DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN MAS EFFECT. THIS IS JUST FOR FUN.

Warnings: The story contains sexual references and some mild swearing. It also contains some space-racism and sexism, all directed to Asari.

Note on Ashley Williams: There are some fans of ME who dislike Ashley. I am not one of them. I am a great fan of hers and find it difficult not to save her. That being said, the concept of her being a space-racist amuses me, thus the story.

PROPHECY

North America, Earth, 2183 CE

A couple of Months before Saren and the Geth assault Eden Prime

The waiting area in the small military spaceport was quiet. It was getting dark outside and the full moon could be seen shining brightly in the sky outside the large windows of the hall.

Only a couple of hours ago, the whole place was brimming with Alliance military personnel and their families. Some were arriving on leave to visit family and friends. Others were saying their goodbyes, preparing to return to their units or receive orders. Now it was almost empty. Only three figures in Alliance military fatigues waited for transport, their bags lying beside them.

One was a marine lieutenant with short dark hair. He sat examining an article on biotics on a datapad. A female Gunnery Chief, also with short dark hair, sat sullenly with arms folded, impatient at having to wait so long. A male marine corporal with short brown hair sat reading a holo-novel on the fictional exploits of Alliance marines.

A sergeant in Alliance uniform strode into the room holding a datapad. He read out the names listed.

"Lieutenant Kaiden Alenko. Gunnery Chief Ashley M Williams. Corporal Richard L Jenkins."

All three of the waiting soldiers stood up, expecting to receive news on their transports.

"I regret to inform you that your transports to Alliance command have been cancelled. There will be no transport tonight. It's been delayed until tomorrow morning."

"Oh, that sucks." Said the woman, grimacing with frustration.

"What is the problem, Sergeant?" Asked the lieutenant.

"No sure, sir." Said the sergeant with a wry smile. "Something about an ion storm."

The lieutenant raised his eyebrows and shook his head.

"Typical." The woman snorted with disgust.

"What do we do now?" Inquired the corporal. "There's not enough time to go back to our families."

The sergeant shrugged his shoulders. "Wait here. Go into town. It's up to you." He turned to leave and strode away from the three soldiers.

"Yeah, thanks a lot, sergeant." The woman shouted after her, putting emphasis on the last word. "You're a big help."

"Good luck." He replied with a nonchalant wave of the hand, without looking back. Then he left the hall.

"Asshole!" The woman shouted after him.

"Ion storms?" Jenkins frowned. "Are they real?"

"Nah. They just say that to excuse a technical problem or delay." Said the lieutenant.

"Yeah, they don't want to admit that their advanced technology can still break down." Said the woman. "But in saying that. That's what happens when you employ dumb-assed Vorcha to maintain your transports for you."

"Really?" The corporal's eyes went wide with alarm.

"She's only messing with you, corporal."

The woman burst out laughing. The corporal looked embarrassed. The lieutenant smiled.

"I can't believe you fell for that." She eventually said, after recovering from her hilarity.

"What do we do now?" Asked the corporal.

"Well, we've got some time until morning." Said the lieutenant. "Why don't we go into town for a drink. I'm buying. No need to worry about rank."

"Sounds great. LT." Said the woman, slapping him on the back.

"Sure, lieutenant." Said the corporal. "Why not."

The three were sitting at the bar of a local drinking establishment in town. The place was deserted. Each had a drink in front of them.

"So why are you going to Command, LT?" Gunnery Chief Williams asked Lieutenant Alenko.

"I'm being assigned to a new unit." He replied.

"Me too." Broke in Corporal Jenkins.

"So, what about you, Williams?" Asked Alenko.

"Going for an interview. Hoping to be reassigned where there is more action."

"Yeah, I want to get into the heat of action too." Said Jenkins enthusiastically.

"Where are you are posted now, Williams?" Asked Alenko.

"Eden Prime."

"That's where I'm from." Said Jenkins. "How do you find it?"

"It's very beautiful. But not much happening." Said Williams. "Very routine. Not as if aliens are going to attack there any time soon."

"Yeah, even paradise gets boring."

"You're name is Williams isn't it?" Asked Alenko

Williams took a big sigh. "Yes, sir."

"Are you related to general Williams? From Shanxi?" He Asked.

"Yup, that's me."

"I thought you looked familiar." Said Jenkins. "First general to have surrendered to an alien force. Everybody learns about it in college."

"Yeah, I bet." Willaims became tense, gripping her drink a little harder. Alenko looked alarmed. But Williams loosened up a little.

"Yeah. And that's why I'm stuck on garrison duty in places like Eden Prime." She said.

Alenko decided that it would be a good time to change the conversation and perhaps the scenery.

"Hey, this place is dead. Let's go somewhere else? What do you think?"

"We could go to club." Suggested Jenkins.

"Loud music and dancing." Scoffed Williams. "No thanks. Besides there's bound to be some pissed commander dad-dancing alone on the dance-floor."

"Haha. That's true." Said Alenko.

"What if the commander is a woman." Asked Jenkins.

"Then 'she' will be dad-dancing alone in the middle of the dance-floor." Replied Williams. "Doesn't if they're male or female, it's always the same."

"Haha, that's definitely true." Kaiden laughed. "Alright. No to the club. Where then?"

"Why don't we go to that Asari soothsayer in town?" Suggested Williams. "That could be fun."

"What would she do?" Asked Jenkins.

"Ah, you know." Responded Williams. "She'll tell us our fortunes. She'll give us some cryptic bullshit about our futures."

"Cryptic bullshit." Alenko frowned. "You don't sound convinced.

"I'm not." She smiled. "You know the routine. She'll tell me I'll meet a hero who'll sweep me off my feet. She'll tell the corporal here that he'll meet a caring blond tending to his wounds."

"And what about me, then." Asked Alenko.

"Oh, you'll probably meet some strong authoritative woman who will give you a right good spanking."

Alenko laughed. "Sounds about right."

"Come on, it'll help pass the time and give us some positive vibes." Said Williams.

Jenkins shrugged. "Sure, why not. I'm game."

"Great. Let's go then." Said Williams, downing her drink.

The three were sitting round a round table in a room decorated to look like a gypsy tent. Jenkins was on the right, Williams in the middle and Alenko on the left. A pot of incense burned in the centre of the table.

An Asari entered wearing a gipsy style scarf. She sat at the opposite end of the table. Jenkins seemed to flinch slightly when he saw her. Williams noticed his reaction and frowned, but said nothing.

"The path to the future is uncertain." Said the Asari. "There are many different roads that intertwine and disappear. Do you wish to hear your possible futures, then cross my hand with silver."

"Silver?" Asked Alenko.

"Typical Asari bullshit!" Scoffed Williams. "Always on the make."

"You get them at the dispenser outside, sir." Said Jenkins.

"I'll go and get them." Alenko left his seat and went outside.

"How did you know that?" Asked Williams with a frown. "Have you been here before?"

"Er, not this place precisely." Replied Jenkins, a little nervously.

Williams looked at him with suspicion. Alenko returned to his seat.

"Here's the silver." He put three silver coins in the Asari's hand.

"The fee to consort with the other side has been paid." Said the Asari. "All join hands."

The four joined hands to form a ring around the table.

"Let us pray to the Goddess." The Asari's eyes went dark. "Embrace Eternity!"

"Oh, here we go." Said Williams with a smirk.

After a few moments the Asari's eyes returned to normal.

"I have consulted the kismet and have read your possible future." The Asari said. "You all have a common destiny…"

"Yeah, right." Scoffed Williams.

"…in a place called…Normandy. Where you will see the hand of the Joker."

Williams giggled. "Wow! Looks like this one has read up on human history. Of course, we'll meet up where a great battle took place. It's ridiculous. Does she expect us to believe that."

She turned to the Asari. "The battles already happened, love. It's in the past."

"Come on, let her continue." Said Alenko.

"The galaxy will burn and billions will perish..." The Asari continued.

The three looked at her wide-eyed in alarm.

"…and the three headed dog will arise from the corruption of humanity. And the souls of billions shall be reaped over countless worlds."

"Er, I'm not feeling those positive vibes just now." Said Jenkins.

"Me neither." Said Alenko.

"And a sheperd shall arise to face the Catalyst in his Crucible of lies." The Asari ignored the interruptions of the others. "Succeed or fail, the Sheperd's legend will pervade the essence of the galaxy forevermore."

"Look, guys. I's all just meaningless mumbo-jumbo." Said Williams. "Typical Asari bullshit."

The Asari paused and looked at the three soldiers in front of her.

"Two of you will die within the next lunar cycle." The Asari spoke solemnly.

"Oh, come on." Said Ashley. "Some planets take years or centuries to go round their star."

"Terran lunar Cycles." The Asari clarified with a subtle smile.

"Smug Asari bitch." Sneered Williams.

Alenko frowned. Jenkins looked disconcerted. Williams raised her eyes to the roof.

"One shall die on Eden Prime."

"I'm from Eden Prime." Said Jenkins hysterically.

"Yeah, and I'm stationed there." Said Williams. "So what. Just shows that she somehow read our minds. Doesn't show she knows the future."

"Surely, you mean, 'may' die." Said Alenko to the Asari. "The future is uncertain, isn't it."

"No." The Asari said flatly. "Two of you will definitively die in the next Terran lunar cycle."

"That seems disturbingly unambiguous." Said Jenkins in alarm.

"And the third may also die…" Added the Asari.

"Great, we're all going to die." Snorted Williams.

"It is uncertain. The sands of time are always shifting." The Asari Said. "But if the third should live, he or she will accompany the sheperd in victory or defeat."

"So now the future is uncertain." Said Williams. "What bullshit."

The Asari pointed to Williams and Alenko.

"You two are inexorably linked." She said. "One shall live and one shall die. The sheperd shall decide."

"Oh, I'm panicking." Said Williams, feigning distress. "Are you panicking LT."

"Maybe just a little." He replied.

"You." The Asari pointed to Williams. "I see you shooting an unarmed Krogan in the head."

"Thank God." Said Williams with a grin. "At least, things are looking up now."

"But it is only a possible future."

"Yeah, right." Scoffed Williams. "Take my moment of joy away."

"What about me?" Asked Jenkins. "What will happen to me."

"You." Replied the Asari. "Shall die first. On your first mission. Without firing a shot."

"Whaaat!" Cried Jenkins.

"Surely you mean, 'may' die." Said Alenko. "it's not certain right?"

"No. He will definitely die. That is written in the book of fate."

"Well, that seems rather definitive." Says Jenkins. "I'm not digging these positive vibes from this at all."

"Unless…"

"Unless what?" Jenkins leaned forward.

"Unless you remain a virgin."

"What! But I only lost my virginity this afternoon."

The Asari gave a wry smile. Jenkins looked away embarrassed. Williams did not miss the exchange of glances.

"Wait a minute." Said Williams. "You did it with her didn't you? With this blue-assed Asari whore."

"Well, not quite." Said Jenkins. "Not only her."

"Oh, my God!" Said Williams. "You really did it didn't you. How much did it cost you? Thirty pieces of silver?"

"Yes, actually. That was the exact amount. How did you know?"

"I don't believe it." Williams rolled her eyes in disgust. "You really had a threesome with those blue-assed tentacle-heads."

"More like a six-some." Said Jenkins, sheepishly.

"A prostitute and a soothsayer." Remarked Alenko, "These Asari really are flexible."

"Hell yeah, they certainly are." Said Jenkins with a dreamy look on his face. "Best afternoon of my life."

"My God. The world is going to shit."

"Don't worry, corporal. We've all been there." Said Alenko, trying to diffuse the situation.

Williams frowned at him with disdain. "Really?"

"Ahem. Anyway. So what about romance?" Alenko turned to the Asari, trying to change the focus of the discussion. "Surely you can teel us something positive about that."

"Such things are vague in the mists of time." Said the Asari.

"I bet they are." Snorted Williams. "All the good stuff is always vague. Yeah right."

The Asari turned to Alenko.

"I see the Shepard and you together. You are rutting like a bull with its mate. But I can't tell who is who." Said the Asari flatly.

Williams burst out laughing. "Oh, you are in for a good time, LT."

"Come on." Said Alenko. "This is not serious, right?"

"The Asari are the biggest sluts in the galaxy, LT." Williams could hardly stifle her giggles. "They know their stuff. They do it for decades if not centuries. It must be right."

"And you…" Said the Asari, pointing to Williams. "I see the Sheperd take you in his strong muscular arms. I see you kiss tenderly. I see him caress every part of your strong athletic firm supple body."

"Right, sure. Alright." Williams began to blush.

"I see him kiss and caress you all the way down to your…"

"Yeah. Right. OK. I think we get the idea."

"I see you moan and orgasm with ecstasy you have never experienced before…"

"Alright, that's enough." Williams covered her ears with her hands. "I don't want to hear anymore."

"…and your cries of joy will reverberate around the whole of Normandy."

"La,la,la,la,la." Said Williams, her hands still over her ears. "I'm not listening."

"Looks like everyone else will." Suggested Jenkins ruefully.

Williams glared at him. Alenko laughed.

"Oh come on, Williams." Said Alenko with a grin. "The Asari know their stuff. You said it yourself. It must be true."

"But you should both beware of an Asari who may thwart your amorous plans." The soothsayer said conspiratorially. "Her name is…a liar. Beware of her scheming."

"A lying Asari. What a surprise." Said Williams glaring at the soothsayer.

"Mmm, her name could Aliar. Or backwards…as in Raila." Suggested Alenko. "Or an anagram. Riala perhaps. Or Irala."

"Or Airla." Suggested Jenkins helpfully.

"Or maybe it's some stupid name like Liara." Said Williams. "Or perhaps it's just the usual Asari manipulative crap."

The Asari smirked and looked at Williams. "And I see you with your shiny long dark glossy hair cascading down your back. I see you wearing make-up. And you shall wear sexually provocative figure-hugging uniforms and high-thigh boots."

"Right, blue-tits. You really are taking the piss." Said Williams grimly. "I'd rather die first."

"That may indeed come to pass." Said the Asari with a wry smile.

"I bet you would like that." Sneered Williams. "And I damn well hope it does. There's no way in hell I will dress like that."

Alenko burst out laughing. Jenkins looked like he wanted to, failing to suppress a snigger.

"Anyway. What about Jenkins?" Asked Williams, desperately trying to change the subject. "Will he find his true love?"

"No." the Asari replied, turning to Jenkins. "He will die single and without true love. It is thus written."

"But it can change in the mists of time." Suggested Alenko.

"No. His fate is fixed. Thus it is written."

"What!" Cried Jenkins. "Why do you two get the steamy action?"

"Sounds like you've had enough already for today." Snorted Williams.

"Alright. I think we've heard enough. "Said Alenko. "This is not quite the fun and uplifting experience that we imagined."

"Definitely not what I was expecting." Said Williams.

"But I have so much more to tell you."

"Thankyou for your time. It's time to leave." Said Alenko. "Come on. Let's go."

The three soldiers stood up and walked away. Williams sneered at the Asari seer as she left.

The three were sitting at a bar drinking large pints of liquid. The tavern was filled with Krogan artefacts and decoration. A Krogan barman was cleaning glasses at the other end of the bar.

Williams looked around in dismay and shook her head.

"A Krogan tavern and Asari establishments of dubious repute. This place really has gone to hell. They're taking over. Soon there'll be no place for us humans."

"What is this stuff?" Said Jenkins, rocking on his stool. "It's super strong."

"Krogan ale." Said Willaims. "Knocks you flat and makes you forget the night before."

"And I think we all need it." Said Alenko, taking a sip.

"Yeah, a rather depressing night." Said Williams.

"Especially for me." Said Jenkins mournfully.

"Don't worry corporal. The blue assed-bitch was just winding us up." Said Williams. "The Asari are always stuck up and arrogant. They like to put us down and in our place. Like the rest of the Citadel council. She's lucky she wasn't Turian. Otherwise, I would have knocked her scaly block off."

Williams put her arms round his shoulder. "Don't worry. I am always here for a fellow, soldier."

"Thanks, chief. That means a lot. It's been a tough night." Jenkins looked at her up and down with a smile. "Well, you know, there is another way you could cheer me up." He raised his eyebrows at her. "Perhaps we could comfort each other."

Willams detached herself from Jenkins.

"What? Us? Oh, no. No way. You're on your own, kid" She replied. "Besides I never fraternize with soldiers above or below my rank."

Alenko laughed. "Wise words."

"Anyway. You won't get anything up with this Krogan ale."

"True." Said Alenko. "It increases the Krogan libido. But reduces it for humans."

"Yup. You'll both be limp dicks tonight."

They all laughed.

"Thank God for the Genophage." Said Williams. "Imagine millions of randy Krogan bucks running about after drinking this stuff. No wonder the Krogan rebellions were so hard to crush."

The three sat in silence for a moment.

"It's been a hard night. But it has been an oddly enjoyable experience." Said Alenko. "I would like to make a toast. To the three best soldiers in the galaxy."

They all clink glasses.

"Amen to that." Williams took a sip of her drink. "And to the Alliance. May humanity find its place in the stars."

"And to getting some real action." Said Jenkins.

"As I said before. I think you've had enough action already, corporal." Said Williams.

They all laughed and clinked glasses again.

"Did you really go with five Asari?" Asked Alenko after a moment's pause.

"Yeah. They call it a Millenium. Five adult Asari whose combined age adds up to…"

"… thousand years." Said Williams. "Yeah, we get it."

"Best afternoon of my life." Said Jenkins with a dreamy look on his face. "You should give it a try, chief. They say you have to try it once before you die. They serve women too."

"No thanks." Williams scrunched up her face. "I'll pass."

"Well, I salute any guy who can hold his own with five adult Asari, in any circumstances." Alenko held up his glass. "Especially if it is his first taste of action."

"Thanks, sir." Jenkins moved in his stool and groaned. "Anyway, I think I better go to the bathroom. This ale seems to be having an effect."

Jenkins left to relieve himself.

Alenko and Williams sat in silence for a moment.

"I sense you have some hostility towards our alien friends, Williams." Said Alenko. "Perhaps you should be in Terra Firma rather than the Alliance."

"No Way. Not with that bunch of mindless fanatics." She replied. "My concerns are more considered and nuanced. You know what I mean?"

"If you say so, Williams." Alenko shook his head.

There was an uncomfortable silence tomorrow.

"But you know one thing, LT." Said Williams. "Despite the bullshit, I hope that Asari seer is right about one thing. I hope we do serve together. From the way you handled the situation and care for your soldiers, I can see you are a good officer."

"Thanks. Williams. And I can see you are a good soldier." Said Alenko sincerely. "I can see you would have our backs. I hope we serve together too one day."

"Yeah." Said Williams with a wistful smile. "That would be great."

"Yeah, it would be a real blast."

THE END