Author's note: sorry this took so long, i've been bogged down with school recently but i have a two week break coming up so i'll be able to do some more writing in that time.

I'm really pleased with the support the story has gotten so far, though i hope it will continue to grow...

remember to Fav/Follow and review with any suggestions etc., if you would like to see something happen within the story, PM me or write it in a review.

I hope you enjoy this changing future...


I hit the ground running.

Nihlus would be nearly five hundred metres away by now because I had had to be dropped in with Shepard, Jenkins and Alenko. While the three looked out over the canyon we landed by I tore away, racing as fast as I could. Nihlus would definitely make it to the local spaceport meaning I didn't have to worry about him unless he reached it without me. I just had to find out a way to reach it first to stop him. I didn't want to test out a prototype weapon when so much pressure was on me, so I just took my pistol. I was good enough with it now that I could snapshoot when standing still and be fairly accurate if I was moving – fortunately though, my skills weren't tested as I followed the path Shepard would go down. I didn't follow it for long. I ran to the edge of the path and saw a ledge about ten metres down. It would have to do. I turned to see Shepard following, with Jenkins and Alenko at his flanks.

"Keep him safe." I didn't speak loudly even though they were more than fifteen metres away. I knew Shepard at least had understood because he nodded at me just before I launched myself backwards of the ledge. I heard a couple cries, but I wouldn't stop to answer them. I had to find Nihlus.

I soared along the narrow ledge until it opened up into wider, much more solid ground. A quick check left and right and I was running again. I had never been so out of breath in my life, but I knew I had to keep going if I was to save his life. I heard the characteristic plasma fire of Geth weapons. I just hoped that Shepard had managed to keep Jenkins alive this time. A little further on I found Dead bodies, lots of them. I was on the right track then. I carried on past them, and then it came into view, the monstrous black form rising up, its peak piercing the lower clouds, it was partially blocked from view by trees, but it still managed to take what little of my breath was left away. A moment passed and I remembered that if it left before I reached the spaceport, Nihlus would be dead for sure. I had to get there. My eyes darted, scanning for a way down to the port. And then I saw Nihlus coming into view on a thin path, heading towards the spaceport.

I found a way down. I jumped, my legs aching with every movement, but my mind pushing them, forcing them to move. He was about to die and he didn't even know it, I had the power to save him and I would do something with that power. I reached the bottom of the hill, nearly too late. I could see Nihlus moving slowly to the crates that he would die next to. I couldn't think of anything else to do. I summoned the blue flames that covered every inch of my body with power and launched a nearby canister into the air. I aimed. It fell. Time seemed to slow down as I pulled the trigger, the kick of the futuristic weapon feeling as though it would shatter my hand into a million pieces. But it had worked. The shot had blasted straight through the container and it exploded into a hail of red hot metallic chunks and a blast of air that seemed to shake the ground. I ran to a small piece of cover. Nihlus wasn't next to the spaceport entrance anymore, although Saren was. I stared intently at him, making sure he wouldn't end up killing Nihlus anyway, but he turned and walked briskly away.

I let out a great huff of air. My lungs were on fire – it felt as though each time I inhaled, I was breathing hot ashes through a straw. I began to choke and sputter. I sat, defeated against my cover and closed my eyes until I felt a shadow cross my face.

"And just what in hell do you think you're doing here?" It was Nihlus. He was alive, and he was scolding me for it. Typical spectre attitude I suppose.

"Look, Nihlus. You may not know it, you may not believe it. But I just saved your fucking life. Saren is behind this attack." I wheezed heavily between every few words. He was about to argue but I spoke again. "Why the hell do you think he isn't worried by the Geth attack? Or the fucking great big ship that's behind you?" As if on cue, a terrible noise was emitted from it as it steadily rose off the ground, constantly gaining speed. "Can you just trust me?"

As Nihlus contemplated my argument I took the chance to remove the fountain of sweat that had built up on my forehead through my exertion. That was when four figures, silhouetted slightly against the bright sky appeared at the top of the hill.

"You did your job Greg. Well done." Shepard's comforting voice rang in my ears. I let out a bark of laughter and shook my head when he had finished speaking.

"Yeah well, I nearly didn't save this guy's arse at all…" Nihlus looked at me contemptuously. "I see that you've done half of yours as well." At this everyone including Shepard looked confused. "Really? You don't remember? We gotta defuse four bombs placed by Saren and co. then you," I pointed at Shepard as I spoke "gotta get the information from the beacon. Saren will have already activated it, so you just need to get near it."

"Who the hell is this kid commander?" It was Ashley Williams. I looked at her and rolled my eyes.

"I'm new in town." That got a little chuckle from Shepard before he started to talk tactics. There were six of us now that were able to fight instead of only three. I told them where the Geth would be (three around the corner, and around ten including the Destroyer on the train), and where the four bombs would be. Then we moved. Getting to the beacon went like a blur. I didn't even pull out my weapon – although I did launch a few Geth platforms through the air with the occasional throw or pull field.

Then we were there. It was… amazing. Unbelievable. Nihlus and Shepard were talking to the Normandy while Alenko and Jenkins were scavenging parts from nearby lockers and dead Geth. I just looked out over the spaceport's edge, leaning on the railing. We had only been there a few minutes; Shepard was giving a report to the Normandy before he would activate the beacon. And then I heard her. She was grunting quietly, her feet struggling to hold her back from the beacon. She had activated it. "What the fuck are you doing Ashley?" I shouted as I ran towards her, pushing out of range of the beacon. She stared at me, scared but angry.

And then I was weightless. My body was not under my control as I was levitated several feet off the floor, everyone watching now. Then I stopped rising and it began. It was not something I want to remember, but it was something impossible to forget. The images were not being shown to me – they were being scorched into my brain, contorted, twisted, unreadable. I couldn't help but scream in pain. I wanted to tear out my brain but I couldn't move my limbs to do so. Then it stopped, my muscles were still contracting uncontrollably as I began to fall limply to the ground. Fire engulfed me and I couldn't see to see.


I was… drowsy. I couldn't remember what had happened exactly, but I could feel an echo of the burning sensation I had felt. I sat up with a groan as my body ached when it moved. It felt as though my eyes were rolling in their sockets – I couldn't see anything with any clarity and I couldn't stop them from looking in different directions every two seconds.

"Ah, Greg. How are you feeling?" it was Dr Chakwas. I fell back onto the bed with a muted thud and exhaled heavily.

"I've been so much better. My head hurts, by body aches. I think I just need to sleep." When I looked at her, she smiled and I couldn't help but return it.

"Well, I don't think I've ever seen a Krogan who's been through as much as you have in the past few months, so I'd imagine that you could do with a good rest, but you're fine physically and mentally, although I did detect some abnormal beta waves and rather a lot of rapid eye movement…"

"Uh… yeah that'll be because of the beacon." I paused, she looked interested but I didn't want to divulge too much information to her right now. I felt as though the only two people I could really trust at this stage were the Commander and the Captain. As if on cue however, Anderson walked through the doors with a smile on his face.

"Well done kid, Shepard and Nihlus are in the citadel chambers right now, presenting their case that Saren is a traitor." His smile faded as I didn't reply, I just looked at him with anxiety.

"Sir, I'm fairly sure that the council will not accept Saren as a traitor even with Nihlus there. I gotta go… recruit some people – if their case does gets through the first time, then we're going to have a lot of important people dead."

"You mean someone will try to assassinate the council?" Of course. The obvious response anybody would have given when I said 'important people'. But they weren't important. Not really. They could be replaced with the next best political asshole that their races could provide. I meant Wrex would likely die, killed by innumerable C-Sec for killing everyone in Chora's Den and Tali would get killed by the assassin's fist sent to meet her in the alley next to the bar and Garrus would probably fail to keep Dr Michel safe from the thugs.

I chuckled softly. "No. Not the council. I'll explain everything to everyone when I get back. Just, try and get a hold of Shepard and get him to contact me. I'll be back soon." With that I leapt from the bed, sped out the door and to my locker where I punched in the code as quickly as I could. My suit wasn't one of the bigger, more protective ones that Shepard wore; it was sort of a mixture between Jacob's from ME2 and the hardsuits that Shepard wore in the final two games. I quickly pulled it on and grabbed my bow. It would be quieter than a pistol if I needed to use it, but I still took my pistol as well. I pulled a strap out of the locker, wondering what it was. Then I realised somebody had given me a visor. I pulled it on and information came up in front of my eye; pull strength, a reticule, an arc shape, arrow type, shield strength. It was for my bow… handy, I thought to myself.

I raced back up and out the airlock. And I was hit by the immensity of the Citadel. It was unfathomable. Nothing in the games gave it credit, it seemed to be twice as big as it appeared in the series, and uncountable number of lights dotted each arm, creating brilliant patterns travelling along each one, reaching right the way up to the tips.

My head turned as I saw the elevator appearing, Shepard exiting with the others. "Brilliant!" They were taken aback by my exclamation. "Did the council accept that Saren's a traitor?" the question was met by the dropping of heads and a murmur of noes. "It's ok guys. I know what to do. Shepard, you're coming with me, pick one other person to come, but do it quickly." He nodded at Ashley and I rolled my eyes. Of Course he would pick her wouldn't he. "Fine. Back in the lift you two, everyone else report back to Anderson – except Nihlus, you can do… whatever it is you do."

All eyes watched as we went back down, descending to the C-Sec academy on the Citadel. "So what the hell are we doing kid?" Williams. Of course.

"Listen, I may only be seventeen, but you need to stop fucking calling me kid. Seriously, it's fucking annoying." She stared at me, open mouthed. "Anyway, we're going to collect a Krogan, a Turian and then you're going to go to Chora's Den while I go and rescue a Quarian. Any questions?" Shepard stood there with a smile on his face, nodding at my instructions. But when Ashley went to ask something, he held his head in his hands and she stopped to look at him. "Ashley, don't ask any questions right now, do your job and follow orders like a good soldier."

We reached the bottom of the elevator and the time it took for the doors to open fully was infuriating. When we finally managed to exit the lift I swivelled my head, looking for the big red form of Wrex. He was on the left, surrounded by C-Sec guards. They were all looking tense, trying to be as threatening as possible, but they all knew if he wanted to Wrex could probably kill all of them in a heartbeat. The bored look that he wore on his face seemed to echo this, it said; I'm doing this for formality, nothing more.

The three of us headed over to the gathering and I pushed the C-Sec officer who was trying to be the most intimidating out the way, to the amusement of Wrex. "How old are you, Human." His deep voice was amazing to hear in person. It seemed to bounce off every surface in the large room, even though he was talking quietly.

I smiled lightly. "My name is Greg, I'm seventeen." That got a surprised look from C-Sec, and a burst of laughter from the red giant. "I know you're here to kill Fist, and that the Shadow Broker sent you to do it because of Fist's betrayal." Wrex widened his blood-red eyes slightly, before narrowing them into a hard stare. I looked back, trying to stay as calm as possible in front of the towering beast. "You're going to come with us and help." This got outrage from the C-Sec officers. They started to shout at me, but I gave Wrex a small nod and he moved to stand between me and the officers. They wouldn't try anything in a confrontation like this.

We walked out of the C-Sec academy and went straight to Dr Michel's clinic. I knew that by now, the thugs would be there, Garrus sneaking up to them, so I pulled my bow from my back, drew an arrow and stepped through the door. My visor coloured threats red, and the aiming guide helped me get on target in only a couple of seconds. It felt as though the arrow released with the crack of a bullet as it broke through the air, then through the shields and finally the armour of one of the thugs, but the only noise it made was the thwack of hitting the target and the sound of a limp body hitting the floor. Everyone turned to look at me, even Garrus who was nearly in position. I drew another arrow, and released. Another crack, another crumple. The thugs near the doctor had been taken care of, and she ran and hid behind some shelves. I looked at Garrus and nodded at him. He spun from his position and took three shots before two more thumps hit our ears.

"The hell is that?" The familiar Turian voice that I knew and loved filled the air with incredulity. "I wasn't expecting any backup, let alone a Krogan and a human who can kill without a sound." His eyes were filled with suspicion.

"Don't worry, Garrus. I'm Greg; I believe you've met Shepard and Ashley. And this here is Wrex." He looked at the four of us, a dumbfounded expression on his face.

"Look, I know you dislike Saren, and if you come with us, we'll have a chance to stop him once and for all. We need your help. You know you don't want to work with the red tape C-Sec puts around you, so come with us. We'll have the first human spectre shortly and you can be on his team." He was confused, I knew what he wanted, even though he hadn't explicitly said anything. He began to nod and opened his mouth to speak, but there wasn't enough time for any of this. "Excellent, let's go. Shepard, you know what to do."

Nobody came anywhere near us. I was next to the great hulking reptile; he must have been eight feet tall compared to my six. But I wasn't scared of him now. He would be an ally until Saren was dead, when he would go to Tuchanka and begin rebuilding the Krogan race. We parted ways when we neared the 'Gentleman's club', the four of them with weapons drawn as they moved to take fist.

As soon as they were out of sight I heard gunfire. But there wouldn't be any of that from me if I could help it. My bow drawn, I crept through an alleyway, down a short set of stairs. I could see red light pouring in through the other side of the alley. As I neared the alley's exit I began to hear a Quarian talking, followed by a menacing Turian voice. I was nearly too late. I readied an arrow and loosed it, hitting the Turian on the brow plate, shattering it and launching him across the red room. There would be two Salarians, faster, agile but nothing I couldn't handle. They were searching for the direction their Turian boss had been hit when another arrow soared into Salarian armour. Just one left now. I could see the alien shake, he realised where I was now, but because the alley was dark, he couldn't see me at all. I stood and walked with another arrow readied into the light of the room. "You can live or you can die." My voice was calm. I had taken lives today, but it hadn't really sunk in yet. I guess I was just going off adrenalin or something. Maybe I was too used to killing that kind of person in video games to really care about their lives… But I couldn't be distracted now. He hadn't replied, but was shaking more furiously now. "Just leave, what the hell is wrong with you?" He nodded, and I didn't release tension in the bow until I saw the door he left through closing.

I turned to look around the room, but it was apparently empty. I but the bow on my back and called out. "It's ok, Tali. I'm not here to hurt you."


We were all in the council chambers now. Udina was in front of the six of us, lecturing us about political ramifications and shit storms and other things he usually got worked up about in the games. Tali began to speak, she was five years older than me, but right now she seemed like a scared child, not the twenty-two year old I knew her to be.

I caught her brilliant eyes flashing my direction when she thought she wasn't being watched, only to have them flash away just as quickly. She was fidgeting with her hands, her nerves showing themselves in the clasping and unclasping of her hands. I turned my gaze away, over to the pink-leafed tress in the council chambers. They made the room seem peaceful, tranquil. Ironically it never would be. This room is for politics and politics alone. I sighed and moved to sit under the nearest tree, closing my eyes as my head rested against the familiar plant. I must've been there for quite a while because the next thing I knew Shepard was walking down the steps, a determined look in his eyes, followed by the others.

"Hey Shepard, how'd it go?" I was dozy and couldn't quite stifle a yawn as I rose to my feet. His face relaxed a little as he saw me, but I could see it was all a façade, he couldn't hide anything from me.

"Well, Tali's information changed their view on things, and Nihlus suggested that I be made a spectre immediately, to take Saren down. By the way, for some reason he wanted to speak to you on board the Normandy." I couldn't help but hide the smug look on my face – I had known that Shepard would be the first human spectre, but having it really happen, and me being the one who told everyone it would… unreal.

"Yeah, I suppose he would have a few questions for me. But I said told Anderson I would explain everything to you all when I got back to the ship. So, Nihlus will have to be there because I do not want to have to tell everything twice."

Shepard nodded once. "I understand." He spoke quietly, directly to me before loudly calling "Move out everyone." As he walked quickly away, the others trying to keep up, myself hovering momentarily before jogging to catch up.

The journey back to the ship went quickly, despite Shepard going around the presidium several times to make sure he'd bought all the equipment we needed and to help a few people with various things. I wasn't concentrating on any of it though. All I did was follow the crowd, staring into space, gathering thoughts, gathering memories. I must've looked like I was in a trance, because even when we stopped for Shepard to go and talk to someone, all I did was stand there, my eyes blank, shifting in and out of focus as people walked in front of me.

When we were all on board the Normandy, we all met in the comms room: Anderson, Shepard, Ashley, Kaidan, Jenkins, Chakwas, Pressly, Adams, Wrex, Tali, Garrus, Nihlus and myself. Not being a particularly big room, it felt even smaller now as everybody jostled for space – everyone except Wrex who growled loudly if anyone got within arm's reach of him. When everyone had settled, I stepped into the middle.

"So, I don't know if any of you know this, but I'm not from around here. About five or six months ago I was on holiday in America, in the year 2013. I found what I think was some sort of relay and the next thing I know, I woke up to find myself in this universe, the year 2182. Well, in my universe there was a series of games called Mass Effect. So far, your lives have followed the story to those games. Shepard – did you live your childhood on different ships while your parents were off on tour?" A nod. "So then you must've beaten back the slavers and pirates alone during the Skyllian Blitz." He cocked his head slightly, but nodded all the same. "Kaidan, you spent how many years training on Jump Zero during your time in BAat?" No reply, but I moved on anyway. "I've already changed the course of the universe, not by being here, but by saving Nihlus and Jenkins. I'm scared that it will change for the worse, and believe me, that is a definite possibility."

It felt to me as though I spoke for hours on end, nobody asked any questions, they just listened to the story. They listened to the events of Noveria, Feros and Virmire, the atrocities of Cerberus, the horrors of Shepard's death and the collectors, they listened to what I said about the Reapers, about The Relays, the Citadel, the Protheans, the Crucible. Everything. Every detail I could remember from my hundreds of playthroughs. Everything would change now. Nothing could be the same.

Everyone was quiet for a long time. After a moment Wrex stood up and left, everyone except for Ashley, Anderson, Nihlus, Shepard and myself followed after a moment's pause. The atmosphere was tense. Ashley was looking at me with a mixture of incredulity, suspicion and anger. Shepard looked as though he was in a state of shock – all he did was watch the floor intently. Anderson was nodding slightly, it seemed as though he believed my story, but how much of it I wasn't sure. Nihlus… I didn't know what to make of his expression.

"So…" It was Shepard who spoke, his voice diminishing into little more than a whisper with each word. "I die… Twice."

"No." I tried to keep my voice soft and calm, although I could feel myself shaking. "That might not happen anymore." I crouched down so I was at his eye level. Ashley began to speak, but I was focused so intently on Shepard that I didn't hear her words. "Look, Shepard. Things have changed. Nothing was clear, even in my universe. Everything was down to a choice in the end. Each one would change the future; sometimes radically, others, nothing you would notice. It was always you that made the choice, always you who dealt with the consequences. You always survived until the bitter end, and there was only a hint of sweetness when the dust settled if everything was perfect. You always know how to inspire people to be their best; always know what to do in each situation. Let me help you, and maybe it'll all work out differently."

His head rose so that he was looking straight at me, his warm, grey eyes peering into mine. "Greg, if you weren't here right now… I… I'm not sure what I would be able to do."

"You would do what you always do Shepard." I noticed Ashley had stood up and was now peering over us, listening intently to our conversation.

I glared at her as I turned and left the room. I never really liked either of the two Virmire characters. Ashley was always so stubborn had a fucking annoying voice, I liked Kaidan more but he just seemed like some guy… not a soldier that you'd find on board the most sophisticated Alliance ship ever. It didn't matter anymore though, they would probably both end up surviving now that I was here to help Shepard. I sulked back to the crew quarters, and lay on my bunk, waiting for something to do, time drifting painfully by as I watched the hustle and bustle of the ship around me in solitude. Waiting for our destination.