Mass Effect
Author's Notes
Mass Effect 3 left me feeling disappointed when diverse endings weren't created for the game. Happy, middle of the road, and downright heartbreaking endings all had their merits. I also came to think that, just perhaps, if the player had been allowed to walk into death with Shepard, it might have been easier to let the story they were leaving behind go. Even going to so far as to give the player an interrupt to declare 'Yes, I'm done' before the game would be allowed to conclude.
I have to interject here with something I haven't encountered yet but really wanted to see. Maybe once I get closer to the end of the game I'll appreciate the speeches that Hackett and Shepard get to give more than I do now, but if the devs were willing to go so far as to put the Normandy at the head of the fleet (which I think is highly illogical – more likely to be the Destiny Ascension with human, asari, krogan, turian and salarian escorts), why not give Shepard the chance to address the fleet he/she has spent all this time and effort building? Give the player choice with an interrupt. The only qualm I have about the pep talk I've written is that it depends too heavily on philosophy and many would have an "I'm naught but a humble grunt, Ma'am," type of reaction. I also figured it sounded preachy but hey, in a story about "Space Jesus", I'm worried about sounding preachy? Nah.
I also decided to slightly rewrite the Virmire debrief, even though it was pretty much all there already. The way concerns about Shepard's actions being taken to preserve a relationship rather than impartially was addressed in front of the crew. That seemed jarringly out of place in the game. The private conversation about how her death affects them was a far more appropriate place to talk about it, and one that allowed for better understanding of Shepard's actions and the reason for them.
I thought I should address the fact that the end of a story like this should impart a meaningful lesson. Two of the best criticisms of a happy ending - that I've encountered - are, first, that the sacrifices of others would be made less meaningful and second, that self-sacrifice of the highest order is necessary to achieve something like this. I disagree with both points and instead, take the stance that both possibilities offer equally meaningful lessons.
The original ending did a fantastic job of exploring the selflessness and nobility of character needed to give one's life for the sake of others. It also makes a point relevant to everyone - there will come a time when everything you have ever known and loved will be taken away from you. You will not have a choice. When the time comes, how will you face it? With dignified acceptance? Or stubborn, petulant, futile, refusal? Conducting oneself with dignity is never futile and always worthwhile. The only thing worse than failing to conduct yourself with dignity, is failing to try.
An ending where Shepard survives could have examined the idea that self-sacrifice takes many forms. Surviving and dedicating yourself to working toward understanding how to bring reality closer to the world you hope for is how we create lasting, positive changes. It may also be the most meaningful form of self-sacrifice. It is easy to die and leave the work of fulfilling your hopes to another. It takes immense strength to survive, and fearlessly dedicate yourself to walking that path.
Having written both an ending where Shepard lives and one where Shepard dies, I can genuinely say that I am thoroughly satisfied by both, because, in all honesty, Shepard doesn't have to leave Kaidan behind, but…I do.
From all this follows the question, what can I tell you about the nature of that possible future where Shepard lives on?
Best place to start is the end. The Crucible may have targeted Reapers, but interacting with it and the Catalyst fundamentally changes Shepard. Shepard's genetic code is synthetically enhanced. The changes start in her brain and nervous system, slowly spreading over time. As old cells die off, the leftover material is metabolized to grow new, enhanced tissues. Eventually all cells in the body would be replaced. Kai, having been only weeks old at the time, would be born and grow with these enhancements from the start.
A bunch of fun changes could ensue from the added genetic code. Lifespan would extend considerably. The changes could be passed from one individual to another. The changes themselves are selective. Seed cells could move from one body to another, but unless the genetic code of the recipient carried the right markers the changes themselves would select against that individual and fail to take root. Communication through tactile contact, with both organic and synthetic beings as well as inorganic materials, is possible. Improved healing. Complete resistance to disease.
The enhancements pass from one generation to the next undiluted. They could also be passed to the asari reproductively. The drive behind this idea is to have synthesis happen, but stably, over time and by choice/selection. It would also retain individuality, as thinking communally would always remain a choice.
As for how they are reunited…Shepard would need resources a fair bit of preparation in place to pull off such an escape. Let's just say that mining resources during the events of Mass Effect 2 left her with a ridiculous surplus, which was fenced for top dollar through the Shadow Broker once war broke out and resources became scarce and considerably more valuable. Much of it was then stolen from the less-than-savoury recipients and delivered to the Allliance. With some cutthroat loan brokering on the part of the Shadow Broker, that profit becomes nothing less than a genuine fortune. Also, the Mass Relays are damaged but not destroyed in the final battle. The hardest part of repairing the relays is replenishing the eezo that dissipated throughout the galaxy when the Crucible fired. Often the Keepers are set up as maintenance workers for technology that mysteriously just works. I find it genuinely hard to believe the single greatest investment of scientific minds from each species wouldn't have been focused on duplicating relay technology. I'm operating under the belief that if they weren't already capable of building new relays, somebody had the technology sitting in their basement somewhere – eight years being a reasonable amount of time to get it up and working.
After the battle for Earth, there are quarian ships still in orbit above the planet that use FTL technology that does not rely on Mass Effect drives. There's something to be said for resourcefulness. Shepard finds herself an impoverished refugee aboard a new division of the fleet, under Tali's command. The Normandy crash lands with minimal damage in a system along with portions of the quarian and asari fleets. Repairs are made and before long she's space worthy.
As for the life Shepard and Kaidan would lead - not only do they have Kai who needs to be carefully raised, but Shepard's promise to continue watching would have to be kept. Thanks to a gross excess of resources fenced in a timely fashion through the newly made Shadow Broker, Shepard has become the best-paid Spectre the galaxy. They are thoroughly independently wealthy. Like Liara, they have an opportunity to use their offices in support of common good, while not reporting to any governing body. Their actions would be free from the influence of anyone seeking to gain or maintain political clout. Just because drawing the biblical parallel rocks - a new age Holy Trinity of galactic peacekeepers. Each represents one of my three favourite attributes – Wisdom, Perception and Action.
Having just written the Farewell chapter of this story, I may owe readers an apology for giving this a fairytale ending. To be honest, a part of me asked, like a little kid hoping for candy, if I could give it an ending that picturesque and well, perfect. One that had Shepard keeping her word to do with stepping out of galactic politics and into freedom. I obliged. Hope you enjoyed it.