A little shout out to everyone, I noticed I do have a recurring audience by some of you. I just want to let you know I'm glad that some people are coming back to read this despite lack of reviews and etc.

I won't ask for reviews, that is entirely up to you.

I just wish to clarify that this isn't a self insert. I created Icarus to be a character and play out his role. He isn't designed to be superb, I even handicapped him as to be some what unless. Big shots are still made by the original characters.

Enough talking, here's chapter 3. What will come to this story I don't know, it's as new to me as it is to you.

Chapter 3: To be honest

Oh dear what time was it? I rubbed my eyes, why don't these sleeper pods have a damn clock, I expected more of Shepard... Never mind, I need to see what's the plan of action for today. I accessed the controls of the sleeper pod. The holo graph lit my face, almost blinded me the bastard. I unlocked the door. They then swooshed open, swooshed... Funny word.

I stepped out the sleeper pod. I looked to my left and saw what looked like some machinery and what not. I then looked to my right and saw a crowd gathered round a table. The mess room, I passed this just before I went to bed and asked their cook what was on the menu tomorrow morning. The selfish git just smiled and laughed at me. Can't be that bad considering everyone was eating and enjoying themselves. I started my little trip to the dining table. But before that, I need to grab my breakfast. I approached the kitchen and saw the cook there. He saw me coming. "Ah I was just about to throw away the leftovers, luckily you're here now." He said sliding over some of the leftovers to me. "Thanks." I replied with a half smile. "I never got an introduction from you?" I asked. The cook rolled his eyes. "Sorry lad, the names Gardner." At least I know what to call him from now on. I said my thanks again. "Thanks again Gardner." He just looked at me and said. "Back to work." In a pretty monotone voice. Not easy being the cook I suppose.

I turned towards the table, I saw a vacant seat between two crewmen and took it. To my surprise Garrus was just on the other side. Next to him was some dodgy rough looking fella. Again to my surprise the dodgy rough looking fella spoke up. "So this is the rookie eh?" He had a very rough accent, almost like he was earth born in a bad part. Or maybe he was just a Terminus merc? Who knows. I saw Garrus reply without looking away from his meal. "What gave you that impression? The fact he was late up?" There was almost a dirt like sound in his voice, trying to be funny. "Maybe, guddamn rookies." Was the reply from the git. I saw him shook his head in disbelief. No matter who he is, I'm not gonna stand for that...

"So what was your most dangerous stunt?" I said directing it at the man who dares to call me a rookie. He looks at me and smirks. "Well there's so many to tell, which would you like to hear first." He states, not acknowledging it as a question. "I bet nothing beats escaping earth in your briefs from the 'reapers', then being pulled in by C-Sec." I mischievously reply. From some of the looks from the crew, some of them tried to hold their laughter from spilling out. Others gave a funny look. I heard Garrus speak up. "So that's why you were desperate, you must have upset the ladies parents big time." I gave a really slum look at Garrus. A "That Isn't Really Funny' look. The rough fella then spoke to me. "Listen kid, you best hold what you say with that tongue of yours." It sounded more like a threat. I gave him a hard cold stare to the best of my ability. I received one back.

"You really did didn't you, you cheeky bastard." Was what I got from the git. Well that was a relief, whether he was bullshitting and playing along or actually believes me, I have no idea. At least it eased the tension, for now. I heard some snickers round the table, I guessed I made my first mark.

"The names Zaeed rookie, I already know yours." He said. Introductions are over, now what's in my oh god? I took a nice long look and what I have to eat for breakfast. I couldn't describe what it was. But everyone else was eating it, so it can't be that bad really... Well better stomach it up and give it a go. Hell I many have to stomach up that shit of what they call breakfast if I'm lucky. Scoop up the food and ram it down my throat just for precautions. I waited for the taste buds to kick in... And... Well... It wasn't that bad I suppose, it just one of them all in one breakfast meals... Not great but manageable.

We sat in a somewhat comfortable silence till I heard a door open. I pop my head up and have a quick surveillance. The next few moments went really slowly. Coming out of this room was like the god damn model of the galaxy. Big stunning hair, a very defined looking face, a great pair of bang.. Coconuts! And just them hips and... And a body of a model, is she a model? Too much detail, I could be drawing attention to myself! "Someone's got an eye for the second in command." Garrus spills out. I snapped my head away from the view and shake my head. "What, no... I..." I was lost for words, god damn it... Think of something else think of...

Ada...

Then there was an uncomfortable silence within the group, some of the crew had finished and vanished from the scene, Zaeed also departed. Leaving me, Garrus and a couple of the crew. Garrus told me he had to work on some calibrations. I saw him walk back down where the sleeper pods were to the machinery, weapons maybe? After a short while I finished my bowl and took it back to Gardner. He merely gave me a smile as I nodded to him. What to do now?

Hadn't had a chance to finish my adventure up on the command deck, Deck 2. I proceeded to the elevator and waited for it to come down. Waited... And waited... And... At last it's here. I step into the elevator and hit the icon for Deck 2. The doors shut and the elevator began it's ascent, a quite slow one... I managed to reach Deck 2 after a decade had passed. Maybe I was being over dramatic about it. I walked out the elevator and noticed everyone at their stations, the commander wasn't anywhere to been seen at this time. I also saw Kelly at her usual station, I felt really nervous just by looking at her. I'm not looking forward to this talk that she spoke of yesterday.

I needed to finish my trip round the ship. I headed to the door that was on the other side of the armoury. Accessing the door controls I opened the door and stepped in. I saw a salarian who seemed to be deep in concentration. I moved within the room, I stopped in front of the slaraian's work table and waited till I could get a word in. The likely hood though seemed very low. The rate he was moving his fingers across his console was almost as bad as the pilot of the ship. The next bit took me by surprise. "Icarus, new addition to the team, experience in battle, escaped from Earth, holds evidence of Reaper threat." I heard him take a deep breath. I would have to if I had talked that fast. "Wise choice from Shepard but also human, difficult to persuade others, data files prove birth from Earth, gaining support may be easier... Or not." After his finished his speech, he paused from his work and stood up straight and looked at me. "Pleasure to meet you." He said in a rather friendly tone. I'm not sure if I managed to catch everything he said, but it sounded like it was positive.

"The pleasure is mine." I answered back. "Everyone seems to know me round here, care to fill me in who you are.?" I asked the salarian. I got a short reply. "Mordin Solus... Scientist." A very short one, though he expressed his last word more than I liked. I shifted about in my place for a moment. "No need to be alarmed, Graphene issue well resolved, though requires testing." Mordin told me trying to ease my sense of uncomfortableness. Did he mention the whole Graphene thing? "But the implications of the testing going wrong would be fatal, should anything go wrong." I stated using some big wrongs to seem knowledgeable. Mordin smiled at me and brought up a hologram on his console and signalled me to come over, so I did. "Testing will proceed in sections." He states while working his magic on the console showing images and designs of the armour. "Chest plate, most important, test first, outcomes determine whether to continue tests or redesign." Mordin explained to me. Well how would they test this, it's not like they have live stock or dummies on the ship to test it on. "How would test this?" I questioned, wondering what answer I'll get. Mordin stopped and said. "Field test."

Wonderful. "You mean I need to get shot at to prove this works?" I gave a glum look at Mordin looking very unimpressed. He quickly shook he head at me to disclaim my accusations. "Not exactly, mobility needs testing, comfort, usability and combat." He states. "Some tests more important than others, though all needs testing. Omega makes exceptional area of testing," I could tell by each minute he seemed more excited than the last. I really wasn't looking forward to this... If they say it's as good as it is. What could go wrong.

"This is a lot to take in, I'll be off to visit other areas of the ship." I said trying to make it look like I had a headache. Mordin noticed I was just pulling an act but accepted it. "Shouldn't be long till we enter the system, lots of checks to do, so little time." Mordin says. A goodbye would be nice, but that will have to do. Mordin then returns to his work. Workaholic I'd say, take a nap crazy man. I left the laboratory. Kelly was still at her station, Shepard still wasn't to be seen on this deck. Maybe I could have that little chat with Kelly...

I walked over to Kelly, she seemed to have heard me coming as she stopped what she was doing and faced me. "Guardsman Icarus, such an odd military structure." She says with curiosity. To which I answer. "It's tradition, but it pays well for not doing much except marching and parades." Kelly let out a little "Hmph." She looked deep in thought for a moment. "Anyway how you feeling?" She asks. I move clover to her workspace and sit myself on the railings, we could be here for awhile. "Still a bit overwhelmed, maybe a bit shaky at times." I begin. "Other than that, I guess you could say I'm settling in." I look at Kelly. She does have a kind face... "I've looked up a bit more about your history, about you." She says to me. That's a little creepy. "Found anything interesting?" I asked as if I knew nothing of my past life. She then puts on a confused face. "It says you were disclosed from Alliance military for heroic bravely on a smugglers raid." She then continues. "But when I dug deeper, the reports don't show much more than a standard raid. Even your personal report you say that you were on guard duty while others conducted the raid." The answer was simple really, I wonder if she could figure it out? I waited a bit to see if she can solve the puzzle. "Weren't your parents and siblings within the Coldstream?" She asks. I nodded my head in agreement, boy she was good.

"I guess that explains a lot." She comments. "Were you happy with the transfer?" Another question to answer. I gather my words quickly and reply. "Not really, I had some good friends within my time in the Alliance." I sighed. She could sense something by the way she was looking at me. It made me feel insecure but at the same time safe? "You lost some one close to you?" My first reaction was a nodded, I then shook my head. "Yes I did, but not in the Alliance." My voice began to sound a bit shallow. This was getting a little too emotional for me. "Separation from close ones has a dramatic effect on our judgement and on how we perceive events." I heard from Kelly. "But you have something, someone that gives you a reason to live. You may or may not know it yet." She finishes with that caring tone in her voice again. It annoys me but, at the same time it eases the tension. "Maybe... Maybe." I replied to myself.

I then heard a familiar voice, ahead of me. "Icarus come with me, were about to start our briefing shortly." Shepard, looks like we have entered the Sahrabarik System. I push myself from the railings and salute the commander on instinct. "Yes Ma'am." I respond formally. "I'll see you later then." Kelly says. I nod and reply. "Maybe you will." Shepard shook her head at me and began to walk towards the Laboratory. I follow her discretely. As we passed through the Laboratory, Mordin joined the party. We then exited through another door in the Laboratory into a small corridor, we enter the door to the left of us. So this must be the briefing room... Mental note, where are the seats? We actually have to stand for this?

Shepard placed herself at the head of the table within the room, I stuck myself about midway on the port side of the ship, Mordin on the other side but closer to Shepard. We waited a bit, Jacob entered and positioned himself close by to me. After a minute or so a group joined us. Garrus, Zaeed and I think Liara were the ones I recognised but the quarian, krogan, another asari, two humans and ge-geth!

This was highly unexpected! Though if I knew what was best for me, I better just shut my trap. We gathered round the table. The briefing then proceeded.

"We all know what's at stake here." Shepard began, I noticed the immediate seriousness in her voice. "The Reapers are here and there isn't much time left." I saw her put her hands on the table and gave it a thump. "The council will realise sooner or later, by that time it might be too late." She gave a look at everyone including me. "It's up to us to warn the galaxy and fight for our existence." I could hear the anger in her voice. "Our first stop is Omega, from there we will unite Omega and gain their support." She pushed herself away from the table, I noticed she was now looking towards Zaeed. "Zaeed has a plan to take back control of the Blue Suns." I saw everyone look over to Zaeed, I followed the same action. I was still trippy about the geth being in the room...

Zaeed talked about some crap about arranging some meetings and what not. It was a solid plan, there were gonna be two ground teams on Omega while the rest stayed on the ship incase anything bad happens. I heard the name Aria mentioned, not sure if I recognise the name or not... All this was still pretty big for me, I better take it as it comes... That didn't sound right...

"Garrus, Grunt, you'll be with me and Zaeed on Omega." Shepard commanded. I heard Grunt let out a hmph. "I would if I'm still a public figure there." Garrus called out. Public figure? What does he mean by that? "Kaidan, you'll form the second ground team with Tali, Liara." Shepard said. I guess I am stuck onboard the Normandy for this one. "And Icarus." She said what? I'm part of the ground team? "Sure thing commander." Kaidan replied. I felt the need to protest my position but other words came out from the group. "Shepard, can we trust him?" I heard. I turned my head and saw a heavily tattooed women. I heard the angst in her voice, it was clear she didn't trust me. "It just sounds too obvious that he was sent to find us, he could be a lying bitch." Harsh words coming from a women. I felt a little out of place, one of Shepard's team is trying to call me out.

"That's why were sending him with the others on Omega." Shepard replied. It didn't sound too comforting. It's like if there was a problem I could be ditched on Omega. "I still don't like this, too fucking convenient." I heard the tattooed woman say. I need to get to know Shepard's crew better. "For now, there's a job to do. I'm counting on everyone to do their part." Shepard says to the team. I saw a wave of heads nod in agreement along with my own input. The commander then brought a fist to her hands and said. "Lets get to it."

The next couple of minutes was me, Kaidan and Liara suiting up in the armoury. Mordin came in to check with the 'experimental' gear I was about to put on.

"Before mission, I need feed back on fitting." Mordin quickly said to me. I look about myself in the armour from toe to chest. It was a quite snug fit and felt really light compared to the factory produced models. "It almost feels like I'm wearing nothing." I comment. Mordin opens his omni-tool and appears to be taking notes down. "Interesting, anything else." Mordin adds. I check in my omni-tool works. It flashed up like a charm. "Omni-tool functional." I said. I moved my arms round in a circular motion and turn body a bit to see if this thing was flexible. "No movement restriction." I add. Mordin close his omni-tool and smiled. "Good, enough for now, report back when mission complete."

I made a few last checks with the armour before sliding the helmet on. I checked the helmets functions. The heads up display was showing clearly. Now to see to firearms. I noticed Liara and Kaidan just pick their own weapons from the selection available, I guess I could do the same. I moved round the armoury and saw what looked like a Mattock Heavy Rifle. Weren't these things like decades old? I picked one up and gave it a quick inspection. I noticed it takes thermal clips, modifications? Either way since I picked it up I guess I should keep it. I flipped it onto my back as the magnetic clamps take hold of the weapon as it folds up. I told myself not to be greedy here. So I moved over to the pistol section. I had a quick scan and decided to go for the M-4 Shuriken. I holstered the pistol. I stocked myself up on some thermal clips before I left to meet the team I'll be working with.

"Are you ready?" Kaidan asks. I nodded. I saw Liara and gave a weak smile. "What's Omega like?" I asked out of curiosity. To which my reply came from the quarian. "Organised gangs, violence and some racists." My smile faded away from the response. "Sounds welcoming." I state with a hint of sarcasm.

"Preparing to dock, ground teams assemble by the air lock." A female synthetic voice called out. Suddenly something popped to my mind. "Who's that." to which the three of them replied. "EDI."

I'd have to ask about that later, we waited outside the air lock with Shepard's team also there. The commander approached Kaidan and had a quiet talk. Kaidan nodded after she had finished. "Docked." Came EDI's voice.

Shepard's team left the Normandy first, shortly followed by us. We made our way into Omega, Shepard and her team went inside some club of some sorts called Afterlife. We hanged outside of Afterlife by some railings overlooking the interiors of Omega. Kaidan didn't share the view, nor did the quarian. Liara was next to me, maybe this was a good time to get to know her better. "Sorry about our incident back on the Citadel." I said to no one. She replied saying. "Your apology was not needed, not that I appreciate it." I leaned forward on the railings and turn my heard to her. "So how much do you know about me." There was a pause between us.

"A lot." She responded blankly. What did she mean by that? When she turned her towards me, I knew something in her eyes said, 'I know everything'.

To be honest, I'm not looking forward to this.