In Another Time (revised)

by Aliyah-Shalom-David34

Anna is a fifteen year old girl who spent her time getting lost in fictional worlds. She never dreamed or really wanted to actually get lost in one. She fell asleep one night to find herself face to face with her own Shepard and ends up back in her own world when she sleeps. How and why is this happening? And how will she survive the Reapers? *Eventual* OC/Joker, Shekarian

1. Chapter 1

March 21ST 2015
10:15 PM
Sol System / Local Cluster / Earth / United States / Nebraska

oOo

My lips purse as I try to get the curve of the nose just right, tilting my head as I do so. The dim glow of the lamp on my bedside table casts a soft light on the paper, revealing eraser shavings scattered across its surface. I shake my head in frustration and erase the line, the room now quiet except for the faint creaks that accompany my movements.

In the semi-darkness, I freeze when I hear a subtle shift in the otherwise silent room and look up. My gaze travels across the room towards the bed opposite mine, where my sister Rose sleeps. The moonlight spills through the window, creating a delicate glow around her sleeping form, accentuated by the faint radiance of my bedside lamp. I watch for any signs of her waking, the fabric rustling as she shifts.

The noises stop, and I release a small puff of air in relief before returning to my attempts to master the nose in my drawing. The pencil glides over the paper, each stroke reflecting my struggle to perfect the task. With each failure, the challenge seems to intensify, creating a frustrating loop of repeated attempts.

'No… too straight…'

Scribble, scribble.

'No… too upturned…'

Scribble, scribble, scribble…

'No… now the rest of the nose doesn't look right, and the eyes are crooked…!'

Sighing in frustration, I crumple the paper and toss my latest attempt at drawing my femshep across the room. It bounces off the wall and lands almost silently on the carpet.

'I can't draw her anymore. I've tried everything! I've looked at pictures, and compared them to my own memories. The lines and colors just don't match up. I've never been able to draw people. I just can't seem to make it look right. Whether it's the eyes, the nose, or the mouth! Gah!'

My face buries into my pillow to muffle the groan of frustration, careful not to wake up Rose, who peacefully sleeps in the bed across the room from me. Unfortunately, my attempts to stifle my emotions fail, and she retaliates by throwing her pillow in my direction.

"Shut up and go to sleep already! It's almost eleven!" she hisses, clearly annoyed by my late-night endeavors.

Tucking the pillow under my arm, I can't resist sticking my tongue out in a playful gesture. "I'm keeping this."

She responds without turning to look at me, her hand raised in a demand. "Give it back."

I pull the pillow a bit closer, teasingly defiant. "No!"

Her hand disappears back under the covers, and I brace myself, expecting another pillow assault. After a brief pause, I huff and toss the pillow back to her. She tucks it under her head, and I snap my sketchbook shut.

"Why do you keep drawing her anyway?" Rose's muffled voice emerges from under the blankets.

I gaze up at the ceiling, sighing softly. "I dunno... I just can't help it. You know how obsessed I am with Mass Effect. And with all the cool fanart out there mixed with Brittany's skill," I mention my older sister, "I just wanna get to that level."

Rose turns on her side, her back facing me. The covers are pulled back over her as she settles.

"You know you're a genius when it comes to drawing and painting."

"So you say." I sigh, nuzzling into my pillow, and turn off my lamp before succumbing to sleep.

oOo

March 21ST 2183
10:30 AM
Century Omega / Hoc / Virmire / Saren's Breeding Facility

oOo

When I wake, I find that my bed has changed from the soft, warm, plush mattress to that of cold metal. I groan and stir, disoriented, before a loud explosion rocks the room around me, catapulting me into full consciousness. My heart pounds as I sit up, trying to make sense of my surroundings.

The metallic chamber is alien, and the cold seeps through my worn nightgown, leaving me shivering. The room reverberates with another explosion, and my gaze locks onto a large, reptilian face staring back at me, its red eyes unblinking. Instinctively, I press my back to the wall, throwing my hands up in front of my face, though the flimsy nightgown does little to shield me.

Normally, the sensation of icy metal against my back would prompt me to recoil, but the fear of the imposing creature in front of me overshadows any discomfort. The creature opens its mouth to roar, and I squeak in response, identifying it with a shaky voice, "KROGAN!"

My words only seem to agitate him further, and he roars in my face. I turn away from him, only to be picked up by the scruff of my gown. I yipe and squirm in an attempt to free myself, the Krogan holding me like a kitten. He turns, presenting me to a very familiar blonde woman who levels a gun in my direction.

My jaw drops as I stare into the icy blue eyes of my Shepard. "Shepard?" I manage to ask, my voice filled with shock.

The blonde woman glances between me and, to my disbelief, Tali, before turning her attention back to the red-eyed Krogan who's holding me. "Wrex, put her down," she commands. Then, focusing on me, she demands, "Who are you?! What are you doing here?! Are you with Saren?!"

I don't even notice the tears pooling in my eyes. Confusion clouds my thoughts, and though I want to know what's going on and where I am, I struggle to get a word in.

"I-I... I don't know... I... I'm not with Saren, I swear... I just don't know how I got here..." I manage to squeak out, trembling.

Another explosion rocks the room, now recognizable as an elevator, and Shepard curses.

"Dammit, we don't have time for this! Grab her and let's go! We have to get to Ashley before the place goes up!" she growls, slamming her hand on the haptic to make the elevator doors close and begin its ascent.

As I'm being picked up and carried, a sense of unease washes over me, and the initial excitement of entering the Mass Effect universe is replaced with uncertainty. Meeting Shepard was a dream, but the reality is harsh. I've barely been here for five minutes, and already I've faced yelling, guns pointed at me, and the imposing presence of a furious Krogan.

'This isn't what I wanted. I'm not Shepard! I'm a geek who can't draw anything but people that look like anime characters!' I silently lament as Wrex continues to carry me.

Desperation sets in as I attempt to make sense of our destination. "Wait... where are we going?" I inquire, trying to get a glimpse of our surroundings.

The elevator opens, revealing a tropical atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the chaos outside. Gunfire and explosions disrupt the otherwise serene environment. Panic grips me as I connect the dots, realizing the significance of the setting. 'Think, Anna, think! Tropical… Ashley… even though there are two other crew members here… Oh… Oh no… Virmire…' I curse internally. 'Crap… Crap crap… I'm gonna die… If Shepard doesn't tell Wrex to throw me off the cliff first I'm gonna be left for the Geth or worse… Please tell me this is a dream… please…'

My body continues to tremble, caught in the tumultuous blend of fear and confusion. As I glance around in a panic, a sense of helplessness overwhelms me—I'm nothing more than a shoulder bag for a Krogan, and in my current position, there's little I can do. Attempting to regain control, I take a few deep, shaky breaths, endeavoring to calm myself amid the bouncing journey.

Shepard momentarily halts to communicate with someone on her earpiece, and the urgency in her voice sends shivers down my spine.

"Okay then we need to head back to help with the nuke! … What? Kaidan, what are you doing?! No! Joker, can you head back and pick up Kaiden? …" Shepard's face falls as she surveys the surroundings, torn between the abandoned elevator and the foreboding catwalk.

"I-I… Kaidan… I…" Her lip trembles for just a second before her face hardens, and her head lowers "Kaidan… I'm… Sorry…" She takes a deep breath as something is said in reply.

She exhales, the weight of unspoken sorrow lingering in the air, and turns back down the catwalk. The path ahead is bathed in an eerie glow, courtesy of sporadic flashes of gunfire and explosions. Shepard's stoic exterior momentarily betrays her, her quivering lip a subtle revelation of the turmoil within. The echo of a whispered apology lingers between the metallic structures of the facility, disappearing into the chaos.

"Right… let's go. We have to save Ash and her team." Shepard raises her gun, a symbol of unwavering determination, and begins to jog down the catwalk. Meanwhile, I remain silent, fidgeting with the blonde locks framing my face. Thankfully, my hair is short enough not to be an impediment.

As much as the internal turmoil tears at me, the realization sets in that there's no way I can help now. If this is some twisted dream, the frustration gnaws at me—why can't I even try to help? What use am I if I can't stop something I knew was going to happen?

Abruptly, my thoughts are shattered by a barrage of gunfire as we ascend another elevator and step into a chaotic firefight. I squeal in surprise as I'm swung from Wrex's shoulder and placed back on my feet. His growl points me behind a pillar, and frozen in fear, I stare at the hulking creature looming in front of me.

"Cover! Now!" Shepard's urgent command snaps me out of my daze.

I dash behind the pillar, seeking refuge from the chaos that surrounds me. Trembling, I huddle there as gunfire and explosions resonate, questioning how I ended up in this surreal situation. This would be one intense dream or, perhaps, a nightmare if that's what it truly was.

"Okay… deep breath… you've done this millions of times in-game… you can do this…" A few calming breaths help me regain composure, and I cautiously peer out. Shepard takes cover nearby, flanked by Tali and Wrex who expertly handle the Geth opposition. My hands tremble as I spot a dropped pistol a few feet away. Summoning courage, I dash out, snatch the weapon, and return to my cover.

'Okay… okay… Dad taught me how to shoot a nine mil… it can't be that much different… Right…?' I inspect the pistol, finding the trigger, and peek out, looking down the sights.

'Alright… Deep breath… don't lock my arm… aim… exhale…' Following the steps my Dad taught me, I squeeze the trigger. A yipe escapes me as the pistol recoils, hitting a Geth Trooper in the shoulder. Panic seizes me as it turns towards me, pistol raised, advancing relentlessly.

I squeal and hastily pull the trigger. Four shots later, the Geth falls, but I continue firing until the gun clicks and hisses. Dropping the pistol, I wave my hand to soothe the stinging—holding it a bit too high resulted in a burn from my thumb to my index finger.

Panicking, I reach to retrieve the pistol when two more Geth take aim at me. Firing rapidly, I manage to down them just as the gun overheats. I breathe a sigh of relief and lean against the pillar. Surveying the aftermath, I realize the fighting is over. Saren and his Geth lie scattered. My relief fades, however, when I notice Shepard striding toward me. In a panic, I drop the gun, shrinking into the pillar, anticipating her reaction.

"What the hell were you thinking?! You could've gotten yourself killed!" Shepard's voice is stern as she glares down at me while I keep my gaze fixed on the ground.

"i-I just… wanted to help… my Dad taught me to shoot… so I thought… but… it's a bit different than I'm used to…"

I keep my head bowed like a chastised child, and Shepard holds out her hand.

"Let me see."

Bending down, I scoop the pistol back up once more and hand it to her.

"Not the pistol. Your hand." She says, her voice a bit softer than before.

My cheeks flush as I show her the burn on my hand, feeling a bit embarrassed to be treated like a child by my role model. Shepard reaches into a pack on her belt and pulls out a small packet of what I can only assume is medi-gel. She spreads it on my burn, and the stinging fades to a dull throb. I relax a bit.

"We definitely need to talk about a lot of stuff. Mostly how a child ended up in Saren's Breeding Facility. But first, we need to get out of here."

"Yes Ma'am…" I nod, and she puts a finger to her ear.

"Joker! Ready for pick up! Get us outta here!"

As soon as the words come out of her mouth, bullets ping off the metal around us, and she grabs my arm, making a dash towards the edge of the platform as the Normandy flies overhead. I stare up at it in amazement, and despite the loud noise, it's awe-inspiring.

My shoulder jerks forward with a piercing, burning sensation, sending me falling flat onto my face. Tears pool in my eyes as I shift, looking back at the Geth behind me.

"Crap… is this it…? Brought down by the weakest enemy in the game…?"

I feel a tug on my good arm as Shepard hauls me back to my feet.

"The hell are you talking about?! Don't be so dramatic!"

My face pales as I'm pulled along behind her. Whether it's from the pain or the fact I actually said that aloud, I'm unsure.

She drags me onto the ship, turning to cover Wrex, Tali, Ashley, and Kirahe's team, and I stare out off the ship, my hand clutching my shoulder. I sway a bit before Shepard grabs my arm again and pulls me away from the opening as it begins to close, stopping to stare at a vid screen as we take off, away from the facility. She watches as we leave the atmosphere, and winces when the screen flickers, before turning away.

"H-hey… for… what it's worth… I'm sorry about Kaidan…"

I swear I heard an audible snap as she turned to look at me, her eyes narrowing.

"How do you know about Kaidan?"

"U-um… I uh… can we… talk about this later… this is… really starting to… hurt…"

My vision starts to fade, and I hear Shepard curse as I fall forward.

oOo

March 22nd 2015
12:45 AM
Sol System / Local Cluster / Earth / United States / Nebraska

oOo

My body jerks as I wake up, and I look around the room rapidly, my heart pounding. I sit up and wince when I move my shoulder. 'What the heck…?'

I climb out of bed and quietly open the door to slip into the hallway. I head into the bathroom and quietly close the door behind me before turning on the light. Shifting the now-tattered shoulder of my nightgown, I see it's bandaged, only a small spot of blood visible through the starch white cloth. Whatever Chakwas did, assuming it was her, worked, as I barely feel the pain in my shoulder now, and the burn on my hand is now relatively nonexistent. I need to get myself some Medi-Gel to take home…

Taking a deep breath, I open the door and peek out into the hallway, listening for any noise. I hear the front door open and close the bathroom door again, holding my breath until I hear my brother's door open and shut. Will had been on the night shift for the past month, and it's still a bit of an adjustment when you're not used to people coming and going in the middle of the night.

Waiting a few more seconds, just to be sure, I quietly open the door again and creep down the hall back to my room. I quietly open the door, and Rose sits up, squinting in my direction.

"What are you doing up…?" She asks through a yawn.

I freeze for a second. Rose and I are really close… Close enough that some people think we're twins, but this… How would I explain this?

'Yeahhhh, I went to bed, woke up on Virmire, helped fight off the Geth, and got shot on my way back to the Normandy before the bomb went off.'

… I'd be admitted to the psych ward for sure.

"Earth to Anna…?"

"Sorry… uh… Bathroom." I chuckle and quickly slip back into bed, keeping my injured arm away from her sight.

She gives me an odd look, staring for a second, before shaking her head and settling back in.

I stare at the ceiling, pondering everything that had just happened. 'There's no way all of that just happened… right? I mean… I have a hole in my shoulder… but like… It can't be real… I had to hurt myself in my sleep… right…?';

Tossing and turning, I continue to ponder until I'm sure Rose has fallen back asleep. I quietly get up and stuff my nightgown into a bag, changing into an oversized t-shirt and pajama pants. I crawl back into bed and continue to stare at the ceiling.

'Well… Regardless… it's over now… maybe I can just… Sleep and act like this never happened…"

I roll over onto my side and sigh softly before closing my eyes and forcing myself to sleep.