Get in there Dragon

Unterart - Now or Never (Random song, not much, if any relevance, its just fucking awesome)

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/Accessing Personnel Records – Lieutenant -Commander ******** "Mack" ********

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##### Codex Entry #####

Lieutenant-Commander ********, or, "Mack" as he commonly prefers, even by his subordinates under his command, was born in a colony on the planet of Mindoir, located in the Attican Traverse. When Batarian slavers raided the colony, Mack was one, of a minority of survivors not captured. An Alliance patrol rescued the survivors, and two years later, Mack enlisted into the Military.

He proceeded to rise through the ranks, through skill in weapons, primarily with a sniper rifle, but had considerable skill at range with a pistol, and currently holds the Citadel Record for the 'Most Concessive Headshots Over a 200 (Human Standard) Metres', all at the age of 24. Soon after this feat, he applied for the N7 project, which he surpassed. Other skills include high intelligence and impressive tactics skills.

At the age of 26, he became a Special Operations Joint Commander. His most notable achievement was on a pirate base in the heart of the Batarian Space. His co-commander was assassinated by a corrupt Ensign, one who had been accepting bribes – Ensign Makyle Jürgen, and was quickly captured by Mack himself – but the then current Staff Lieutenant, interrogated and discovered the exact location of the pirate base. Despite his superior demanding an orbital bombardment, he launched one of the most successful slave rescue missions in history, saving almost three hundred slaves without a single casualty. This impressive feat catapulted Mack up the Alliance Chain, becoming second in heroics only to Commander Shepard herself.

Along with Shepard, Mack was also considered for the Spectre position but declined the opportunity in favour of helping Eden Prime, in memory of Mindoir.

He is a known associate of Commander Shepard and is assisting in the first Human Spectre in apprehending the rogue Spectre – Saren Arterius.

Holy shit.

I decided to research my prior, only to find my own codex. That got me excited, but … I didn't expect this. My prior … was a Hero. No denying. Unlike Shepard, my prior never got the publicity. Also doing a quick search confirmed my suspicions, she was a Spacer/War Hero and a soldier class.

Huh. I want to talk to her next chance I get.

But, as I've been declared unfit for a mission, I'm confined to the ship. The doc said I could get my face plate removed next chance I get, but the plates fused with my skull can't be taken out at all. Most of those aren't visible though. But it should still give me an … intimidating edge if I need it.

"Mack? Hey, nice to see you up again" Garrus says with a smile. Seems a fine way to blow time, to me.

"Thanks man, I'll miss the extreeeemly comfy beds in medical though" Garrus chuckles at that, glad I remember his sarcastic sense humour. I know most things about Garrus … but it could hurt to ask him about himself, "So Garrus, how come you were so happy to join us on our escapade?"

His smile drops, only slightly but it's noticeable, "Red tape, I had plenty of incidences that what a Spectre can do, would have help immensely."

"But isn't the red tape used to protect the rights of potentially innocent people who get arrested?" I say inquisitively, I'm not entirely ensure why all the red tape is there in all honesty …

"That's a minor reason. The people who make these rules haven't been in the situation where the bad guy escapes, because of the rules they make." He's lost his smile completely. The game simply doesn't capture his passion. He truly believes that more police powers would be beneficial. Look at East Germany, see that ended up? But on a scale hundreds of times bigger, it would be catastrophic.

"History shows too many police powers don't work though, why would it suddenly work on the citadel? And with all different races, a simple racist claim could send the place into uproar." I say calmly. I'm mostly bullshitting now, but I'm truly against it.

He looks at the floor, and then looks at me, "You sound like Shepard. Said something similar, I've got stuff to do, I'll see you later." Aaaaaand he's gone.

Last thing I want to do is to piss off the Turian …

Huh, I'm in the mess hall now, and it's pretty empty … huh. As I walk over I notice not even Kaiden is here … we must be at Noveria. I wasn't too keen on the first game overall – I played it death when it came out – Noveria always ended up been a chore. The starting section … not so bad … little happens but it's not too bad, but once you get to base, there was just SOO much to do.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

I jump at the voice behind me. Turning I see its Ash, "Shit you scared me there" I chuckle. I also notice she has a tray of food, "and yes, you may join and bask in my presence"

She returns my chuckle, "Oh ow, your head, it's crushing me!" She says with mock terror. I like Ash, she has my sense of humour. "But it's good to see you up again."

"Thanks Ash, means a lot coming from you" I say with a … frankly, a coy smile.

"Hah, don't get so full of yourself." She smiles, and I swear her face turns a nice shade of red. Should I continue flirting? I shouldn't …

"Well, you look quite good today." Her eyes open at my compliment. And … I find I actually mean it. Her hair is in her bun, as per usual, but simply her complexion is … beautiful. And the blush she pull is pretty adorable. I never understand why Tali is always chosen for a self-insert. Ash simply has a presence, a strong independent presence, as opposed to Tali being naïve and perfect for people who like naivety. I don't. Just for the record.

"Aha … thanks …but I …" She frowns, "Even if I do fall for your …charms we couldn't do anything … we work together you fool … it'd be … weird …" My smile dissipates too, and then I sigh.

"If you don't mind me asking, how come you never got promoted past Gunnery Chief?" I know the answer, but I can tell she doesn't want to be hit on again.

"My grandfather." She snorts, "He was the Governor of Shanxi and gave the order to surrender." She says this with venom, I simply never expected.

"Yeah …but why would that affect you?" I inquire.

"Family history. Its like his burden has become mine. Brass just doesn't want me." She's looks at her hands as she says this. She's angry. And she's trying not to bite her nails. I know the feeling.

"But you're a great soldier!" I state. And remember from my codex, "I mainly got promoted on my skill…"

"You don't understand Mack!" she looks at me with wide eyes … "It pisses me off … it hurts … they don't trust me for mistakes I never would have made." I gain a new level of respect for her, I struggle to show my sensitive side … especially to someone who was just flirting with me.

"At least you have a family you can still talk to." I point out. I try to leave all traces of bitterness out of my voice. But my prior's feelings surface, and the simple fact of being ungrateful for what she has.

She goes to growl, I can see that by the way her jaw clenches, but then has an epiphany and remembers my prior's , although she thinks it's mine, history. "I'm sorry Mack …" I cut her off mid-sentance with my hand.

"You had nothing to do with that raid." I say.

She looks like she wants to cry. She starts to say something else, but she just … gah! Her arms wrap round me and squeeze me.

"Erm … hey Ash …" I try and get out but she simply pulls tighter.

"You need to open up more."

It takes about five minutes but I manage to pry her off. "I have to go and see … do something" I say with a smile, she looks a little upset so I add, "thanks Ash …" and her smile is instantaneous.


"Fucking piss wank cock sucking fuck fuck."

"Swearing will not help with the pain."

"It's making me feel better."

"That's the medigel. Your free to go." Despite the pain and sarcasm, Chakwas is a pretty good doctor.

"Thanks doc …" I say softly, "I'm sorry about swearing …" I add sheepishly.

"I've had worse. Now go, Liara has exhaustion from melding with Shepard. Any more facial pain, then come see me." She was basically shoving me out of her room. I sigh as I walk out. And then I stroke my face. Without the face plate on, I feel more human again. It's weird … I feel like myself … rather than my prior …

Well who should I visit next? I'm feeling talkative so Wrex is out, Kaiden is over by the food … huh, why not.

"Yo LT, what you up to?" I say cheerfully.

He turns at my voice, and then seems to do a double take on my face, "Well look who's back" he says good naturedly.

I return his smile, "Well you know, can't deprive people the pleasure of my face can I?"

He chuckles, "And what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Just chatting, we didn't get off to the best of starts," I say sombrely, "I didn't mean to … well give you the wrong idea about Shep …"

Surprisingly he holds up his hands, "Don't apologize, the commander isn't my property, I shouldn't have gotten like that …" He looks bashful and its adorable. So adorable in fact, I laugh. He's obviously taken back by my reaction, but it's my turn to put my hands up innocently.

"I'm sorry …" I end up hyperventilating between words and it annoys me to no end, "You're so cute …you love her don't you?" I add with the best innocent face I can muster.

He looks at his feet and shuffles. I sigh. After a few moments of me getting my breathe back, I decide to change the subject instead. "Tell me about your biotics, like … erm … I mean … whats it feel like using them?" I say inquisitively. I always wondered it, as it was never covered … as far as I know anyway …

He looks at me and pulls a thinking face. "Well … it's kind of like pins and needles … but it never gets too bad … the headaches yeah, but the tingling isn't unbearable to say the least." Huh. So that's how it works. Cool.

"Ah thanks, what about the training? I assume it wasn't always just 'pins and needles'." I say. I know about 'brain camp' but I want to hear it from him.

He frowns, but starts talking anyway, "Well, when I young, we were kinda… 'encouraged' to join what we called 'brain camps'…"


We were talking for a good … half an hour before Shepard got back from Noveria. And with my new found vigour, from my surgery, I'm off to the … well… whatever room it's called … I'm not if it's a CIC … the room where everyone sits. Kaiden seems a bit more … okay with me after our talk, never having biotics and all, and the game just doesn't do it justice. Kaiden even showed me a … website? Well, an extranet store where I can get songs for a credit a piece. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I was always a guy who has like a thousand songs and only listens to about a hundred of them … but even that might be pushing it …

"Rachni? We slaughter them, and our prize is the fucking Genophage." Wrex, Kaiden and Ash are all concerned about releasing the Queen, while Tali, Liara and Garrus where quite sure it was the morally right choice.

Surprisingly, Shepard is quiet during this exchange, I'm not sure if she's regretting her choice, or just doesn't want to piss off everyone.

At one point, the sentence I do not want to hear is said. "Mack, what's your take on this?" Fuck you Kaiden.

"I don't really have a specific opinion on it …" At that Wrex grunts, and Kaiden sighs. You asked me! "Look at it from the Commander's point of view," I begin, "I'm under no pretences that choosing to kill a species, or save it is a hard choice. Humans aren't as …" Choosing the right word to differentiate Krogan from humans without getting my neck broken isn't the easiest thing under pressure, "Shepard puts everyone else before her, killing a species is not something a person as … noble as Shepard takes lightly. Every species has a soul …Shepard doesn't hold the Rachni responsible … I reckon the Reapers were behind that as well personally …" I add. I had everyone's attention, and at the end, Kia was grimacing, Wrex was glaring, and everyone was just … contemplating.

"I thought the Reapers used cycles?" Liara asked. Luckily, I was saved an explanation.

"Perhaps the reapers wanted to weaken the council races, but I need to talk to the council and I am not looking forward to it. And if I even mention the Reapers again, Sparatus will say 'ah yes, the reapers'" Her impression of the Turian councillor included with air quotes made me chuckle, even Garrus did the Turian version of a grin.

As we filed out of the room Kaiden pulled to one side, bumping into Ash and getting a yelp off of Tali as I tread on her foot. Muttering my apologises, and getting a glare off of Wrex.

"What is it Kaiden?" I growl. I don't mind being wanted, but it annoys me when I'm grabbed.

"We need to clear something up with Shepard when she's finished with the report." He says it calmly, but his jaw locks and … well I'm a little confused …

"Yeah … okay … could I perhaps … know why?" I say simply.

"I want … I need Shepard to choose."

An awkward silence elopes. Kaiden. For god's sake, what doesn't he get?

"Kaiden … I don't know how to make it any clearer." I state.

He goes to reply, but promptly changing his mind. He proceeds to walk into the … meeting room anyway.

"Virmire? Of course councillors, Shepard out." She turns to see us and is understandably surprised. "What do you want now Kaiden?" She then notices me, "Mack?"

"Commander. We need to talk. The three of us." Kaiden states. Rather …unceremoniously.

"Kaiden please, don't do this." I plead, sure I like Shepard, but as I told him, I want Ash.

"I need to understand where I stand."

"Maybe we should try and work this out." Shepard, ever the diplomat.

"Kaiden is jealous ma'am." If he wants to play the 'state' game well fuck it if he thinks I'm going to back down.

"I'm not jealous … just confused" He says, I feel bad for provoking him…

"Kaiden …" I start, but he cuts me off.

"Shepard, make a choice. If you're not serious about me … it'll hurt, but I'll get over it. But until you tell me, I can't get over it" He's passionate and Shepard looks like she's in love. I don't like breaking up people …

"She doesn't have to Kaiden." Shepard looks at me with a confused expression, "Kaiden has got the wrong end of an extremely wrong stick. You're great, but I'm in lo…" I am? Am I? But I've known her for like … a few weeks …

"With Ash. I understand Mack." Shepard smiles at me, "That's pretty sweet you know."

Kaiden grunts. Before making this encounter more awkward. I leave, flashing both of them a smile as I leave.

I could understand why Kaiden is worried, sheesh, I'm close to Shep, but I don't like her like that… I'm a one horse kinda guy. Not that Ash is a horse … luckily this is all in my head and she will never know these thoughts.

I wonder where we're headed?

Virmire.

Shit.

I need to tell Ash.

I don't care if its messes up cannon, I can't live knowing, if Shep chooses Kaiden, I could have saved Ash …

Shit.

I ended up running to Ashes quarters, and I noticed how small it was. My room, it's almost as big as Shepard's room, but Ash's is tiny. I struggles to fit through the door for god's sake. She had a bed, a table, and book on the table. She was on her bed, reading another book, Tennyson if I had to guess.

"It little profits that an idle king, by this still hearth, among these barren crags" I pause, she saw when I entered, but knowing me knowing poetry, especially her favourite, had surprised her, "Matched with an aged wife, I meet and dole, unequal laws unto a savage race." I'm a fan of poetry, I'm iffy about Shakespeare, GCSE English does do that to a guy, but my favourite was easily Robert Burns, perhaps it's because he's Scottish, but I really love 'A Red, Red Rose' .

"That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me." Ash is smiling at me, wanting to more.

"Before you ask, I'm a massive fan of Tennyson, he's not my favourite, but I like him enough to know the start of Ulysses." I state with slight grin. It's gone as soon as I remember why I'm here.

"I never saw you as a poetry man" She says, she didn't notice my lapse. How on earth do I tell her?

I can't just say, 'Hey, I'm *not* actually from this universe.' Or 'You or Kaiden are going die tomorrow!'

"What's a matter Mack?" I look up at her, her … big beautiful brown eyes. I was never normally a fan of brown eyes, always thought they were boring. But Ash's … so full of life.

I've kissed her before I could stop myself.

She looked shocked at first, but soon closed her eyes. Her lips were soft, warm too. I didn't realise she was standing, so I put my hands on her hips. She moved her arms and draped them over shoulders. Feeling a curious tongue on my lips, I feel no reason not to let it taste a bit further.

We did this for … it felt like barely five seconds, but it was more than a few minutes. She opened her eyes, and I'm not a fool, I know that look. I've seen it, I've had it, hell, acting on it is the one of the best things a man can do. But not right now.

I softly push her off me, and she frowns, "D-did I do something wrong …" She asked sheepishly, and I can't but smile at her again.

"No Ash…" I lose my smile yet again, I need to tell her … "When we get to Virmire…" my throat actually seizes. She looks concerned, so I kiss her again in reassurance. "Shepard is going to make a choice tomorrow." She blanches at the word 'Shepard', giving me the impression Kaiden wasn't the only one with stupid ideas.

"What choice …" She asks, she isn't going to believe me …

"Between you … and Kaiden." I can't bring myself to keep talking. What if I tell her, and the result is worse? But I can't lose Ash … not now.

"I can't say more Ash, but trust me … please know … shit …" I end up rubbing the back of my head, "I'm not exactly who I say I am …" She frowns and goes to ask me something, but I put my finger on her lips, "If we both survive, I'll tell you everything." I kiss her on her forehead and turn to leave.

"Mack …" She grabs my shirt, but the tears in my eyes prevent my courage from letting me.

"Ash… I'm s-sorry."

Leaving her room was the hardest thing I've ever done. I had baggage before I came to this universe … who doesn't? But nothing would have made me turn away from a girl that reciprocated my feelings. But I was lying to her … and I despise lying.


Before Virmire, we stopped at the citadel. I wanted an armour upgrade, so did Liara and Tali, so we went hunting. Shep took everyone else, except Wrex and Garrus, who had shit to do.

"Don't die! Get Armour here!" Shouted a VI. The shop belonged to Turians, so that explained the positively catchy slogan. Tali blanched at the sign, and Liara looked like she was in a world of her own.

"Hey Tali, is it hard to swap armour?" I ask curiously, looking in the window, the clerk is having an argument with a rowdy looking Krogan. The unspoken vote of walking on is taken.

"It's dangerous if it's done incorrectly, but I've done it before." Cool, always did bother me.

"Have you ever caught a dangerous disease?" Liara pipes up. Good question, I never thought of that …

"Yeah …" Tali tilts her head, something she's ashamed of, "I got a cold when I first arrived on the citadel..." Fucker still hasn't been cured? Tough little virus.

Liara just looked confused. "You got cold? Is that a Quarian disease?"

"It's a human virus, it could be compared to humans for its adaptability and will to survive." I clarify.

"It can be deadly to Quarians and Drell." Tali adds. Drell? Gotta be careful when ME2 rolls around I guess.

We talk a bit more about diseases, turns out a lot of diseases have been wiped out, but new ones from other races have taken their place. Asari diseases affect humans generally the same way, and same with human diseases.

We eventually get to this quaint little Elcor Armour shop, Liara gets some pretty nifty nanofibre shit, Tali got some tech upgrades and I got a mesh weave. On the way back to the Normandy, I even got a tattoo. A flaming Ace on my bicep. Always wanted it, fuck it. The pain hurt worse than what people tell you. I'd rather be shot in the face again. Liara watched the procedure with a look of horror. I couldn't tell what Tali was thinking. She watched intently though, probably with the same look as Liara.

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Hey folks!

Bit of a note here, sorry I took so long, collage is a bitch and the only reason I got this up is because I'm looking after a new born kitten(!)

I struggled with this chapter, I'm iffy with character interaction, but I reckon this one is better than my other one.

And another note, feel free pm me ideas on what twists and shit to take :3 I write this a chapter at time, and I will try to have Virmire up … in two weeks? Within a week is my goal :3

Oh, and two THOUSAND views :3 I'm not sure if that's a lot by most standards, but it's more than anticipated.

Thanks for the support!

Review if you want :3

Mack \m/

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