The Wounded Dragon
(Want a song to listen to why you read? I know other writers do this, but I love to show off my taste in music, perhaps you'll find a band you'll enjoy?)
Rammstein - Armour
Its dark. And raining. I can hear the pitter patter on the window. I look out. I see a girl. A beautiful girl. I know her. But I don't know her name. I want her. I need her. But who is she? She's screaming. In terror. Vorcha. They swarm her and feed. Like maggots on a corpse. I can't turn away. I am forced to watch the scavengers tear apart the girl I love.
"Why have you forsaken me" She cries.
"I didn't mean to!" I shout at the glass.
"Hu-maaan."
I turn.
They set upon me.
The pain.
I love you.
I wake screaming. From the pain as well as from the horror of my nightmare. Where… where am I? Shiny ceiling … I'm … tied? To a bed … a medical bed … the name escapes me, but it's hardly important. I see … medical equipment? Scalpels … tubes … wires … the smell. The smell of disinfectant. This room … a hospital? No … a window … space? Oh shit. I'm a Mass Effect character now, aren't I?
I turn my head … the pain stops me moving much. I give a fresh cry. This time I swear, because I'm vulnerable … I'm not in control … my face in pain … but I feel woozy … the drugs … oh yeah! My face … my prior got shot in the face … by Geth who snuck up on him … pretty much killed him … but I got saved my Ashley Williams. The game doesn't give her justice. She was always the hard ass, xenophobic human. She was my favourite Mass Effect one character, along with Garrus of course, but who didn't like Garrus? He gets hit in the face by a fucking missile. Who doesn't think that's awesome? But Ash … she was a likeable character, someone who could be shown the light. The benefits of working with aliens. My main playthrough had her as my only romanced character, I stayed faithful in ME2 and rekindled in ME3.
But … this is only a game? I shouldn't be worrying if Ash is single … not when I'm in a hospital somewhere. Ignoring … well, trying my best to ignore the pain, I roll my head the opposite way … I see Ash asleep on the chair. She looks so … peaceful. Sleeping in a sitting position, she'll have a sore back when she wakes. I take in her features … I have to admit, she looked good with her hair let down in ME3. But the little bob style she has going on, really brings out her face. It's a strong face … you can the determination she has … even while she sleeps. Perhaps it's my fascination for girls with muscles? She's out of armour, so I can her defines. If I recall … the game makes her with a small frame. That simply isn't the case. Broad shoulders, a sign of strength, fortitude.
She seems to stir under my gaze. She wakes and lets out a small moan.
"Sleeping while sitting does that. Try stretching." I try to be funny, but it comes out all choky, and I cough as I try to smile as I finish.
"Sir … " She stands … oh shit … doesn't she do this to a male Shepard after Eden Prime … "I've seen friends die before … it comes with been a marine … but to see almost my entire unit wiped out , and you never get used to seeing dead civilians, but things would have been worse if you hadn't survived that ambush …" She looks at the floor, averting my gaze.
"I couldn't have done it without you Williams. For what it's worth … thanks for saving me." I smile at her. She does eventually return my gaze, albeit reluctantly.
"Thanks commander …" She replies. I hold her gaze, and see … did her cheeks just brighten. I saw that Miss Williams. "Sir .." She salutes. She's so stern. I give my award winning smile. And he flush grows ever so slightly, "Commander Shepard … she's requested our transfer to the Normandy." She smiles as she says this, not a flirty, or a fake, but a genuine happy smile.
Our.
"She wants me as well?" I am surprised … I almost thought myself a liability with my face …
"Yeah, although you won't be the only sniper anymore. The Council didn't believe us, but Shepard got the help of a Turian Detective, Garrus Vakarian who's proficiency is a sniper rifle like yourself, but he's more of an Engineer than you, been an infiltrator instead." She smiles, and I have to say, it is a wonderful smile. I have a crush on a game character. I hope this isn't an extremely in depth hallucination. "Oh, and he got help from a biotic Krogan mercenary, Urdnot Wrex. Heard from the commander, he decimated Saren's contact, Fist. Bastard was planning to kill a young Quarian girl who had our evidence because someone was too lazy to get out of there drug induced coma." A side glance makes sure I know she's joking about my condition.
"That's … a surprising story. Thank god I wasn't asleep for much longer" I try to sit up, but the pain grips me again, "Fucking horse monkeys … what's happening with me? I can hardly fight if I can't even stand …" I sigh … what's going to happen? I stay here until I heal … I assume I'm on the Normandy, I can just … heal …
"The doctor says you'll be here, probably for about two missions. Until, your …" She looks at my cheek … I bring my hand up to it and feel … metal? "The nanobots run out of fuel … you had to have plates inserted around your skull to keep it's shape …"She looks away …
"Can I have a mirror please …" She hesitates, but she slowly reaches for a small hand mirror on the table near the door. I look myself … I don't know what I expected …
My left eye is now … a machine. Almost like Shepard's in ME2, but they're my green/yellow colour, but with blue lines running though the white section instead of capillaries. But my normally gaunt face is … well … scared. A black plate is where my left side my face is … its almost like a comic book villain … I'll admit, I wouldn't like to run into me in a dark ally …
"Shit …" Ash turns her head …
"Anything is an improvement …" She says with a wicked smile.
I laugh. It hurts. Like fuck. Ash and I talk for a few hours, mainly about random stupid stuff, but she eventually leaves after I threat to send a naughty picture to her sister and she leaves the room and a rather sore bruise on my arm.
I decide to sleep … I wonder where my first mission will be. Noveria? I hope not … Feros? Or where Liara is … it's like some fucked up lottery. Rachni, Geth and zombies or Geth and Krogan. Who will be our lucky winner.
As I chuckle to my own hilarity, I hear the door open, and see none other than Commander Shepard enter the room. She's wearing casual dress now, the standard ME1 get up.
"Lieutenant Commander ********." Huh, first time I've been referred to as that, but okay.
"Yes Commander?" I'm confused … her tone was totally neutral …
"I want you to join my crew. As your superior, I am giving you an order." That's when I see the hint of a smile. I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Happily ma'am." I say with a broad smile. Bitch. My face hurts as I let out a small chuckle. "Is that all I owe to this pleasure?"
"I'm just checking my crew. We're heading to pick up Matriarch Benezia's daughter, a Prothean expert. Thought you'd want to know." She says … she still has a slight smile …
I beat her to it.
"What do you think of Asari, commander? You hear that they … enjoy human company … especially the females … it is like a forbidden fruit eh?" I say with a wink. It doesn't bother me who Shepard romances, but it's fun if I have a hand.
"I'm don't like Asari. I'm straight and if I'm honest, they are my least favourite race." She growls, completely loosing her smile … shit …
"I'm sorry commander … I was just messing .." Shit, I can't ruin our friendship with a lesbian joke.
"I have to go lieutenant …" She sucks in some air through her teeth, "I'll come and visit after I get Liara." She spins on her heel and storms out of my medical room … holy shit … this wasn't in the game … she doesn't like Asari … but why? I make a mental note to ask if I ever get the chance. Shepard was never xenophobic, well … it was a player choice …in a sense … guess that means a xenolesbian romance is out …
A sudden wave of tiredness come over me … shit was I that tired? Might as well sleep until someone wakes me …yeah …
I wake about fourteen hours later, hungry and lonely. The pain has subsided, I can move now with ease, and thankfully, with pain kept to a minimum. I walk to towards the mess hall, getting looks from almost every crew member, thanks to my … rather mysterious phantom of the opera look. I mean … I'm no Gerard Butler, but I kinda like this … this aura of mysteriousness … I feel more bad ass than normal.
As I get my meal from the … very cafeteria style, everyone lines up and takes food … remind s of my school …shit. I've been so wrapped up with the events in this universe I haven't even thought of home … which … now I think about it … I have very few memories from that life. The majority of memories are of my prior …
"He…hello? Can I … can I sit here?"
I turn my head to see a particular Quarian, Tali'Zorah vas … Neema? "Sure lass … Tali'Zorah isn't it?"
"Yeah … Tali'Zorah vas Neema nar Rayya, but just call me Tali." She pauses … I can see she's curious about my face plate, I'm just waiting for the questions … "What happened … to your … your face if you don't mind me asking …"
I smile, she is still young, naïve perhaps but she is adorable. "Of course, I was ambushed by Geth on Eden Prime." I wait for her reaction, awe stricken?
She gasps. Knowing what I know about Quarians, a Geth attack is surprising, let alone a human with half his face disfigured surviving an attack is completely unknown.
"How?! This is … You are one lucky man … I never caught your name…" She asks … a few of the other crew had been listening to us, and are waiting for my answer.
"Lieutenant Commander **** *******, but please, just call me Mack, and how did I survive? That's the easy one, the Gunnery Chief, Williams, saved my arse as I was flitting through consciousness and death. All I did was get close enough not to give the bullet enough momentum. If you want more information, ask the chief, I can't remember much about it, well, the bullet hitting me and the foot to my face, I remember that much … I'm sorry if you were hoping for some amazing story, but I let my guard down …"I sigh. I have everyone's ears, from the chef, to the huge Krogan, which has to be Wrex, in the corner. I take a look around … trying to look at everyone … I have no idea what to say …
"He then proceeded to cover us, sniping the Geth snipers and Rocket Troopers, not realising he his face was smashed." Ash stood up and stole the limelight, for which I'm grateful. All eyes turned to her.
"A third of our unit fled. They all died. Another third were killed while they were relaxing. The other third died fighting an enemy that knows no mercy. I did Mack's life. But he saved mine. I was fit and fighting. He had just regained consciousness, yet picked up his rifle and killed dozens of Geth with only one eye and internal bleeding in his skull. It look painkillers and sedatives to take him down. It is an awesome story. One for the history books. Thank you." She walks away … leaving everyone, including myself, in a shocked silence. She was passionate … about me? Fuck …
"You have a Quad my friend. Not so squishy for a human." Came a gruff voice from behind me.
"He means you have four testicles, but I assume he means it metaphorically." Came from Garrus from the end of my table.
The majority of people reluctantly returned to their jobs, leaving me and Tali, who hadn't moved since Ash's speech.
"In the fleet, you would be … probably be given your own ship. Made a Captain. Perhaps even an Admiral." She truly is awed …
"Thanks Tali, but no thanks. I couldn't look after that many people … a single back call … millions of lives are on the line." I say soberly.
"You'd be a terrible Quarian … Quarians do things for the Fleet … you do things for everyone …" Quarians are brought up with this communist attitude, so I understand her conviction.
"You'd be surprised" I say with a smile, "I'm going to find Shepard, I need to ask her something, I'll see you later lass."
She mumbled a response, then added "It was great talking to you Lieutenant."
I flash her a smile as I walk to the elevator. She seems nice, the games don't give her enough credit, she's like a nervous teenager. Really shy around everyone.
Ten minutes, and I'm still in this god damn lift, they weren't kidding about the speed of these things. Luckily, on the way to Captains Quarters, Shepard joins me in the slowness of the lift. She mumbles a greeting but ignores me. I'm too curious about this to leave it.
"Ma'am, I need to ask you about your outburst."
"It was … nothing to concern yourself with Mack." She says calmly. I can see it's something personal … but I can't bring myself to let it go.
"Shepard. That wasn't nothing. I hit a nerve. I'm asking as a friend." I say it slowly and with a small smile. I need to get her to trust me … if I'm to help her … or even tell her about what I know …
She sighs. "My family was killed by Asari gangsters. I ended up an orphan living on Earth with no one. Forgive me if I … take it personally …" I can see tears start to form … shit. So we have an earthborn Shepard … the game couldn't project the sadness … an earthborn Shepard was always … it was never shown how or why. Just that she was an orphan.
I hug her. And it takes her by surprise. And myself if I'm honest. From the way she was apprehensive about telling me, she hasn't told many people. And that makes me feel special. She needs a friend, and I can bet that most people drop it at 'it was nothing' but all you need is someone to push. Doesn't always work mind.
"Thank you Mack …" She whispers into my ear, crying softly, "I've never … told … anyone before …"
"It's okay Shepard … I lost my family to slavers about ten years ago …" All the feelings of my prior flooding me … the screams of my mother … my father's cries as he was beaten … I feel a tear roll down my cheek as well …
"Call me Kia …" She hugs me tighter for a second and lets go. "Thanks … I mean it …" The elevator stops and I decide to take my leave here.
"We can talk any time … Kia" I say with a smile, "I'm leaving here, I'll see you later" Kia? "And it Kia short for something?" I'm inquisitive today.
"Kiara, and sure Mack" She returns my smile as I walk out of the lift, as it closes, I walk away. Well that was unexpected. I'm once again, curious who she's going to romance. Does it matter if it's like only Liara and Kaiden in ME1 … or could it be Garrus? It couldn't be Jacob … he's not here …
"Lieutenant Commander." I turn and see none other than Kaiden Alenko.
"Please, call me Mack." I say with smile, giving him my hand to shake.
To my dismay, he doesn't shake it before he speaks again. "I'm good, sir." His face is solid. No trace of emotion. Well, I see distaste … but that was always there. Probably why I always chose Ash at Virmire. My the sounds of, the weight of actually living in the game, I reckon I'd do the same. He's just so … I don't know, but I don't like it.
"What is your problem, lieutenant?" I say. I'm angry at all, but I'm a tad annoyed.
"Stay away from the Commander. She doesn't trust you. And neither do I." He thinks I'm gunning for the Commander? Well … she is great, a soft side … but no. I'm gunning for Ash.
So instead I smile.
"Scared of some competition Alenko? Seeing myself in the mirror, I can see why you'd scared." I say this, with as much arrogance I can muster. I'm not an arrogant man, I'd like to think. But the look on his face is pure gold. He almost lurches at my statement. 1 – 0 to me Alenko, "I need to see the good doctor, see you around Kaiden." I wink as I walk away. And once I turn the corner I chuckle.
I take the long way to medical bay, admiring the work of the ship. The game, gives it no justice. It's almost like a luxury cruise liner back home. I went to France on a cruise ship, gorgeous ships. But the Normandy puts them to shame. The floors were simply clean, I can see myself looking back.
5r
"Ah Mack, I was waiting for you. I'd like you to know, you're cleared for missions now. The Commander has gotten my report. "Dr Chakwas smiles at me, she looks busy so …
"Thanks Doc" I take a quick look around … Liara? The Asari is lying unconscious on the medical table, in her general lab tech gear. "Shit, is that … Benezia's daughter?"
"Yes," Chakwas informs me, "She tried to see Shepard's vision, and it completely exhausted her. She'll be fine though."
That's good. Last thing we need is our expert dying this early on … she's a major character in ME3 for gods sake …
"Oh, and you are to use Jenkin's room. You being the highest ranking officer gets you the honour." Thanks Chakwas. Thanks.
"Sure … thanks doc." Might as well head there.
Thanking the doc again, I head off towards my new room. Doesn't Ash get this room normally? Well it's like … right next to the medical room though, so that should be handy. The doors open …
And there's Ash, putting some things into a suitcase …
"Ash?" I say quizzically.
She jumps at my voice. I'm more quiet than I thought. "Sir! I'm sorry … I was staying here while you … recovered." She looks at the floor sheepishly … I feel a bit bad now …
"So I've kicked you out of luxury then Williams?" I say with a smile. I take gander, and there's plenty of room for two people … could move a bunk here … "You don't have to leave …there's plenty of room for the two of us …" I see her cheeks flair and I realise what she thinks I mean. I look at the double bed and think … well shit … so I laugh, quite heartedly too. "I meant we could bring a bunk up!" I feel my cheeks burning too, but I'm determined not to let it affect me.
She looks up at me … damn she is so cute. "Er … yeah … if you don't mind I mean … erm …" Hah!
"I'll go and grab a bunk, be prepared, I snore."
I hear her let off a small chuckle as I leave the room. Bless. I need a good sleep though. I'm curious where our next mission is.
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Hello again, two things I need to say.
1 - School starts again, so updates will be slower after the next chapter I reckon
2 - I asked for spelling mistakes! And Reviews are great :3
(I lied) 3 - I got a review saying about a dislike of xenolesbians, I was never planning to use that so don't worry. Definatley gonna have love triangle/quadrilaterals/penta...trals but all fun and games.
Thanks for your time
MacDii \m/
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