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

Corporal Ryan Sheppard

Texas

Ash and Ryan both spent the last day on the road. Ryan made a joke about why they were using this ground car, and not a futuristic flying one. Apparently they were only used inside city limits. And since the Sheppard property was in the countryside still, they had to use this green ground truck, still futuristic in look though.

"You haven't talked much" Ash said breaking the silence still busy driving.

"Not much to say really, I'm surprise the property is still owned by the Sheppard family. But I don't expect to find much closure there"

"Not exactly what I mean Ryan, you haven't talked much at all since what happened after the desert" Ashley stated with a slight worry in her voice.

She was right, Ryan hasn't talked much since. Than again neither did she, there was just so much on their palte now What was there to say, he destroyed the only ticket they knew of home. To stop Saren yes, but he's never actually felt this home sick before. Ryan said he was going to stay and stay he would. Still it hurts for him to think he will probably never return home again. Not just for him, but for the rest of the guys as well. Not to mention the fact that the LT didn't make it.

"C'mon Ryan, talk to me" Ashley was much more insistent now. "We're not going to be there for another half hour anyways"

He couldn't keep quiet to her any longer. He had to keep her in the loop. "I…I just never thought I be this home sick ash"

"I guess I could understand that"

"No ash, I'm sorry but you can't" He started to become more honest. "You can see your family again, Hell you probably will see them after this. I will never see any of my family ever again" He didn't strike out to be mean, but that probably sounded worse then he attended.

"Yeah…Guess I don't"

"I'm sorry ash I didn't…"

"Don't be Ryan; I know how important family is"

Suddenly Ashley stopped the truck. Ryan looked out the windshield to see why. Looking out he could see some kind of checkpoint up ahead on the dirt road now turn concert.

"What's that about?" he asked quietly for only himself to hear, but Ashley heard him, thinking the same thing.

A guard came out, waving his hand for them to come forward. Ashley did as he said, starting the truck again. Slowly coming up to the checkpoint and stopping as the guard instructed right before the front barrier. The guard came to the passenger side, like he knew who Ryan was, and was expecting him. He handed some kind of square panel towards Ryan.

"Put your hand here sir" the man insisted.

"Why? What Is this?" Ryan was really confused at what he was asking.

"DNA scan sir, please Mr. Sheppard insist that you comply with the scan"

Mr. Sheppard? Ryan knew The Sheppard family was still running this property. But he didn't understand exactly what was going on. Looking back at Ashley he could tell she was even more confused than he was. Ryan gave into the guards demand, placing his right hand on the panel. After a few seconds it lit green.

"Thank you sir, please continue forward down the road, Mr. Sheppard is waiting. I'm sure you know the way"

Ashley just nodded, as she started the truck again. The barrier collapsed into the ground and they continued onward. This still doesn't make any since, how could anyone know he was coming? Especially from a family Ryan's never met in his life before.

They reached the house within the next few minutes. Just like Ryan remembered it wasn't far. But the house was definitely different. It was more like a mansion than anything. However one thing had caught his eye, his old shed converted house was still sitting in front. It was old and beat up, like it hadn't been touched in years.

Both Ashley and Ryan excited the truck, seeing a man in what looked like his mid fifties walking towards them.

"Who's that?" Ashley asked as if Ryan knew the answer.

"Ash do you really think I know" He replied with a slight laugh.

"Right..."

The Man was a few feet in front of them now, so they both decided to stop talking and listen to what he had to say.

"Sheppard?" the man said.

Trying to act dumb Ryan had little else to say. "Um…yes you're Mr. Sheppard"

He just smiled like he looked annoyed from Ryan's comment. "You don't have to hide it Ryan. I know who you are. Why do you think I had my guard do a DNA scan on you?"

"What!" Ryan yelled thinking this was imposable, how could he know who Ryan was?

"I'm afraid that me knowing you is all I can say…take this" then man threw a set of keys in Ryan's hand. "It will open your place, Stay as long as you wish, but don't expect me to answer any questions"

The man just started to walk back towards his house, keeping to his statement that he couldn't talk to us anymore.

Ashley could no longer hold the silence, as Ryan didn't blame her. "Okay, what the hell is going on here Ryan?"

Ryan just looked towards his house not acknowledging ash. Looking at his set of keys he could only imagine what to find in there. "Guess will find out" Ryan replied walking towards his old place. Taking a quick look behind him to see Ashley still following, he could tell she was a little annoyed. But she knew the only way to find an answer was the see for herself as well.

He took a deep breath before turning the key. In all honesty Ryan had no idea what he was going to find, especially with everything strange around here going on. The door opened, and he could feel the old air rushing out of the room. Taking those few first steps into his old place, Ryan couldn't believe his eyes. The room was still very much how he had left it all those years ago. Minus of course the layers of dust, spider webs, and Decay all around.

"Gee, Um…Nice place" Ryan could hear Ashley say sarcastically. He almost forgot she was here for a second.

"Ash, you are aware this is like going inside a time capsule right. This place doesn't look like it was touched in a hundred years" He replied Grabbing a towel to wipe the dust off of his shelf, which held his collection of games and movies.

"What are you doing?" Ashley asked waving her hand around to blow away all the dust flying around the room.

"Bare with me a second, I'm just looking for something specific" That was only half the truth. Ryan couldn't go around saying 'hay I'm looking for my copies of the game that this future is about' He still hasn't told anyone that this was from a game, except for Jackson figuring out because of Jeremy. And there was no way this could be the future. Yet Mass effect was no longer in his collection, none of the games were. However everything else was still there.

'I don't understand, what's going on here' He thought to himself.

Ashley just sat on the bed, waiting for him to finish. "Hay what's this Ryan?" she asked taking an old sheet off of something that it was covering. As she removed the sheet, it revealed a very large metallic Case.

Ryan came over towards the bed, looking for a way to open the case. "This wasn't here before" he said quietly.

"Might have something to do with everyone knowing who you are" Ashley stated, while she was also trying to help him open the case.

That just gave him even more reason to open the case. The thing could reveal why in the world he was expected here. Nobody should even know he went through time. Last he checked on his File he was turned from Missing action, to killed in action, sometime around November of 2014, about a month or so after Iran.

Finally feeling his hands around the rim of the case, Ryan found the clamps to open the sucker up. Before he could manage Ryan heard Ashley's Omni tool beep. He could tell she was ignoring the call, wanting to also see what was inside. However trying to open the case it just kept on beeping. "Are you going to answer that?" Ryan asked, wanting to get rid of the suspense of the sound that kept interrupting him.

"I guess I probably should, I'll be right outside if you need me Ryan" she said placing her hand on his shoulder for support before she stepped outside.

With no interruption in his way any longer, he continued to finally open the case. Unclamping the locks the case slowly opened. Ryan couldn't believe what I was seeing. It wasn't just any case. This was indeed a time capsule, but how? And more importantly why? Inside was some of his more personal belonging, along with a laptop. It wasn't just any laptop; it was the one I bought not long before he shipped out.

Reaching inside to take the laptop out, under it revealed his old hunting knife, as well as his Dad's Magnum. he didn't know what in the world of all things these would have here. Ryan guessed they were more of a sentimental thing left for him. Ignoring them for now Ryan turned on the laptop. Surprisingly the thing turned on quickly, as it had a full charge. Looking at the desktop there was a single folder in the middle, Named 'Remember'.

Without thinking he opened the folder, revealing sets of pictures. All of which were things he took himself back in the day. It even had a collection he sent to his family from graduating Basic. Ryan opened the set revealing his old platoon, With Jackson standing right next to him. They were anything but friends in those days. Hell Jackson hated him back then. Ryan closed the picture, looking for a set of his family now. Ryan then opened one at random, looking at the date that was marked at the bottom as March, 2015. Something wasn't right, He could see his mom and dad, and my brother mike, but Sean wasn't in the picture. Thinking he just wasn't there at the time he ignored it for the time being, not noticing Ashley was now standing behind him.

"That's a nice family, you're brother Right?" She asked, just barely startling him.

Ryan knew how important siblings where to her, since she did after all have three sisters "Huh, oh…Yeah I had two actually if you remember me telling you" Taking a quick pause to know he just said had rather than have. Forgetting his entire family he knew were now all gone. "So what was that call about, secret admirer? Should I be jealous ash" Ryan teased

She playfully punched his shoulder. "Keep it up and you might have to eventually" She said with a slight laugh. "High command wants to speak to us"

"By us, do they mean you?"

"No I mean us, and I mean now. Sorry but we're going to have to cut this short Ryan. The rest of your squad was already escorted there."

Ryan put the laptop back in the case, clamping all the locks back into place, as he was going to take it back with him. However, Ryan noticed something tapped to the back of the Case. Ryan quickly removed the item, noticing it was a set of dog tags with a note on it that read. 'return these to Jeremy, he forgot them. And I'm sorry for keeping him a secret your whole life' It wa signed dad. Ryan looked at the tags, one was a set of his own fathers, another was his, and the last was an Alliance set of dog tags that belonged to Ashley.

"I guess it might be true" Ashley stated looking at the tags with Ryan.

"Yeah, but will talk about him late" Ryan placed the tags in his pocket, and turned back to Ashley "Guess we better get moving then; don't want to keep your brass waiting"

"You know Ryan; you should become part of the alliance now. You have a lot of potential"

"What and be a marine? Sorry ash, but I enjoy being an Army Grunt" He rpelied picking up the case and walking towards the door.

"Is that the real reason Ryan, Or do you just not want to take any orders from somebody besides yourself?" She asked stopping him from walking out the door.

"Ash, If I enlist we would have to separate"

"What makes you say that?"

"I won't have you brought up with fraternization charges, especially after everything you've been through"

"Stop defending me Ryan just stop, last time you did Shepard Nearly killed you"

"Ash…Please, just…trust me on this. I can do more by not being part of the alliance"

"Alright, but don't think this means you can't follow my orders in combat"

"Well you'll probably have to fight over command with Staff Sergeant Hamilton in the future. Don't worry about me though; I'd follow your orders to the T"

Ashley just let a burst of laughter at his remarks. "Whatever Grunt, now get back in the truck"

"Yes Gunnery chief" Ryan said giving a playful salute.

Meanwhile, Mars Civilian Station private bar.

Eric Patterson, Secret Cerberus Recruiter

"Well, well looks like I got another full house" Eric said giving a smirk; he had not given all night.

"God damn Patterson, you ant cheating us are you" Brad replied throwing his cards in frustration.

Eric and his Group met up for a card game or two every week. It had become routine, and to Eric the best way to make some extra credits.

"Hay Joe, you going to reshuffle the cards?" Eric asked.

"Nah man, I think we should call it a night" Joe got up from the table.

"I think you stolen enough of are credits Patterson" brad said taking a chunk from his beer.

Before Eric could do anything there was a loud knock on the door.

"This place is private!" Joe yelled out.

The knock disappeared, and nearly a second later the door smashed open with a man holding out a Weapon.

"What the…." Brad tried reaching for his side arm, but was too late as the man shot both brad on Joe dead. Clean shots between the eyes Eric had never seen such accuracy in a long time.

"Shit don't kill me, take all the credits there yours' Eric begged.

The man holstered his gun; coming from the shadows Eric could see the Pale skinned man. With his shaved buzz cut. Eric noticed his face covered with scars and bruises. The man looked like he just walked out of a coffin.

"Relax Mr. Patterson. I'm looking to enlist" The man said with an evil smirk. "I'm sure my…Resume here can convince you. I think my work can speak for itself"

"I have no idea what you're talking ab…" before Eric could finish the man just grabbed his throat.

"Don't Insult me Mr. Patterson, I know you're a recruiter for Cerberus" The man shouted letting Eric go from his death joke.

"How did you know I wa…"

The man interrupted "I've been hard at work finding Cerberus, as you can see I'm here to enlist for them. Since I have nowhere else to go" the man said picking up a credit from the table and flipping it.

"And why's that?" Eric asked moving back towards the table.

The man took a pause and looked at Eric directly into his eyes. He could see that thousand mile stare anywhere. No doubt about it this guy was a trained killer, and could probably do well for Cerberus.

"I'm what you would say a wanted man from the alliance, and probably soon to be the council"

"You didn't have to kill my card Group here, you could have gone through my contacts" Eric begun the get more frustrated with his voice. Even though Brad and Joe weren't exactly friends, they didn't deserve to die for this.

"Like I said Mr. Patterson I'm wanted, so I'm in too much of a hurry for such a thing"

Eric just let a sigh "fine, I could point you towards my superiors, but I'm going to need a name"

"It's John…John Shepard former alliance Commander and Council Spectre"

December 4th, 2014

Sergeant Brendan McNeil

Texas, bar in a little town

McNeil still found it hard to take it all in. He was home; he could see his family again. However, the first thing he did when he got back was visit Sheppard's family. He knew promising to answer their questions was something he might regret. At least He wouldn't have to deal with hearing it from Ryan.

McNeil took in his surroundings, he forgotten the feel of an earth bar. People In the bar cheering over the game on the TV laughing with their friends. It was still all weird for him, this was the first time in years he been in a bar with just Humans. He looked at his Bud light, never thinking he mess all those alien liquors. McNeil was deeply hard in his thoughts; he didn't notice his comrade coming on in the bar to join him.

"Hay Sarge, so I take it mission complete" The soldier laughed as he signaled the bartender for a drink.

McNeil looked to see who it was. "Yeah Johnny it's done" He said taking a sip of his beer.

"Great, so I take it you're going home now, can't keep that wife waiting huh" Johnny said with a slight laugh as he was teasing McNeil.

"Nope"

"What do you mean no, Isn't that the reason we came back?"

"I think I'm going to stay for a bit, help the corporal's family understand" McNeil didn't even look at John when he said that.

Johnny got off his chair, coming closer to McNeil for no eavesdroppers to hear. "You can't be serious Bren; you know we can't do that"

McNeil got off his chair to meet his comrade, before he could say anything he noticed an army officer walking into the bar. He knew that officer anywhere. "Shit, John where you followed" He whispered.

"What are you talking about Bren?"

Johnny's back was towards the door, as he couldn't see the Army officer. Who was staring McNeil down, while coming closer and closer. "Army Intel six o'clock"

Johnny knew what that meant and just kept silent. The army officer was now right at the group.

"Sergeant McNeil and Private Tan, So nice to see you two again" the officer said standing between the two.

"Major Reynolds, What are you doing so far from the base?" McNeil said with humor in his voice.

"What I can't have a drink with the two soldiers that survived against all odds in the desert" The major said as he sat on the bar, while McNeil and Johnny where still standing. "Tell me, how do three soldiers survive nearly two months in the desert with no supplies, and carrying a radiation on them that's not of this earth?" He asked as he took a drink from McNeil's beer.

"The doctors gave us the clear, the radiation is harmless and should fade within a few weeks" Johnny spoke up.

"That still doesn't answer my question…Private" The Major then turned around to Meet McNeil's eyes. "You're all hiding something, and I tend to find out what it is"

"Where not hiding anything Sir, Now if you can excuse yourself I'm trying to have a drink with a friend" McNeil nearly demanded, as he wanted the major to leave.

"Oh but of course Sergeant, I look forward to seeing you two back at Fort Sam" he gave them both a quick look as he took another sip of the beer and left money to pay for them. "Have a pleasant evening" The Major then walked out of the bar.

"Crap" McNeil said when he was sure the Major was gone.

"What are we going to do Bren?" Johnny asked hoping McNeil would have all the answers.

"Where going to keep are mouth shut, that's what where going to do" McNeil almost broke the whisper as he was determined to stay quiet at all cost.

"You know as well as I do that the Specialist won't stay quiet for long"

Johnny was right; the specialist would give in to almost any threat. Thinking quickly there was little choice as what to do. "We have to make sure he stays silent John"

"C'mon Bren, how can we keep that guy quiet. He wouldn't stay quiet in a firefight with collectors" Johnny looked around after that statement to make sure nobody was listening.

"We don't have any other choice. We have to keep Max quiet, or risk change in the timeline"