A/N: I'm back once again. I like the reviews guys, and I've been doing what I can to ensure that you guys are entertained and given a good story to read.
I've also started playing Crysis 2 and all three Mass Effects to make sure that everything is as accurate as possible. I'm also willing to take advice from anyone willing to give it. Soif you got any good ideas pass them by me via PM or Review.
I own nothing
Alexander 'Maverick' Drake
New York City - New York
August 23, 2023 - 09:00 hours
Alex walked through the underground maintenance area, observing the signs of activity and taking samples from several points of interest. His only objective was to locate a sample of alien tissue from the crash site above.
He knew that the Ceph were going to be trouble. But the problem with the alien scourge was that they were as formidable as they were numerous. Alex was used to fighting Humans, hence why he was able to take down all of the CELL assholes that were guarding the area with such ease.
And thankfully the nano suit had given him that extra amount of power to do it.
Stepping out of the large hole in the ground and scanning the heavily damaged area outside. Alex kept his assault rifle up as he made sure that there weren't any hostiles.
The soldier turned around in time for a Ceph trooper leap down from a chunk of debris from above and knocking him to the ground.
The alien's ten glowing red eyes flickered briefly before it raised it's left arm and stabbing it into Alex's chest. The soldier coughed as the blade went through the suit and into his flesh. His HUD flickered with static as the Ceph's arm gave off sparks.
"Warning. Suit Breached. Contaminants Detected. Security Measures Implemented." said Prophet as the bladed arm was repelled allowing the suit to repair itself. Alex brought his foot up and kicked the Ceph hard into the wall giving him time to get to his feet and pick up his dropped rifle.
Sweeping left and right, the Ceph trooper was nowhere to be found. "Dammit, where did he go?" Alex growled quickly switching to his nano vision.
The thermal-like vision picked up several fires burning nearby, one heat signature moved quickly through the rubble before sprinting toward him.
Alex ducked under the Ceph trooper's swipe, swinging the butt of his rifle up and smashing it against the alien's head snapping it back and knocking it's helmet off revealing the living gelatinous mass underneath.
With the alien staggering from the hit, Alex unloaded half of the rifle's clip into it and dropping it to the ground. Waiting a few moments, the soldier approached the downed Ceph and kicked it to make sure it stayed down.
"Alright, let's get to work." he muttered while shouldering his rifle and set about removing a tissue sample for Gould to examine.
Cutting out a piece of gel-like flesh and putting it into a test tube, Alex grunted, falling to his knees as his whole body started to ache. His HUD flickered as data scrolled across it, "Prophet...what's happening." Alex gritted out through the pain.
A DNA strand appeared on the HUD as several points on it started to change. "Ceph nanites detected in bloodstream. Nano suit is reconfiguring your body to adapt to the infection." said the AI.
After a few moments the pain slowly faded away and the HUD went back to normal. "System Rebooting" Alex stood back up feeling different than he did before. He felt stronger, more alert. Whatever the nanites were doing to his body was starting to cause drastic changes with the help of the nano suit.
"What the hell's happening to me?" he wondered shaking his head before heading to the Ceph crash site to finish the task Gould had given him.
X
Alexander 'Maverick' Drake
Cargo Ship Lunar Eclipse - Citadel Space
August 24, 2180 - 1043 hours
Alex slowly awoke from where he had fallen asleep behind a stack of crates in the hold of the cargo ship. Aria had been right, the Human crew allowed him passage and were paid off to keep their mouths shut about their 'passanger'.
Then again, everyone on the ship went out of their way to avoid the large Human in the powerful suit of armor. Which was fine by him.
Bringing up his newly acquired omni-tool, Alex began clicking through several programs. "Prophet, what's our status?" he asked while going over a detailed map of the Citadel he managed to pull from the extranet.
"Current position is within Citadel Space. ETA to Citadel Station is Two Hours." said Prophet.
Throughout most of the trip Alex had gathered as much information about the Citadel from the extranet as he could. Marking key locations that could be important. On top of the list was looking for a place he could live and shops that could help him with weapons and upgrades.
He had managed to find a one bedroom apartment in the lower wards, affordable, the location was very secluded, and the landlord didn't as for anything more than just the rent. A perfect spot for someone in his position.
Prophet had been able to locate a weapons shop that dabbled in custom made weapons and armor. And from what could be found, the place was more or less a apart of the blackmarket. A no questions asked kind of place.
After going over several streams of data, Alex brought up a dossier that he and Prophet had been working on the last few days.
The file showed his picture with forged information that wouldn't stand out too much. The dossier read that he was born on June 28, 2158 on a small colony world on the edge of Terminus Space. Parent's were killed when mercs attacked their home. Joined his colony's militia to defend against another attack. After several years, he is now moving to the Citadel to look for employment.
The file also showed a forged medical history depicting his blood type and other genetic traits so that any hospitals wouldn't get suspicious.
It wasn't much, but it had just enough information to ensure that Citadel Security wouldn't come asking questions about him being there. Now the only thing he had to do was get it into the system.
'Attention crew, we are approaching the Citadel. One hour before docking.' said the captain over the intercom. Closing down the omni-tool, Alex gathered up his supplies and prepared to depart from the ship. He had to plan this just right to get past C-Sec without being detected.
X
The Lunar Eclipse had docked without difficulty. C-Sec had been waiting and conducted a thorough search of the ship and it's cargo. Much like they did with any and all cargo ships that entered the station.
Even though the stations police force couldn't find anything out of the ordinary onboard the shipping vessel. They failed to notice the slight shimmer in the air that slipped past them and into the station.
Alex slipped from shadow to shadow, remaining cloaked while keeping a close eye on his energy meter as he moved. His first task was getting into the C-Sec Academy.
After passing the docking bay checkpoint undetected, the super soldier slipped into the elevator. Pressing himself to the wall so that anyone who stepped inside wouldn't bump into him and discover him.
The lift descended at an agonizingly slow pace before opening up at the academy. A few uniformed officers were scattered throughout the room but the place was relatively quiet. Seeing the secretary desk empty, Alex crept over to it and tapped his fingers on the holographic display. "Prophet, locate a terminal that hooks up to the Citadel's main data hub." Alex whispered as he crouched down behind the desk.
The AI scanned the system for a minute, "Terminal Located." A small map of the academy appeared on his HUD and a waypoint was displayed in a small office down a long corridor. "The Executor's office...why am I not surprised." Alex muttered.
Checking if the coast was clear, Alex moved as quickly and quietly as possible from behind the desk over to a supply room just off of the main floor. Inside, he deactivated his cloak before bringing up his omni-tool and hacking the door lock. The holo-lock turned red with an exclamation point in the center signifying that it needed maintenance.
With the door taken care of, Alex climbed ontop of a small shelf and taking out his knife. Sticking the blade into the small space between the metal ceiling tiles, he pried one of them off making an opening big enough for him to fit through before resheathing the knife and climbing into the opening.
"Nano Vision Engaged." The crawl space above the C-Sec Academy lit up as Alex removed all his weapons except for a Hammer pistol. Setting them aside within the crawl space before he began to slowly crawl his way through, being extra careful not to bumb or slam anything too hard and alert those below.
His motion tracker picked up the occasional blip from a passing C-Sec officer but no problems so far.
The small crawl space opened up to a much larger area, his motion tracker picked up over two dozen blips clustered somewhat together in the large room below. "Must be the the offices." Alex whispered as he looked around a moment.
He knew he couldn't step on the ceiling tiles. Metal or not, the people below would hear his footsteps no matter how much noise they were making.
Above the large space was several low hanging pipes, a couple looked like they could support his weight.
Alex took a few slow steps out of the small crawl space before getting into position. Finding the right pipe, he leapt from his spot and grabbed it. Swinging his feet up and wrapping his legs around it before he started crawling across.
He reached about halfway when the pipe gave out a low creaking noise. Alex froze. Holding his breath and praying that the pipe didn't give. He then felt and heard water running through it and he let out the breath before he started moving again.
Reaching the end of the large opening, he slipped into the crawl space on the other side. The trip was a lot shorter than the last one and he found himself above the Executor's office in seconds.
Taking out his knife again, Alex pried off a ceiling tile and set it aside. Poking his head inside he saw that the room was empty and the door was locked. His omni-tool flared, hacking into surveillance equipment that may have been inside before dropping into the office.
"Prophet, monitor all foot traffic in the area and alert me if someone gets close." said Alex as he approached the terminal. "Affirmative." said the AI as the soldier got to work.
With Prophet's help, Alex managed to hack into the Executor's terminal and began searching for what he needed. It took two minutes, but the soldier managed to find the access into the Citadel's main information hub. Activating his omni-tool, he started to upload his dossier into the station's databanks. A loading bar appeared and started to fill up as the download started.
"Proximity Alert." Alex looked down at his motion tracker and saw someone walk by the office, nothing to worry about yet.
The loading bar reached 75% when Prophet spoke again. This time the blip was heading straight to the office with another close behind it. "Shit, come on...come on..." Alex muttered as the bar completely filled. "Prophet reset the terminal to the way it was before." he said deactivating his omni-tool and activating his cloak.
The lock on the office door turned green and two Turian's entered. "What the hell was that Vakarian! I gave you a direct order!" Executor Pallin shouted as he spun on the other Turian.
"Sir, the hostage was in danger. I couldn't just sit by and let that psycho blow their head off!" shouted the officer.
Alex pressed himself as hard as he could into the corner, his cloak making it so that the two couldn't see him as long as he remained motionless. And from his position, he knew that the officer being chewed out by the Executor was Garrus Vakarian.
As he watched the small argument unfold, he couldn't help but notice that the ceiling tile he had removed was still open. Sweat broke out across Alex's brow, if either of them noticed the opening he was fucked.
The Executor sighed, "Look, I understand your passion for getting the job done. But you know that there are procedures in place for a reason. I need a detective that follows orders and doesn't go off taking the law into their own hands."
Garrus' mandables clicked hard with irritation, talons clenched into fists. "Yes sir." he gritted out before storming out of the office.
Pallin shook his head before sitting at his desk and booting up his terminal. Alex took the time to slowly move back to the corner of the room below the opening in the ceiling. His energy meter stated that he had more than enough power in the suit to maintain his cloak.
Getting under the opening, Alex bent his knees and leapt up grabbing the edges of the hole and pulling himself through, trying his best to make as little noise as possible.
Pallin looked up from his terminal when he heard something shifting, turning in his chair he saw his office still the same with nothing out of the ordinary. With a shrug he went back to his terminal not seeing the ceiling tile slide back into place in the corner.
X
Getting out of C-Sec was much easier than he thought it would. Alex played it off as the security measures of the Citadel wasn't as amped up as it will be in a few years.
After gathering up his weapons and leaving the academy, the soldier decided to set up shop in the apartment he located. But before he did that he needed clothes. The only thing he had on under the nano suit was the skin tight underlayer and he couldn't just walk around with just that.
Doing a quick search, Alex found an antique clothes shop just off of the Presidium Commons. He had to stop several times to let his suit's energy replenish, but he made it to the small store with little to no difficulty.
Normally he wouldn't use his cloak so much. But the nano suit would draw far too much attention for his liking and decided to be as lowkey as possible until he reached his new home.
The shop was indeed small. There were several racks of clothes that each had a label from what era in time they were from and the prices asked for them. The place was run by a man that looked to be in his early fifties who seemed to enjoy his job very well.
Alex slipped inside, deactivating his cloak and removing his helmet to look as non-threatening as he could. "Welcome friend, can I interest you in anything today?" asked the man looking up from his counter.
"Just looking for right now, thanks." said Alex being respectful.
The man looked at his suit and weapons, "You a merc son? Never seen armor like that before." Alex was prepared for this, "Prototype. And no I'm not a merc, just testing out some old and new equipment for combat effectiveness." he said finding several t-shirts, jeans and a pair of black combat boots on the racks before him.
He also grabbed a large duffel bag to carry the stuff in when his eye caught a slightly worn black leather jacket hanging on the wall next to it. It reminded him a lot of the jacket his dad wore every once in a while. His dad used to say it was his lucky jacket since it was the one he wore when he met his mom.
Taking the jacket as well, he piled the stuff onto the counter so the man could ring him up. "Fan of the classics eh?" said the man chuckling. Alex smirked, "What can I say? I like the comfort that comes with the past." the two shared a laugh as the man added it all up.
"Alright, that comes to 120,000 credits. But since you seem like such a nice kid, I'll drop it to 90,000." said the man. Alex smiled as he brought out his omni-tool and transferred the funds. "Thanks a lot." he said storing all of the stuff along with his weapons into the duffel bag before leaving the store.
Seeing no one around, Alex walked to a rapid transit station and punched in the address for the apartment that he had found while on his way here.
While he waited, he picked up the sounds of a slight scuffle going on in an alley a little ways away. Curious, Alex slipped his helmet back on and activated his cloak as he headed to the alley's opening.
Inside, he saw a Batarian with a gun was aiming at an two Asari, one of them looking no older than eight as she clung to her mother's side. "I said give me your money! I won't ask again!" the Batarian barked now aiming at the child who tried to hide behind her mother.
Alex set the duffel bag by a dumpster before stalking forward. Putting himself between the mugger and the two Asari as he deactivated his cloak. "What the hell!" the Batarian shouted aiming up at Alex's head.
The soldier's hand lashed out and grabbed the pistol, the light material crunching easily in his grasp before his other hand grabbed the mugger by the throat and slammed him into the wall.
Alex twitched a finger as he spoke, "How do you like being at the mercy of someone else." he said, his voice altered and sounding more like Prophet's.
"L-Look, can't we talk about this?" quivered the Batarian in fear as his four eyes stared into the blood red visor. Alex brought his face closer, "If I catch you doing this to someone else, they'll never find your body." he squeezed the alien's throat a bit to send the message home before he tossed him side.
Turning to the two Asari while the Batarian scampered away, "Are you two okay?" he asked deactivating the voice filter. The older Asari was knelt down and hugging her daughter while looking up at him wide eyed, "We-We're okay...thank you." Alex nodded before making his way toward the alley entrance.
"W-wait!" Alex paused before turning back and seeing the young Asari looking up at him. "Who are you?"
The soldier couldn't help but smirk under his helmet. "Maverick." he said before activating his cloak and disappearing from sight. Leaving two shocked Asari behind him.
X
The lower wards weren't as bad as Alex had been expecting. Then again, the games didn't really capture what the rest of the Citadel looked like save for a few specific parts.
This section of the Citadel was more or less reserved for those would couldn't afford to live on the higher wards with the rich and powerful. This would explain why the place seemed so crowded.
Shops lined the streets with people moving about on their daily lives. Alex walked among them, he had changed out of the nano suit in the privacy of the automated skycar the rapid transit provided. He now wore a black t-shirt under the leather jacket with jeans and his combat boots. The second omni-tool he acquired attached to his left arm as he hefted the duffel bag that held the rest of this clothes, weapons and the nano suit.
Finding the apartment building wasn't hard with the map he and Prophet managed to find. Walking inside, he approached the Volus that was running the desk. "Greetings Earth-clan. click. What can I do for you today?" he asked.
"I'm here about apartment 5-E. I sent the message several days ago." said Alex.
The Volus went through his terminal for a moment, "Ah yes. click. Mr. Drake, it's a pleasure to meet you in person. click. Did you have any questions about the apartment?"
"What's the rent?" asked Alex. "click. I ask for only 700 per month. However, I will also require the first and last month in advance with the deposit. click." Alex brought up his omni-tool and sent the funds to the landlord.
"Thank you Mr. Drake. click. I hope you enjoy your new home. click. Be sure to come to me with any problems. The name is Bora Von." said the Volus.
Alex shook the small alien's hand before getting into the elevator and riding it up to his floor. Walking down the corridor and finding 5-E he waved his omni-tool over the lock causing it to switch from red to green before it opened.
The apartment was small, but perfect for one person. The kitchen and living room were connected into one large space. The kitchen had all the necessities. The living room had a couch, coffee table, arm chair and a t.v. on the wall with a bay window that overlooked the streets below.
A small hallway branched off leading to a bedroom with a queen sized bed, a desk with a private terminal, a bathroom and a large closet. It was just what the soldier needed. Spartan, but basic.
After locking the door and walking into the bedroom, Alex tossed the duffel bag onto the bed before heading into the bathroom. Before he did anything else, he needed a shower. It had been way too damn long since he's had one after all that has happened.
Stripping down and getting under the hot stream of water, Alex sighed as he felt his muscles starting to loosen up a little. He had lost track of how long he had been fighting. Days? Weeks? It all seemed to blend together in one large firefight that never seemed to end.
His body was riddled with scars. Small and large, bullet and blade, old and new. Each one spoke of what he had to endure thus far in his journey. And he knew that he still had a long way to go with what he knew what was coming in this universe.
Finishing with his shower, Alex threw on a fresh pair of clothes. Storing the nano suit and his weapons in the back of the closet before heading out of his apartment.
X
The next few hours were spent gathering up food, some extra clothes from this era and other things for comfortable living. When the apartment was filled with what was needed Alex left his apartment and decided to get a good look at his new environment.
With a Hammer pistol tucked into the inner pocket of his leather jacket, he looked at the various shops that were set up along the ward. Scoping out any place that could prove useful. But above all else he had another reason for looking around.
He needed a job.
After getting his new clothes, his apartment, food and other supplies he had just a little under 100,000 credits left. And that amount wouldn't last long unless he had a steady income. That and it would also help him blend in a little better.
Searching the various shops, Alex stopped at one in particular. The name on the place reading 'Zen's Armaments'. Bringing up his omni-tool, the soldier saw that the place he and Prophet had found and the shop before him were one and the same. "Now we're getting somewhere." he said walking into the shop.
Inside, a large Krogan was running the counter. Lining the walls were racks of armor and weapons sealed inside of bullet proof cases to avoid theft. Alex couldn't understand why anyone would need to worry about security, especially with a big ass Krogan running the place.
"Welcome Human. See something you like?" asked the Krogan in a deep booming voice his species was known for.
Alex immediately pegged the shopkeeper as a former warlord. He had deep scars running across his face and was missing his left eye. But it was the way he held himself. Guarded, prepared for someone to make a move so that he could end them without batting an eye.
"Something specific." said Alex approaching the counter. The Krogan narrowed his good eye, "Do tell." The soldier saw his right hand reach under the counter, most likely to grab the concealed weapon Alex knew had to be there.
"I read that your shop can do special jobs. I was wondering if you could do the task." said Alex slowly reaching into his jacket and removing the pistol.
He saw the Krogan tense slightly, Alex raised his other hand non-threatening as he ejected the magazine from the weapon and popping out the round in the chamber before laying them all onto the counter.
The shopkeeper relaxed slightly as he observed the weapon and ammo before him. "Ammo fed. No mass acceleration generator. Uses gunpower...how the hell did you get something like this?" he asked looking the weapon over with a close eye.
"I have my sources. I also have a shotgun, assault rifle and another pistol all built the same. I wanna know if you can make them to work like regular weapons." said Alex.
The Krogan picked up the lone bullet and looked it over. "It can't be done. To put mass accelerators in such weapons could prove to be catastrophic to anyone that pulls the trigger." he sat the bullet down, his green slitted eye looked at the soldier, "I can, however, make more of the ammunition for them if you can bring me a round for each weapon. The metals involved are still used nowadays. It will be time consuming and costly though."
Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a shell and assault rifle round along with an empty clip for all four weapons, setting them onto the counter as the Krogan looked over them. "How much?" he asked. The shop keeper set the rounds and clips down, "28,000 creds a crate, clips and ammo."
"How bout 14,000. I'm also looking for a job." said Alex. The Krogan leered at him skeptically, "You know weapons?" he asked. "I'm a fast learner." said Alex holding strong and not budging on the subject.
The two glared at one another for a solid minute. "20,000 and you start Monday." said the Krogan. Alex mulled it over before nodding, "Alright, deal." The Krogan smirked, "Bout damn time I got some extra help, people usually avoid this place like a plague."
"Can't understand why with the prices your offering." said Alex noticing the prices for equipment was a lot cheaper than the other shops he had been to.
The Krogan nodded, "Names Urdnot Zen." Alex shook his hand, "Alex Drake. You look like you kicked some serious ass back in the day."
Zen scoffed, "Back in the day. I still got another century or two before I'm ready to hang it up." he looked at Alex's facial scars, "You look like you've caused some damage. You Alliance?"
Alex shook his head, "Didn't like their rules. Lived on a colony world on the edge of the Terminus. Joined the local militia to make sure mercs would think twice about attacking my home. These are just proof of my past fights." he lied smoothly while motioning to his scars.
The Krogan chuckled, "I had a good feeling about you when you walking into my shop. You look and hold yourself like a warrior. Ready for combat in a moment's notice. I have a feeling you and I are going to get along just fine." he said clapping Alex on the back forcing him to plant his footing or risk being knocked forward.
Zen lead him into the back where multiple crates of weapons, armor and parts were scattered everywhere in a very large room. Several work tables were set up to make and upgrade the weapons.
At one table, someone was hunched over with a small blow torch working on a shotgun that was in pieces. "Reena! Come meet our new employee!" Zen shouted.
The person set down the torch and stood up. Alex recognized the individual as a female Quarian wearing a black and red enviro-suit with a black visor. Her luminescent eyes showed clearly through her helmet as she approached them.
"Hi. Reena'nolen nar Tonbay. It's nice to meet you." she said kindly holding her three fingered hand out. Alex smiled, "Alex Drake. Judging by your name, can I assume your on your pilgrimage?"
Reena looked surprised, "You know about our right of passage?"
"I've learned quite of few things about alien culture. It's a big galaxy out there, why stick with just my own kind?" said Alex.
The Quarian nodded, "That's understandable. I haven't met many Humans that are so open minded."
Alex shrugged, "People fear that which they don't understand. And they normally respond with violence and hate when their afraid or confused. I was raised better than that. And from what I've learned, I've grown sympathetic for those out in the verse that have had it rough." he looked at Zen as he said this.
Zen narrowed his eye, "You know of the Genophage?" Alex nodded, "I think it was an act boardering on a warcrime. The Salarians and the Turians should have been respecting your race for dealing with the Rachni, not chemically neutering your people and forcing you to suffer. The Krogan were proud warriors. I think they have a right to be that way once again one day."
Everything was silent. Reena looked between them wondering if she should get out of the way or not. Zen smirked, "Heh, to meet someone who actually gives a shit. Never thought I'd see the day."
"The universe surprises you everyday. And I'm not what you could consider a 'normal' Human." said Alex getting a chuckle out of Zen and a small giggle out of Reena. "So," Alex said clapping his hands and rubbing them together, "Mind showing me what I'll be doing when I start?"
For the next three hours Zen and Reena showed him what they did and how to go about building and upgrading the weapons they got on a weekly basis. And since he would be working out of the shop, Zen decided to deduct the payment for his weapons' ammo and clips from his pay when he needed it.
The old Krogan told him that it would take about a week overall to get the supplies they needed to make the ammunition and magazines. And about another three days to make it all. But it would have been worth the wait for Alex to get what he needed.
After learning about what he'd be doing, Alex sent Zen 60,000 credits for the first order of ammunition for his weapons before heading back to his apartment.
X
That night, Alex stood on top of the apartment building, gazing up at the view of the rest of the Citadel and the stars beyond. It was a beautiful sight, something the soldier could get used to. Even though he was all set up for the time being he couldn't help but think of what was to come.
It would be a little under three years before the Reaper threat would begin. And deep in his heart Alex knew that this was probably why the Librarian sent him here. To help Shepard stop the Reapers and the cycle of death and destruction they reeked on the galaxy.
He didn't know why. But there had to be a reason why. Why would Shepard need more help to stop the Reapers if she had the capability on her own? What was he missing? What was different?
Sighing, Alex ran a hand over his scalp as he turned to head inside. Regardless of why he was here, he was here. And he would do whatever it took to ensure that the Reaper's plans failed. Consequences be damned.
A/N: This chapter was more or less to help set everything up for the future. I've read too many insert fics where the main character is just suddenly in all of the systems and excepted by everyone. Sorry to say that it isn't that simple. Hense why Alex had to do research on the Citadel and sneak into C-Sec just to ensure that he wouldn't get caught for not having an identity.
And considering that Prophet is an advance AI, it has the ability to make almost anything regarding technology a possibility.
Update coming soon, and I can honestly say that the Citadel will be rocked in the next few chapters.