Look, I think you're just going to have to get used to pretty short chapters. That's just how I work. Anyway, next one's gonna delve into some background, though I won't spend the entire chapter writing that. Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Shepard silently studied the new addition to the Normandy through the observation glass to the medical bay.

Shepard figured he might as well get their… relationship off on a good start, reluctant to antagonize the strange man. He hadn't even posted guards outside the bay; as he seriously doubted they would do more use then a pair of twigs.

The man lay with his eyes closed on one of the elevated, metallic gurneys, barely showing any sign of sentience. Almost immediately after exiting the tank, lacerations and bruises had appeared on the length of his body. Mordin had concluded, after a brief scan of the tank's liquid, that the subject's damages was meant to heal in two phases: firstly, the superficial damages were very slightly healed, somehow easing the second phase, which was a more much thorough tissue recreation. Neither Mordin nor Tali could manage to figure out the technology behind it, concerning Shepard greatly.

If the rouge Cerberus team were using Prothean technology, strongly suggested by the remnants of that DNA in the subject, the threat was much more serious than imagined before. Even more so if the team had operated from more than one facility, however they wouldn't know until Tali had decrypted more data from both the files they got on the planet, and now from the tank; When the subject had left the tank, it's data files had blown wide open.

Shepard returned his concentration to the man on the gurney, who was currently attended by Dr. Chakwas and a number of medical mechs.

He turned away from the observation window and headed towards the elevator. He'd summoned the crew for a meeting.

As Shepard entered the mostly rebuilt communications room, his hasty footfalls cut off any conversations that had been in progress, the crew of the Normandy standing up straight at the sight of their Commander, aside from Legion, never actually leaning down unless under fire, and Jack, who simply didn't bother. Shepard took his regular place at the far end of the table. He placed his hands on the table and stared down into it.

An awkward silence fell over the room. Shepard didn't move a muscle, then suddenly he let out a sigh, and said:

"Look, none of us know what to do about this. Or how to react… But the fact remains, that Cerberus had big plans for this guy, the Illusive Man confirmed that with his message."

He ran his hand across his face in restrained frustration.

"Our first priority is to find out if the rouge team had any more bases, then we can decide what to do with the… subject."

"I say we space 'im."

Shepard glanced at Jack, looking back without a hint of emotion.

"What? I don't like to have another human biotic who's better than me."

"That is a rather naïve viewpoint.", Samara responded with her usual cool demeanor.

"You oughta be worried too, missy. That guy seemed to know what he's doing when it came to wreckin' stuff."

"That is not what I was say…"

Shepard raised a hand and interrupted:

"I said we'd deal with him later, and I'm sticking to it. If we're lucky, he isn't hostile, maybe even friendly, but let's leave it until we're done with the rouge Cerberus team."

He paused for a second, waiting for an eventual response, then turned to Miranda.

"Miranda, you said your team salvaged some unusual equipment?"

Shepard nodded and pulled up her omni-tool, directing towards the table's holo-display.

"Correct. I suspect it's somehow connected to the subject's biotic abilities, and possibly to Prothean technology as well."

A number of items appeared over the table. A couple of peculiar handguns and rifles could be seen, along with various sword and knifes of different shapes and sizes, though all sticking to a sleek, clean, metallic design. The gauntlets adorned with talons were accompanied by several others of similar outlook, though with different add-ons, some not even distinguishable. Lastly, several lengths of straps made from a black, matte material were curled up next to each other, beside several shiny metal sheaths, obviously meant for the blades.

Miranda tapped her omni-tool, and one of the gauntlets, and a blade the size of a regular longsword, was put in zoom.

"I scanned the material these were made of, crosschecking it with every known metal we've found, even the one our hull is made of. The items' density and strength surpass even that, and I wouldn't be surprised if, with enough force, that sword could slice through modern combat armor."

Shepard studied the two items in front of him, and the same question that had drifted in his mind for weeks now, came up again:

"What the hell are you up to?"

"Shepard?"

He was startled by the sudden voice in his ear, for a second believing the subject was communicating with him telepathically. As he collected his thoughts, he recognized Dr. Chakwas familiar voice.

"Yes, doctor?"

"The subject… he's awake."

The elevator doors swooshed open, and Shepard stepped out, accompanied by Samara, Garrus, Tali, and Miranda. He hesitated for a split second at the medical bay's doors, then touched the green holo-display.

The subject sat on the gurney, legs pulled up to his chest with his back against the wall. His clear, gray eyes were fixed on the wall in front of him, not even twitching as Shepard entered. Chakwas stood up, nodded at her Commander, and left the room, dimming the observation window with the press of a button.

Shepard stepped forward, and the man sat as still as before.

"I'm Shepard. I was hoping we could talk."

The man remained silent for a while, then said with a calm, decisive voice:

"I owe you my thanks, Commander Shepard of the Normandy. I didn't think I would ever see the outside of that facility again, even if I fear the consequences of your little jailbreak."

"Fear? So you remember a life before you were put through this?"

The man slowly moved his gaze towards Shepard, finally locking eyes with his. Shepard was taken back by the cold in those gray eyes. Eyes that had seen endless hours of ruthless experimenting and horrors. And lived.

As the subject looked back towards the wall, he replied:

"I do. I suppose it's natural to be curios when in your position…"

Well, at least he's awake. That's sort of a milestone, right? I can't wait to get to the action bits. Trust me, you ain't seen nothin' yet. (Muahahahaha!!!!!)

P.S: Sorry. I'm really, really tired...