Hello, everyone, I am IX404 and welcome to my newest Mass Effect - MechWarrior/BattleTech crossover. This will be the pilot chapter of my newest crossover between the worlds of BattleTech and Mass Effect. This story was deeply inspired and influenced by the BattleTech SI called 'This Was Easier on The Tabletop.' If you haven't looked at that story yet, I thoroughly recommend that you do so.
As always, leave a review and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Mass Effect or BattleTech/MechWarrior franchises. They are the respecitve properties and trademarks of Electronic Arts, BioWare, FASA Corporation, FASA Interactive, Catalyst Game Labs, Piranha Games Inc., etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to it's respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.
SSV Normandy
Deep Space
September 12th, 2186
Commander Shepard awoke with a gasp, his heart hammering as he looked around in the darkness. For a moment, it seemed his nightmare was overlaid with the real world. Scrambling for the light switch, he flicked it on, with the imagined world fading away, revealing the Captain's Quarters aboard the Normandy SR2. Breathing in and out, Shepard slowly calmed his racing heart down, until he felt more comfortable. Where did that nightmare come from? he thought to himself. Is this going to go away, or is my mind finally starting to fracture from what's been happening recently? What the hell is wrong with me?
As he got up and got dressed, Shepard mulled over Humanity's current predicament. We're at war with the Reapers, and the only way we'll win is if we complete the Crucible. Sitting down, he thought, Why me, of all people? I'm not the leader everyone thinks I am. I'm just a soldier doing what he can to help the people around him, and the races of the galaxy, survive. Shaking off the dark thoughts, he got up to begin his day.
He heard someone walking inside. "Come in," Shepard called out. To his surprise, it was Liara T'Soni. "Liara," Shepard blurted out. "It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you as well," Liara replied. "Are... you OK?"
Sighing, Shepard sat down on his bed, rubbing his eyes as Liara sat down next to him. "Officially, yes," he told her. "Personally... no. I've been having... nightmares since we were forced to abandon Earth."
"What kind of nightmares?"
"They always involve a young boy I saw on Earth. I… I tried to rescue him, but he was too afraid to let me do so. I... I watched him die when a Reaper fired on the Kodiak piloting him. Since then… I've been having these nightmares. Every time I fall asleep, I see him running through this burnt forest, playing with a toy. When I catch up to him, he looks at me, and then he starts to…" Shepard's trailed off, unable to describe the final part of his nightmare.
"It's all right, Commander," Liara assured him, putting a hand on Shepard's back. "I think I know what this is. I believe your kind calls it 'Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.' Your mind is punishing itself for letting that child die."
"You think so?"
"Yes." Liara nodded. "And there is a cure. If I were in your position, I would examine those memories and ask myself if I had done everything that I could in that situation. If the answer is yes, then there is no need to punish yourself for what happened. It was beyond your control anyways. Meditation usually helps as well, as does slow, regular breathing. If that helps, let me know."
"Thanks, Liara. Anything else I should know?"
"Admiral Hackett would like to speak to you when you've got some time," Liara added.
"Noted."
Liara left the Captain's Quarters, leaving Shepard alone once again. Taking her advice, he sat cross-legged on the cabin floor and closing his eyes, resting his hands on his knees. Slowing his breathing down, he thought back towards the memories, asking himself the question that Liara had recommended.
He was surprised to find that his gut had been knotted up somewhat, with the knots vanishing as he continued to meditate on his nightmare. His eyebrows stopped becoming furrowed, and he felt better than before. After a few minutes, he got up and made his way towards the Mess Hall. I'll need to thank Liara later, he thought as he pushed the icon on the elevator panel for the Mess Hall. That really helped out.
Upon arrival, Shepard heard a loud "S'KAK" being hurled across the room, just before a fist hit a table. Looking at the table, Shepard was surprised to see James Vega, Nyreen Kandros and Garrus Vakarian playing a holographic board game, complete with a set of holographic dice and holographic miniatures. Vega had a megawatt smile on his face, while Garrus was scowling, idly scratching his head with a talon as he tried to figure out how he lost. Nyreen, however, had a serene expression on her face.
"Hi, Shepard," Vega beamed. "Wanna join us?"
"Not right now, no," Shepard replied. "What are you playing?"
"Some kind of human game," Nyreen said. "Vega, explain it to the Commander."
"Right," James Vega said. "This is Classic BattleTech. It's a board game that's popular with new recruits in the Alliance Marines, myself included. As for Garrus' attitude, it's because I just won a 'Mech battle against his last 'Mech. Critical hits are a bitch, I can tell you that."
"There's no way a 'Mech with an AC/20 can penetrate that much armor like that," Garrus grumbled.
"According to the lore, it can do that," Vega countered. "AC/20's are the most damaging Autocannon against armor, and can one-shot a lighter 'Mech within its effective range. Your Shadow Hawk took a critical hit to the cockpit, so your character got turned into paste, and I won the game. Still, you were a good fighter. You destroyed the left arm and left center torso of my King Crab."
"I think that was from my Hunchback," Nyreen corrected.
"Details, Nyreen," Vega shrugged. Looking at Shepard, he said, "Garrus challenged me to a board game that was popular with Humans. I told him we were going to play one round of Classic BattleTech, and he agreed."
"Sounds like you got beaten by a professional," Shepard remarked to Garrus. "You probably should've picked something a little less well known to Vega."
"That's true," Garrus admitted, his scowl fading slightly. Looking at Vega, he said, "Well, you won. I guess those fifty credits are yours now."
"Yep," Vega replied. Meanwhile, Shepard proceeded to the mess hall and grabbed himself some rations. "Still don't want to play?" Vega called over to the Commande.
"I'll think about it," Shepard replied. "I used to enjoy board games all the time when I was a kid. Perhaps I've still got it." With that, he began shoveing food into his gullet. He also noticed Nyreen and Garrus walking along, caressing each other's waists. I'll have to ask them about that at some point, he decided. They have gotten along remarkably well since they came aboard.
. . .
Walking into the QEC room, Shepard pulled up the COM call for the day. "Connection pending," a computerized voice said moments later. "Please wait."
While Shepard waited, he suddenly spotted someone else in the adjacent War Room. "Javik?" he asked. "I didn't know you were up here."
"Commander," Javik remarked. "I was merely curious about the War Room, as you call it. We Protheans gathered in places like this to discuss strategies and attacks against the Reapers. It is similar to what we had back then."
"I see." Looking around, Shepard spotted another person in the CIC. "Wrex! You doing all right today?"
"Fine," Wrex replied. "Your Salarian doctor needed some 'samples' from me."
"I see where this is going," Shepard commented. "Still don't trust Mordin?"
"How can I? His kind built the Genophage, remember? Plus, the female isn't taking it well."
"You mean Eve?"
"Yeah. Eve. She tolerates Mordin, but she told me she sees a lot of pain in him. Hard to imagine that he'd want to reverse the Genophage."
"Would it help if I told you he helped me defeat the Collectors, and that he saved the data from Maelon's experiments?"
At that, Wrex's brow scales went up in surprise. "Really?"
When Shepard nodded, Wrex said, "Damn, Shepard. You didn't tell me about that. When you've got time, tell me more."
"Certainly," Shepard agreed. Then he heard a loud, beeping sound coming from the QEC. "I've got a call to take," Shepard explained. "Speak with you later?"
Wrex merely grunted.
Shepard pressed the call button, and the hologram of an elderly man in Alliance dress uniform appeared moments later. "Admiral," Shepard greeted him with a salute.
"At ease," Hackett replied. "I called to check up on your current progress in this sector of the galaxy. I take it all is going well?"
"Yes. Admiral. We helped recover some of Wrex's missing scouts. We'll be moving towards Tuchanka soon."
"Good," Hackett said. "That'll help with bringing the Krogan on board. Now, I called because we've got a problem, Shepard, and you're the only one who can keep things from escalating."
"And that would be?"
"We detected an unusual energy burst coming from the Terminus Systems," Hackett explained. "According to probes we launched, this energy burst came from a planet you've visited before. It appears Cerberus was studying some kind of Prothean artifact on the planet's surface. An inside agent of ours was able to provide more detail before she was forced to self-terminate when Cerberus uncovered her identity."
Shepard frowned. Ever since the Reapers launched their invasion, Cerberus had gotten unusually aggressive and hostile towards the Systems Alliance and the rest of the galaxy. "That's not good. If Cerberus is trying to interfere with a Prothean artifact, then I doubt it'll end well."
"Agreed. I've re-prioritized this Prothean artifact to the highest level possible. I need you, Shepard, to go to that star system and find out what it is that Cerberus is so interested in. If something is happening there, and Cerberus is responsible, I need you to shut it down."
"Understood. We'll get it done, sir," Shepard said
"Good to hear. Hackett out." The COM ended.
Looking up, Shepard keyed the PA and stated, "Commander Shepard to all ground team personnel. Report to the War Room immediately."
. . .
Soon, a group twenty strong assembled in the War Room for Shepard's meeting, and then one last straggler arrived. Looking up from the hologram table, Shepard watched a female Turian clad in body armor join them. Both of her slit blue eyes examined the room with a predatory intelligence that only a Turian could have. Spotting Shepard, she saluted and said, "Commander Shepard. Name's Xavora. I'm reporting as requested."
"At ease," Shepard told her. Looking around, he added, "Bray, you good?"
"I'm fine, Shepard," Bray the Batarian said. "Just some jitters, is all."
"Make sure it's only that." Shepard gestured to the group. "Take a seat, and we can start."
Once everyone was seated, Shepard cleared his throat and begen, "Admiral Hackett just called. We've got intelligence that Cerberus is up to no good in the Terminus Systems. We need to head to this location to find out what they're up to." He brought up a certain planet's image. "Look familiar?"
"That's Ilos!" Liara cried.
"Correct. According to probe readings, Cerberus has set up a base in an area near where we accessed the Conduit during our previous visit there. An Alliance mole in the Cerberus base sent Hackett valuable intelligence before she had to self-terminate to avoid capture." Zooming in on the planet, the hologram now showed a roughly circular region on the planet, with a number of buildings situated around a large crater.
"According to the mole, Cerberus has set up a number of research stations here on Ilos. There's a dormitory next to the lab, along with a high security control center on the west side of the crater." Those buildings glowed red on the hologram as Shepard spoke. "Pictures of the area showed what appeared to be a series of gyroscopic rings connected to a series of emitters located at the crater's rim.
"So, here's the plan: we split into two teams of six each. Fireteam Alpha will assault the control room and research labs, while Bravo will assault the area near the edge of the Prothean Artifact. Once we secured those areas, we head for the Prothean artifact and assess the situation. Should Cerberus send reinforcements, we'll hold near the artifact and prevent them from taking it back. Once we've reported in, we'll call for an Alliance fleet to secure the region." Looking up, Shepard asked, "Any questions, team?"
"Do we have any estimates on the enemy's strength?" Xavora asked.
"Expect between eighty and a hundred personnel at the base. Most of the guards are Centurions and standard soldiers, but we've also got a few Phantoms in the area as well. We also believe they have armored walkers on-site."
"That'll be fun to destroy," Grunt remarked, a wicked grin on his face. "Big things make big explosions."
"Hold it now," Bray remarked. "I didn't sign on to get my ass blown up."
"Grunt," Shepard admonished the younger Krogan.
"All right, Shepard."
"What about biotics?" Kaidan, piped up.
"Unknown at this point," Shepard stated. "If we encounter any, you and Liara will take them out. Grunt, Wrex, you'll take out any walkers we come across. Understood?"
Grunt bashed his fists together in excitement. "Can't wait!"
"Bray, I need you onboard the Normandy managing comms," Shepard added. "Things are going to get dicey down there, and we need someone to keep the channels clear."
"You got it, Shepard."
"Xavora?"
"I'll be on hand if we need explosives."
The team was ready, Shepard decided. "That concludes the briefing. We'll arrive on Ilos in about four hours' time. I recommend that you get some R&R before gearing up and heading out. Dismissed."
. . .
A few hours later, Shepard and the others were gearing up for the mission on Ilos. Garrus had been chosen to lead Fireteam Alpha, while Wrex would command Fireteam Bravo.
In the meantime, Shepard had also taken up James' offer of playing some Classic BattleTech, of which there were two kinds. The first involved the original storyline, which excluded the presence of aliens and advanced nanotechnology, while the second not only included the Council Races, but also advanced nanotechnology and AI. Shepard had to admit, it felt good to have a throwback to some of the brighter times of his childhood and the board games he used to play as a boy. While Vega had beaten him during the first and second rounds, his skill with that genre of games had quickly shaken off all the rust, and he dominated Vega in the third and fourth rounds.
I must admit, playing around with huge, robotic war machines does sound kinda nice, Shepard thought. If only we had WarShips similar to what the Star League had. Then we would be crushing the Reapers with ease.
The two teams next arrived at the hangar/cargo bay, where a pair of Kodiaks shuttles waited for them, fully prepped for flight. To prevent Cerberus from getting the drop on them, Shepard's teams would land near the research facility and travel there on foot, while the Normandy would remain on standby to provide fire support runs if necessary. Shepard, for his part, would join Fireteam Alpha.
The two teams boarded their shuttles, and they were off. As they descended onto Ilos' waiting surface, Shepard could still see the area that he had traveled through with Tali and Wrex all those years ago. It's been so long, he thought, but it also feels as though it was yesterday since we came here.
Soon, they were coasting through the atmosphere of Ilos, and upon arrival at the mission, everyone piled out of the vehicles, formed up, then moved out to their mission destination. Getting to the facility wasn't easy. Shepard and the others had to work around piles of debris, massive holes in the ground, as well as the occasional hostile fauna. As they moved through the area, Shepard could feel a sense of foreboding. Something feels off, he thought. I don't know what it is, but something feels off.
Eventually, they reached the Cerberus site without incident. To his surprise, Shepard found that there were actually two craters, with the Cerberus facility located in the first crater, while the second crater had the actual Prothean artifact. So, there was very little, if any, cover between them and the actual base itself.
The Cerberus base was well protected, with meter high walls of solid metal and composites, as well as floodlights at regular intervals. An electric fence encircled the inner perimeter, and Shepard guessed that there were probably regular guard patrols in the area as well, if the mole's intel was correct. He could see that the main base was connected to the area with the artifact via a security checkpoint that led into a dome that had been constructed, most likely to hold the artifact.
As Shepard examined the area, Garrus piped up, "S'kak, this is not going to be easy. Cerberus has the area locked down tight."
"I agree," James nodded, a frown on his face. "Looks like they've really beefed up their security measures since we hammered them last time. We'll need explosives to get inside."
"I can arrange for that," Xavora offered. "I was trained to use demolitions during my time in the Hierarchy Defense Force. I can get an explosive charge primed and set on the gate, and then we'll be inside."
"Why not use me?" Grunt suggested. "I can smash through the walls with ease. Not much stands in the way of a Krogan."
"That might be," Shepard said, "but I don't want to risk the walls being booby trapped. Cerberus is clever like that." Turning to EDI, he asked, "What do you think?"
"I can use my cyber warfare suite to open the gate, Shepard," EDI told him. "Once we are inside, I will disable the communications relay and any defenses located in of the base. Then we may to proceed to the artifact."
Shepard next turned to his Prothean ally. "Javik?"
"I can interface with the artifact my people created," Javik explained. "We absolutely cannot allow this 'Cerberus' to acquire the device. Many of the things my people built are hazardous to non-Prothean primitives, as you may have already seen."
"More than I care to," Shepard agreed. "Now, stay frosty, people. Let's get in there and teach Cerberus a lesson they won't forget."
Nodding in agreement, the teams split up and made their way to the facility, weapons held at the ready. Once he reached the front gate, Shepard watched as EDI expertly interfaced with the security panels before running her hacking routines. So far, thanks to tactical cloaks that Kasumi had installed into their armor systems, Shepard's team hadn't been detected, though that wouldn't stay like that for long. Finally, the gate opened up, and Shepard's team proceeded further into Cerberus territory.
Once they did, all hell broke loose. Garrus' team went on the offensive, opening up on the Cerberus personnel without hesitation. A small handful of Cerberus guards fell to the ground dead before the security even realized that something was wrong. "We've got incoming!" a Cerberus soldier shouted. "Fall back! Keep them away from the artifact!"
"I don't think so," Garrus snarled. He fired off a round from his rifle, ending the life of that particular soldier. Moving through the area, Garrus' team hastened towards the control center, while Bravo Team moved towards the dormitory. Hacking into the door controls, Kasumi managed to crack the door open, allowing Garrus and the others to move inside. Weapons blazed as the team opened fire on the personnel inside, with Centurions and other soldiers falling to the ground one after another.
"Watch it!" Kasumi shouted, pushing Garrus to the side. A split second later, a Phantom's blade appeared where Garrus' midsection would've been. Then James barreled through, smashing the Cerberus Phantom to the ground before firing a round through her head to finish her off.
"I owe you one!" Garrus called out.
"Least I can do," Vega shouted back. "Oh, man. What I wouldn't give for Elemental Battle Armor right now."
"Still going on about it?" Garrus asked as he nailed an Engineer in the head.
"Why not?" Vega remarked. "Besides, the Clans would mop the floor with these assholes. Those guys are bred to fight! Cerberus wouldn't hold a candle to Clan Jade Falcon."
"Clear the channel!" Shepard barked out. "Vega, I need you focused right now, not on what we did earlier!"
"Got it, Shepard." Spotting a group of soldiers, James hollered, "Hey, pendejos! HEADS UP!" Then he took out a frag grenade and hurled it through the air, with the grenade detonating on impact. Limbs and shrapnel flew everywhere as the grenade ripped apart the Cerberus personnel. "WHOOOHOOOOOO!"
"Does he always act like this?" Kasumi asked Shepard.
"Yep," Shepard replied. Keying his COM as he took out a Centurion, he asked, "Wrex, what's the status of the dormitory?"
In response, Shepard heard a loud, thunderous BOOM as something detonated. "Doing just fine," came Wrex's reply. "Grunt's been tearing through the enemy like a starving varren. And Xavora just blew up a few of those assholes and our other new recruits are doing well. They're making me feel old over here."
"I thought you were old," Shepard teased.
"I know I am. Just wait. I'll show these smartass kids a trick up my sleeve."
"I see," Shepard responded. "Anything else?"
"We're doing fine," Nyreen reported in. "We've got a lot of resistance, but we can handle it. We're already at the doors to the artifact dome, but the door's locked off. We need you to crack it open as soon as possible."
"Roger that."
Shepard was about to continue when Bray called in. "Shepard, we've got trouble," the Batarian reported, a hint of worry in his voice. "I think they've got Special Forces inbound on our position. We'll need to get to the artifact ASAP."
"EDI, can you confirm?" Shepard asked as he walked over to a control console.
"Affirmative," EDI stated. "Cerberus has sent a high ranking soldier to our position. One 'Xi Jeng Long.'"
"Who's that?"
"Fuck me," Zaeed, one of the older members of the crew, muttered.
Shepard rounded on him. "You know this guy, Zaeed?"
Zaeed's expression soured. "Of course I do. Ran into him after we destroyed the Collector base. Fucking arsehole's a fast bugger. Nearly gutted me twice in a row. I managed to fight 'im off though. Still, word of advice Shepard: be extremely cautious."
"Noted. EDI, when does this 'Long' arrive?"
"Two minutes," EDI replied.
"Dammit," Shepard growled. "Okay, people, change of plans. We're moving on the artifact now. Neutralize anyone that tries to get to our position. Joker, get the Normandy as close to the base as you possibly can!"
"Aye, aye, Commander. ETA: Two mikes."
Everyone immediately went into overdrive, tearing through the Cerberus personnel with reckless, do-or-die haste. Through the haze of smoke and gunfire, Shepard's team finally reached the artifact itself. Shepard could see that it was similar to a Mass Relay, only he noticed the conduits leading to the emitters outside, as well as the modifications to the gyroscopic rings. "What the hell is this?" he asked.
"I do not know," Javik replied. "I can say that it is Prothean in origin." He lookd around, then pointed at a Prothean Artifact, only it was built into the machine itself. "This is an interface," Javik told Shepard. "The operators of this device would use this interface to activate whatever it was connected to. If I interface with the artifact, I may determine its exact function."
"Are you sure you want to take the risk?" Shepard asked.
"I must," Javik stated adamantly. "There is no other way."
"Understood. Just remember, if you need me too, I'll pull you away from it."
"Yes, Commander." With that, Javik walked up to the device, which activated once Javik drew close to it. Suddenly, Javik was hoisted up into the air by the device, which projected a green glowing field around his body. His eyes were closed and he seemed relaxed. Good; it was working.
Meanwhile, Shepard heard the door to the dome opening up. Getting into position with the others, he watched a number of Centurions, Phantoms and Engineers storm inside, all of them led by a single individual of Asian descent. Most of his gear was black, with accents of gold and white, but his eyes were hidden by a visor he wore. "Who are you?" Shepard demanded.
"Your doom," the Cerberus team leader, probably Long, sneered. "You've been quite a problem for the Illusive Man's plans, enough to warrant him to have me take you down."
"Easier said than done," Shepard retorted. "Still, whatever it is you want with this artifact, you're not getting it."
"Really," Long remarked. "Because your Prothean will give us whatever it is we want, once we've killed you." Turning to his men, he said, "Kill Shepard and the others. Spare the Prothean."
Gunfire erupted throughout the dome as Shepard and his team fought back against Long and his men. Almost immediately, Long rushed in to engage Shepard, with the Spectre quickly rolling to avoid the powerful blow. Firing his weapon, Shepard peppered Xi with bullets, forcing the Cerberus Agent to roll and juke.
Long fired his weapon next, forcing Shepard to take cover when his barriers shattered. As he waited for his barriers to recharge, Shepard saw that his teammates were doing quite well for themselves. He was about to move when Long tackled him to the ground, intent on driving a knife through his side. Rolling fast, Shepard threw Long to the ground before getting up, arms and fists ready as he prepared to fight.
During his time as a Spectre, and before he was arrested, Shepard had worked on improving his CQC abilities, as he only knew basic self-defense strategies in that regard. Garrus had been particularly helpful in that regard, since he was an expert CQC expert, along with Kasumi, both of whom had taught him how to fight without a weapon.
Now that he was face to face with Xi, Shepard knew he wasn't helpless. He had also upgraded his cybernetics. Both men traded fierce, rapid blows with each other, with their fight looking more like a dance between two dancers than an actual fight between two soldiers. However, try as they might, the two soldiers couldn't touch one other, at least not at first. While Xi was younger and faster, Shepard had more experience, and the fighting and training he had greatly extended his endurance.
Shouting loudly, Shepard closed the gap between himself and Xi, with the younger combatant unable to react in time.
Long was hurled through the air by a precise and powerful kick from Shepard, with the man stumbling backwards into the artifact. A loud CRACK filled the air as Long landed; despite whatever injury he had, the young Cerberus Agent continued to fight on, though it was clear that the blow had winded him. All the while, Javik was still interfaced with the Prothean artifact.
Everyone stopped fighting as the gyroscopic rings in the artifact began spinning around and around, with an intense, humming sound echoing through the dome. The rings began rotating faster and faster still, before they began to shift, with powerful Mass Effect fields precisely moving the rings. Then, the gaps between each semi-circle component were pointing straight up and down, with the rings rotating left and right inside of each other. At the same time, a bright blue glow formed inside device.
"What's happening?" Shepard shouted over the din as he and Bejong stared at the device, their duel forgotten. "Javik, what is this?!"
"I don't know!" Javik cried, all four eyes now open again. "The device is activating! I must've triggered some sort of activation sequence!"
As Javik spoke, the metal and composite dome sheltering the artifact shattered like glass, with pieces being sucked skywards towards something. At the same time, the emitters activated, surrounding the entire inner crater in an ethereal blue-white dome of energy, with the barrier being transparent. Just as the Normandy entered the dome fully, there was a brilliant white flash of light.
A few seconds later, the dome of energy and the light faded into nonexistence. Everything seemed normal, but with one major difference: the Normandy and those around the artifact… were gone. What none of the people in the dome or the Normandy knew, was that soon, they would be involved in the adventure of a lifetime.