Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect. At all.

A/N: Here again, second chapter now. let me know what you think.

Moments before I hit the water, I think to myself 'WELL, that was stupid." The immediate pain I feel attests to it. The pain means I did, in fact, survive the fall, barely. The bad news, I realize, is that the impact knocked the air from my lungs, making me instinctively breathe in, sucking in the freezing water. Choking, I flail about, not knowing which way is up. Only then do I realize the glowing light was actually a squarish electronic beacon, and I somehow landed mere inches from it. I reach out for it as my lungs scream for air. Getting a grip on it, I press the button on the side.
Nothing happens. 'Shit'.
Truly panicking now as my vision starts to fade, I hold on to one last, rather strange thought:
'Damn gray alien.. Guy'

Location unknown
Date/Time unknown
The first thing that alerts me to the fact that I'm alive is a massive migraine, which isn't out of the ordinary for me and lets me believe for a fleeting moment that the Previous day was all a sick nightmare. Opening my eyes, however, proves me wrong immediately. It's Detroit, but different. More... Clean, futuristic. Looking around more from my lovely vantage point on a public bench alerted me to more differences. Like the flying car, or the hooded Salarian standing nearby looking at me, or the fact that it's early afternoon by the look of the sun, or... Wait, what.

"Ajsdnyhfru!" Is the incomprehensible gibberish that comes from my mouth as I take notice of the Salarian now standing in front of me. "You're.. A..." He nods. "Which means I'm..." He nods again. "What the hell" I mutter, unable to stop staring.

"I was the same way when my employers approached me and told me that there were universes other than my own, places where my galaxy was a video game."

"So this is.. Real?" I ask, the magnitude of it dawning on me.

"In this universe, the events of the game you are thinking about are real things, that will happen." Now that I can fully see his face, I can see the pleased expression that I'm not totally freaking out, though confusion at that is laced in too. I answer the unspoken question.

"Well, I can't exactly complain at the change of scenery." My face grows dark as I consider the previous day. "So, why me? Why now? You could have asked me before everything happened." He looks at me, considering.

"Would you have gone?" he asks, and I cannot respond. "I was only to keep an eye on you, see if you would be able to help. When... What occurred, occurred, I had to act. I did not know what was going to happen." I look at him, silently permitting him to continue. "Look, a lot has happened in a very short time. Go to your old apartment. The building is modernized, but it's still there. Go there, think things over. I have to speak to my employers." I'm so wrapped up in what has happened I almost miss him starting to walk away.

"Wait!" I yell, and he looks back. "Who are you?" I ask once more.

"Just someone doing what needs to be done." Comes the cryptic reply.

"Great" I mutter, looking back towards the skyline. "Secrecy. Fun." I look towards the road. "Well, time to figure out what the hell is going on." I say as I start walking, trying to orient my self in an completely foreign feeling city.

Detroit, I soon realized, was still home. It looked shinier, but underneath it was the same place. I made good time once I found out where I was at, though the trip back home was... Interesting. Looking at the buildings, the the weird clothes people wore, and the freaking aliens. Mass Effect didn't really talk about it, but there were aliens on Earth. In the minority, but there. I must look like a total idiot, gawking at them in my 21st century, slightly bloody clothes. As I think about this, I force down the wave of emotions that threaten to overwhelm me. 'Not now,' I think to myself. 'Focus on getting back to the apartment now, break down later.'

Getting back to the building, I make my way up to the third floor. Despite there being six more floors now, it was the same structure. Walking to the door, I automatically reach for my key, but instead of a doorknob and deadbolt, there is one of those holographic interfaces. I tentatively reach towards the red circle, jumping back when it flashes and says "Voice pattern required" in a synthetic voice.
"Uhh.."
It plays back "Uhh.." "Voice pattern confirmed. Welcome home."
I stand there a moment. "Well then," I mutter, and go inside.

The place is sparsely furnished, and shows no signs of anyone living here. A quick look around confirms none of my old things are here, though I didn't expect them to be. The only remnants of my past life are the clothes on my back, and my pocket contents. I go through those, finding a couple of wrinkly dollar bills, my mp3 player, and... The dog tags. I begin to look at those, and what they imply, but before I can start to consider I hear Mr. Mysterious behind me.
"You're here. Good." I jump at his words, and turn around. Hood down, I can see his face fully. Gray-skinned, and relatively young-looking (hard to judge on another species), he seemed an average Salarian. "I'm sure you have questions."

"Several." Came my reply, looking for him to continue.

"First, let me explain a few things. That way you can voice the other questions you'll no doubt have. You are here, Detroit, Michigan, Earth. It is January 22nd, 2177. You-"

"Wait a moment," came my interjection. "2177? I'm a bit early, aren't I?"

"Actually, I'm going to explain that. For now, just listen, and I'll give you what you need to know." I quiet down, waiting for him to continue. "As I was saying, your role here remains to be seen. You have the ability to live however you want. You have been given a new lease on life. You know what would've happened had you stayed in your universe." I cringe slightly, think about it. I would've probably been arrested.. Or have committed suicide before that.

"The reason we brought you here, though, is because we need help." He seems to consider something, before pressing on."What my employers don't want to share, is that we've already affected the timeline, only for the worse. We tried to alter the outcome, only it backfired, and the Reapers won." My eyes widen at this, and he takes note of it."We wanted to make things better," he sighed. "Instead we almost lost everything. We want you to help correct the outcome."

"How am I supposed to do that?" The question is out before I can stop it.

"That, is entirely up to you. You can do great things, or nothing. But if you do not intervene, the Reapers will destroy all advanced life due to the altered timeline."

"No pressure."

He smiles."Indeed. But, we feel you are capable of changing things for the better. as of now, you do still have a decision in the matter. If you want to change things, take this." He picks up a data-pad from the table, (which I managed not to notice until this point) and hands it to me. It lists a departure time and a location.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" I ask, confused to no end.

"It is a shuttle flight to Tokyo, set to leave tomorrow at noon. If you are to change things, there is where you will start."

"And what will I do?"

"You remember Kasumi Goto?

"Yeah, master thief and so on."

"In 2177, she is merely thief, and she will be caught tomorrow. You will prevent her from receiving a viscous beating, among other things. The details are on the data-pad, as well as the location of some basic things, Omni-tool and such, which you will need. The rest, is up to you. Questions?"

"Many."

"Most of what you'll want to know is on there. As for the timing, you're not exactly fit to save the galaxy yet. The extra time will be for preparation, should you choose to do so. As for the rest, You will learn as you go. If you want to help, go to the departure gate tomorrow. Good day." He walks out, not actually answering what I wanted to know.

"Ass," I mutter, looking at the data-pad. Instead of scrolling through it though, I pull the tags back out of my pocket, wrapping the chain around my fist and stretching out on the only piece of furniture in the main room, a couch. I had a lot to think about.