A/N: Hay guys, I'm back and ready to submit the next round! I've been powering my way through Crysis 3 lately and discovered that there's a lot more to Prophet, the Ceph and the nano suits than I originally thought. And knowing this I'm going to try and integrate that into the story later on as it progresses for added thrills and detail.
Also, I've read the few reviews where people are worried about Alex becoming a Gary Sue. This goes out to those readers. People who wear the nano suit are NOT invincible. Prophet and his team of nano soldiers could be killed like everyone else if their enemies knew how to take them down.
They are just very well trained in combat and the use of their hardware to get their missions done without injuries or casualties. And with Alex being a gamer as well as a soldier he knows what he's getting into and how to find a way around it.
As for the bit when he spoke to the Illusive Man, I admit it could have gone a little differently. I mostly put in my own hatred for the terrorist group in that chapter. Childish display or not, you all gotta admit you'd probably say the same thing if in the same position. And Cerberus will come after him regardless of his threats...then again so did CELL and look how well that turned out.
Regardless, I wanted to get that all out of the way before we started. And here it its folks! (I own nothing)
Sky Lounge Cafe - Upper Wards
July 19, 2183 - 12:09 hours
Emily Wong walked through the many chairs and tables in the empty cafe. The place was usually very busy at this time of day.
The place was on the side of a large building that had a perfect view of the Presidium and the wards around it. The artificial sky shone brightly as the station was at the peak of it's 'day cycle'.
The investigative journalist looked around seeing the two dozen tables empty, even the wait staff was missing. Only one person could be seen and that was the person running the front counter who smiled at her and told her she was expected before motioning to the table that was closest to the railing that had the best view.
Ordering her usual coffee, she sat at the table and took a sip as she looked at the scenery. "Beautiful view isn't it." Emily choked on her coffee as the chair across from her shimmered before the black and silver armored form of Maverick appeared.
"You really need to stop doing that..." she muttered with tears in her eyes after coughing up the last bits of her drink.
"Sorry, hard habit to break." said the vigilante as he looked out at the Presidium.
Getting everything under control, the journalist rummaged through her bag. "You know I was surprised you even agreed to this. The last time I asked you for an interview you shot me down, what changed?" she asked taking out a recording device and setting it on the table between them.
Maverick was silent a moment, "A lot of things have happened in the last two years, and things will become very tense very soon." he said cryptically.
Emily leaned forward on the table, "What's going on? Is it another attack like with the Blue Suns almost three years ago?"
The vigilante nodded, "Sort of, but I don't have the evidence to back it up like last time. Not yet anyway. That's something you'll have to keep between us Ms. Wong." he looked in her direction. "But right now I wanted to clear the air with everything that has happened up to this point. and for that to happen I needed to speak to you alone."
She looked around for a moment, "Guess that explains why the place is so empty."
Maverick nodded. "I paid the cafe's owner off to have the place to ourselves for the time being. You can ask anything you want, I'll answer what I can without incriminating myself or others."
"I do have a lot of questions for you. And with what's happened since the Blue Suns attack a lot of people want to hear from you and what you've been up to since then." said the journalist.
Getting comfortable, the vigilante gave another nod as Emily pressed the record button on the device. "Emily Wong. Date: July 19, 2183. Interview Subject: Maverick." She spoke clearly before looking at him and smiling, "Thank you for the interview Maverick, many people would kill to be in my position right now."
"I bet. Though I chose you for the interview specifically." said the vigilante honestly. "You'll print the truth. You won't make alterations to my words to gain publicity. To be honest Ms. Wong, your one of only a handful of honest reporters on the Citadel I can trust."
Emily blushed before shaking her head, "Th-Thank you." she cleared her throat. "Now, the main question everyone has on their minds is what you've been up to since the Blue Suns' incident."
Maverick chuckled, "Considering I've been on the nightly news several times in the past that's not hard to tell. Let's just say that I've been busy."
Nodding the journalist "Understandable, the first time anyone on the Citadel saw you since the mercenary attack was that Red Sand raid a few months later."
Flashback
Industrial District - Lower Wards
January 11, 2181 - 18:57 hours
C-Sec had the warehouse surrounded on all sides. They'd been keeping tabs on several small bands of Eclipse mercs that have been smuggling Red Sand through customs.
Despite the heightened security since the Blue Suns' attack, and C-Sec's large growth in recruitment, a few small groups managed to get contraband into the station. However, it didn't take long for Citadel Security to catch on and track them down.
Garrus was leading the strike team as they prepared to breach the building and take down the smugglers inside. "Are all entry teams in place?" he asked into his comm.
'Ready Sir, just waiting on your signal.' came the reply as Garrus pulled out his sniper rifle and looked down the sights. Everything down below was quiet, it had taken them all of 15 minutes to get the place surrounded without the Eclipse knowing about it.
Just as he was about to give the signal the sounds of gunfire resounded from within the building. "What the hell's going on in there? Anyone have a visual?" Garrus shouted into his comm.
'Negative sir, whatever's happening sounds brutal though.' said one of the squad leaders just as the front door of the warehouse exploded outward sending five men wearing yellow armor barring the Eclipse insignia crashing onto the ground several feet away.
All of the C-Sec personnel looked at the gaping hole in the building where a familiar form appeared. Maverick stomped out into the light holding his Jackel in his hands as he approached the mercs that were attempting to stand.
A heavy boot slammed into the stomach of one spinning him around and sending him crashing back to the ground. A second had gotten to his feet but a close range shotgun blast blew his chest opened.
The vigilante spun around and slammed the butt of his weapon into the face of the Salarian behind him before shooting the last merc that had tried to run for cover.
"Just what the hell is going on?" Garrus shouted walking out into the open with the rest of the C-Sec officers.
Maverick looked to the Turian, "Intercepted a transmission sent by the smugglers. I tracked them here and shut down their operation." he brought out his omni-tool and send something. Garrus' omni-tool chimed making him look down at it. "Shipping manifests, ship names, and cargo updates. I pulled that from the terminals inside before going after them full force."
Garrus growled, "This was a C-Sec operation, you had no right to interfere."
"They were already starting to close up shop and move on. They were preparing for an attack from C-Sec and had defences in place ready for you." he looked down at the two groaning mercs as two officers cuffed them. The Salarian's face dripping blood from the strike of his weapon. "And I left two for you to interrogate for more information."
Looking back up at the detective, the vigilante shouldered his weapon. "Whether you believe it or not Vakarian, I'm not trying to be your enemy. It's not just the citizens of the Citadel I look out for." his visor scanned over all of the C-Sec personnel around him. "I'll also be there to make sure that everyone in C-Sec is able to go home alive and well. If I'm stepping on your toes I'm sorry, but I won't let people die if I can help it."
He gave a small salute before vanishing into thin air, leaving C-Sec to do their job and several of them thanking the man for ensuring their safety.
Flashback End
"Sounds like there are a few detectives in C-Sec that don't think your doing any good out there despite what you've done for everyone." said Emily bitterly.
Maverick shook his head, "Not true Ms. Wong. Detective Vakarian is a very honest and noble officer of the law. He's a strictly by the books kind of cop and that's a very important trait to have. I don't blame him for the way he was toward me."
"So your not angry at him for getting on your case?" asked the journalist.
"Not at all. To be honest Garrus is one of a good number of people that I wouldn't mind having my back in a firefight. As a matter of fact me and him got on good graces after a case of his took a turn for the worst and he was alone against a suspect."
Emily nodded, "Yes, I think I recall that. The Elcor Ambassador that had killed several people and terrorized the wards for weeks."
Maverick nodded, "Normally I didn't step into C-Sec affairs unless I was needed. But when I discovered Detective Vakarian alone and squaring off against a biotic Elcor with a streak of murders under it's belt I felt the need to offer my assistance."
Flashback
Docking Bay 32 - Upper Wards
April 20, 2181 - 13:21 hours.
Garrus leapt behind cover as a warp attack destroyed the crate that had been behind him. "Triamphantly: Your struggles are in vain detective. Your death will be slow and painful." said the Elcor in the usual emotionless-monotone way of their species.
The Turian leapt out of cover and fired several rounds with his pistol. Each shot bouncing harmlessly off of the biotic Elcor's barrier. The larger alien charged the dark energy around it's form before launching a shockwave that Garrus was barely able to dodge away from.
"Just give it up! Backups on it's way and you won't be able to get out of the system before your boxed in!" Garrus shouted before firing a few more rounds at his opponent.
"Superiorly: Your pathetic attempts to apprehend me will only lead to your downfall. Menacingly: You have no hope left detective." said the ambassador charging up more dark energy.
Before the Elcor could launch another attack, something large and heavy slammed into it's barrier and knocking it back several feet. The air shimmered a moment before a familiar suit of black and silver armor stood tall.
"Shockingly: Maverick." said the Elcor as it tensed.
The vigilante drew his bow and unfolded it in his hands, drawing back an arrow and aiming for the large alien's head. "It's over Ambassador. C-Sec's on it's way and your ID's all over the comm channels." he said as Garrus got out of cover and drew closer to the two.
"Enraged: Your presence changes nothing vigilante. You will die like the others." said the Elcor as it prepared to fire a warp attack.
Maverick let the arrow bolt bypassing the alien's barrier, the tunsten arrow head piercing the hyde on it's right shoulder. A loud bellow resounded from the Elcor as it stumbled back a few steps.
Garrus looked at the bow in the vigilante's hands, "Primitive, yet effective. Thanks for the assist." he said keeping his weapon trained on the Ambassador as it began to right itself.
"You need him dead or alive?" the vigilante asked drawing another arrow and knocking it.
"Alive is more useful." said the Turian as the Elcor glowed with biotic energy.
Maverick fired the arrow, hitting the fuel tank next to the ambassador. "Condescendingly: You cannot even shoot your weapon properly. This conflict is over." The vigilante pressed the button on the bow's handle causing the barrels to explode.
The Elcor's barriers held up for only a few seconds before the blast charred it's flesh and sending it crashing hard to the ground unmoving.
Garrus moved ahead, nudging the downed Elcor with his foot and finding that he was still alive. "Not how I would have handled it, but he's no longer a threat at least." he said looking back at Maverick as he folded up his bow and put it on his back.
"You may not agree with my methods detective, but it's all I know." said the vigilante as the sounds of sirens approached. "I'll leave you to it."
Turning his back, he paused when the Turian called out to him, "Maverick. Listen, thanks for the help. The bastard would have escaped if you hadn't helped take him down."
Maverick smiled under his visor, "No problem detective. You ever need a hand, never hesitate to ask." with that he vanished into the air as Garrus' backup arrived to apprehend the criminal Elcor.
Flashback End
"You had to have gotten a lot of good graces from C-Sec for that one." said Emily as she drank her coffee.
The journalist set her cup down and gave the man her full attention once more, "Now, you've gotten the respect and trust of a lot of people out there on the station. C-Sec, the councilors, the public and even a few higher ups in the Alliance. What do you intend to do with all of this support?"
"Nothing." said Maverick honestly. "I'm never aiming for publicity or anything of that nature. But it's always good to have people on your side in a time of need." said the vigilante honestly while leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms.
"Very true." said Emily. "And if I remember correctly, some of those friends called upon you in need of some help on a few occasions."
Maverick nodded, "A few odd jobs here and there sent to me from Executor Pallin or the council. The Alliance brass sent me on a mission or two as well. Mostly jobs that C-Sec couldn't solve because of too much red tape. I can't reveal what exactly those missions were however, you understand."
Emily smiled, "The call sign of a true hero if you ever heard one." she said taking another sip of her coffee.
Maverick rested his arms on the table and bowed his head slightly. "You'd think that. But not everything was a good as people may think." he said solemnly.
The journalist immediately picked up the change in the man's mood, "Maverick?" she asked a little concerned. She watched the vigilante trace his fingers over a bracelet that she noticed wrapped around his right wrist.
It looked like something a child would have made. Several plastic and metal beads of various shapes, sizes and colors all held together with a flexible wire. Seven of the beads had letters spelling out 'Good Guy'.
"Despite all of the things I did for people on the Citadel, I'm always reminded of those I had failed. The ones I couldn't save because I wasn't fast enough, strong enough." he looked up at her, and Emily could almost feel the sorrow going through his visor. "For all my strength, my enhancements or my weaponry. I'm just one man. But..."
He clenched his fist, "That doesn't take away the feeling of failure knowing I couldn't save someone when I had the power to."
Silence filled the area, Emily reached over and clicked off the recorder. "Is this about the fire that happened in the Lower Wards six months ago?" Maverick stood up and faced the railing, his gaze overlooking the view of the station.
"I have accepted many things in my life, Ms. Wong. I've accepted who I am, as a person and a soldier. I've accepted the responsibility I take on when I commit to an assignment." he paused, "I also accept when I've let someone down, when I failed in my duty."
Turning back to look at the journalist who had her focus on him, he took a deep breath before looking back out over the Wards. "That incident reminded me that it doesn't matter what I am or what I do I can't save everyone."
Emily got up and stood at his side. "Why?" she asked quietly. "Why do you do this? Why put yourself through so much when you don't have to?"
Maverick looked back down at the bracelet. "There are things about me, that others are never meant to know or understand. More than once I believe that I'm not even Human anymore." His head turned and regarded her, "I do this, because it reminds me of who I am. That I'm still a Human being under all of this hardware with morals and a sense of honor."
They lapsed into silence once more. Emily had many questions left to ask the man next to her, but she knew that she was dealing with someone that, although was strong and swift physically, had a very fragile heart and mind under his armor.
She was startled out of her thoughts when the vigilante's omni-tool began chiming. Maverick looked over the device before deactivating it. "Our time is up I'm afraid. Sorry if you still have questions, but I'm needed elsewhere right now." he said turning to her.
"It's alright. I've gotten more than enough. Thank you." said Emily bowing to him slightly.
Maverick bowed back before vaulting over the railing. The journalist gasped as she leaned over the railing to see what had happened to him.
A moment later, Maverick rose up standing on top of a black skycar. His omni-tool flared and he typed a few things before Emily's chimed with an incoming message. The vigilante opened the door of the skycar and slipped inside before zooming off.
When the car was nothing more than a dot in the distance, she checked her omni-tool for the message she received.
"Thank you for listening" - M
Emily smiled, she had come to get an interview and instead helped one of the most well known vigilante's unload his emotional baggage. Closing the omni-tool, she picked up the recording device from the table, looking it over a moment and smiling before pressing the small button next to the record button on the top.
"File's Deleted" said the VI
X
Alexander 'Maverick' Drake
Alex's Apartment - Lower Wards
July 19, 2183 - 14:00 hours
Alex walked into his apartment, pulling off his helmet and setting it on the coffee table before flopping onto the couch. A lot truly did happen in the last two years.
Reena had moved out and moved in with Chellick over a year ago. She was worried he would be upset with her, but the Post-Human was just happy that his two friends were together and living good lives with one another.
He still worked at Zen's shop, making weapons while at the same time improving his own. He had managed to make a new type of arrow for his bow to assist in combat.
The Eezo Arrow was created the same way as the explosive arrows, the difference being he had infused a vial of compressed element zero into the shaft of the arrow and was designed to expel the dark enegy the moment of impact. The effect was similar to that of a singularity, with the expelled eezo acting as a miniature blackhole to damage enemies and leave them vulnerable for further assault.
It had taken him months to perfect it, and the materials to make it were a lot more costly than what helped back the bow and other arrows combined. So he was only able to make a total of 15 in all without completely breaking the bank.
Needless to say he'd only use them in an emergency.
Leaning back in his seat, Alex rested his head on the back of the couch and closed his eyes as he recounted everything else that had happened.
What he had told Emily Wong was the truth, the various missions he'd been asked to partake in each had a huge impact on not only the public at large, but the timeline of the universe as well.
A perfect example was what had happened when Dr. Saleon attempted to flee the Citadel with his hostages. Originally it was the only case Garrus couldn't let go because the black market organ dealer had gotten away.
Alex made sure that didn't happen.
He used his cloak to get behind the crazed Salarian and put a round in the back of his head before he even had a chance to get to the ship and escape with his hostages.
C-Sec had been utterly shell shocked by the sudden turn of events. After making sure that the hostages were safe and being tended to by the EMTs and officers on the scene he slipped away quietly while leaving a message for Garrus saying that he was sorry for stepping in.
A few days later he'd gotten a message from Executor Pallin. He was pissed that he went about the situation the way he did, but he stopped Saleon from escaping and ensured that all hostages were safe an unharmed.
He didn't know the changes he may have made to the timeline of the ME universe. But at this point the Post-Human was playing things close to the chest as he went along.
The situation with Cerberus was also a factor to this.
After he had essentially pissed off both the Illusive Man and Miranda Lawson he knew that he was being tailed every so often when he went out in the nano suit. He made sure that he took the long way home each time and finding places away from home to change out of the suit before actually heading back to the apartment.
He had also taken out several small groups of agents that were sent to keep an eye on him. Alex had to give Cerberus credit for trying so well, and he was very cautious knowing what their organization was capable of.
They had no idea who they were dealing with either. If CELL couldn't bring Alex down, than Cerberus had to come up with something a lot more elaborate to gain control of him.
But if there was one thing that the Illusive Man and Jacob Hargreave had in common was the persistance, the influence, and the cunning to get what they wanted. And that was enough to keep Alex on his toes every time he left the house.
His omni-tool chimed suddenly in the silent apartment followed by Prophet's voice. "Incoming Transmission from Garrus Vakarian."
Alex slipped his helmet back on before accepting the vid call. "Maverick here." he said as Garrus' face appeared on the holo-screen.
"Maverick, I find myself in a rough spot right now and I could use a hand." he said running a hand over his fringe.
"What's the situation detective?" asked the vigilante.
Garrus sighed, "No doubt you've heard the news about what happened to Eden Prime."
Alex nodded, the attack on Eden Prime first aired not two days ago. People were beginning to panic with the knowledge that the Geth attacked a Human colony in council space. The Post-Human knew damn well that Saren and Sovereign were beginning their plans to bring forth the Reaper Armada and that Shepard would be on her way to the Citadel to bring his crimes to light.
He shook his head, Nihlus had set out on his mission aboard the Normandy before he could warn him about Saren's betrayal. The Turian Spectre was a good friend, and Alex partially blamed himself for his death at the hands of the rogue Spectre.
"I'm aware of the situation. Does this have anything to do with the attack?" asked Alex.
"I have beliefs that the Saren Arterus may have been involved in the attack. I've been trying to find anything I can to gain leverage against him but I keep getting stone walled. He's a council Spectre, so everything he touches becomes classified."
Alex mulled things over for a moment. If things could be planned a certain way..."I might be able to help." he brought up a separate screen on his omni-tool. "During one of my scans through the networks. I discovered that a Quarian came to the station looking for safety in exchange for information. From what I've gathered, she said something about having data on Saren."
Garrus picked up a datapad off screen, "There was a report of gunfire in the Presidium Commons earlier today. Witnesses say that two men were taking shots at a Quarian who was wounded during the attack. Think the two might be linked?"
"Possible, if it's the same Quarian it's no surprise that Saren would send hired thugs to silence her. If this data helps put Saren down for what happened to Eden Prime we need to find her and fast. She's already got a pretty large target on her back as it is." said Alex.
"Alright," replied Garrus hitting a few buttons on his omni-tool. "There aren't a whole lot of medical facilities around the area where the shoot out took place. Even less that would have the right equipment to handle a wounded Quarian...wait I think I found one. There's a small medical clinic run by a Dr. Michel close to where the shooting took place."
Alex quickly had Prophet mark the location of the clinic with a nav point. "I'll meet you outside the clinic detective. If we're lucky we can catch her before something else can happen."
The call ended and Alex quickly armed up before heading to the roof of the apartment building where his black skycar was hidden under a cloaking device he'd managed to piece together.
Powering the vehicle up, the vigilante sped off to where the nav point was leading him.
He knew that getting to Tali so soon would change things drastically, for better or worse. But with what was coming their way, the amount of death and devastation that was on the horizon. Alex would take on any challenge to save as many lives as he could.
If it meant facing the devil himself, the Post-Human would do it. He didn't choose to die in his world, he didn't choose to be given the nano suit and the burdens that came with it. Gifts from the Librarian or not, he'd use what he was given to end the cycle in this universe.
Or he'd die trying.
A/N: This chapter was mainly set up to help bridge the gap leading into the ME1 storyline. I may seem a little off here and there, but I felt it was time to move into the real story and really get things kick started. The whole point of the interview scene and the moment alone in the apartment was to help reveal what Alex had been up to and the important points that had occurred in the last two years for him.
The incident behind the bracelet he now wears will be revealed in the near future as well, for those who are very curious.
I my not be updating as fast as I used to, but I haven't forgotten you guys and I'll crank them out as best as I can without damaging the story. Till next time, stay tuned guys!