but was happy to see the Anglian.

"Sorry ma'am, I just had quite a few things to do." Erwin sheepishly explained.

"Well, come eat. Oriana and I made plenty." Sanae guided Erwin to an empty chair next to Oriana.

There was another person at the table other than the Furukawas. It was none other than Miranda Lawson.

The table was a simple rectangular one. Akio, Sanae, Nagisa, Kyou, Oriana, Miranda, and Ryou sat in that order; Akio was at the head of the table.

Erwin sat down directly across Akio, between Kyou and Oriana.

"Hey, Kid." Akio said in his usual laid-back voice, but Erwin could see his small grin.

"Old Man." Erwin greeted as Oriana tried to help him shovel food onto his plate.

"Oriana, I can get my own food." He lightheartedly complained. They were both trying to shovel food from the serving plates.

"Would you just let me do it!?" Oriana shot back.

"I'm not a child, I can get my own."

"You're my boyfriend, it's tradition for me to serve you food."

"Sucks, I'm not Japanese, doesn't it?"

"Ori, Dear… that's only for married couples." Sanae teased.

Oriana blushed hard, then huffed, letting Erwin get his own food.

Erwin dug in and enjoyed the home cooking. The Imperial food processors could always produce something better, but there was something about food cooked by people. The small mistakes, and uneven spice ratios, made the human-cooked food unique.

Perfection isn't perfect.

"So, you're the Erwin I've heard so much about." Miranda spoke in her refined Australian accent.

Erwin could pick up the calculating undertone, she was attempting to pick him apart with her eyes.

Miranda was undoubtedly beautiful. Erwin could tell they were identical twins. One was just put in stasis and raised differently. Miranda had long luscious black hair, and her eyes were the same crystal blue as Oriana's.

Yet, Erwin could clearly see those eyes weren't his Oriana's. Miranda also had a more refined mature look. Yet she looked almost too young to be thirty-eight.

Her psionic presence was similar, but her life experiences caused it to differ from Oriana. Psionic presences were similar to fingerprints.

The psionic presence was concerning though. It was far too beautiful to be a baseline Human, confirming his theory.

He couldn't tell from Oriana's, he was too biased. Miranda was a proper outside view of what Oriana's presence could feel like.

Oriana and Miranda's origins had to be unique, he needed to find their biological mother. There was no way Henry was responsible for these beautiful girls.

"On second thought, do I? It's not like it matters. If her Origins carry any further threats, they'll be dealt with." Erwin contemplated.

Erwin grinned and looked over at a still blushing Oriana.

"And what exactly have you heard?" Erwin asked, his playfulness directed towards his girlfriend.

"Oh, Ori was quite thorough." Miranda joined in teasing the teen.

Erwin was surprised, he thought this girl was an ice queen?

It was probably the familial environment, Erwin knew similar people within the Empire. The only other hyper-lethal; John, was cold and calculating, but charismatic. However, he always had this softness around Cortana.

Miranda on the other hand was not his equal, she was the second in command of Cerberus. A primitive organization/government he kept around. They had an admirable objective, the advancement of Humanity. Too bad they acted like a sick dictatorial technocracy, no experiment or action was too far for them.

Under Imperial law, Cerberus would have been declared a terrorist organization or insurrection group. Erwin plans on one day "retiring" the organization, but they still served their purpose.

Noticeably their efforts in reviving Commander Shepard. Miranda just happens to be the one in charge of that particular endeavor. She was suspiciously invested in the project.

You cannot bring the dead back to life. It was impossible and only resulted in Abominations when tried. Shepard won the lottery though, he never died.

Shepard was a powerful psionic, and his suit held pressure. Shepard was just floating through space, his psionic powers allowed him to desperately hang on to life. The only reason the Alliance didn't find him was due to the suit's damage.

Erwin was looking forward to meeting the Commander. It took a lot of willpower to survive a near-miss of a plasma lance. Shepard was left with multiple fourth and third-degree burns, and most of his bones were completely snapped.

It was in Erwin's interest to heal the Commander. He contemplated just taking Shepard from Cerberus, but ultimately decided against it. Erwin had a gut feeling about Shepard being revived by Cerberus, and he always followed his gut.

That means Miranda will have to learn of Erwin's true existence, in order to help her. He'd have to ensure she couldn't truly learn anything from Imperial technology.

Just from her psionic presence, and knowing everything about her on paper, Erwin could tell she wasn't a bad person. Just misguided, the fact she doesn't know about Cerberus's darker holes only vindicates Erwin's belief.

"Randa!" Oriana groaned in embarrassment.

"I'm not entirely surprised…" Erwin admitted.

"I've never seen my sister so obsessed. It's always Erwin this, Erwin that, and lots of details." Miranda snitched while giving her sister an evil grin.

"I hope it's all good. It wouldn't do, having my girlfriend gossiping about me."

Miranda waved it off with her hand.

"Nothing that entails a breach of trust, I assure you. Just girl talk." Miranda defended her sister.

"I see. Well... I'm Erwin Wolff. I've also heard a lot about you, Miranda. Oriana seems to love and admire you." Erwin said, introducing himself.

"Thank you, Erwin. It means a lot that Oriana thinks so highly of her big sister."

"I must say, I didn't necessarily believe some aspects of your biology. If it's not too rude, is it genetic?" Miranda politely asked.

Erwin fully understood who he was dealing with, the polite conversation was to break down his defenses. Miranda was curious and protective over her sister. She was going to dig for information.

Miranda Lawson was as deadly as an enraged Elite. Instead of a plasma sword, she wielded an equally deadly tongue. She wore skin-tight jeans, a tight blouse, and knee-high boots; all the clothing was elegant and immaculate. They were seductive and revealing, but modest enough to endow Miranda with an aura of classiness. She knew how to dress, talk, and become unassuming.

This woman was dangerous, and could possibly even fool some Imperials.

"Something like that. I was a one-in-a-billion genetic anomaly. Everyone asks me about my size, so don't worry about it." Erwin politely reassured Miranda.

"Forgive my forwardness, I'm just a little curious. Was there any genetic manipulation?" Miranda asked.

"No, just one of those odd cases." Erwin replied, not treating it as a big deal.

"Well, it seems to have drawn Oriana in." Miranda complimented.

"Thank you."

"Are your parents of a similar size?" Miranda asked.

Miranda was just as tenacious as her sister.

"Don't know, I was an orphan."

"Miranda, let Erwin eat. I don't want my guests grilled at the table." Sanae curtly said in a commanding tone.

Miranda and Sanae locked eyes, quietly challenging each other. The kids wouldn't notice, but Erwin could.

"I apologize." Miranda said, breaking eye contact.

"Erwin, whatcha get Ori for her birthday?" Kyou excitedly asked.

Oriana looked at Erwin, silently asking him for permission.

"Go ahead."

She flashed a million megawatt, excited smile. Then fished out the blue phone from her pocket.

"I got a new phone!" Oriana excitedly gloated.

---

Erwin peacefully ate with the family. Miranda was a great conversationalist when not prying. There was a slight tension between Miranda and Sanae, but it didn't spoil the mood, they knew how to play nice.

Erwin was relaxing on the couch with Oriana and the girls huddled around him. Miranda and Sanae were preparing for the party, and probably exchanging choice words.

Erwin was playing a popular online shooter, a battle royal, the girls loved to watch him play. He was brutally dominating, winning every round. The high-stakes gameplay replaced actual sports like football, for most people.

It was a similar situation in the Empire before the war.

Akio and Oriana were playing on his squad. They loved playing with him, the guaranteed win boosted their egos.

They played on Erwin's phone. The hard light hologram was noticed by Miranda, he wanted her to see evidence of his technological superiority.

"The party starts in a few hours. Erwin… go change, Dear." Sanae said.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Erwin asked.

Sanae pointed to Kyou.

Kyou was staring at his chest and shoulders, rather than the game.

"Don't stare, Kyou. It's rude." Oriana lectured her sister.

"Shut up!" Kyou indignantly responded, and quickly looked away.

Kyou was too young to be thinking that way, it was more of her curiosity at this point.

"She's just a five-year-old, imagine thirteen young women." Sanae teased.

"Thirteen?"

It was Illium, so God knows what the horny girls would want. It was not uncommon for Illium girls to share their boyfriends with friends.

Not that Erwin didn't like the idea, he's done it before. But the idea of someone else touching Oriana, even another girl enraged Erwin.

"I have a lot of friends." Oriana explained.

"Fine, I'll put a shirt on." Erwin pouted.

He went to change but was stopped by Sanae.

"The nice clothes, Ori got you. Take off that suit too." Sanae commanded in her motherly tone.

Erwin sighed, she was the only primitive besides Oriana who could boss him around. Well… the other girls could probably get away with it. Akio could ask for a REQUEST.

"Yeah, yeah." Erwin grumbled.

"What's that, Dear?" Sanae asked sweetly.

Erwin's eyebrow twitched.

He was an enforcer of the Empire, a Spartan. Backwater worlds would treat him like royalty, fearful of his retribution.

Erwin looked at Oriana, and she gave him a smile and sent a flirtatious wink.

"Yes… ma'am." Erwin grunted in annoyance.

"Thank you, Dear." She said in a polite, but a victorious voice.

Erwin walked back out dressed in Civilian clothes. He wore a polo shirt and nice shorts.

Miranda, Sanae, Nagisa, Kyou, and Ryou stared at Erwin. The children looked more curious, but the adults?

Miranda and Sanae were undressing him with their eyes. Oriana glared at her older sister and mother.

"Dear… do you want her friends hitting on you?" Sanae asked in a sweet scolding tone.

"What? Oriana picked out the clothes." Erwin defended.

Miranda and Sanae gave Oriana a curious yet judging look.

The clothes were well-fitting, and his arms and legs were on display. The well-built muscles meant for war were on display, along with the scars on his arms and legs.

The clothes were suave and elegant, but the scars added an undertone of danger and power. Erwin quickly decided that the clothes were worse than the undersuit.

"What!? He looks good in them." Oriana snapped, then got into her "sass" pose.

"I regret ever showing you that." Miranda scolded her sister.

"Dear… you shouldn't be buying him such revealing clothes." Sanae lectured.

"He's my boyfriend. I'll dress him how I want." She pouted with an attitude.

"You're creating more competition for yourself." Miranda said, entering a similar pose as Oriana.

The two twins stared each other down.

Clearly, it was a subconscious habit of sorts, the sisters just seemed to embrace the habit. Not that Erwin was complaining, they wore the pose well.

Wait… were they talking about him like a dress-up doll?

Erwin hopes the Clones never see him like this.

"Have you seen me?" Oriana scoffed.

The girl was very confident in her looks. She never rubbed it in, but always applied that aspect to anything involving Erwin.

"A lot of girls would love to be a side piece." Sanae, sagely informed.

Oriana's eyes widened a bit, then glared at Erwin.

"You're changing." Oriana ordered.

"What the hell did I do?" Erwin thought. He was getting annoyed by her possessiveness.

He only allowed such behavior to justify future interventions. A small part of Erwin also liked the possessive behavior.

He even likes her being bossy. It showed her conference, and she was never bitchy about it. Plus Erwin loves those moments he takes command, toppling down her illusions of power.

"We'll have to make sure it's appropriate." Sanae said.

"Agreed." Miranda added.

"I wanna help dress Erwin, too!" Nagisa ran up to the women.

Kyou and Ryou quickly joined their sister in wanting to dress up Erwin.

"Either I'm wearing this, or the undersuit." Erwin started the girls down.

Oriana's possessive behavior may have had its positives, but he was no one's dress-up doll.

Plus the undersuit was fine. Sure it was form-fitting, but it was thicker than most jackets. Oriana was running around with her legs bare, so it should be fine for the undersuit to show the outlines of his muscles.

Oriana, Miranda, Sanae, and the girls just looked at Erwin like he suffered a head injury.

"Good luck, Kid." Akio laughed.

Oriana walked up to him with a sway in her hips, then looked up with her big blue eyes.

"Please?" She cutely asked.

Thirty minutes later, a pissed-off Erwin sat next to Akio on the couch. Erwin was now dressed in a thin pair of grey pants, and a blue button-up.

"God help the Batarians if they act up." Erwin silently swore.

"You'll get used to it." Akio consulted.

"Like hell, I will." Erwin growled.

"Then, why'd you do it?" Akio playfully prodded.

"It's Oriana's birthday. The girls get one pass." Erwin assured the father.

"Whatever you say, Kid." Akio patronized.

Erwin rolled his eyes.

He might let the girls have their way, but he was capable of putting his foot down.

"How's the project coming?" Akio asked seriously.

"It's on schedule." Erwin dropped his fake pouting and took up an equally as serious attitude.

"Good. I assume you had something to do with that Batarian colony too?" Akio asked.

It was just Erwin and Akio on the couch. He made sure to check everyone's location with his psionics. They were all in the kitchen. The girls were all cooking, the kids were helping. The fact Erwin set the chocolates in the kitchen probably had something to do with it too.

"Yeah, that was me. I suppose you could say I'm doing more than just building a ship." Erwin answered in a low voice.

"I don't have any issues with it, Kid. But, be careful how you explain that one to Oriana. She has… varied views on the subject." Akio warned.

"Thanks for the warning. You don't have any issues with what I did?" Erwin curiously asked.

Akio puffed, almost offended by the concept.

"Kid, those Batarians got what was coming to them. Hell, the Alliance should have done it themselves. The council has always held Humanity back with their Turian attack dogs." Akio ranted.

"Interesting. I assumed you'd take more of a… liberal… stance." Erwin admitted.

"Why's that? I was an N7, we're a unique group."

"You seemed to not like the idea of Monarchy when I brought it up a few months ago."

"Just because I believe in Democracy, doesn't mean I'm a pacifist. I actually vote for Terra Firma. Don't tell Sanae that, we don't really talk much about politics, or who we vote for. It causes fights." Akio told him.

"Your secrets are safe with me, Old Man." Erwin promised.

"How'd you do it?" Akio asked.

"What?"

"Taking over an entire planet. You'd need an army, and I don't think even Cerberus is capable of that." Akio said in slight annoyance. The Old Man hated when Erwin asked the obvious.

Erwin grinned, happy to annoy the primitive.

"Clones."

"Clones!?" Akio asked in a muted yell.

Erwin pulled up a hologram of a Clone Trooper on his phone.

"Millions of them. Each one could throw around an Asari commando, or N7 like nothing." Erwin quietly explained with pride.

"Shit, Kid. That's fucking scary." Akio confessed.

"What, is the primitive scared of a few clones?" Erwin taunted.

"Shut up, Kid. Don't make me kick your ass in front of your girlfriend." Akio threatened in jest.

"In all seriousness, I'm thinking of sending a squad over to protect y'all." Erwin told him, the serious tone returning.

Akio hummed in thought.

"I wouldn't be opposed. Why do you think we'll need it?"

"Oriana." Erwin answered.

"What!? Is Henry trying something?" Akio quietly raged.

Erwin could feel his psionic presence pulsing with anger and protectiveness.

"You truly don't see her differently from the other girls." Erwin questionably stated. The concept was alien to Erwin, but he's heard it happening within the Empire.

Akio glared at Erwin, insulted by the question.

"Of course I do! Now, what does this have to do with Oriana?" He snapped but kept his tone down.

"Relax, Akio. I'm just surprised, I'd never be able to see someone else's seed as my own." Erwin admitted, with some firmness as he stared down the now noticeably smaller man.

He may have let the man get away with a lot, but Erwin doesn't react well to men directing their petty anger towards him.

"Sorry, I'm defensive about it. Who's threatening Oriana?" Akio apologized but pushed for answers.

"I don't know, potential Cerberus in the future. I'm more worried about unknown threats." Erwin explained.

"Would someone come after her, to get to you?" Akio asked.

"Potentially, but I tend to not leave enemies breathing." Erwin brushed off, proud of his reputation.

Akio shivered a little at the way he said that, and the look in Erwin's eyes.

"Oriana herself could become a target. She's too perfect."

Akio blinked, then stared at Erwin like he was an idiot.

"I'm serious. I think she's on the level of an Anglian female, excluding physical aspects. It's her presence and looks, they're too perfect to be a baseline Human."

"Do you promise not to change your opinion of her?" Akio seriously asked.

"Akio, nothing about her origins is going to change my mind." Erwin assured.

It was true, even if Oriana was a Xeno it wouldn't matter to him. He was too far gone for him to worry about that.

That was part of the danger with Anglian males. Once a bond got to a certain level, certain aspects could be overlooked.

All the Elves needed was to place a beautiful and compassionate Ayleian in front of a lonely Anglian boy. Then… boom! You have a loyal Anglian population among your ranks.

The Ayleids were very very beautiful and stood at an average height of six feet. Like the Quarians there wasn't much difference between the sexes.

Unlike the purple and black-skinned Ilythiiri, they were a peaceful and compassionate race of Elves. They joined the Covenant on the condition Humanity be spared genocide. The Alyieds would gain ownership over all of Humanity, and try to create a loyal Anglian population. The peaceful Elves also saw the Confederacy as a threat to their way of life, and too dangerous to be left unguided.

Their plan backfired, it'll be Alyeids bending the knee.

If the Alyeids and Ilythiiri could produce attractive females, Oriana having some kind of exotic origins was not out of the picture. However, in Erwin's mind; Oriana transcended her species.

She was Oriana. Plain and simple.

Hell of a Xeno race, if she was one though…

"She doesn't have a mother. Henry genetically modified his X chromosome, she's a female clone of Henry." Akio somberly informed the Anglian.

Erwin just stared at the man for a moment, then laughed.

"What the hell's so funny, Kid!? I'm serious!" Akio scolded.

It was so absurd, it was funny.

"Old Man, my people can move Supermassive Black Holes across the cosmos. We can transform energy into matter, and make that energy from nothing. Hell, I just grew a hundred and sixty million man Clone army. The United Terran Empire would seem more like an empire of wizards to you primitives." Erwin lightheartedly boasted with pride.

"I know a clone when I see one. Oriana Furukawa is no clone, not even the technological ascendancy of the Empire could produce a clone like Oriana. Do you think a few well-off primitives, could do what we couldn't? Who told you such a preposterous lie?" Erwin finished, amused that someone could think a girl like Oriana could be a clone.

Not that being a clone was bad, Erwin loved his Second Legacy.

"Miranda, she believes herself and Oriana are clones. I doubt Miranda is intentionally misleading me." A stunned Akio answered. He was happy his daughter wasn't a clone of that bastard.

Erwin noticed Oriana and the girls heading into the living room.

"We'll talk about this later." Erwin said.

"Here." Oriana said sweetly as she handed him and Akio a plate of food.

She sat in Erwins lap.

"Umm… Oriana, your father's right there." Erwin pointed out. He was starting to wonder if the girl was sane.

"Quit being such a prude. The little puritan girl is less uptight than you." Akio made fun of Erwin and Oriana.

"Akio has definitely changed his attitude recently." Erwin thought.

Erwin ate the food with Oriana on top of him. Sanae sat next to Akio, and the girls hovered around Erwin. Miranda was close to Oriana, meaning all the girls besides Sanae were hovering around him.

It was an Asari dish of some kind. The Asari lacked canines but did eat a little meat, mainly fish. That's what the dish was, some sort of fish vegetable concoction. It was good, though.

Oriana's phone had various hard-light holograms for entertainment. She was happy to show it off and play with the device.

Erwin was pleased when Miranda's eyes widened after touching a hologram. He ignored the suspicious and calculating look Oriana's older twin sent.

---

Erwin was standing in the deep end of the pool, it was only five feet. Oriana was sitting outside the pool with her legs dangling in.

They were surrounded by a group of Oriana's friends, as more played a game of volleyball in the pool.

They were mostly Asari, but there were a few Humans and Truians. The Quarian boy came along too, but he could only sit on the other side of Oriana and dangle his feet with her.

Erwin was pleased with how nervous the Quarian was around him. The Quarian was tall for his race at five foot four. He was still much shorter than Oriana, and Erwin dwarfed the small Xeno.

The boy had a crush on Oriana, along with a few other guys at the party. Two other Human guys and even a Turian male acted a little too friendly with Oriana.

The idea of interspecies relationships disgusted Erwin. He could see the Asari, and in some Imperial circles, they'd be accepted. Definitely not in High Imperial society, but perhaps in regular Imperial society.

If Oriana was truly half Xeno, then she'd be accepted into High Imperial society. She looks like a baseline supermodel, and any questions about her origins would be swept under the rug.

Especially if she was with Erwin. No one would dare insinuate the partner of Erwin August Wolff was a lowly Xeno.

The only way a non-human could be accepted into Imperial society would be if she bonded with an Anglian male.

By definition, they'd be Humanoid and should already be a lower caste member within the Empire. Them bagging an Anglian male would be proof of their worth.

Relationships between Imperial Humans and Xenos were a different story.

Turians and Quarians? You'd be lucky to be chased out of town. Especially romances between Human females and Xenos. That'd get a girl disowned from her family.

Erwin wasn't going to say anything to Oriana, about the boy's friendly attitude. He trusted her, and she didn't seem like the time to like Xenos that way.

Didn't mean she wasn't a Xenophile, though…

In total there were thirteen young girls, six young guys, and seven parents. Erwin wasn't very comfortable, he wasn't used to such social interactions.

There were a few Krogan at the pool, they were the fathers of some of the Asari. It's not like the girls needed parental guidance, but the parents were friends with each other.

Plus the Krogans didn't like the idea of turning down free food. A few tried to stare Erwin down when their Asari daughters drooled over him.

He was only in swim trunks, so the female population kept stealing glances at him. The Mothers may have been discreet for a primitive, but Erwin was trained to be very observant.

"By the Goddess, how strong are you?" One of Oriana's friends asked flirtatiously. The Asari was eyeing Erwin up, almost salivating.

"That's actually a good question." Oriana replied curiously, looking over to Erwin.

Apparently, she was okay with her friend hitting on Erwin. Illium was far too sexually liberal for his taste.

"Strong."

"That's not very descriptive." Oriana cutely pouted.

"Oh?" Erwin gained a mischievous grin.

Oriana's eyes widened, she knew that look in his eyes.

"Erwin wha-" She was cut off by her own yelp when Erwin grabbed her. He dragged Oriana into the pool, and held her bridal style.

"A demonstration?" Erwin roguishly asked.

"N-"

"Too late." Erwin cut her off.

Erwin threw the girl into the air. He had to carefully control her acceleration, so as not to hurt his girlfriend.

Oriana girlishly screeched as she soared through the air.

"Oriana!" The Quarian boy cried.

Everyone else had shocked expressions.

Oriana reached a height of thirty feet before gravity pulled her back down.

"Erwin!" Oriana screamed.

Erwin grinned in satisfaction at his girlfriend's horror.

He used psionics to slow her velocity, then watched as she splashed into the pool in front of him.

Erwin walked fished her out of the water and held her bridal style again.

"Good enough?" Erwin innocently asked.

Oriana glared at him and slapped his chest. She crossed her arms, pushing up her breast. She looked incredibly beautiful as she pouted. Her red bikini and wet body didn't help Erwin's hormones. They were already going haywire due to the rapidly forming bond.

"Erwin Wolff! What in Kami's name are you doing!" Sanae scolded.

"That was dangerous, Erwin!" The Quarian joined in.

The Quarian was lucky he was Oriana's friend. Erwin would otherwise put the boy in his place. Xenos under Imperial rule knew not to give lip to a member of Imperial Nobility.

"Oh, calm down. I wasn't going to let her get hurt, from a little throw." Erwin dismissed their concerns.

Oriana mumbled something.

"What's that, Baby Girl?" Erwin asked.

"I wanna go again." Oriana quietly confessed.

"Me next, Erwin!" Nagisa yelled, swimming up to him.

"Dear… you will not be throwing any more of my daughters. Understood?" Sanae asked sweetly, but Erwin could swear he saw the grim reaper behind her.

Not that he feared the grim reaper, Erwin would make the little shit piss himself.

"You don't trust me, Ma'am?" Erwin asked in a well-faked hurt voice.

"What? No Dear, it's just that-" Sanae was caught off guard.

"Trust me, I'd never let Ori or one of the girls get hurt." Erwin compassionately assured.

Many of Oriana's friends swooned at his passionate statement. The Human and Turian males who crushed on Oriana looked ticked. Erwin was glad to stake his calm in front of everyone.

Sanae was quiet for a second, then sighed.

"Just be careful, Dear." She sweetly conceded.

"Yes! My turn now!" Nagisa grabbed onto one of Erwin's arms.

"No, I'll go first. It's my birthday." Oriana wrapped an arm around Erwin.

---

The party lasted for five more hours. Oriana's friends left one after another, the Quarian and a Human boy were the last to leave. They were doing everything in their power to spend time with Oriana, but Erwin didn't see the guys as a threat. Sanae had to politely nudge the two guys out, with subtle hints.

Erwin had to admit, he had fun. He's never been to a social gathering for fun before. Sure there were Imperial balls, but those were borderline mandatory.

He threw the girls around in the pool, scared a few primitive guys away from Oriana, and ate plenty of meat.

It was a few hours into the night, and Erwin found himself sitting at a table. Oriana was sitting close next to him, and she was projecting waves of happiness and contentment. His girlfriend had a good day.

Akio, Sanae, Miranda, and Liara T'Soni were also sitting at the table.

The girls were playing something on Erwin's phone. They enjoyed themselves, each one had their own super-resolution holographic screen. Liara and Miranda observed the device with curiosity when Erwin gave it to the girls.

The adults were in a room upstairs. It had a circular table that was low to the floor, designed for people to sit on the floor. The table was in a circular pit of sorts, the interior edge was padded for back support and comfort.

Around the room were various cabinets with expensive liquors, and a few cigars. They were playing an old party game called "Crimes Against Humanity."

It was… perverse.

An interesting phenomenon happened though. Miranda had a look of longing and regret whenever something romantic came up, like Oriana kissing Erwin's cheek.

Her psionic presence blasted those two feelings, but not out of jealousy. She was happy for her sister. It seemed like Miranda was missing someone, Erwin could see the aching pain written on her face. Miranda could hide it from everyone else, but not from Erwin.

Erwin wanted to help the middle-aged twin, it was her psionic presence. It was as if part of him didn't like seeing her in pain. A large part of it was because she reminded him of Oriana, but there was something else. Almost like how he couldn't turn away from a crying Human child, but not as extreme.

He felt similar when he saw some of his Anglian sisters broken from losing their bond-mate, but even that wasn't the same. It was like a mixture of the two types of protectiveness, with an unknown third.

However, he was aware of his primal instincts and could control them.

"I'm afraid, I didn't get your name." Liara told him.

The Asari arrived late, only a few minutes before. The adults were already drinking at the table, and playing various board games.

"It's Erwin." He simply answered.

"Ah, that Erwin. Judging by the way my student is holding onto you." Liara teased.

"What, he's my boyfriend. Mom and Dad are sitting like this." Oriana defended with a juvenile tone.

Sanae was sitting in between Oriana and Akio, she was leaning into her husband. Sanae was clutching Akio's arm, similar to how Oriana was clinging to Erwin's.

"Yes, but we're married and have four daughters together. You're not going to be popping any out with Erwin soon, are you?" Sanae shot back with the same juvenility.

Oriana was going to respond, but Miranda beat her to it.

"No, she's not. I think a few doctorates should come first." Miranda gave her sister a look, daring Oriana to say otherwise.

"I don't mind a few grandkids. I'm sure they'd make beautiful children." Sanae swooned.

"She's only nineteen." Miranda shot back.

"I don't see how me sitting with my boyfriend has anything to do with kids." Oriana wondered out loud.

"I just want to make sure you don't do something stupid." Miranda lectured.

"I'll have kids whenever I want." Oriana snubbed her nose at Miranda.

"I assume your Liara T'Soni, Oriana mentioned something about a psionics teacher." Erwin ignored the bickering between mother and sisters.

"Yes, that's me. I couldn't let someone with Oriana's potential go unguided." Liara admitted with a bit of pride.

"Y'all seem to be close." Erwin observed.

"Ah, yes. I've come to see her like a little sister." Liara admitted.

"Awe… thanks, big sis!" Oriana cutely gushed.

"So, how did you meet Oriana?" Erwin was trying not to scold his girlfriend, or take her into the other room and take her.

Oriana was an interesting individual. She knew people from Shepard's past and was very close with them. So, what was the connection between Shepard and Oriana?

"I met her through Miranda."

"Bingo." Erwin triumphantly though.

"Interesting, I didn't know y'all knew each other." Erwin dug a little deeper.

"Ares… you've been holding out on me." Erwin got his brother's attention.

"I thought we didn't want to pry too much?" Ares asked.

"Oh… but this is interesting. Why didn't you inform me, brother?"

"I honestly didn't dig too deep into her connection with Shepard in the beginning. Now, I have more pressing matters. You got me slaving, trying to forge a million warships. Then I have to keep a lookout for Cerberus, Henry, and advanced AI trying to play cyberwar with me. Plus I have to start colonizing more Systems, and draw up intricate contingencies." Ares ranted about his long to-do list.

"Hum… I suppose you're right."

"We know each other from an old acquaintance. He brought us together. At first, Miranda and I hated each other." Liara told him.

"You and Randa hated each other?" Oriana was surprised her two big sisters hated each other.

"We used to." Miranda admitted.

"Why?" Oriana prodded.

Liara looked at Miranda, silently asking something.

"We fought over the same man." Liara admitted.

"You both fought over Uncle John!?" Oriana blurted out.

"Did she just…" Erwin was surprised but didn't show it.

"It wasn't entirely that simple, but I suppose that's a good summarization." Miranda added.

Miranda looked like someone stabbed a knife through her heart when she heard Shepard's name.

"Interesting." Erwin thought.

Ares sent Erwin everything through the neural lace.

"I see… Shepard is an interesting man indeed. You're dismissed, Ares. I'm going to be telling Liara too."

Erwin looked to Miranda.

"Would you like help to bring Shepard back?" Erwin asked with a serene seriousness.

Miranda and Liara's eyes widened. Liara looked calculating, and so did Miranda. However, Oriana's biological sister also looked pissed.

Akio and Sanae looked surprised but were somewhat used to the supersoldier's antics.

"How dare you! How do you know about that? Are you using my sister to get close to John!?" Miranda seethed.

"Randa! Calm down, and never accuse Erwin of using me!" Oriana vehemently defended Erwin.

Erwin raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend. He expected her to side with him, but her response seemed second nature. Did she trust him that much?

Miranda was pulled out of her rage by her sister's immediate response.

"What do you mean? Can you bring back Uncle John from the dead?" Oriana asked her boyfriend.

"No. Death is permanent, no one can be brought back. It's been tried, and only leads to Abominations of Life." Erwin dismissed.

"That is not true." Miranda spat, trying to convince herself more than Erwin.

"Then why even suggest that, Erwin. That was cruel, they loved each other." Oriana explained, hurt.

"He's not dead. John Shepard is most likely in a form of stasis. His neurons may not be firing, but Shepard is in there. Probably, he wouldn't be responding to your treatments otherwise." Erwin corrected.

"How do you know about Project Lazarus?" A guarded Liara asked.

At that moment Erwin's Armor walked through the door. He commanded it to approach from the bathroom. Erwin told the girls to stay in the living room, through the phone, and they obediently obeyed.

The Armor walked next to the pit. Then held its hands up, palms facing the ceiling. A familiar hologram of Terra appeared in the middle of the room. Its pristine greens, blues, and browns existed in harmony with the silvers and greys of megacities.

"Who, the hell is that!?" Miranda asked. She was charging up her biotics.

"Miranda, you will not use Biotics in my house!" Sanae ordered. They glared at each other, then Miranda powered down.

The helmet floated off the Armor, and it leaned down, showing no one inside.

"I control it, I told my Armor to come here. You can attack it with your Biotics. They won't do anything." Erwin calmly responded.

"So… um… Erwin's from a different Universe's future." Oriana said sheepishly.

"Impossible." Miranda growled.

"That's hard to believe, Oriana." Liara agreed.

"No, the Kid is telling the truth." Akio finally spoke.

"Prove it." Miranda demanded.

Sanae glared at Miranda for her tone.

"He's telling the truth." Oriana guaranteed.

A hard-light hologram floated in front of Liara and Miranda. Each girl had a hologram of an ice ball and fireball.

"Touch them." Erwin simply said.

Miranda touched the fireball, and her hand snapped back. Liara's hand did something similar when she touched the ice ball. They each experimentally touched the other ball, afterward.

"How does a solid hologram become hot or cold?" Asked a gobsmacked Miranda.

Liara was in a similar state.

A hologram of Terra appeared above them. Erwin then spent the next thirty minutes explaining his Universe. It was the same story he told the Furukawa family three months ago.

Miranda seemed to like the United Terran Empire. She was disappointed they weren't in this Universe.

Liara? She hated the Empire. Liara probably thanked her goddess, the Imperium was unlikely to come into contact with their Galaxy.

She was right to fear the Empire. The Asari would become little more than a low caste civilization of the Terran Empire. Liara was used to the Asari leading the Galaxy, Imperial rule would be a massive culture shock to her people.

"See! I'm dating a supersoldier from the future!" Oriana triumphantly declared.

Erwin smiled at the girl. Besides his legacies, she was his only source of happiness.

He looked over to a proud-looking Akio and Sanae, then thought of the three other girls.

"Perhaps not the only." Erwin happily though.

"Can you really help?" Miranda hopefully asked.

"Yes, but you will not try to learn how any of my people's technology works." Erwin warned both Liara and Miranda.

"Your technology could help Humanity." Miranda pushed.

"It could help the entire Galaxy." Liara passionately corrected.

"No!" Oriana vehemently denied. She was now fearful for her sister and master's life.

Erwin wasn't too proud of having Oriana so scared, but it was good she understood the danger.

Akio and Sanae were also surprised by Oriana's outburst.

Oriana looked up at Erwin pleadingly. She was terrified of Miranda inadvertently learning anything of Imperial origins.

"Imperial Decree five seven four. Unauthorized distribution of Imperial knowledge is strictly forbidden. All leaks of Imperial knowledge are to be expunged." Erwin calmly recited the Imperial Decree.

Akio, Sanae, Miranda, and Liara all looked worrisome.

"Does that mean…" Liara started to ask before Erwin interrupted.

"Anyone who reverse-engineers, or illegally acquires Imperial technology will be hunted down with extreme prejudice and eliminated." Erwin explained.

"That's insane!" Liara shouted.

"No. It's practical." Miranda concluded. She was a brutally realistic person.

"I swear, no Imperial technology will be leaked. Just help me bring back John." Miranda swore in her cold professional voice, but she couldn't fool Erwin. She was begging behind those guarded icy eyes.

"Then, he'll be revived." Erwin told the broken woman.

"Thank you." Miranda sincerely thanked him.

"Why did Oriana know about the law?" Akio asked, his protective side taking over.

He knew there was no way to stop Erwin, but he could always apply social pressure.

"He had to tell me before I learned anything. I'm not supposed to tell anyone what he teaches me or pursue any research and development careers. It's the reason he trusted me with an Imperial phone." Oriana jumped to his defense. She quickly stomped out any conflict between her two favorite men.

"Why the hell does it turn me on when she defense me, or says 'Imperial?'" Erwin thought as he quickly controlled his juvenile hormones.

"If you're an authorized source, couldn't you grant us a few pieces of your outdated technology?" Liara politely pressed. She was still agitated by the thought of a dominant Human Empire but hid it well.

"No."

"Oriana was given a highly advanced piece of technology, and is even being taught by you. Perhaps if someone was loyal to the Empire? From my understanding, you're the highest Imperial authority in this Universe." Miranda carefully asked in her silky Australian accent.

Erwin knew what she was thinking. Miranda wanted to get a "yes" from Erwin, then bring it back to the Illusive Man. To convince him to pledge loyalty to Erwin, making Cerberus the de facto superpower overnight.

Tempting, and perhaps the Illusive Man would do it. Though, Erwin does not need the primitive wannabes. The Clones put the puny group to shame.

"That doesn't seem fair. If an outside source of technology is shared with Humanity, then the rest of the Galaxy should have access. We did it with the Protheans." Liara tried to slap down the idea.

It seemed the hot blue girl understood what Miranda was after. The concept of what Liara was suggesting was almost amusing.

The Empire as an outside entity? These primitives would be mid and low-caste members within the Imperium if it ever arrived in this Universe.

"How is the Empire an outside source? They're Human, anything given to the Alliance would be internal." Miranda hotly defended.

"I'm not going to give anyone Imperial technology. Regardless if they pledge loyalty." Erwin put the little argument to bed.

It was amusing to watch the little primitives fight over his people's scraps. They were like ants fighting over the giant's crumbs.

Maybe he'd develop something for the Alliance after Terra Firma took control. It'd be entertaining to see the Asari, Salarians, and Turinas tumble over each other for an excuse for the Alliance to share.

"Why are you so defensive over old technology? We wouldn't be a threat to the Empire." Liara asked.

"Because our technological superiority once guaranteed the Empire's survival. I'm not going to just give a foreign nation Imperial technology unless it benefits the Empire. Plus it's highly illegal." Erwin explained.

Erwin didn't really have the authority to hand out Imperial tech to primitives, just a slight leeway with the law. Just giving these entitled primitives something like cold fusion reactors, would be blatant treason.

"Your people fought a big war, didn't they?" Akio asked.

Erwin wasn't surprised Akio would immediately guess a war. The Old Man was right, but he'd probably guess that no matter what.

He was always suspicious of his scars, and the Empire's human supremacy ideology. Erwin told the Old Man a bit about the Imperial military, where Oriana mostly knew about Imperial culture.

"Yes."

There was more to Erwin's time. Questions Akio, Sanae, and Oriana wanted to ask for some time. Akio and Sanae were even generous enough to not question his scars.

Oriana never asked about who put the scars on his body. Instead, she'd ask what happened, then try to love them away. It was an odd practice of hers, but a pleasant one.

It was time they learned a little bit about Erwin.

Erwin pulled up a hologram in the middle of the room. The planet was a beautiful green and blue marble of paradise.

"This is Harvest. The population was around three hundred million. It was a sparsely populated planet, right on the edge of Human Space."

"It's beautiful." Sanae complemented.

"That's considered sparsely populated?" Liara incredulously asked.

"Humanity had FTL capabilities for over thirty thousand years. The Galaxy has hundreds of billions of stars, and we were good at Terraforming." Erwin explained.

"What was your total population?" Miranda asked.

That was a good question, no one knew. The old Terran Confederacy wasn't good at gathering information about its member states. None of the States had to share anything, and the Federal Government had no right to demand anything of a State.

"Humanity wasn't as unified during the start of the war. Best estimates put the population somewhere around one hundred seventy trillion." Erwin plainly explained.

"By the Goddess, that many people?" Liara was in disbelief.

So was everyone else.

"I had no idea the Empire was so large. How many planets did your people have?" Oriana asked. She was in a state of awe.

His girlfriend always picked for more information about the Empire, but he always gave bits of worthless information. Mainly culture, art, and entertainment. This was one of the few times he gave out real statistics.

"Millions. Multiple Empires, Republics, and Democracies spread across the stars; colonizing and terraforming planets daily. Humanity wished to conquer the entire Milky Way, and we were going to. We have much more ambitious goals now." Erwin spoke with faith in his people.

The hologram changed to show each planet Humanity held before the war. They were countless, the room looked like it gained a star-filled sky.

"Kami….that many planets?" Oriana asked.

"What about the other races?" Liara suspiciously asked.

"There weren't any other races. The Milky Way only had one space-faring species. Mankind grew in an empty Galaxy. Plenty of room to expand and grow."

"How is that possible? What about the Asari, Turians, Salarians, or even the Batarians?" Liara pushed. She was skeptical of the assertion that an entire Galaxy could be uninhabited.

She was right. Intelligent life may be rare, but it wasn't nonexistent. Erwin wasn't going to tell her, and specifically Oriana, about the Flood and Halo rings.

"They simply don't exist. The same as the Mass Relays. Humanity had to conquer the stars on our own merits." Erwin lightly dug at the Asari and every other race that used Mass Effect technology.

"The war, Kid." Akio was getting impatient.

"Did a Human group split off?" Oriana asked. She was fearful of what the war could be. She was hopeful it was a small rebellion.

She made a few efforts for Erwin to stop calling Aliens "Xenos." The term was offensive, but she had a few suspensions on why he hated Xenos so much.

"No, first contact with Xenos." Erwin said in a low, sharp voice.

Multiple strange-looking bulbous starships were shown entering Harvest's orbit. Erwin made the hologram spin rapidly, emulating time. Quick flashes of blue plasma came from the Covenant ships.

After it stopped, the planet looked radically different. The atmosphere was almost on fire. The blue and green were gone, replaced by dead grey and black. The planet had glowing orange circles that spewed sickly thick clouds of smoke.

All the girls minus Miranda looked horrified. Liara was more collected, but still had a look of grieving.

Miranda was feeling similar emotions, but like Akio, she could hide them.

"This was the first Human world in contact with the Covenant. They glassed the planet, along with all three hundred million people. Every man, woman, and child were killed."

"Why…" a horrified Oriana tried to ask.

"The Covenant was a theocracy who saw Humans as heretics. They were a conglomeration of different races led by the San'Shyuum. Harvest was only the first planet."

"What did they want?" Oriana weakly asked.

"Simple. The extermination of Humanity." Erwin answered flatly.

Oriana turned pale with pure horror. She probably never thought an advanced species was capable of such.

His girlfriend clung to him a little tighter. She was placing pieces of the puzzle together. Erwin's scars were making sense, and she hated it.

Sanae held onto Akio and rested her head on his arm. Akio's face was stone, like he wanted to stop such an atrocity.

Miranda looked pissed but held her composure.

Liara looked sick.

"Before Humanity was governed by the Terran Confederacy. We respected each other, there was plenty of room to grow. It was an endless Golden Age. Our technology advanced by leaps and bounds, the cosmos bent to our will. The Covenant shattered our illusions of invincibility."

"Did we win?" Miranda asked hopefully.

"Yes, but it was close." Erwin hauntingly answered.

Oriana was caressing a scar on his arm, and Erwin could feel her sorrow from the bond. This wasn't a history lesson to her, she was learning about a war someone in front of her fought.

"How long did it take to beat the Covenant?" Akio asked.

"They were technologically superior. For every ship the covenant lost, we lost one point one nine. Doesn't sound bad, but in a Galactic War? Our fleets were slaughtered."

The hologram showed a large twenty-three-kilometer-long blocky ship. The Destiny Ascension was next to it for scale.

Flames and explosions signified the large ship's imminent death. Large sections of its armor were simply missing.

In a last rageful act of defiance, it fired a broadside at a nearby Covenant ship. The kinetic rounds ripped through the Covenant's shields and armor, it exploded in a bright blue ball of plasma.

Unfortunately, a much larger Covenant ship finished off the Human warship. A brilliant lance of blue-white pierced the ship, causing the reactor to go critical. A large explosion turned the once-proud warship into a debris field.

Then it showed a group of Terran Marines engaging Elites. The Marines were taking over behind some debris, as the Elites pushed forward. They sent waves of Grunts to soften the Marines. Plasma bolts and streaks of yellow filled the night sky.

Oriana was holding onto Erwin, looking for some sort of comfort. The scenes of death were depressing, and the large Aliens looked vicious. She wanted to throw up when she saw the Grunts get torn down.

Erwin could feel every emotion she was projecting. He didn't like how she felt sorry for the Grunts, they were simply cannon fodder.

Eventually, the Elites closed the distance and started slaughtering the Marines. The Terran Marines didn't go down without a fight. One man jumped on an Elite's back, and another tackled the Xeno. The Elite died with a bayonet in its neck and abdomen. The brutal melee lasted for a few minutes.

However, every single Marine died. The scene closed when the Terrans bombarded the area with artillery.

The Humans and Sangheili lost many, but the Unggoy painted the ground in blue blood and guts. Erwin didn't censor anything.

"Such cruelty…" Oriana was silently crying at this point.

Oriana could imagine Erwin fighting such a war, and it was terrifying her. She could see one of the Elites trying to hurt Erwin. They were huge, bigger than Erwin even, and seemed cruel.

Erwin sent a calming wave of psionic energy her way, and she soon calmed down.

"We eventually won out. At least that's when I was ripped out of my Universe. We were fighting the war for a little over five thousand years."

"Kami…" Sanae mumbled.

"Five thousand years…" Liara was flabbergasted.

"Erwin… I'm so sorry…" Oriana whimpered.

"Shh… Ori. It's okay, the war is practically over. Humanity recovered and came out stronger." Erwin tried to soothe his girlfriend, she was the only one he focused on.

"We did?" Oriana hopefully sniffled.

"We eventually took back the Milky Way and started to invade the Andromeda and Rivendell Galaxies. The United Terran Empire was formed, and its new Imperial fleets far outmatched that of the Covenant." Erwin soothed the girl.

"How did you get in our Galaxy?" Miranda asked.

Erwin was not going to explain his attempted suicide and the Flood. He didn't care about correcting her terminology either, not when Oriana had the epiphany of slipspace from a sandwich analogy.

"Don't know." He brushed off.

Miranda didn't believe him, but she wasn't going to call the man helping to bring her lover back a liar.

"How many did we lose?" Akio somberly asked.

Erwin slightly grinned. The Old Man was including himself with the Empire. Humanity rather, but it was still interesting.

"Sixty trillion."

There was a somber silence.

Akio balled his hands into a fist.

Miranda looked furious, she was pro-human, it made sense.

Liara was horrified and trying to contemplate such a number.

Sanae and Oriana were quiet, they held onto their partners.

"I thought it was time for the Furukawas to learn more about me. The only reason I told you two this is because we might have future interactions, and Oriana trusts you." Erwin told Miranda and Liara.

"You fought the war?" Miranda quietly asked.

"Yes."

"What was your rank?" Miranda prodded.

"I was a Spartan. We were able to command small fleets, raise armies, and defeat anything in single combat." Erwin described his responsibilities.

"My official rank was Supreme Commander. Only the Lord of Admirals and Emperor outranked me. If you want an analogy, I'd be something like an Alliance Admiral." He continued.

Oriana pulled Erwin down to her level and moved her head next to his ear.

"We're taking your ship for a spin, tonight." She sweetly told him, whispering so no one would hear. Oriana was sad, but she didn't want to make a scene.

Erwin lightly grabbed the back of her head. He moved Oriana's head, so her ear was now next to his lips.

"That's fine, but it's a fighter. Don't worry it has more than enough room for two." He whispered back. Erwin predicted what her next question was. A fighter by primitive standards was little more than a drone.

They separated, and Oriana snuggled into Erwin. He projected more calming psionic energy towards Oriana. The psionic energy was concentrated in one location, so no one else would feel it. Erwin could tell she locked away her sadness.

"Talk about something else." Oriana told her boyfriend.

A sly smile graced Oriana's lips. She turned to her father and gave him a mischievous look.

"Erwin outranks you." She taunted in a juvenile singsong tone.

"No, he doesn't." He childishly denied.

"Yes, he does."

"We're part of different militaries. They don't compare." Akio playfully snubbed.

Oriana looked up at Erwin.

"You outrank him, right?" Oriana demanded his assistance with her eyes.

Erwin grinned.

"Quit making fun of the Old Man, Ori. Even if I outrank him, he's retired. I'm not going to boss around the elderly." Erwin disingenuously defended Akio.

"You're right… I'm sorry Dad. I forgot that you're retired." Oriana gave her father a fake apology.

Akio glared at the young couple.

"It's okay, Love. Let the children have their fun." Sanae consoled her husband and hit back at Erwin and Oriana at the same time.

The conversations went in a happier direction that night. Liara and Miranda eventually relaxed and enjoyed themselves. The younger girls joined the adults in the "adult" room. Everyone played a few games on Oriana's phone.

Liara poked around the technology question a little bit more, but nothing that would be considered discourteous.

Erwin sent Miranda a message saying he'd get in contact with her later on the Lazarus issue. It prevented any more serious questions.

The girls also brought in the crate of Imperial chocolates, and Erwin regretted bringing so much. Miranda and Liara quickly joined the chocolate addiction support group. Akio and Erwin we're lucky to get a few of the Imperial chocolates.

---

The night ended on a high point. Liara bid adieu, she seemed to be in a relatively happy mood. Miranda retired to Oriana's room. Akio and Sanae let the girls sleep with them.

Erwin suspects Oriana told her mother they were going to leave later. It'd explain Sanae's insistence for the girls to sleep with them.

Otherwise, the girls tend to sneak into Erwin's room. He normally let them in, unless Oriana was naked on his chest. Erwin honestly saw the girls as his little sisters, it helped Oriana encourage such a relationship with her sisters.

Sanae and Akio also pushed the girls towards Erwin, they wanted him to care for the girls. Sanae just wanted him more integrated into the family. Probably to push Erwin and Oriana together.

Akio had similar goals as his wife but also had a much darker and morbid reason. He knew the Reapers were coming, and Erwin valuing his children all but guaranteed their survival. Especially after Erwin explained why the Andromeda initiative would fail.

The Mass effect FTL method was designed to be trackable. Previous races being harvested probably also tried such a method of continuity. Even if they could make it to Andromeda, which would take a stupendous amount of time with their slow FTL, it wouldn't be safe.

Erwin didn't have to make a trip to Andromeda to know it was dangerous. Using various Gravitational Lensing and Imperial hardware methods, he could see even small asteroids in Andromeda.

Erwin could see Mass Relays in Andromeda and even a different Citadel. Planets with prospering civilizations, their technology based on the Mass Effect principle. He even saw a few odd-shaped ships using Mass Relays.

Andromeda was a little over two and a half million light-years away. Meaning those images were showing Erwin a long-dead civilization, a dead species. Erwin saw no reason a cycle would be longer on Andromeda and doubted the Reapers would extend it to millions of years.

What the primitives would call the Triangulum Galaxy, which was later renamed to Rivendell by his people, had Mass Relays. Even the dwarf satellite galaxies of the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies had Mass Relays.

The entire Local Cluster was under Reaper control. There was no escaping the Galaxy, perhaps nowhere was safe in this Universe. The only truly safe place would be within Erwin's masterpiece.

Oriana stepped next to an Armored Erwin. She had on an elegant pink nightgown. The nightgown went down to her mid-thigh, and only barely covered her shoulders. It showed off her smooth, cream-colored, feminine arms and legs.

She didn't have makeup on, and her hair was freely hanging down to her mid-neck. Oriana let it grow out after she asked for his opinion on hair one day.

Her crystal eyes captivated him, they seemed to light up the dark room.

Erwin told her they weren't going out in public, so just wear pajamas. This was apparently her version of pajamas.

The thin nightgown clung to her curves, and her clean face made her look like an angel. Erwin was nervous. He's never seen someone so beautiful, and the connection only heightened his attraction.

"So... I finally get to see your ship." Oriana quietly spoke with excitement and nervousness.

"It's a fighter." Erwin impassively responded. He could hide his emotions much better than the blue-eyed girl.

"Sorry… fighter. How are we going to get to it without going to a dock?" She timidly apologized and asked.

It was unnatural for Oriana to be so nervous. It was in turn making Erwin nervous.

"It's fine, Ori. I wasn't getting on to you. As for how we'll get to it…" Erwin led the girl to the balcony.

Oriana stepped out of the apartment, and the wind whipped around her hair and nightgown.

Erwin walked to the edge of the balcony, then held out his hand.

"Trust me?"

Oriana looked at his hand, then back up to Erwin. He didn't have his helmet on, so she could look directly into his gold eyes.

"Always." She answered with conviction, then took hold of his hand.

Erwin swooped her up, carrying her bridal style.

He looked down at a questioning Oriana, and gave her a cocky grin.

"Erwin wha-"

"Too late."

Erwin jumped over the railing.