OK, got a really good reaction to this fic so here is the update :D
Quick pic I drew of Shepard if you're interested - http colon slash slash thevoicesmustburn dot deviantart dot com slash # slash d4yfbff
Enjoy the fic! And let me know what you think ;P
"This isn't possible..." Shepard whispered and reached forward to press his hand on the glass. It was warm to the touch and made the tips of his fingers tingle. As he drew away a small spark seemed to jump from his hand to the tank. A surge of electrical energy swept through the murky fluid, crackling around the body suspended in it.
A loud thud sounded from somewhere below them. Slowly the fluid in the tank began draining away. Kaidan gasped and stepped back, but Shepard didn't even flinch. His attention was focused on the activity inside the tank.
"It seems as if the release protocols have been activated." EDI stated from where she still stood, tapping away at the console.
"But we didn't do anything." Kaidan whispered.
"I am trying to pinpoint the origin of the release command. Shepard, what course of action do you wish us to take once the tank is drained?"
The Commander didn't respond. EDI repeated her question but still she was met with silence. Kaidan stepped forward and lightly touched Shepard's shoulder.
"Commander, what do we do?"
John stared up at his own face for a moment longer before finally opening his mouth to speak.
"We bring 'him' with us. EDI, Liara and doctor Chakwas must analyse everything we've found here. We need all the info we can get on Cerberus and if there are more of 'these' we need to know where and, if possible, why they were created."
"Right, Commander."
"EDI, any suggestions on how to transport, um, well 'me' back to the Normandy?"
The AI turned away from the console, apparently finished with her work and made her way to the two men.
"Shepard, I have uncovered a video file that may reveal what happened here." She said as she activated her omni-tool and held it up for both men to see.
The scene showed a group of people, probably scientists judging by the lab coats and data pads, discussing various readings and info gathered from their tests on the Shepard clone. One of them pointed out that Subject Alpha was showing off the chart Element Zero levels and that it could be potentially dangerous if the power levels kept rising at the rate that they were. One of his colleagues scoffed at him, stating that there was nothing to worry about and that the high eezo levels would equalize soon after Alpha reached maturity.
The scene then jumped to a more recent entry. The scientist who had scoffed his colleague was shown entering the lab where they now stood. He walked over to the console where EDI had been working and started tapping away furiously. Every now and then he would glance around to check if anyone was there. A disembodied voice suddenly announced that eezo levels were multiplying at an enormous rate. The scientist smiled, seemingly elated at what he had done. His joy was short-lived however as red lights started flashing on the console and a loud hissing noise escaped from the other side of the room, possibly from the tank. The scientist looked back at the console, swore and then tapped away again. The hissing grew louder, making the scientist look frantically back and forth between the console and the tank. The disembodied voice rang out again, this time in warning.
The scientist was sweating now, cursing as he worked frantically. A crackling sound filled the air and sparks shot from the console, making the scientist fall back in shock. He sat there staring at the console for a few seconds before slowly turning his gaze in the direction of the tank as a blue glow radiated from within. The scientist closed his eyes and whispered something inaudible. Suddenly a bright blue light flashed through the room, temporarily cutting of the video file. As the image returned a few moments later, it was finally revealed what had happened to the scientists on the station.
"It appears as if an enormous wave of biotic energy swept through the station and vaporized the staff." EDI said as they watched the scientist's body crumbled to dust, dissipating into the air.
"That's incredible..." Kaidan whispered and glanced back at the clone.
Most of the liquid had already drained away; leaving the body slumped against the glass. A hiss sounded just as the glass started to slide away. Reacting without thinking, Kaidan jumped forward and caught the unconscious figure before it fell forward and hit the ground.
"You're surprisingly light, Commander." Kaidan remarked as he hoisted the clone into his arms, cradling him like a child.
"Nice catch, Major." Shepard said with a small smile, but his expression grew cold as his eyes fell on the clone. "But remember one thing... THAT is not me."
"Of course, Commander."
Shepard nodded sharply and turned to EDI.
"Did you get all the data? Can we leave?"
The AI nodded.
"I have downloaded all salvageable data and forwarded it to the Normandy."
Shepard glanced over his shoulder at Kaidan before moving towards the main door.
"Let's go then."
"Right behind you, Shepard."
News spread through the Normandy like wildfire. Soon everyone was talking about the extra passenger they had picked up and most wanted to catch a glimpse of him. Because of this Shepard had restricted access to the med-bay to give the doc some space to run her tests and diagnostics. Liara stepped in every now and then to assist, while EDI analysed the data she had recovered.
Shepard also asked if there were volunteers to watch over the clone, in case there was trouble. He was far too busy to worry about it in any case. Traynor had received Intel on another matter that required his immediate attention. Kaidan stepped up rather eagerly to fill the position. Shepard found this odd, but said nothing.
He called Joker up and told him to plot a course. He then let James and Garrus know that they would be joining him on this mission and that they should suit up. After checking his armour and weapons he decided to catch a few minutes of sleep and headed up to his quarters, hoping he wouldn't be plagued by nightmares of the galaxy burning up around him.
Kaidan sat in an empty chair, going through some data he picked up at the Spectre terminal last time they were at the Citadel. Chakwas had left a while ago, saying she needed a break, leaving Kaidan alone with the clone.
Kaidan would find himself glancing at the sleeping figure every now and then, his eyes taking in every feature. He noticed that the clone wasn't as muscled as the Commander, but that was understandable, seeing as you're not too active when floating around in a tank.
His eyes travelled up to the face and he smiled slightly as he took in the peaceful expression of the man who looked like the man he yearned for. The clone didn't have the buzz cut the Commander sported; instead his hair grew out thick and dark. It wasn't long, but there was definitely more of it. Kaidan found it strange to see the Commander's face with longer hair. The slight difference in appearance did nothing to lessen his longing. If anything it only made it worse.
However, the longer he stared the more his longing turned to suspicion. This man wasn't Shepard. It was a copy, created by Cerberus. Its purpose was most likely something sinister as nothing truly good ever came from that organisation, no matter what they said.
Kaidan found that he was glaring at the clone now, the crease in his forehead starting to ache. He sighed loudly and got up. Slowly he paced the length of the med-bay, his hands locked behind his neck.
He was concentrating so hard that he almost walked into the door a couple of times. As he passed the sleeping clone for the hundredth time, he heard a small moan.
He froze and glanced down at the figure. He was moving, twitching slightly, his eyes darting left and right behind his lids. Kaidan reached for the pistol at his side and flared up a biotic barrier, just in case.
The clone twisted and turned; a pained expression on his face. Concern flashed through Kaidan. Even though it wasn't technically the Commander, this man still looked like him. Kaidan was conflicted. What would he do if the clone attacked?
He didn't have a long time to think it over though because the next thing he knew, the clone drew in a deep, gasping breath and sat up straight. His eyes flew open.
Kaidan stood there, too stunned to act, staring into the deepest purple eyes he had ever seen.
Okee, so it's not the longest chapter I've ever written, but that's all I had time for... (duty calls)
Decided to change the appearance of the clone ever so slightly, cause the people on the Normandy are gonna get confused I think...
The vaporizing scientists thing was partly inspired by the way Meredith from DA2 kinda becomes a lyrium statue and then crumbles...
Anyway, hope it was enough to keep you busy for now and check in soon for another update.
P.S: I'm addicted to reviews, so feed me plz!
Thanx for reading xXx