Chapter 5: Four Eyes and Three-headed Dogs
I… am a jerk. I've taken too long to update this story, and I feel awful about it. I do. I don't have a really good excuse either. The first game just feels so slow now. It's hard to write about it. I really am just too eager to get to ME2. I think I'll have a more fun time writing during that period. But, no. We have to get ME done first. I've been playing the first game and multiplayer to get me back in the mood for Mass Effect. So far, it's working. And then, the first chapter to 'Verser Age: Origins' will be posted shortly after this chapter. I can FEEL it. But, I'm feeling pretty good, personal life problems notwithstanding. 'Multiverse Devil', my DxD fic, got over 12,000 views. So I think it's safe to say I'm an okay writer. At least I hope it is-I'm taking too long rambling. I'll shut up now and just give you the chapter.
P.S. Just a heads up, for those who didn't know already. A character from DxD fic is now a key character in all my Multiverser fics. Ddraig, the Welsh Dragon. So when you see sentences like this [Example], that's him talking or me using him.
I'm also dedicating this chapter to my bro, ShepardisaBOSS. Thanks for waiting so patiently and encouraging me to get back to this fic.
"You humans…" A man said from behind me. I turned to meet him. "… You're almost more trouble than you're worth."
That's Balak, a Batarian terrorist leader. On our way to restock on fuel, the Normandy got wind of a distress signal from an Asteroid near the planet Terra Nova. The Normandy's AI calculated at least a few hours before the giant rock would crash into the planet, and kill everything on it.
Asteroid X57. The colony of Terra Nova was going to have it brought closer to home to mine it for its vast amount of resources. However, before it could get within safe territory, a Batarian slave group attacked. Most of the research team's dead now. And Balak planned to have this rock destroy the Human colony as a message that Humanity's days are numbered.
Obviously, I'm not gonna let that happen.
"I'm more trouble than anyone else you'll ever meet." I told him.
"Oh, I'm more than aware… Shepard." He growled. "The Alliance's great attack dog. I doubt you could predict how much suffering I wish to bring you."
"I wouldn't care."
"Shepard," Ashley muttered. "I think you should take this seriously."
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Balak commented. "I've heard you care little about anything. You're incredibly ruthless and yet the rest of the galaxy praises you as the greatest hero ever known. Pathetic that so many would drop to their knees over someone as destructive and uncaring as you."
"Says the man who tried to slam an asteroid into a planet."
"This is nothing compared to what the Batarians have gone through." He defended. "We've been forced into exile-"
"There was nothing forced about it." I interrupted. "Your exile's self-imposed. Your governments based on an archaic and outdated caste system that subjugates everyone below a certain level. And you so feverishly cling onto the act of taking and keeping slaves. It's pathetic."
"You dare-!"
"Yes, I dare." I continued. "It's very difficult for any self-respecting modern race to hold any sympathy towards anyone who would constantly raid worlds for slavery. We're supposed to be in an age where that's no longer necessary. Where it's an abomination. And yet you constantly do it. You revel in it. And when at least one race wasn't gonna take your shit, you throw a tantrum and shut the rest of the galaxy out."
"Enou-!"
"No! I am fully aware of the Batarian 'plight'. It's happened numerous times throughout Humanity's history. And never once did a government like yours last. It will always come crashing down. Because that's all it can do. And if you think trying to threaten the hostages with bombs whose timers I disabled in the middle of that fire fight and signals I am currently jamming so you can't remote detonate them is going to save you… You're an idiot."
Balak's four eyes went wide. He brought up his Omni-tool to see that the bombs were indeed disabled and were being jammed. We saw the hatred in his eyes as he just discovered that he lost. The few guards he had left and the remaining varren all looked ready to strike.
"There's only one way you're getting out of this, Balak." I told him.
"Yeah." He remarked. "I suppose it's going to be in a body bag or some bullshit like that?"
"No." I said. "The Leviathan of Dis… Get your government to destroy it and kill everyone that ever worked on it or was affiliated with it."
He was about to remark but paused when what I said registered. My squad mates were equally shocked and bewildered that I actually was capable of giving a terrorist the chance to leave at all.
"And why should I?" He asked after composing himself.
"Because that thing's too dangerous. Along with everyone who works on it." I told him. "I'm not just saying this because it's a threat to the Alliance. That thing will likely be the end of your people. I dug up pictures of it that a couple spy networks took before your government took the thing from Jartar twenty years ago. And that thing looked eerily similar to the dreadnought seen when the Geth attacked Eden Prime. And I highly doubt your people would work with a Spectre, rogue or not. But the Council? They wouldn't be so thoughtful. Oh… I think they'd be more than curious as to why that would be the case. They may not want to go to war with the Geth, but that's because they'd be completely in the dark. Not so much when it comes to Khar'Shan."
"…"
It seems that got him thinking. It was a bluff right now, but one that I could still get the Council to turn into a real threat. And the thought of the Batarian government going to war with the Council species right now wasn't the smartest idea. The Batarians were like the 'North Korea' of the future. No allies, no new tech, and no chance.
"… Fine." He spat. "But know this. When the vids flash with the images of your colonies in flames… you'll know the Batarian Rebellion has begun."
Not likely. Especially if he doesn't get that thing destroyed. Then it will be Khar'Shan that will be in flames. And Rebellion? Really? There's nothing oppressing them but themselves!
Idiot. But he's the kind of idiot that's dangerous… And can hopefully get shit done.
Later…
After the whole fiasco on X57, my squad was somewhat outraged I let a terrorist get away. However… I always have a back-up plan. In the event Balak doesn't keep his word, I had bugged. I'm quite proud of this one. The jamming signal I used to keep him from remote detonating the bombs also held a code that will track his Omni-tool ID. Not his Omni-tool, just his ID. Even if he switches it, the code permanently encoded into his ID. So if he betrays me, that code will light up like a signal fire to any and every military and police force in the galaxy. And he would have nowhere to run. He won't be able to 'Bin Laden' his way out of justice for a decade. He'd instantly get found.
Best part? He can't know about it. It's practically a ghost code. Completely invisible to any of this realities computer specialists. So even if he knows he's bugged, he won't know how or where.
So that calmed them down.
On another note, there's been an… Uh… How should I put this? A very unwelcome change in Ashley and Liara's demeanor towards me. It wasn't unexpected, but I really just didn't want it.
They both obviously liked me. Problem is, I don't like them in that way. With Ashley, it's incredibly awkward for me because of her name; Williams. My last name when I was a regular human… was Williams. So the thought of incest filled my head at the thought of being romantically involved with her. I just, can't see her in that way. Hopefully, she'd understand.
And with Liara… Well, it has nothing to do with her being an Asari, or an alien at all. This reality's version of her, one of the many the rEApers and Casey Hudson ruined, did her character the most disservice, in my opinion. Basically, she was bipolar throughout all three games. In the first game, she's all innocent, naïve, and all that crap. In the second game, she's a ruthless, cold, and calculative information broker. And in the third game, she starts going back to the whole can't handle all this serious and emotional stuff.
I swear to God… If she keeps telling me 'she's sorry' when the Reapers invade, I'm gonna-!
Calm down, Duncan. That's not her fault for being like that.
Either way, it's not that I don't like them. I just, don't have any romantic feelings towards them whatsoever. Tali on the other hand…
If you know me, you know that when it comes to women, I'm not the most suave guy. I'm the opposite, and don't know much about how to handle girls at all. And yet I still attract A LOT of women (A/N: That is not the case in real life. The attracting women part, that is.). At least, that's when it comes to human women. Or anything that's looks very human.
Anything that blatantly looks non-human at all times… That's when I'm much more of a lady-killer. And I'm pretty sure Tali's picked up on the fact that I like her.
The fact I can x-ray vision my way into seeing her face proves she notices it. She blushes at all times when she sees me look at her. And reading her mind has allowed me to know that she knows, too… I probably should've used that as evidence first. Ah well.
We're on our way to the Citadel. During my time there, Admiral Kohoku asked me to check in on his recon team in the Artemis Tau cluster. I did, and they were all dead via Thresher Maw. Lured to its nest by an Alliance distress beacon.
I knew who put it there. And I'm going to enjoy dismantling the whole organization, piece by piece. And during that whole time, Harper will watch before his cold mechanical eyes, as his flawed, twisted vision for humanity burns all around him. And he'll know who the one who did it was. And then, then he shall have my permission to die.
For now, we're going to deal with what projects we can as we go about stopping Saren and the Heretic Geth. Along with a whole lot of other crap. But I won't bore you with all those unnecessary details. Who do you think I am? Ted Mosby?
"Hey Shepard." I heard. Turning to my right, Garrus was approaching me. No doubt he's wondering about our new tank. "I was looking for you. That new tank we're getting? The Grizzly? I've been thinking of a few ways to make its main and secondary cannons more accurate. Maybe more powerful too. I wanted to run my ideas by you before we get it."
"So… you want to 'calibrate' it?" I deadpanned.
"…Yes?" He said, confused. "Is, uh, calibrating a bad thing to humans… or, something?"
I just shook my head. "Don't ever change, Garrus."
"Um… Okay?"
Later…
"Any word on my men yet, Shepard?" Kohoku asked me.
The others weren't present. Whenever we dock at the Citadel, I just allow them Shore Leave. I don't need to take them everywhere. And it allows me more freedom with less of a chance of them seeing the REALLY questionable stuff I can end up doing.
"I'm sorry, Admiral." I began, sadly shaking my head. "Your men are dead. They were killed by a Thresher Maw."
"A-a Thresher Maw?" He questioned, rubbing his hands. "My men wouldn't just get killed by a Thresher Maw, not the entire unit!"
After he said that, I raised my Omni-tool. Clicking one of my special programs, any bugs in the area will now be disabled. Though so will much of all the tech here in the Council Chambers.
"Sorry." I apologized, lowering my arm. "I need to know no one will be listening. Your men were led into the Thresher Nest by an Alliance distress beacon. It wasn't their fault. I know whose fault it is, though."
"Who?"
"Cerberus. A former Alliance black-ops organization gone terrorist. There was a manifesto released a few decades ago, said how humanity needed a 'Cerberus' to defend it? That's them. Though their idea of protecting humanity is to subjugate everyone else by any means unnecessary. Including sacrificing A LOT of people, human or otherwise. They lured your men there for some stupid project to try and create super soldiers. How luring marines into a giant, armored, acid-spewing worm would make 'Captain America', I'll never know."
"How do you know this?"
"I've got connections, intel, sources, etc. Cerberus is also most likely behind what happened at Akuze as well." I answered. "I can help get as much intelligence as possible. But, the fact that you now know this much puts you in danger. I don't have to worry about them because I'm good at covering my tracks and I'm 'too important to humanity'. Assholes. You, however? Yeah, they'll want you dead."
"What do you suggest?" He nervously asked me.
I raised my Omni-tool and reactivated his. "Go to this address here on the Citadel. Open that message when you reach there and look for the man in the picture. There should be a passphrase included in the message as well. Give it to him, and they'll handle everything else. Once I've gathered enough data and shut down the projects we have to worry about right now, then it should be safe for you to come out of hiding. But don't tell anyone. Not command, not your friends, anyone. My contacts will look after your family, don't worry."
"I-I, I don't know what to say." He told me. "This, this is too good to pass up. If it strikes a crippling blow to a group of bastards like these, it'll be worth it."
"Glad you see it my way."
Later…
Right now, I'm in the cargo hold. Not long after I gave Kohoku a safe house during this, we got the Grizzly. I'm wearing some more comfortable clothes while I fine tune some of the parts on the outside. Garrus is inside the tank, doing a few calibrations and outfitting the inner workings of the secondary cannons.
"So this is a Grizzly?" I heard Wrex ask. "Hmm, not bad. A Tomkah's still much bigger. And has more fire power."
"You do remember it's Krogan-made. So of course it's bigger and more destructive." I told him, tightening one of the bolts on the wheel.
"Hahaha, you got me there." He chortled. "So what're you going to add into the thing?"
"Well, I'm just finishing tightening up stuff on its underside. Garrus is calibrating the main cannon and secondary weapons. Oh, and look forward to when you guys can use those. I ordered quite a few explosive round ammo mods. And each of the cannons the passengers can use will have them. And then the stuff I did to the Mako's main cannon before will make this thing's cannon be about half the decimating power as a Cain." I told him. "Oh, and a paint job. Gotta get a paint job."
The scarred Krogan just stared. He didn't look shocked or anything. But the improvements I listed off obviously had an effect on him.
"… You really should've been born a Krogan."
"Sorry to say, I'm quite content with just two nuts." I chuckled. "Still, I hear it's Thresher hunting season or something like that on Tuchanka. That's something I'd like to try out. Thresher steaks are just delicious."
"Yeah, well, I'm not the most welcomed person on Tuchanka." He said. "I'm not exiled, or anything like that. But right now my clan's being run by an idiot."
"An 'Urdnot Wreav', correct me if I'm wrong."
"Yeah. My brood brother."
"… You wanna go and shoot him with this tank?" I offered.
"HAHAHA! Tempting offer, but I'll pass for now." He said. "Still, might actually do that."
Later…
"Okay people." I began. "Some informants of mine managed to find out the location of four Cerberus research bases. Three of which are on this planet. Obviously, we're gonna kill the shit outta them."
Wrex obviously liked the sound of that. So did Ashley. Kaiden and Garrus just nodded their heads. Tali and Liara, however… I think the face I made while imagining myself killing scores of Cerberus operatives was a little too much for them. Tali raised her hand.
"And at the fourth base?" She asked.
"From what I've been told, that's where their data's been stored. After we crack down on these three, we go there, kill everyone, take the data, and everyone's a big hero." I explained. "Simple. Is there anything else?"
No one asked.
"Okay then. We'll split up to take down each base. Kaiden, take Wrex and Garrus. Ashley, you get Tali and Liara. I'll take the last base. Keep in radio contact and return to the Grizzly once you've finished your objective. Then pick up whoever's yet to report back."
On the planet Binthu…
The Grizzly made contact with the ground. The dirt exploded into the air thanks to being disturbed by the massive tank. We unloaded from the vehicle and split up. Kaiden and his team took the base to the south. Ashley and hers, the south west. Which left me the one at the north.
"Be sure to have fun guys." I called over my shoulder, as I walked to my destination. I could vaguely hear a couple ask how someone could enjoy going into battle like this. Then they remembered the Krogan on our team.
[Well at least we've got some time to ourselves now.]
'Wow.' I remarked. 'You finally speak. You've been awfully quiet.'
[Eh, don't care. You gonna need my help?]
'Sure, why not? It'd probably scare the shit outta these Cerberus dirtbags.'
I looked back to see the others were no longer capable of seeing me. So with that in mind, Ddraig created the wings of our armor to speed me over to the station. Once we arrived, it was a simple matter of opening the door. They didn't even lock it, assuming no one would ever discover this place.
I made my way to the ground floor, I had not seen anyone yet. So I'm to assume they're all in their laboratory. I think this one is filled with Rachni. Doesn't matter either way.
Opening the door, I walk in. Both Samantha and Machina are in my hands. As I walk into the room, my footsteps silence all of their conversations. They look to me. My grinning face obviously unsettles them, but the guards still managed to reach for weapons.
"Hey guy." I said. "How's your health plan?"
They then opened fire on me.
"APPARENTLY IT'S GREAT!"
The amount of guards in the facility was greater than what I had anticipated… but that just made this more fun. My gun had already taken down five mercenaries by the time their bullets reached my position. Which I had already moved from.
Bobbing and weaving through their fire, not a single scratch came to me. I had already put my guns back to my side and unsheathed Bright Shadow. But I also promised my partner some time out, so…
[Master Gear!]
The clawed gauntlet grabbed the closest merc to me by his neck. I barely gave him a glance before crushing snapping his spine and throwing the body at two more that were firing at me. The body impacted at them, throwing them off balance. Taking advantage, I ran up and sliced through. Cutting all three into twelve pieces.
Three more shot at me, hitting the back plates of my armor. Turning to them, I raised my left arm…
[Dragon Shot!]
And blasted them into nothing.
The last remaining scientist that hadn't helped in the fighting disabled the force field holding the Rachni in the center. Immediately, he was killed by the very creatures he released. They obviously held malicious intent toward their captors. But the time in here made them feral, so they also attacked me.
Seeing them more like victims rather than monsters, I made their ends quick.
Once everything was said and done, I walked over to the console at the back of the room. This was connected to the other stations. And I could monitor their current situation from here as well. This was obviously so that each station would keep up to date on each other. And right now, the last two bases were no longer transmitting data. So I lifted my hand to my ear to contact the others.
"This is Shepard. Status report."
"This is Kaiden. The base is secure. We ran into some husk-like creatures while we were, but no casualties."
"Ashley here. There were some weird bug things here. Tali took some fire thanks to them. But T'Soni is patching her up as best she can right now. I think she'll be fine, but Chakwas should check to be sure."
"Copy that." I sighed. "Return to the Grizzly. We've got one more base to hit in this cluster. Then we'll debrief." Then I hung up, beginning to exit the base.
[You know, I understand you like her and everything… But she's still the most vulnerable of your team.]
'I'm aware of that. She may have a handicap, but she's not some fragile flower to constantly keep track of.'
[Still, she can be easily hurt if a wrong move is made. And you'll end up revealing yourself to them anyway. You could, remove her weakness from the equation.]
'I know, and I will. But we'll have to wait till we have Mordin to create a cure for the Quarians immune-deficiency.'
[There is another way to keep her safe until then. As much as I don't like your other roommate in here, it is coming to be that time for him.]
'Ugh, you may have a point. But I'm keeping him locked up because it's getting to be that time for him. I really don't want to deal with someone else having his kid for now. But, I'll consider it.'
[I'm just making a recommendation. That thing still freaks me out, regardless if we're sharing a host.]
Later…
I and Tali were currently in the med-bay. Luckily, the wound she took wasn't too bad. Just the reason behind it is why I'm here.
"Okay. So let me get this straight." I began. "You were doing fine, until one of those assholes opened up the field, and these bug things scuttled toward you?"
"Yes." Tali said, sheepishly. "They, they looked like spiders. I hate spiders."
"And while you were distracted by them, you took a round in the arm."
"Yes." She confirmed. "But my suit closed up and started pumping antibiotics instantly, so I still managed to help."
"Ugh." I sighed. "We're gonna have to do something about the arachnophobia. That could somehow become a problem if we don't take care of it in the future."
"Y-yes, Shepard." Tali told me, hanging her head.
"I'm not angry." I reassured her. "Just a little frustrated is all. We'll also have upgrade that suit a little bit more if a round managed to get through. But enough about that. I hear you've been adjusting quite nicely."
"Yes!" She said, perking up almost instantly. "This ship is amazing! The drive core is incredible! I didn't think it was possible that it could fit in a ship this small. I'm starting to understand why you humans are so successful."
"Well I'd say it's because there're people like me." I bragged. "You know, the kind that are just pure awesome. Every race has a few of those. But, we did have some help making the Normandy. Turian design mixed with human."
"Hard to believe a month ago I was patch line into a converted tug ship in the Flotilla." She said, shaking her head. "Now, I'm sitting onboard one of the most advanced vessels in Citadel space. I have to thank you again for bringing me along. Serving on a vessel like this is a dream come true for me."
"I'm glad I could make that dream come true." I said, smiling a little. "If you want, I could help out down in Engineering every now and again. I know ships too."
"You do?!"
"Yeah, I helped build the Normandy." I told her. "It's easier to trust something you've worked on yourself."
'Oh Keelah…' I could hear thoughts say. 'I don't know if I'm going to last much longer if I keep blushing every time he says something like that. And I have a feeling he'll keep doing it.'
"Well, just get better Tali." I said, turning to leave the room. "Chakwas should have you patched up after we get back. You won't be out of action for long."
I could hear Chakwas shake her head muttering 'Ah, young love' under her breath. Too knowledgeable for her own good, that woman.
Later, on the planet Nepheron…
After the last of the Cerberus mercenaries fell, it was very easy to find the main computer. If it wasn't for my extensive knowledge of Cerberus' codes, there might've been a significant loss of data when it would've tried to purge itself. Thankfully, I helped make most of these codes. And thus, Cerberus has no defense against any form of viral attack from me.
"It's all here." I said, staring into my Omni-tool. "Whatever's on this will be severely crippling to Cerberus' operations."
"Shepard," Kaiden began. "I understand from what you told us that Cerberus are real text book bad guys… But don't you think you're a little too eager to hurt them."
"These guys are exactly the reason why other species distrust humans." I explained. "They embody every single bad trait we possess. Lust for power, the desire to dominate, greed, hate, and needless slaughter. So no. I don't think I'm too eager. I don't think I'm eager enough. As soon as I can leave their whole organization broken and bleeding, waiting to die as painlessly as I'll allow, I'm taking that chance."
"Uh, okay then… sir." He said.
"Secure the place, salvage all the weapons and equipment here. Once that's done, we'll leave." Duncan said, walking into another room.
"Okay." Garrus began. "I don't really listen to all that BS racists say about humans being as 'bad as Krogan' or anything. But Shepard seems excessively violent."
"Don't ask me." Kaiden said. "I've haven't served with him that long. I didn't know that he was so, blood thirsty."
"It seems very Krogan of him." Wrex added, picking up guns. "The hate he had during his speech. I've seen that kind before. Mostly when people from my species think about Turians or Salarians. At this point, we just hate them. We don't need much of a reason anymore. I saw that in his eyes."
"That's just not right."
Later…
"Commander, incoming message." I heard Joker say from the comm. "You're gonna wanna hear this one."
"Greetings, Commander Shepard." I heard a new voice begin. The person sounds sleazy, untrustworthy. The kind of person a lot of people wanna punch in the throat. "I represent a party interested in obtaining information on Cerberus activities."
"Why is an agent of the Shadow Broker calling me?" I asked. "I think I've made it quite clear I don't have much to say to you people."
"Now don't be that way, Commander. Obtaining information is our business." He defended. "We just like being thorough in gathering it. My employer would like to offer you payment for the data we know you retrieved from those bases we were monitoring. And as an extension, we'd like to offer you a place in our organization."
"You should understand I don't take lightly to dealing with criminals." I told him. "You're not getting the data and I refuse this business offer."
"Ugh, that is unfortunate." He sighed, I could tell it was through gritted teeth. "My employer will remember this when you eventually require our services."
"I'm sure he will. Oh, and before you're arrested by the C-Sec forces my ship's VI contacted after instantly tracing your call, be sure to let Kechlu know I said… Hello." I said, grinning viciously as the call ended.
Okay. Once again, I apologize for taking so long to update this. I really dragged my feet with it. But, I think I can pull myself back. But, I'll be playing a lot of Mass Effect to readjust myself. On that note, you know how hard it is to team in ME3's multiplayer that actually uses their mics? Seriously, every time I fire up my 360 and pop it in, almost no one ever talks! And then we often fail the mission! Whatever.
Now, I'm going to FINALLY finish the first chapter to my DA fic. I'd like someone to proofread it when I finish it maybe. But, I'll pay more attention to this fic again. Also, can anyone guess what this other 'roommate' is? I gave a couple clues with the dialogue, but I bet it might be a little difficult. I know a few fellow nerds might be able to figure it out! Either way, I'm back, I'm writing, and I'm ready to get this show on the road! See ya next time! Which will hopefully be soon!