The sortie group, standing in a vast room, met Carver's words with silence, accompanied by skeptical glances. The whole meaning of the words he said contradicted logic.
"From the year 2314? Did I hear right?" - Shepard mentally asked herself, looking at the military man as if he was mentally ill. Everything they've encountered in the past time has been incredible, and then there's a man who says he's from the future. She was not prepared for this even during training in N7. Pulling herself together, she decided to ask a clarifying question, but the man standing in front of her noticed their embarrassment and beat her to it:
- Did his words displease you in some way?
- Did you take a couple of crates of red sand from the smugglers? - Garrus said jokingly, alluding to their narcotic state.
- What yours says... an alien friend? I don't understand him. - the engineer said in confusion.
- Don't you have an interpreter in the omnitool? - Catherine asked. They must have one.
- Omni-what? - the engineer answered the question with a question, putting the woman and her team in a stupor.
- You're an engineer. How can you not know about the omnitool? - she turned on an unusual holographic device on her right hand, under Isaac's surprised gaze.
- For the first time I see. - he spread his hands. - Is it something like a wrist computer?
- You could say that. - Shepard explained, frowning at Isaac.
Clark studied the device, noting a distant resemblance to RIG, at least in terms of control. But he had never seen such a tool. What else worried him was the reaction of the guests to Carver's words. Why did they start behaving so strangely? Not only had they never heard of the Government of the Sovereign Colonies, but that girl also asked about what year it was. He didn't like all this very much. What was happening here led him to one unpleasant hypothesis.
- Mr. Carver, you said that your previous government was dissolved in 2314. Did I get it right? - Shepard decided to get the conversation back on track by turning off the omnitool. It was necessary to clarify this misunderstanding.
He paused for a moment:
- Yes, that's right. - he answered confidently. - Didn't you study history at school? Although it was a long time ago, it's not so long that you don't remember it.
- How long ago do you mean? - the captain answers in surprise.
"If the year they mentioned is considered old for them, then what date is considered modern in their understanding? Are they really under drug"? - she thought.
- It was 200 years ago. What's the matter with you? - John says, a little puzzled.
The entire Normandy team froze. Five pairs of eyes with a dazed look were directed at both men. Shepard turned around and met the eyes of Miranda and Garrus, who were looking at her with complete bewilderment. Her thoughts were occupied with only one question: were they unlucky enough to meet crazy people or... did they really come from the future? As far as she knew, modern physics did not involve time travel. There was not even a full-fledged theoretical model for this phenomenon. And the fact that they had never seen representatives of other races did not add truthfulness to their words. If they're from the future, then why don't they know about alien race? But on the other hand, it explained everything they had encountered here: a human ship of ridiculous size, the absence of a zero element and unfamiliar armor and weapons. In addition, this man with a rifle behaves too confidently and calmly, without showing signs of inadequacy in his voice. But even so, it sounded too crazy. It was hard for Catherine to accept this thought as the truth, despite the obvious signs. If they are not lying, then it will make scientists break their heads. Still, before making final conclusions, it is worth finding out more information from the interlocutors.
- Are you saying it's 2514 now? - Jacob asked him doubtfully.
- Why do you react so to our words about the modern date? - the engineer did not let John answer.
While the men were arguing, Shepard decided to turn to AI Normandy:
- EDI, do you hear?
- I'm in touch, Commander.
- Download a couple of videos and photos from the extranet, which contain all the races of the Citadel space, as well as a couple of videos with ships. Then send them to me.
- It will be done.
- And one more thing. Can you run their names and find out their occupation?
- I can refer to the internal databases of Cerberus, but it would be nice if you would provide me with their appearance.
- I'll try.
Having finished with the assignment, she decided to interrupt the conversation of her subordinate and deal with the situation.
- Listen, guys, I think you're a little mistaken. - Shepard began softly, still keeping in mind the idea that these people may be slightly unbalanced and it's better not to provoke them once again. - It's 2185 in the yard of the galaxy now. And there has never been any SCAF. Humanity is governed by the Alliance of Systems.
When she heard the sound of the message notification, she decided to show them the materials that confirmed the authenticity of her words. The woman turned on her omni-tool, showing various photos. Isaac and John were presented with creatures unfamiliar to them: cute blue-skinned women with tentacles on their heads instead of hair, bald four-eyed humanoids with a missing nose, instead of which there were holes arranged in several rows. This was followed by videos of ships and stations that were completely unknown to the two men.
After reviewing all these recordings, both partners froze in amazement, although it was not visible under their helmets. Isaac lowered his head, wondering where the shock engine had taken them. If at first he was at a complete loss, now all the details of the puzzle have come together into one. Unknown equipment of soldiers, the presence of previously unseen tools and live, real xenos. It was only now, watching and listening to these strangers, that he realized what had happened to them during the jump. They were transported not only in space, but also in time, which did not add to his calm. The engineer has seen a lot in recent years, but never thought that he would be transported more than 300 years into the past. Realizing what had happened, he almost got hooked from shock. In principle, one cannot be prepared for this.
"Wait a minute, even if we were transported back in time, how to explain the presence of aliens. Anyway, what are they doing in a system so far from Earth? Humanity fully went into space only in 2215 with the invention of the superluminal engine." - he began to notice inconsistencies in his theory.
- Isaac. - John interrupted his thoughts on a closed connection through the helmet, - Don't tell me that the ship took us into the past. These outsiders are making things up, aren't they? - he finished in a desperate tone.
- No, it looks like everything they say is true. I just wanted to tell you about it. - he answered guiltily. - But everything is deeper than it seems.
- Deeper? - Carver's uncomprehending voice sounded inside the helmet.
- If we really got into the past, then where are the xenos from here? Apparently we were abandoned... into an alternate universe. That's the only explanation I can give.
- You know how crazy that sounds, and what are we going to tell them anyway? "We are aliens from another dimension and we could use your help." They'll take us for the sick! It's hard for me to fucking believe it myself. - John replied emotionally.
- Do you think it's easier for me? - Isaac snapped slightly and, calming down, continued. - I'll try to explain everything to them.
- And if they don't?
- We have video recordings from our helmets. In addition, their technologies are noticeably different from ours. - Clark hinted at that orange hologram on the woman's arm and the difference in the shape of the ships. - We can play on this. If anything, give me a hand, you probably should have some important files left in the EarthGov RIG. You're from a special unit.
Watching this, Shepard already realized that the two were having a closed dialogue over the intercom. Deciding to wait for them, she gave the order to the others to be on alert. Isaac, having finished the conversation, stood motionless for a while, wondering how he could begin his story. He had to explain to these creatures that they had come from another dimension by mistake. The probability that they would believe was, to be honest, small. But there is no other way. Finally, having formulated the right words, he began:
- My explanation of where we came from may sound ridiculous and perhaps you will take us for lunatics, but I assure you that everything I have said will be true. - the engineer warned them in advance and continued. - Due to the fact that our shock engine, that is, the superluminal engine - Isaac quickly corrected himself, realizing that they might not know what it was - was faulty, it worked in a different way than usual. It so happened that when activated, it created something like a singularity or a wormhole into which we fell. And yes, the year 2514 was where we came from, and not the one you voiced. As hard as it may be to believe, but we really are from another dimension. If you don't believe me, then I can show you the video camera recordings from our helmets.
The engineer, having finished his speech, looked at the reaction of people, hoping that they would believe them. A black man and a girl in latex, expectedly stood with their mouths barely open, their eyes filled with a mixture of shock and amazement. He couldn't read the Xenos, because their facial expressions were different from human ones, but he was sure that their internal state did not differ from the first two. After all, it's not every day you meet people from the future. However, he noticed that the woman in armored gear was only staring at them intently without a hint of dumbfounded. "It seems that after seeing us and the ship, she came to the same conclusions as me, but it was difficult for her to accept it as the truth. Well, I can understand her." - Isaac guessed.
- Take a look at the holo screen. - he wanted to turn on the projector through the RIG to confirm his words completely.
- No need. -Shepard raised her hand. - I believe you. Albeit with difficulty.
She just got a text from EDI. It said that there was not a single person with the name "Isaac Clark" who worked as an engineer anywhere, as well as the company "CEC". The second one was the same. The ship's AI could not detect the sergeant in any official military structure. In front of Catherine, everything was forming into one clear picture. These people are definitely not from this galaxy.
- Um, I'm sorry to ask you about this, but could you take us away from here. This old trough is pretty badly damaged. - the engineer made a request to her.
"An old trough? Does this hulk count as junk among them? Every government in the galaxy would have staged a war for this vessel. It would be interesting to see their current ships." - Shepard wondered to herself.
- Not that I refuse you, but what prevents you from repairing it? You're supposed to be an engineer. Are you really going to abandon your spaceship so easily?
- He doesn't belong to us. To be honest, we found him drifting in space. Even though he was old, but somehow it was necessary to get home, so we don't have much to do with him. Moreover, even if I try to "put him on his feet", then we just don't know where to fly. Our government does not exist, and we are just incognito for everyone and everywhere. If we go anywhere with this ship, the authorities may ask where we are from. I would like to establish a connection with someone from... local people who are not in the public service. - Clark finished. It was unknown what the local government authorities would do with them if they found out that they were outsiders, and he did not want to risk it. He remembered where EarthGov had put him after the events on Ishimura.
- You won't mind if we take him for research later, will you?
- No.- Isaac said shortly. Considering what he had experienced here, he definitely did not want to stay or think about the fate of this ship.
- Good. And that at your request. It won't be difficult for me to pick you up from here and drop you off at some colony, having previously made you identification cards. Don't worry, we are not part of the government services. However, I have another suggestion for you. - Shepard couldn't miss the people from the alternative future, or rather their technology. And if it turns out that they are excellent fighters, it will be doubly good. This can greatly help them in the fight against collectors. Therefore, it is worth trying to attract them to your side. - How about becoming a member of the Normandy crew under my guidance and protection? I won't put pressure on you, so you can give an answer later.
- Thank you for your help. And about your offer. We should probably think about it.
- Alright. Before we go to our ship, do you have something to take away from here?
- Actually, yes. I'll need to disassemble the workbench. - he showed a table with a display. - It will take some time while I unscrew the fasteners and disconnect the power cables. We're not in a hurry, are we?
- It's okay.
Mordin, listening to the conversation all this time, decided that it was time to ask a question about the device of the ship. The fact that these people were from another dimension greatly warmed up his scientific nature and he simply could not help but ask the engineer about the mechanisms surrounding them. Having previously configured the omnitool in such a way that the interlocutor understands it, he decided to start a conversation.
- Mr. Clark, I'd like to ask you a few questions about the technology on this ship. Do you mind?
- You can just Isaac. - he answered, sitting down near the workbench. - And yes. I will answer all your questions if I have enough knowledge. What exactly did you want to know?
Shepard and the others pricked up their ears. She, like her subordinates, except for one, was not a scientist, but she did not mind hearing about technologies from another world.
- How does gravity work on this ship? During the initial scan, we were unable to detect at least some traces of the presence of the zero element.
- And what is the zero element? - Isaac asked a counter question, putting the Salarian in a stupor.
Mordin was not ready for such an answer, like everyone around him, but the hyperactivity inherent in all members of his species did not keep him silent for a long time.
- This is a material that allows you to generate a field of dark energy, which makes it possible to change the mass of all objects inside it when exposed to an electric current. - Solus explained briefly, suggesting that they might have called him something else.
- This is the first time I've heard of such a thing. There was no such element where I come from. Honestly, it's more like some kind of magic.
"You're a walking magic yourself, man. Just like your whole ship." - Shepard thought.
- But then how do you create a gravity field on the ship? - Garrus asked from the side.
- Using a graviton generator. And what? - Isaac replied matter-of-factly, lying behind a workbench with his helmet removed and trying to disconnect the power cables along with the fasteners.
- Gravitons? - The scientist repeated incredulously, - But this is a hypothetical particle. Its existence has never been recorded yet. Many experiments have been conducted on this topic, but not one of them has been crowned with success.
In response to these words, the engineer, still lying behind the workbench, put out his left hand towards the energy cell standing nearby and released concentrated bluish energy that lifted the battery into the air. Waving her in different directions, he put her in the same place, breaking contact with her, and returned to work.
- You say a hypothetical particle, eh? - his puffing voice was heard.
The Salarian stood in complete amazement at what he saw, however, the others were also in a similar state. Just now, he witnessed someone whose presence in nature was puzzled by many brilliant scientists all over the galaxies. And how carelessly it was demonstrated! At that moment, a lot of thoughts visited his head, which tried to explain what had happened. This discovery will revolutionize modern science. Mordin was sure of that. Now there was a man in front of him who could completely change his ideas about the physical structure of the universe. Every scientist's dream.
- Well, that's it. - Isaac said with relief, getting to his feet and showing his face to everyone else.
- And how do you travel around the spac ... - the scientist did not have time to ask a question, as Shepard pulled him away:
- Doc, I think he will answer all your questions on Normandy.
- Yes, of course, Commander. - Solus replied with a bit of disappointment.
- Is everything ready, Isaac? - she asked the engineer, at the same time examining his face. Short haircut, blue eyes, an ordinary face with slightly plump lips. He looks 35-40 years old.
- Yes, we can move out.
Taking a workbench in kinesis, he nodded to the others that he was ready. Before moving, a woman in a tight suit addressed him.
- We'll have to go through a vacuum. I think you should put on your helmet. And by the way, where did you put it? - Miranda warned him.
- He's in a suit.
- In a suit? - the operative repeated incomprehensibly.
- Well, yes, in a suit. - he shrugged his shoulders.
- How did you put it inside? He didn't look small.
Clark, instead of words, simply gave the command through RIG. Suddenly, for the others, segmented parts came out of the chest and occipital part of his suit, which began to come together to form a helmet.
- Okay, I admit, it looks spectacular. - Garrus expressed his general thoughts. - If Tali joins us in the future, she will be ecstasy about you.
Having stumbled upon strange looks, the Turian hastened to correct himself:
- I mean, she'd be very interested in your costume and accessories.
Shepard, looking at this, felt a burning desire to arrange a small interrogation right here. Although she interrupted Mordin, she actually wanted to learn a lot from these people herself. Their entire history, the state system and how they mastered space. And there were quite a few questions to the engineer himself about why they had to take this ship. Something told her that it wasn't that simple with these two.
