I don't own Mass Effect...obviously...just my own original character.
A/N
GreenRena: Aria is not a boss I would want to be drunk at work for either! Enjoy chapter 5.
subsider34: I didn't think I had made Pashya's shift of attitude so abrupt. I was hoping she came across initially as professionally polite then have the attitude get worse. I'll reread chapter 3 and maybe I'll tweek it. Thanks for the feedback, constructive criticism is always welcome. Really pleased you enjoyed the chapter...dialogue is hard to do for me. I'm always trying to place it in context in my head, and I hate writing accents and bad speech habits so I find it hard. Chuffed you enjoyed the effort.
KhazintheDark: Yes Aria may find her bring me his head taken literally. Maybe. We'll see where the muse takes us. Going to Palaven and becoming 'sparkly'. Lol, I think Nat would die of vampire shame. Love the though of the story going that far though, that would be cool. Not to mention a lot of writing. Enjoy chapter 5.
Lieutenant Paladine: Welcome to the party! Thanks for the positive feedback, enjoy the story.
Ironjaw: Glad I got Aria right. She's such a great character, I think it's a shame she's not in more fics. Enjoy chapter 5.
Guest: I'm glad that's what you thought and not never write another word again. I don't write everyday but when I do it's usually 1000 to 2000 words. Real life has a horrible habit of getting in the way. Thanks again and enjoy the next bit.
Thanks to everyone reviewing and those who favorited me. I'm stoked that at 4 chapters and 22k words I have 33 followers and 20 favourite. Makes me feel good, so carry on and the more the merrier.
Blayze
Hungry, very hungry now, and I'm prowling the passages down on level 21. I've managed to hold out so far, getting a fair distance away from my apartment, and dropping down a few levels, but enough is enough. My temper is short and and some poor bastard is going to die soon in this shithole. After soothing my temper with a hot shower I'd pulled on the tight armoured bodysuit again. I wanted to be armoured in case this all went to crap. Jainethia old suit was too distinctive though so I'd pulled on a black hoody and combats. They disguise my shape but more importantly give me a chance of some stealth and blending in the shadows. It sure would be nice to have a tactical cloak like Travus but while I might get some better gear from Aria's contacts after I pass my 'test' right now I've got crap. So old fashioned camouflage will have to do. While I walked I kept the hoody up hiding my features letting me blend in with the foot traffic.
I've explored this district for hours now struggling to keep my temper but finally I've found an area that I hope will work for me. Omega is back on its night cycle now, and here most of the lighting units are broken and there's trash all around. In this local network of alleys and passages I've passed derelict industrial units and run down factories as well as dingy looking bars and several whorehouses. This is not a nice place, so I guess I'll fit right in with the locals. Up above the alleys and passages are a network of access and maintenance tubes, gangways, ladders and bridges, generally even more shrouded in darkness than down below. I made my way up to them and explored for a while getting my bearings while having my omnitool map this area in detail. Finally I settle down to wait impatiently. I'm crouched in the shadows up above an alley that connects to one of the lesser passages through the district. Only 60m around the corner are a rowdy bar and whorehouse,so I should have plenty of opportunity.
Getting down to the alley will be easy it's only about 7m, I'll jump. That's a high enough drop that a Human would expect to be seriously injured, but as I explored I've been discretely testing my capabilities. Expecting that I'll have to ambush my dinner I tried dropping from increasing heights. So far I've managed 10m like it was 2m so this spot is easy. Dragging dinner back up to the access gangways should be easy as well there's a convenient ladder just waiting to be used. Do I feel bad about murdering for my dinner? No. I've thought about it and really the best I've come up with is shit happens. I think of Humans and other species as food now and it just doesn't touch me. It worried me a little that I wasn't freaking out, but really when I'm honest I was more relieved that I seem to be adjusting to my new circumstances. Yeah I'm a real outstanding person aren't I? I reckon the godlike being that stuck me here screwed up by choosing me to help Shepherd. Don't get me wrong I intend to help but now I'm here I don't plan on going back to the grave without a real fight, so the body count is likely to be messy, when the hunters come for me, because I'm sure they will,sooner or later. As for my food? Well I decided that if possible I would try to feed off the scum and not the odd innocent that strayed into Omega. No promises mind, but I'll try.
I'm drawn from my thoughts as I spot movement at the end of the alley. There are 2...no, damn, a group of drunken louts stagger down the alley below me, several taking the time to relieve themselves in the shadows. They don't look like anything special, just workers drinking away their sorrows but I'm fighting to not drop amongst that group, a veritable banquet walking below me. The hunger is getting worse again, my senses heightening as the get closer to losing control. I can smell them. Sweat, sex, dirt, leather, blood and strong alcohol, overlaid with the happy drunken confusion and lust. The night is still young for them and they will never know how close they came to it ending right there. I can hear their pulses tripping away fast and strong as they stumble along. So loud, so tempting. I shake off the rising blood lust again, there are too many in the group, the next loner or couple will have to do. The group wanders aimlessly off and I curse quietly to myself.
It is another 40 minutes before my next chance arrives. An Asari in black and yellow medium armour walked rapidly around the corner, looking back over her shoulder as she does so. She's armed and has a pistol in her right hand. Her left arm hangs limply. She's wounded, I can smell her blood from here. She's in trouble and expecting more, but not from me, as soon as she rounds the corner she darts forward sprinting into the darkness towards me, hissing in pain and off balance from her wound. I hear shouts in the distance and the sounds of running feet. Below me the Asari skids to a halt, looking around frantically for a hiding spot, but I know there's nowhere down there, the doorways aren't deep enough to hide in although it is dark enough. The only real hiding spot is up here on the gangways and on cue the Asari spots the ladder and gives an ugly curse as she lunges towards it. The 7m climb will be an eternity for her but it's the only chance she has, and she rapidly holsters her weapon and jumps as high as she can to get a head start on the climb. Grabbing a rung overhead she pulls herself up and climbs with her legs until her right hand is back in front of her face. Bracing with her legs, I vaguely find myself admiring her determination to make the climb as she lunges upwards again grabbing with a death grip 3 rungs higher and pulling again to climb higher.
The running feet reach the alley and the noise increases as a Krogan and pair of Batarians round the corner. The Asari hasn't even reached halfway and doesn't even give the trio a glance as they spot her and yell in triumph at her precarious position. The Asari just swears again and launches herself higher. In her position I'd be shooting but she doesn't have that option, the ladder is on the left side of the alley and with her left arm disabled she can't even draw her weapon to aim at the Krogan and Batarians who have slowed their chase to a walk, confident that their quarry can't escape them. The 1st Batarian raises his weapon to shoot the Asari again, before the 2nd bellows at him.
"Just grab her fool, shoot the bitch again and you can't enjoy her before you kill her."
The Asari does react to that, she whimpers before launching upwards again, now about 5 metres up. The Krogan steps to the ladder which isn't designed for his massive 2.6m frame. The fleeing woman is comfortably out of his reach so instead he simply grabs his enormous Krogan shotgun and brutally smacks the butt against the ladder, as the Asari is midstep. She screams in pain as her foot slips off the rung, almost dislocating her good arm and smacking her wounded arm against the ladder. She hangs there limply for a second before trying to get her foot back on the ladder again. The Krogan laughs evilly and smacks the ladder again, and again. The Asari clings on desperately but her good hand slips and she drops 1m before thrusting her good arm between the ladder rungs with another moan of pain as she wrenches to a stop. The Krogan hits the ladder again, but with her legs braced and the rung under her arm the Asari is stable and isn't moving. She hurls a bitter curse at the Krogan who laughs again as the two Batarians move to the ladder.
"Come on Blue, we're gonna have some fun."
"Fuck off you bastard scum."
"You're hurting my feelings you Asari bitch, for that I'm gonna let my Krogan friend breed you before you die."
Up in the darkness above, my feelings churn between revulsion, and rage. I don't want to be involved but I can't let this happen without trying to stop it. I'm trying to work out what to do as the 2nd Batarian stows his weapon and starts to climb the ladder, eager to reach the Asari. She has her legs up under her, and I think she's getting ready to kick out at the would be rapist. Then I blink as I realise she has slipped her legs through the ladder rungs, hooking the ladder behind her knees. What the? In a move that makes my jaw drop the Asari reaches back with her good arm releasing the ladder and falling backwards as she grabs her pistol, swinging down to hang by her knees. The Batarian on the ladder is stunned to find the Asari upside down above him with her pistol in his face. With a sharp krak the pistol fires at point blank range the hypersonic shock of its mass accelerated projectile pulverising the Batarian face as his skull explodes backwards from the pistol round.
"Not so cocky now are you fucker?" The Asari grimaces in pain as she moves her aim and starts firing again.
I'm amazed, awestruck perhaps at the move, and I start moving as the Krogan and surviving Batarian react by raising their own weapons. I can't let the Asari die now, not after such a brave action. She's opened fire on the Krogan firing as fast as she can at the huge alien but even at close range her pistol as no chance of stopping him. The pistol rounds are tearing chunks from the Krogan's armour but doing him no real harm as he brings his shotgun up. With an angry yell I jump from the gangway aiming for the Krogan's head. I bring up my biotics as I fall, the darkness is lit up by their crackling electric glow. I'm too close to losing control now and using them only speeds that up but I don't see a choice. I hurl a throw at the Batarian hoping it will stun him enough as he flies backwards, his submachine gun discharging in angry burst of fire that spatters the alley walls, but I don't see him land as my focus is on the Krogan. I hit his face feet first with my heavy boots, unloading my shotgun at him as I bounce off and fall to the floor, the impact enough to knock the Krogan on his ass and his enormous shotgun off target as he fires. The discharge from my Katana is loud but the Krogan's weapon is like a cannon going off.
As I fall to the ground I hear more pistol shots overhead, the Asari is still firing after the Krogan fired so I guess he missed her. I just hope she doesn't shoot me in the chaos. I spring to my feet and I'm shocked to see the Krogan get up just as fast with a roar that echoes in the alley. His dirty brown armour has a big chunk torn out of his hump where my shot hit but otherwise he doesn't look hurt, just pissed off, as he continue to ignore the pistol fire from overhead in favour of me.
"Where the fuck you come from Human? Never mind, now I kill you!" The Krogan opens up me with his heavy shotgun, and my biotics flare brightly in front of me. A single shot and my shields took a noticeable hit. Damn, compared to this Katana it must do enormous damage. Shame it's pointed at me...and firing still. My shield flares again, and I worry about them now, I can really feel the drain on my energy for the first time. Diving to the side, the Krogan's next burst passes over me as my finally shield collapses under the heavy hit. I try and throw the shield back up but I feel weak somehow and overstretched. SHIT. Looking up, the Krogan's fires again but there's nothing but a click and beep as his shotgun's heat sink hits it limit.
The Krogan snarls in disgust and ejects the heatsink, sullenly glowing red hot as it hits the ground. As he reaches for another sink I open up with my shotgun, holding it steady as I keep the trigger down, aiming for its head. 4 shots hammer away at the big Krogan, making it throw up its arms to protect its vulnerable eyes. My fires mangle its arms, forcing it to drop the huge shotgun. My weapon bleeps at me as it overheats, and the Krogan lowers his arms with a rumbling growl. They're torn up but the blood is slowing as I watch him regenerating already. I go to eject my heat sink, but realise there is no time as the Krogan's growl rises to a roar as he smashes his still wounded hands together. Then it charges me. I hurl myself left to avoid its charge then roll to my feet as the alien smashes into the alley with loud thud. There is silence suddenly and I realise the fire from overhead has stopped as well, the Asari can't change her heatsink so she's out of the fight now.
The Krogan seems a little dazed but its still upright, the Batarian is still down, and I see the Krogan's big shotgun lying on the floor. Dropping my Katana I dart forwards, scooping up the brutal weapon and reaching for a spare heatsink. I slam it in and raise the shotgun in time to see the Krogan's already charging back at me. I get off a single shot blowing a dinner plate sized crater below its head and it howls in real pain before it hits me like a train. I feel the back of my skull crack as he smacks me into alley wall, massive clawed hands gouging my shoulders. I howl in agony, a little part of me noting the shotgun is between us pointing up, and my finger is somehow still in the trigger guard. I'm blinded with pain as I'm smashed backwards again feeling my skull break, and scrabble for the trigger, then there's an explosion in front of me as the trigger pulls. I'm covered in hot gore and my face feels burned as the clawed hands go loose, dropping me on the floor. I can't see, and I my body is shuddering with shock. I can't hear anything but I don't know if that's because it's quiet or I'm deaf.
Struggling with the pain I wipe the gore on my face, unconsciously doing what instinct demands for survival, licking the gore off my palm. A small thread of energy is absorbed, and I would have dived for the Krogan to feed but my senses tell me it's already dead and there's no more sustenance there. I can smell Prey now, a Batarian a small distance away but still unconscious, and another above me. There's another Prey, an Asari and I want it, they're so vital, but my body is broken, it's not reachable. Every movement is pain but blindly I stagger upright and follow the Batarian smell before with desperate urgency I release the need to feed, feeling my fangs emerge before I rip cloth away from its neck and sink them into its flesh reaching for the life giving flow. Puncturing the arteries there I suck, gasping with need and the blood flows, restoring my vitality, as by body begins to heal the massive damage to the back of my head. It hurts, feeling bone and flesh knitting, tissue healing up skin spreading over the wounds. The prey struggles in my arms but its feeble and I continue feeding, draining it rapidly. There's no satisfaction in this, just urgency as my hurts heal. Part of me knows I am running on instinct, deep reserves while my body struggles to heal the gravest wounds to my head. The blood flow is weakening and I increase the suction desperate to get all the nourishment I need. There's not enough, the flow stops and I release the body, trying to get a sense of the damage to my body. My skull is intact again but my brain is still healing and my reserves are gone now. The last thing I hear is a muttered curse and thump back down the alley before my traumatized body decides enough is enough and I blissfully lose consciousness.
Consciousness returns and reluctantly I pay attention to my senses again. My eyes are shut, but now I can see the light behind my eyelids. I can hear again, chatter a distance away that I can't make out, the slow whir of an air circulation unit overhead somewhere, an occasional bleep to my right that I realise is synchronized with my slow heart beat. I can smell antiseptic, bleach, traces of various chemicals, as well as the vaguely moist trace that I recognise from my encounter with the store trader Ecktar, a Salarian is nearby or was recently. I was in an alley, where the hell am I now? Who brought me here and why am I even waking up? I'd assumed I would be put down if someone found me beside the Batarian and that Krogan. Could that Asari have brought me here? How? She was wounded and wouldn't have been strong enough. Finally I decide it's time to check my location and open my eyes.
I don't recognise it, metal ceiling overhead, with the inset air unit I can hear. I'm lying on a bed, and I realise there are restraints on my arms, legs and across my torso below my breasts. I'm a prisoner? Not good. My first thought is to struggle and test the restraints but I don't, forcing myself to calm down. Better to tray and make a good calm impression. I guess whoever fond me is already concerned so better to try and not freak them out anymore Nat. Glancing around I can see stainless steel tables, with a terminal on them plus what looks like lab equipment that I can't identify. To my right is a stand with what looks like some kind of scan unit attached, with a mass of wire from it connected to sensors I feel on my temples, wrists and sternum. I've got a sheet over my body, but I still feel clothed at least. To my left is more equipment and the door of this small room, which is transparent with writing on the other side. Reading backwards is something I never had a problem with. It says Quarantine Zone. This room only has the one bed in it so I guess I'm in an isolation ward of some sort?
The door opens with a hiss and I watch as a Salarian walks in rapidly, consulting a datapad. He's dressed in the white exoskeleton and armour of a Salarian scientist. There's only one Salarian scientist I know of on Omega, assuming he's even here yet. Mordin Solus? He walks rapidly across to the computer terminal, checking on some results. Tests perhaps on me? Then still studying his data pad he walks across to my bed.
"Hmm, good you are awake. Was unsure if treatment would work."
"Treatment?" I ask after deciphering the Salarian's quick fire speech.
"Yes. Treatment based off Matia's statement of events and medical scans. Very unusual data. Wasn't sure of success. Gratifying." His big eyes blinked as he emphasized his words by nodding rapidly.
"Where am I?"
"Mordin Solus Health Clinic. Level 29. Bashtai Ward, Omega. My clinic."
"How did I get here?"
"Hmm, Matia called for help after attack in alleyway. Wounded and unable to help Human who intervened, rescued her. Her report was...uncertain? Troubling. Disturbing, but adamant that she would be dead without Human's assistance. Brought her and you here. Matia easy to heal. You not so much. Medical scan unique, never encountered before, experimental treatment needed for coma like state. Was successful, have many questions."
"Questions?" Oops that was a mistake. Mordin starts his interrogation at lightning pace.
"What are you?" Ouch no need to be blunt Mordin. Fortunately he seems perfectly happy to try and answer his own question. "Matia stated Human assisted her. Visual description accurate. Medical scan conclusive however. Not Human. Matia stated Human drank Batarian blood. Assumed she was hysterical, but omniscan at scene confirmed this. Batarian attacker died of blood loss from throat wound. Matia described extreme skull fracture healing as Batarian drained, followed by Human collapsing into near comatose state. Considered eliminating in alleyway but Matia insisted on assistance. Life for life. Asari are sentimental, but admit would have been saddened to lose her. Agreed to treat. Not certain right decision. Externally Human appearance, hmmm very attractive by Human standards, will provoke high hormonal sexual response from Human males...also some females. Supposition...appearance even whole body designed as lure, also camouflage. Species evidently predatory ambush hunter. Evidence... retractable elongated canines for feeding, omniscan shows heightened senses, very fast reaction times, increased skeletal and muscular strength, extreme regeneration capabilities, vestigial digestion tract would suggest can eat Human food but system inefficiency suggests only camouflage, not sufficient to sustain viability. DNA scan superficially similar but significant differences from Human norms, confirms different species. Possibly distant sub species. Again must ask...What are you?"
Wow. Mordin Solus in full flow is an experience. Preferably not from the receiving end but never mind. I decided to try and fend him off for now.
"If I was in a coma, how did you heal me?" Mordin waved my question away as he replied.
"Treatment based on evidence. Obvious that Humans are primary food source, bodily adaptations confirm this. Feeding off Batarian suggested successful experimentation already completed...or possibly just instinct in survival situation. Either way was successful. Standard treatment for comatose subject was not successful, stimulants had no effect. Opted to experiment based off Matia's evidence. Experimental drip feed of blood types attempted. Most illuminating. Human blood types ingested healing began spontaneously. Also tried Asari, Batarian, Krogan, Turian and Quarian. Fascinating results. Clarification all blood from donated reserves. Asari, Batarian and Krogan bloods all instigated healing process. Turian and Quarian bloods not suitable, condition weakened rapidly until replaced with compatible type. Asari and Krogan both promoted substantially more healing for a given volume of blood. Based off evidence and local shortage of Human blood type instituted oral feeding of Asari blood. Healing process began immediately and rapidly. 3 hours and 21 minutes from feeding beginning to healing complete. Scans show all wounds completely healed, even micro fractures in skull healed. Avoiding my question, what are you?"
I sigh, for all Mordin is like a chipmunk on crack or coffee, he's a tenacious little shit. I decide there's no point in not answering him. He already knows more about me than I do after his scans.
"There's a name for what I am...or close to it anyway. Vampire."
"Vampire? Hmm unfamiliar with term will investigate."
The Salarian stepped off to one side and I watched as he worked rapidly on the data tablet, eyes flicking rapidly side to side as he read at speed.
"Hmm local extranet unclear, term undefined."
"You need to examine Human mythology and legend Dr Solus."
"Mythology? Existence is fact, mythology irrelevant." Mordin interrupts sounding almost indignant.
"You won't find any credible factual accounts of vampires Doc. Try Human fiction, 20th century to contemporary. Vampire."
There was silence for a while, broken occasionally by small incredulous exclamations from the scientist. Finally after nearly half an hour Mordin starts talking to himself.
"Human writing baffling. Understand fiction but using same mythology for both horror genre plus romance and titillation? Don't understand. Vampire characterised as undead, susceptible to exposure to sunlight as well as acts of faith, holy water, fire, decapitation, or wooden stakes through heart? Fire, decapitation, stake through heart make sense as means of death? Death? Supposed to be undead. Perhaps means method of permanent disablement? How is this...erotic? Vampires described as exceptionally fast, strong, rapid healing, numerous disputed abilities, requires blood to sustain itself. Why is this attractive to Humans?"
That last question is actually directed at me as Mordin returns to my bedside. The Salarian does look honestly baffled, but I can't say I'm surprised, the poor guy has just had a crash exposure to Humanity's weird taste in dark fantasy, horror and erotica.
"Honestly Mordin, I'm not sure I can answer you. Human fiction has always have had a thing for danger, and anti heroes. So far as I know no one has ever standardized what a vampire is, but every so often someone reinvents the genre to appeal to that generation."
"Humanity is...bizarre."
"Oh believe me, you have no idea Doc."
"Description as vampire partly accurate at least, but definitely not undead. Heart rate extremely low, 2 to 3 beats per minute. Lungs functional so require oxygen although in lower quantity than Humans. Respiration, cell division, feeding, yes definitely alive. Blood as food source? Have theories but no answers yet. Investigating. Challenging. Possibly associated with unidentified organs in torso. Have detected hyper adrenalin type hormones. Fascinating many possible applications...Most puzzling at moment is lower thermal signature, possible temperature regulation issue? No no no would have had difficulty functioning and no evidence of sweating, no sweat glands, although do emit pheromones. Hmm must investigate further. Will classify as Human subspecies for now, possibly due to genetic mutation? Surprising not detected earlier, obviously full adult, yet no records, and no mention of condition anywhere. Question...Where are you from vampire?"
"Earth." That answer seemed safe enough anyway, but Mordin jumped on it.
"Earth? Unlikely. Very intense surveillance society. Thermal scanners in regular use, nocturnal activities would be very detectable and diurnal theoretically problematic due to sunlight. Hmm must test sunlight...ultraviolet radiation? What frequency? Limited to solar emission spectrum? Earth not a logical answer yet to have survived to adulthood in this condition must have answered question before...therefore lying not logical...Earth correct? How did you get here?"
There was a pause in the rapid fire monologue and when I caught up Mordin was waiting for an answer.
"What?"
"How did you get here?"
"I don't know, I woke up on Omega a few days ago. The last thing I remember before that was a large explosion in London, England. Earth.
Mordin blinked. Once, twice, then he burst into activity on his datapad, muttering to himself. I thought about interrupting him to ask about the restraints but decided to wait. I might learn something else at this rate.
"Recent explosions in London England. Verifiable datum, variables...size of explosion, date...hmm last 6 months likely more than sufficient. Location?"
Watching in amusement I answered. "Chelsea, London."
"Hmm no large explosions or fires reported. Removing size variable. Minor gas explosions no casualties. No match. Date of explosion?"
Uh oh. Here comes trouble. Oh well here goes nothing.
"Earth date14th November 2014."
"14th November 20..14...," Mordin repeated as he entered the data slowing as his mind caught up. "2014?"
"Yes." I replied flatly. Mordin looked at me for 5 long seconds, an eternity for the hyperactive Salarian, then checked his datapad.
"14th November 2014...3:14pm, massive explosion in Chelsea, London, England. Centred on High Technology Industrial Estate, main lab of AcTek. Determined as largest industrial accident in 21st century in England. Cause unknown. Casualties estimated only due to lack of records. 4712 confirmed killed, approximately 1800 missing never located. 3547 recorded injured."
"I knew the explosion was big but so many dead..."
Mordin was sat on a chair at the terminal watching me as he worked the datapad.
"Accident? Sabotage? No way to know? Subject retrieved for experimentation? Stasis? Cryogenics?
Stasis not possible now, unlikely developed in secret then technology lost...Cryogenics feasible but 35 years recorded maximum length...no known Human usage until...Mars Mission 2045...would leave cellular scarring, omniscan would easily locate...not viable possibility...temporal accident...time travel? Explosion cause unknown...local space time rift? Stargioy's Balance."
"Huh?"
"Stargioy's Balance...Humans have similar rule...called Occam's Razor."
"Occam's Razor?"
"Yes is a principle of parsimony, economy, or succinctness used in logic and problem-solving. States among competing hypotheses, hypothesis with fewest assumptions should be selected."
"Oh."
"Put generally simplest answer is usually right."
"Oh yeah, well that makes sense."
"Yes."
Damn this conversation is bizarre.
"So you believe me?"
"Tentatively accepting statement. Will continue investigation but evidence supports theory best. Time travel...was not expecting that. Welcome to 22nd century!" Mordin grins at me.
A/N
This chapter grew and mutated and ended completely different to what I first though would happen. I had fun writing it though. Hope you enjoy reading it. Did I do Mordin justice? Please let me know what you think.