Cap 1: The power that the future does not understand, but knows
It all started with a flash in the sky, a murmur that resembled laughter and lightning that furiously struck the Presidium bridge, alerting everyone with a powerful thunder, unleashing panic among the people who crossed it and impressing the who were manipulating the holographic sky.
Suddenly and almost in despair, they shut down what was keeping it running, at least in that area, but it didn't work, further alerting those and causing the C-Sec Network to get down to business, looking for the culprit of what they believed it was a cyber attack, but with every key they made they realized that no cyber attack would cause a climate change not added by them.
The voice of artificial intelligence, Avina, flooded the bridge, with a message so old and not used, that when it was reproduced it had failures, repeating words and a static in the background that, due to the absolute silence, everyone could hear. Nobody expected an accident like this when their concerns were only those idiots who stole and hoped to escape.
Immediately, a group of the C-Sec Enforcement made up of 4 Turians came to the bridge, pushing people away a bit by force because some were irritated that Avina's voice continued to fail.
They cut the bridge with a holographic police tape, protecting that small square and leaving everything to the investigation of 2 others who came.
Suddenly the looks up at the sky and the screams caught the attention of the C-Seg police present there. They turned their gazes upward in horror when they realized that lightning bolts accompanied by thunderous sounds seemed to crack the blue sky hologram, opening it and letting lightning after lightning strike, forcing the Enforcement to push people away by spreading their arms, they knew that situation surpassed them.
Reporters from different Extranet channels arrived there quickly, highlighting among them Emily Wong and Khalisah Al-Jilani, the 2 at a very dangerous distance from the thunder, looking for the best shot and competing with each other.
"This is Emily Wong, a strange event has occurred at the Presidium!" With his Omni-Tool he controlled the camera, focusing the camera only at the sky. "Thunder seems to be tearing the hologram, something that first happened half an hour ago! There is still no explanation for this event that keeps everyone expectant!"
She raised her voice due to the accumulated noise of people, reporters and the thunder that did not stop. Khalisah also began to report, putting more force in his voice to overshadow the others, but as a divine punishment, a bolt of lightning took on a life of its own, passing over the people forcing them to lower their heads, but in the end hitting the floating chamber. of Khalisah, causing her to quickly pick up the already decomposed pieces from the ground, lamenting.
Emily Wong laughed at this, in a not disguised way and leaving aside professionalism, showing off how she still kept her camera in the air.
Before Khalisah went after her, the rift in the sky expanded, covering that square and creating a small dome of lightning that constantly shot out and struck the surroundings where people used to be.
The dome gave indications that it was going to break, causing damage and perhaps death. Emily Wong and the C-Sec people realized this when the dome was expanding.
"EVERYONE OUT!" yelled the officer in charge of the group, purposely creating fear among them to run for their lives.
Lightning struck from all sides, the bars of the bridge that then electrocuted people, the water leaving a small cloud of vapor, and electrifying the wáter
A bolt of lightning was directed against Emily's body but again, like divine punishment, it surrounded her waist, giving her a massage and hitting Khalisah, giving her convulsions and spasms gratuitously. She quickly sent the camera to her side and ran into the fall, almost being run over by the panicked
Carrying her on her back, she ran now if she was at a safe distance, being intrigued when looking at the rays, they seemed to form a person on the ground, hugging her knees, lying down. But this would not prevent him from recording, since, by keeping it safe, he kept recording every second that passed since he came, and he would not miss this part.
"Apparently, a person was caught by those rays, we do not know if he is still alive or not, but the C-Sec agents are trying to get closer to confirm it!"
While those agents approached cautiously, the rays were disappearing, leaving in their eyes that young man on the ground, the one who will be the "protagonist" of this story... It was me
The cops drew their guns and took aim, having one record everything he saw on a Datapad.
"Young human found in that incident, he is wearing a green hooded jacket, gray sports pants and somewhat torn cream-colored sneakers ... It does not appear to be a civilian who was here before..."
The Turiano Officer in charge kept checking, not before giving a signal to his companions to rest.
"Frizzy black hair, dark skin, but light" He activated the flashlight of his Omni-Tool, and shone where he saw "He seems to have a mole on his right hand and badly cut nails... no... are they eaten? " He made a gesture of disgust and continued on his face, forcing his eyes to open "I have an answer from his eyes, he is still alive. I also notice that, on the left sclera, a wound surrounds the iris..."
Finishing aiming everything he needed for now, he called with his Omni-Tool for an ambulance, not realizing that the body was moving a bit, only drawing his attention when he heard screams and complaints.
Rays, lights and screams in the background flooded my ears, having the sensation of not being and if I was in a place. I also felt that something was entering me, I don't know if it was a bug since it itched a lot or electricity since my muscles were contracting.
After a few minutes of annoyance that seemed to last hours, everything ended, it seemed like a lucid dream since I saw everything dark, I knew that my eyelids were closed Sleeping? It was not an option. Sleepwalker? It has to do with the former so no. I only realized I was in reality when very hard and rough fingers forced my eyelids open. A light passed through the right and then the left, a blurred silhouette of what looked like a humanoid bird was kneeling in front of me, writing and speaking aloud.
I was trying to move, but nothing, somehow I knew it had to be, remembering some words they said to me before touching this very cold ground...
"Magician Effect"
When the figure began to speak with something orange in its hand, I was able to move, feeling suddenly a brutal exhaustion, as if I had not eaten in weeks.
"Aaayyy carajo… ¿Dónde estoy?" I said, forcing my throat to speak, grabbing my head and blinking repeatedly looking everywhere, sitting up.
It took my eyes a few seconds to find the shapes they were meant to be, going from blurry to sharp, making me astonished to witness what was there. I opened my mouth a little, my eyes widened and I tried to pronounce words, words that came out little understandable.
"¿U- ustedes s- son… Tu- turianos…?"
I raised my finger and pointed to the first one I saw, which seemed to be the doctor since his clothes were white, and he had a red stripe on the left side.
Paintings adorned her face, and her jaws moved with a look of relief and curiosity.
"Spanish? You speak Spanish?"
English… was what came to mind. Luckily, he could pronounce a little of that language.
"Y- yes"
The Turian changed the screen of his Omni-Tool, to one which looked like a translator, or at least one where you could write and speak.
"Speak here, I'm a bit bad at Spanish"
I nodded, understanding only a few words, but what was necessary.
"¿Estoy en la Ciudadela? (I'm in the Citadel?)"
"Yeah you appeared out of nowhere in that weather fault. My name is Tardus (Si, apareciste de la nada en aquella falla del clima. Mi nombre es Tardus)" he said, as he extended his other hand to help me stand up.
"Mi nombre es Nefi (My name is Nefi)"
Before I could speak a little more, I took his hand and a feeling washed over me. Rough, cold and with small gaps, that felt at the first touch, as if it had a natural armor... That's what it was, a natural armor. But not everything was covered with that, parts of his finger seemed naked, only seeing skin that can be used against since it is seen as a weakness.
Note also from afar that normal passers-by, some looked well dressed, surely businesswoman, gave their testimony to the cameramen. The one who seemed to be the only victim of whatever happened was on the ground, foam running from her mouth, realizing it was Khalisah… how I hate that bitch.
A smile drew my face when I saw the other side, there was Emily Wong, but a fear also formed in my throat since I knew that she would die in the invasion of the Reapers.
Wait... am I at the right moment in the story? Did the Reapers already live? Suicide mission completed? Is John Shepard dead? John is John and not Jane?
My mind wandered to those questions, paying attention to the surroundings of the Citadel, looking for some indication that would tell me what time I was in, meeting the firm but friendly gaze of the Turian.
"You are not in the records (No estás en los registros)"
"¿Yo qué? (Me what?)"
"Each person who enters the Presidium is analyzed by Avina, giving those in high positions of C-Sec the information (Cada persona que ingresa al Presidium es analizada por Avina, dando a los de alto cargo de C-Sec la información)"
A guard behind him gave him metal handcuffs, framing my hands in front of me.
"Executor Pallin just gave it to us, it was empty and gave us the order to arrest you (El Ejecutor Pallin nos la acaba de dar, estaba vacío y nos dio la orden de arrestarte)"
I had the idea of resisting, but I was aware that the strength of the Turians was greater than that of the humans, so I just observed how the handcuffs on my hands tightened.
Suddenly, my hands began to burn, shooing Tardus, driving him back.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" I moved my hands in a frantic way, biting my lip to not scream anymore since I had attracted the attention of more people, but I realized that I only felt little heat and the fire did not seem to affect my clothes, so I stood still, face to face with the C-Sec. Also notice how the handcuffs were melting due to the intense heat.
Hot steel fell drop by drop to the ground, fouling it and leaving a rising stream of smoke. When the last drop fell, the flames died, heeding now to a message that I could hear.
"Alive or dead"
On the radio, Executor Pallin had given them the order to assassinate me, considering me an enemy for everything that had happened.
When I saw how they pointed their weapons at me again, I raised my arms trying to make a poor protection for the shots that I was going to receive, but some rays were expelled from my hands, surprising them and removing what seemed to be the shields of their armor.
"No… N- no quería hacer esto…"
Fear and power seized me when I could see that lightning, fire and ice began to come out of my body, freezing some parts of the bridge, leaving fire on the ground and watching how lightning fell from the sky, whipping where the policemen of C-Sec. Luckily no one was hurt, but they were terrified and angry.
I took a few steps back, looking with sorrow and sadness around me and the disaster I caused, I turned around and started running towards what I remembered was where Barla Von works.
Hearing shots behind me, I knew I shouldn't go back, or even look, I just had to run around the entire Citadel to find a ship to get on and take off.
I passed by Barla Von, surprising him and making him fall from his chair, he looked like a plump stuffed animal. I ran towards the Emporium, noticing how C-Sec reinforcements seemed to be coming in the direction of Consort Asari and across the bridge that connects that place with the Embassies, but they were delayed a bit due to lightning striking in front of them.
Some shots managed to graze me, causing him pain, causing me a feeling of defeat.
Seeing that, from the right, left and up the bridge they were being blocked, the only option was by the water.
I ran directly to the railing that separated the water from the ground, the adrenaline of the moment forced me to forget that I did not know how to swim. But to my surprise, my feet froze the place where I stepped, so a thin but hard layer of ice allowed me to run, leaving everyone speechless.
My mind was still processing why it had appeared in the Citadel, maybe it was not a lie, this is a place that I had only seen in Mass Effect. 1000 questions assailed me, only being interrupted when a shot broke the ice that "created"
With a few inches to go to salvation, the shots that struck under my feet sank me. Soaked by the water and panic, I moved my arms and legs trying to find a way out, when suddenly, my hand froze on the surface of the water, creating an ice shelf that expanded to meet the ground.
I tried to climb quickly with the help of my feet as well, stretching them up, as if I were a baby climbing a bench when I felt like a shot had gone through my left calf. I screamed a little loudly, but then I gritted my teeth, starting to tear and feel my face turn red from resisting tremendous pain.
With only my right leg and both arms, I slowly climbed as fast as I could, seeing how the lightning that fell from the sky also prevented more shots from hitting me.
Was it me or something else I didn't want to get caught yet?
As I finished climbing, the ice shelf began to turn red with blood, my hands were freezing and I could feel the brain asking me to rest.
When I came to, I realized that I was close to the embassies, I just had to go to the left since some of C-Sec were coming from the right. I jumped over the railing as fast as I could, ignoring some of the pain, but I knew the trail of blood would lead them to me. I ran to the left, up some stairs followed by a smooth ramp.
Right, an intersection with 2 sides, I quickened my pace remembering the hours of play and where I was, I read the directions, but did not understand a damn thing. Left and from the front, everything was already clearer, I could see the Rapidtrans and Avina, also as people moved away from me, they were afraid.
"Avina ... That's it!" I yelled, forcing my badly injured leg to run, I had an close enough to it to activate it, I saw behind me the disaster it caused: frozen walls and ice, spikes of shapeless ice protruded, small fires that luckily did not reach more I also involuntarily caused. And further away from all that disastrous corridor, he could make out Tardus.
"Sorry" I pretended to say with my mouth, I knew that he would not listen to me.
For now, my plan to get to Avina was fine, she could tell me where I was in the story.
"Greetings and welcome to the Presidium, My name is Av-"
"Invasion… of the Re- reapers" I interrupted, praying in my mind that he would understand my pathetic English.
1 second search ended in denial "Sorry, something like: Invasion of the Reapers does not exist in the database"
I searched my brain for a question that would be enough to keep me calm. "Hmm… Lo tengo. First human Spectrum …"
"Sorry, there is no such thing as: First Human Spectrum in the database. But if there is information about the Specters, do you want a little guide?"
"Mmmmmm… creo que no…" I said backing away, seeing how C-Sec agents began to arrive on my left, along the road that led to the academy.
"Useless... Use it if you have the power"
My right arm began to move involuntarily, pointing to the sky, seeming to recharge since those 3 elements were being channeled into the palm of my hand.
I tried to lower it with my other arm, I had to cover myself while I recoiled from the shots, but my wounded leg did not help, tripping me.
Seeing my end coming, I had no choice but to use at least a little of that power.
I forcefully lowered my right arm toward them, palm open. A blizzard of ice cold enough only to make you shiver, lightning that only stunned and a weak flamethrower came out in the direction of them, I did not want to kill them, they had tried to help me.
Already seeing them incapacitated on the ground, I clenched my hand into a fist, regretting much of what I did. I got up quickly and limped from there to the nearest Rapidtrans, my clothes were worn, my desire to continue off, but I did not want to stop until I was shot in the other leg, the receptionist had shot me.
I fell to my knee, hitting the ground with my fists as well in pain.
"¡Levántate! ¡Un paso más, tu puedes!" I screamed, trying to give myself courage and strength.
Lifting my head a little, I could see her behind me, pointing her gun at me, now as a warning. I moved my right arm slowly towards her, and with tears in my eyes I said "I'm sorry... very... miss..."
I wasn't looking to murder her as I opened and closed my fist just to stun her.
My vision was blurred, I felt like vomiting and I did it right there, never in my life had I demanded so much from my body as that day.
I smiled when I saw how far I had come, it was not a joke what she told me, I am in Mass Effect...
I sat with my legs forward, supporting myself with my arms back. It was just a short time before my time arrived, I couldn't do more, I didn't know what to do, just laugh a little when I saw my slippers.
Forcibly, I flexed my left knee to be able to touch my shoe, which was broken at the front, I could even see my sock "Mom was right… I should have worn the green and black trainers" I smiled.
I sighed to the sky when I heard the sound of weapons being readied, I knew they were aiming at me. Who else…? He was the one who caused this disaster.
I got up with my arms in the air, already surrendered, accepting my destiny… But that's how I always wanted it to end? No... I have always wanted that, if I die, I would be fighting to protect, to feel that it is a fight, the blow of my fists and the force that I can apply to do so.
So if today is my end, let it be on my terms.
I turned around, seeing how a small platoon of 5 C-Sec had me on the ropes, led by Tardus. I took a fighting stance, recharging my left fist with that power.
My slow breathing that helped me to be calm altered when, before they started firing, lightning struck very very close to me, but this time I could feel the burning, something was wrong.
Lightning struck again, now in front of me, bringing me to my knees and sitting on my thighs.
All those present there looked at me, terrified since it was happening again, that failure that originated everything, but this time it was accompanied by more.
The air began to freeze, the ground to heat up while rays fell only around me ... Until those 3 elements began to surround me, being more aggressive towards me.
Everything at that moment I noticed in slow motion, only when my eyes lit up looking at the sky... The fear of death seized me, there was no longer a young man, only a child with fear of the unknown.
Lightning fell slowly as I watched its course towards me, followed by another and another and another, infinite... speeding up time little by little, until they hit me next to the blizzards of ice and waves of fire.
"¡AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"
The C-Sec agents could only stand still, shocked for the moment, making or trying to turn a deaf ear to my screams as they knew there was nothing they could do. What they saw at that time was out of any training they had had, everything they experienced in their entire profession did not resemble this
N/A: I will try to be more creative if this story continues