My Own Alternate what if I not specifically me but someone who could be me came entered Mass effect in some way or form and knowing I shouldn't be here.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything bioware has done and make no profit in this

Staff Sgt Mark Hamilton U.S. Army, Bravo Company, Second platoon, First squad leader

October 6th 2014

Operation flaming boulder, after the Collapse of the Lab

"Under heavy fire, repeat heavy fire. The general retreat has been ordered" nothing but static came after that. Sgt Hamilton tossed the radio aside in frustration. Not only had the building he sent two of his men collapsed, but Lieutenant Overstreet, and Sergeant McNeil's teams were also missing. His squad, or what was left of it, was the only men of Bravo Company still accounted for.

"God damn it, I'm not leaving anyone behind again" he shouted to himself, as his squad was now cut off from the building Sheppard and Jackson were in.

"Sarge, the building collapsed on them. Was probably rigged to blow sarge" the specialist quickly ducked his head, as a mortar round went off really close. Recovering from the blast, he looked up back towards Mark "we need to pull out" The specialist suggested, probably just wanting to save his own Six.

"Listen to me specialist Killian" Hamilton shouted, while a blaze of gunfire was hailing over them "I want you to get the rest of the squad to the Evac." Hamilton forced the soldier up in his face so he could hear his orders loud and clear "Give me five minutes to get back, after that head out."

"But sarge" the specialist tried to reason with him, but Staff Sergeant Hamilton was having none of it. He lost his last unit in Iraq years ago, and he wasn't going to repeat history, not again

"Don't make me repeat that order soldier, now go" Hamilton pointed at the specialist; he was in frustration with everything that was going on.

"Yes...Staff sergeant" the soldier crawled back to the rest of the squad, giving the orders Hamilton had just given him.

"Well then, here goes nothing" Sgt Hamilton removed some of his gear. If he was going to pull this off he needed to run faster.

Giving himself a three count, he tossed a smoke grenade, Sprinting towards what was left of the building. Running through the smoke the enemy couldn't see him, yet that didn't stop them from firing. What seemed like a few seconds, felt like a life time.

"Guess it's a good thing these pricks can't shot straight" Hamilton joked to himself, digging his way in the building.

Entering the ruined building, Hamilton already began his search, when he suddenly heard the sounds of people running towards his direction. Quickly Hamilton jumped behind a crate.

"Sarge" a familiar voice called out. Hamilton sighed before stepping out of his cover. Words could not explain how pissed he was from his men being insubordinate.

Hamilton quickly rose from his cover, seeing that the specialist led his squad back to him, against his orders. "What part of 'head out' did you not understand" Mark had to stop himself from yelling.

"Staff Sergeant, Command says there is no Evac. We're on our own Sarge" Specialist Killian explained.

Before Hamilton could give what was left of his squad orders, they were all caught off guard by a green glow coming from under the rubble. They all raised their weapons at the sight, not knowing what to expect. Hamilton for some reason felt like he had to remove the boulder covering the strange device to reach it, when it happened, a massive green flash, than nothing.

Corporal Ryan Sheppard

Date Unknown

On-board the Normandy

Ryan could see fire, what looked like sand and rubble. "It was all a dream" he laughed, while he started groaning again from numerous pain. He closed his eyes knowing it wouldn't be long before a medical team found him.

However something seemed off. He could hear voices, but nobody was near. The pain was beginning to fail, as if someone was already treating his wounds. Ryan thought that maybe he was just in shock. Ryan felt that just a little more sleep could help. He closed his eyes to reveal the real reality in front of him. Everything that just had happened was in no way a dream.

Taking deep breaths, He awoke in what looked like a med bay "ahhh my head" He groaned to Himself, from what felt like someone had hit him with a bat. He looked around, thinking once again that this had to simply be a dream. Thinking like that was useless; he was in the Normandy's Medical bay. There was simply no question about that.

The room was empty, and Ryan noticed he was in restraints. Just outside the room he could hear two familiar voices arguing, from a conversation he already has heard before.

"You have a problem with me, chief?"

"Sir, you question my competence through the entire mission"

"Best way to stop that is to show me you're competent. But I don't remember inviting you to come back to the ship with us."

"You didn't. Captain Anderson did, Sir."

"Why don't you go make yourself useful chief? Like interrogate that prisoner you nearly killed."

"Sir"

'Great I don't ever remember Shepard saying that last line' Ryan thought in his head. He wasn't sure how in the world he was going to explain everything; they probably think he's crazy. How was he going to explain that he was from what they probably considered the past, and that this isn't suppose to be real, but a video game. Ryan couldn't help but laugh at that thought. He wondered where Jackson was, as he did indeed come through with him. The door hissed open and Ryan saw what looked like a pissed off Williams coming inside the room "Great this is all I need" He quietly said to himself.

Gunnery chief Ashley Williams

Normandy Sickbay

'Great this is the last thing I need another Officer who hates me. Hell, he probably knew who I was the second I said my name. This isn't what I want on my mind right now, especially after losing my entire unit.' Ashley thought to herself

Walking towards the prisoner she had knocked out in the med bay, who had nearly died in the process. Ashley came up to the man's bed side; she could easily tell the man was faking sleep now.

"Hay you, I have some questions" Ashley tugged on the man's shoulder, trying to get his attention.

"I told you before Ashley" The man said, putting an emphasis on the fact he knew her name. "Unless you want my serial number, because that's all your getting from me" the man said barley acknowledging her.

"Alright tell me this, how in hell do you know my name?" Ashley asked, trying to sound much calmer and understanding. However, all the man whose name was Ryan just shrugged in response.

"Tell me now" Ashley said in a much more demanding voice, bashing the wall beside her. She didn't have time for games, the fact that her new commander pissed her off didn't help.

"If I did tell you, you simply wouldn't believe me" he replied giving off a slight laugh in response. Not a laugh at something funny, but a laugh that said 'I can't believe this is all happening'

"Try me" Ashley said, folding her arms.

"Okay" Ryan replied giving a slight for some reason, like this was going to be a long story. "For starters, I was on earth a few seconds before you saw me"

Ashley showed confusion on her face before responding "How is that possible?" she asked, knowing there was simply no way you can travel that far and fast.

"Must of had something to do with the prothean device we found" Ryan answered now looking at Ashley "Now, where's Jackson?" He asked demandingly

"Tell me where this device is so we can confirm that. And just maybe you'll get on my good side and I'll tell you where your friend is"

"Okay, search Operation flaming boulder on a terminal"

Ashley turned to a terminal nearby and did as he asked. Searching what he said she felt like this was all but a joke to him. She quickly scanned the file report.

Operation Flaming boulder, October 6th 2014

An illegal Invasion led by the mere rumor of WMD's being constructed in an un authorized faculty. Due to an unknown force 'possible earth quack' the entire invasion force was nearly decimated. An entire Company gone missing 'with three survivors found a month later' No evidence of WMD's being developed, and rescue forces led by the Iranian military, rescued the remains of the assaulting American Division. Entire zone quarantined ever since. Two U.S. military generals force to resign in humiliation, while another was court marshaled.

"Tell me one more lie, and I will knock you out cold again" Ashley yelled

Ryan couldn't help as he started laughing like someone who was crazed. He knew she wouldn't belive him, whatever she just read had shown him that.

"What is it now?" Ashley asked, frustrated with how this was nothing but a joke for the man.

Ryan's face turned as serious as possible, looking directly towards Ashley "It's the truth"

"What?"

"Look over the casualty report in whatever you just read, search Ryan Sheppard, and Taylor Jackson" He explained.

Ashley was getting tired of this game, but she figured to go along with it for now. She turned back towards the terminal, searching the causality report of this 'operation flaming boulder'.

"Where under Bravo Company" Ryan said loud enough for her to here.

She just barely nodded, looking over the company in the report. It read only three survivors, the ones found a month later.

Sergeant Brendan McNeil

Private Johnny Tan

Specialist Max Killian

Noticing those names weren't the ones she was looking for she looked under the KIA report. It didn't take her long to find the two names under many others. All the names in this company were presumed MIA officially, but they were all basically marked KIA from reading between the lines.

Ashley stood from the terminal, walking back towards the man that claimed he was from the past.

Ryan saw she was about to ask more questions, but he wasn't going to have any of that until he knew Jackson was okay "I'm not telling you anymore until I know where Jackson is" he angrily demanded.

Ashley nodded before replying "The captain and commander are questioning him" she replied, trying to reassure him.

"OK then, I'm telling you the truth you have to believe me" Ryan nearly pleaded now.

Ashley didn't know why, but something about his face told her he was telling the truth, as crazy as it sounds "You're telling me you're from the past?"

"I know it's crazy, I still don't believe it" Ryan said, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

"Would explain the equipment you have still, I still don't know if I believe it. That doesn't answer my question?" She asked, remembering where the conversation began at.

"What?"

"How the hell do you know my name?" She repeated yet again, hoping he would finally answer.

"That's even a crazier story, let's just say whatever that prothean device did gave me some knowledge, and simply leave it at that" Ryan explained, something about what he was saying had both truth and lies. She could see it in his eyes, but at least he was starting to be somewhat honest with her.

"Huh, can you prove that with something more than my name?" Ashley asked in a nicer tone, showing some signs of trust with him.

"Ok, I'm on the Normandy the one in charge is Captain Anderson and Commander Shepard. You also read poetry to your father's grave"

She paused of the mention of that, starting to walk out. She couldn't believe what he just said. Knowing the ship and its Commanders was something he might have overheard, but something that personal in her life was something else entirely.

"Guess that means you believe me doesn't it" he yelled at her laughing, as she continued walking out of the med-bay with no reply.

She thought to herself 'how could he know such a thing, it's not something that goes in a personal file, so unless he somehow stalked me. He must be telling some truth' coming out of the med- bay she was meet by Captain Anderson.

"Captain" she saluted, standing at attention.

"At ease Williams, Have you found out anything interesting about our visitor from the past" Anderson asked with a grin on his face, as if he knew the truth already.

"Um Sir?"

"We ran DNA and background test on the other, even though it sounds crazy we believe it's true"

"What are we going to do about them sir?" Ashley couldn't believe what she was hearing, that man was telling the truth the whole time.

"Drop them off at earth, it's going to be hard on them, but that's all we can do…"

"Sir Wait, permission to speak freely" Ashley blurted out, cutting the Captain off from whatever he was suggesting.

The captain raised his eyebrow, unsure of what the chief was going to ask. "Granted what's on your mind chief"

"Sir I…I think that might be a mistake"

"Explain?"

"Sir, this one know things"

"Yes Alenko told me he knew your name, it's possible he heard some comm Chatter or…"

"No sir, it's not that he knows a lot more than that. He says the device gave him knowledge or something"

The captain paused a second to think it all over, knowing if there was truth to this he had to take some risk "Alright chief, if you think he might be an assist will keep them for now. But right now I need you on the citadel with the commander and me"

"Yes sir"

Corporal Ryan Sheppard

The look on Ashley's face when Ryan mentioned the poetry showed that, in some way she believed him He wasn't exactly telling her the truth, but what was he going to say. 'Hay even though I'm from the past, all this is just supposed to be from a video game' Ryan though again with a smirk, how could he explain that without being thrown in an insane asylum.

Ryan wondered how Jackson was taking this. He probably truly believes this is the future, he had a wife, and Ryan couldn't even imagine what he's going through right now.

Using the prothean device as an excuse from knowing things was probably for the best. However this might backfire down the line, because of the simple fact that Jackson knows nothing about this place. Ryan kept wondering how he could fix that, guessing he could say something about how he was the one who supposedly activated the device, so he would the one who knows everything, while Jackson doesn't.

Ryan was thrown out of his thoughts as the door opened, with a guard stepping in. he motioned his way towards Ryan, giving him a good look before removing his restraints.

"I'm to bring you to the cargo bay with your friend" the guard said gruffly

"Am I still a prisoner?" Ryan asked, curious to what freedom he was being given.

"No, but we want you both somewhere we can easily keep an eye at you two during our stay at the…"

"Citadel" Ryan finished his sentence, as he could see the guard was already annoyed with him.

"Um yes, now get" he motioned For Ryan to get out of the bed.

"Guess you're my bodyguard then" Ryan commented, walking out of the med-bay wit hthe guard watching his every move.

"For now"

Leaving the med bay the Normandy looked nearly exactly like it did in the game, however there were a few extra rooms and other areas, like what looked like a shower room and a crew quarters that wasn't in the game. Ryan wondered what else was different; maybe things won't be exactly the same. Still he knew had to take his chances. The alternative could be getting dropped off of earth and become useless.

The pair entered the god awful slow elevator; well the guard kind of forced him in, shoving him inside. Ryan couldn't help but smirk as at least one thing was the same; this elevator was slower than ever. Coming in Ryan could see Jackson sitting on a crate in a corner of the cargo bay.

"Get over their jarhead" the guard demanded, Shoving Ryan again in his back.

"You know jarhead is a term for a marine, and I'm in, well was in the Army "Ryan replied laughing, as he walked backwards facing the guard.

"Just shut up and get over their past boy"

"Oh so now your insulting me for being from the past and all" Ryan replied continuing his laughter.

"Just shut it"

"Aye aye Navy boy" Ryan joked, giving him a silly salute. However Ryan notice the guard now gave him the look like he wanted to shot Ryan in the face "OK OK I'm going" Ryan added, throwing his hands up in defeat.

Ryan now walked over towards the short blonde hair, brown eye Jackson. He had never seen him so down in his life before. Ryan sat down next to him, wanting to lower his mood.

"Hay private how you holding up"

"Sheppard, do ranks even mean anything anymore" Jackson replied, shaking his head.

"What you joking about this time" Ryan's never seen him like this before, it damn near scared him.

"Our military doesn't even really exist anymore, we were pronounced KIA a long time ago and my…my"

"Your wife Jackson" Ryan wanted to tell him so much about how this wasn't really the future, that this was probably some alternate reality or something "what they tell you"

"They couldn't find out much but...She uh, let's just say she moved on, and let's leave it at that Sheppard" Jackson replied, trying not to choke up with his voice.

"I don't take it you have any smokes left Jackson" Ryan has never smoked in his life, yet he wanted to help his fellow soldier, and probably his friend he had now.

"Your lucky day Sheppard, my last two" Jackson opened a pouch on his ACU, reaching for what was left of his pack out, tossing me one of his smokes.

"Got a light Jackson?" Ryan asked, taking the cigarette from him.

"Yeah, here" Jackson lit his lighter for Ryan; as he now took his first ever huff. "So Sheppard, looks like I should have listened to you for once" Jackson spoke quietly, as Ryan was now coughing from his first time smoking.

"What about?" Ryan asked still giving out a few coughs.

"About today and tomorrow" he removed his own cigarette "you really shouldn't have got on sarge's bad side today. Don't worry I know this isn't exactly your fault"

"I'll find us a way out of here Private, don't worry" Ryan said trying to reassure Jackson.

"It's not like you know anything that's going on here. You let that chick get you pretty good though Sheppard" Jackson grinned giving out a slight laugh. Ryan was at least happy he was trying to give in to lightening the mood.

"She surprised me Jackson, that's all" Ryan laughed, knowing just how little Jackson really knew why she surprised him.

"Still, I wasn't the one hospitalize by her. Maybe you were too busy checking her out Sheppard" Jackson joked

"Screw you Jackson"

"We've been over this Shepp…." Jackson smile left his face when that comment brought him that memory again

"Jackson I'm sor…"

He quickly cut Ryan off "Save it Sheppard just, let's just get some rest. We've had a long day Sheppard" after that Ryan could now see some tears in Jacksons eyes.

"I'll catch you in the morning Jackson, or whatever time it will be here" Ryan replied, as Jackson laid on one of the cots that were provided for them.

There was about a minute of silence before Jackson spoke again. "I told her Yes" Jackson chocked.

Ryan turned towards Jackson, lying on a nearby cot. "Told who yes about what?" Ryan asked, although he was somewhat sure the he knew the person Jackson was talking about, but not sure what the 'Yes' meant.

"My Wife…." Jackson paused taking In a deep breath. "She wanted a baby for so long, she asked me if I ever wanted one before we shipped out, I didn't give her an answer, until this morning"

Ryan didn't know how to reply to that, how could he. He just remained silent.

At that moment He wanted nothing but to tell him. Yet even if Jackson did believe him, that wouldn't change anything. Won't be long until the hunt for Saren begins, Ryan could show them how useful his knowledge would be. Hell he might as well change the things to come, if he was now stuck here that is. Ryan could ask to check what happened in operation flaming boulder, however, did he really want to know?