Thank you Blaze1992, Djangiti, kite15663, Azai Jin, amerikhan786, kite15663, for the reviews.
I usually write them during my dayoff, I will try to post as much I can, and continue till its finished... I hope.
Also Thank you for your suggestions amerikhan786, I did have plan for Star Forge, but did not think of Mother Machine.
I will think of someway to integrate Mother Mahchine or come up with something similar.
I hope you all enjoy and let me know if you have any suggestions related to StarWars and Mass Effect.
Chapter 1-2: HK & Shanxi
As the founder of this new type of crystals, I decided to call it "The Great Harmony'' as these two Crystals were actually one crystal with two different colors, and even though it can be separated, its power radiated throughout the Force only when they are together. Its very existence symbolized the great cycle between the Living and the Cosmic Force that cannot exist without one another. It wasn't that surprising a characteristic of these twin crystals, considering it came from the cave of this planet, Wellspring of Life.
It took hours of meditation for me to truly connect with my crystals as it proved to be quite tricky to find the delicate balance between the two parts. Once that part is done, master Revan brought a few boxes full of different parts that can be used for building a lightsaber.
As my master instructed, I sat down with my crystals and meditated on which parts would be perfect for my lightsaber.
I let the Force flow naturally in me, and reached out. Some of the parts floated out from the box and started to construct on their own as if there were invisible hands putting them together.
"Hmm… You certainly are an unusual Padawan, even with your lightsabers. Only a few people in my memory wielded a double bladed weapon, but one that can be separated into two separate blades… is even more rare." Master Revan commented as he observed my new lightsaber.
"I think this is the perfect representation of the crystal and my origin, here on Wellspring of Life, master. The green blade represents the Living Force, while the purple represents the Cosmic Force. They can be separated into two, but they are one. I can use just one of the blades normally, but I can feel that their true potential only be revealed when they are connected into a saberstaff or used as dual wielded blades." I explained how I interpreted the meaning of my new lightsaber.
"Your interpretation seems to be accurate. You have made great progress since we first met, Gale. I am very proud of you, my padawan." Master Revan smiled with great pride at his student's achievement.
As we were discussing about my lightsaber and the crystal core, five orbs of golden light flew towards us and transformed into the Priestesses.
"It's been awhile, priestesses. Is there something you all need to tell me?" I asked.
"Hello, young Gale. We have been observing your training and we believe your progress has been… adequate." Serenity answered.
"But there is a problem brewing in the galaxy that we did not expect." Anger said.
"The First Contact War, as you called it, is going to be even more devastating than it supposed to be without intervention. Thousands will die, and more will suffer fate worse than death. The Batarian pirates are moving towards the colony of Shanxi and Turians are after them. Without any help, People of Shaxi will be enslaved and Turians will attack the human reinforcement fleet instead of Batarian slavers, mistaking the human fleet as pirates." Sadness elaborated what was happening and what will happen if no one intervenes to change the way things are going.
"How is this possible? I am stuck here for years and didn't change anything out there?!" I was shocked at the revelation of this information.
"When you were reborn from the Force, it created a massive ripple throughout the galaxy. The future is never set and always in motion as you know already. Such ripple in time and space might have caused certain changes in the causality, steering away from the course of events that you already are familiar with." Confusion said.
"If the war happens while humans were captured by the Batarian slavers, System Alliance will never agree to a ceasefire as Citadel Council will never agree to help getting their civilians back from Batarians. The war between SA and Turian Hierarchy will continue for a lot longer, most of the Human colonies will be battlegrounds, many lives from both sides will be lost for no good reason. SA and Citadel will develop an extremely hostile relationship until their extinction by the Reapers." Sadness explained as she displayed a vision of the future from an orb of light in her hand for me and master Revan to see.
"So we must put a stop to this madness…. Somehow."
This was a lot to handle. I first thought I would probably just need to make sure to help the Shepherd and Normandy crews, so the timeline goes as it should be, at least to reach the moment of RGB ending. But things are changing, soon, I might not even recognize this galaxy from the Mass Effect games if this keeps happening. At worst, Commander Shepherd might not even be born. Who knows what has happened so far that is different from the original plot?
All this was causing me a lot of headaches.
Master Revan noticed that I wasn't looking well from the pressure of being the Force's chosen.
"Gale, there is no need for such worries. The Force is with us, and we are one with the Force. Perhaps this is a great opportunity for us to go out in the wider galaxy and do what we can. You have trained well over the years, but the problem is that you are lacking experience. I believe it is about time for us to leave this place and prevent this war from getting out of hands"
Master declared with an approving look… feelings from the priestesses.
"Are you sure, master?"
"You learned much from me during 6 years of training. There isn't much for me to teach you other than a real experience. This journey to prevent the war from escalating will serve as another trial for you, my padawan. It may be a little early but I have a good feeling that you will do great."
Master Revan said as he gently patted my head.
"So, it is decided. Young Gale, you've been with us for years since you were reborn from the source of all life. New body and power given by the Force itself for a grand purpose. It is time to begin your journey to the wider galaxy." Confusion said.
"We have chosen many champions with great potential throughout many cycles to defeat the reapers, but they all failed to unite their own people and perished, just as their predecessors did." said Sadness.
"But you are the chosen of the Force, not of ours. The Skywalker of this galaxy. You are out of Reaper's designs, and possess unique insight and knowledge that can be used against them."
"We are out of options, out of time. You are our only hope to save this galaxy. To further help your quest, we bestow upon you with this."
Serenity conjured an object out of thin air. It was a holocron, not of Jedi or Sith in design, but A dodecahedral holocron (polyhedron with twelve flat faces), beautifully decorated with gold around its edges.
"Many of our previous champions tried to make contingency plans in case of their failures. Many have failed, but some were successful at leaving their legacies intact after the end of their cycle, for their successors to find and inherit. Their legacies still remain in the galaxy, hidden away from the Reapers. This holocron is one of such legacies. This will guide you to find more that will help you prepare for what is to come."
The holocron flew away from the hand of Serenity and landed on the palms of my hands.
I vowed to the priestesses with gratitude.
"Thank you, priestesses. Thank you for everything."
"Good bye, Gale Skywalker. May the Force be with you."
Master Revan placed his hand on my shoulder.
"It is time, Gale."
"Yes, master…. "
We left the priestesses and headed towards where Ebon Hawk was stationed. During my engineering lessons, Master Revan and I did extensive repairs on the ship. Technically, I never piloted the ship but the master has taught me everything about the ship from how to fix, maintain prime condition, and every function and buttons from Pilot seat to engine room.
As we were walking up the ramp to get on board the Ebon Hawk, I looked back to see the Wellspring one last time before we departed.
"I will miss this place. It's been many years, this place is like a home to me."
"I understand padawan. This is home of every life in the galaxy, where it all started, and comes back in the end. You were reborn here and have lived here since then. I am sure you will be able to see this place when the time comes."
As we got on board the Ebon Hawk, we did one last inspection of every system. Hyperdrive, landing gears, thrusters, turrets, etc….
Once all the inspection was cleared, I arrived at the cockpit, and sat in the co-pilot seat next to Master Revan, who was in the pilot seat.
Master Revan started the engine and held the control wheel. Ebon hawk finally lifted from the ground and slowly ascended into the sky.
This was it. my first voyage into outer space. I've known that I will one day leave the Wellspring and journey from planet to planet but actually experiencing it for the first time was something more exciting and nervous.
I looked outside from the window, saw the golden lights of midi-chlorians forming gigantic pillars of light emerging from the Wellspring of Life and spreading towards the galaxy outside. It was truly a beautiful sight to behold.
As the ship was leaving the atmosphere, and its earthly outer shell, the black void of outer space filled the view outside. The midi-chlorians were supposed to spread in all directions, to be scattered every corner of the galaxy.
Now I truly understood what it meant when the Reapers were causing much more damage than anyone realized. The light of midi-chlorians were visibly blocked or trying to avoid going in certain directions. The Cosmic Path where midi-chlorians were supposed to follow to be spread out, was blocked by so many wounds in the Force, creating something resembling the blood clot.
"I can feel so many voids in the presence in the Force, master…. the Midi-Chlorians are blocked from where they are supposed to go…."
"Your feelings are right, my Padawan…. I can feel its devastating effects in the galaxy and all who dwell in it….We better make haste if we are to prepare for what is to come."
Ebon Hawk soon arrived in space far enough from the Wellspring to enter Hyperspace. Master asked as he noticed my nervousness and excitement for my first FTL travel.
"Gale, would you like to do the honor? After all, this is your first time traveling in hyperspace."
I nodded in agreement. I reached out and held one of the levers on the control panel. I gently gave a push forward. Then with a faint noise from the ship, the whole ship punched forward faster than light and entered the psychedelic scene of hyperspace filled my eyes.
The acceleration was very intense, only for a few seconds but as soon as we entered hyperspace, it felt like the ship was flying smoothly without any interference.
I've seen many times from Star Wars how hyperspace travel looked like, but actually experiencing had certain magical feelings to it that movies and animations failed to show its audience.
"You remind me of me when I was your age, traveling the galaxy for the first time. I looked at the view of hyperspace for hours. This never gets old." Master Revan said as he chuckled, feeling nostalgic from the good memory of the past.
We stayed in the cockpit for an hour, just looking at the outside.
Thankfully, the star chart of Ebon Hawk was updated with the data provided by the priestesses. It was likely the most completed map of the galaxy in existence, likely more detailed than whatever the Citadel Council has. It had records of many worlds that once belonged to the perished civilizations, including the Protheans.
Earth was easy to find, as I knew all the characteristics of the solar system, but finding Shanxi was the difficult part, as the data we have once belonged to Protheans, and we didn't know which planet in Prothean term was the same one as Shanxi. Also traveling by unstudied Mass Relay tends to send you to who knows where in the galaxy. We couldn't make educated guesses, unlike hyperspace travel, which likely follows the set course of hyperspace lanes.
So, we did what any half decent Jedi would do in our situation.
Master and I sat down in front of the galaxy map, meditated. Looking for the guidance of the Force. Luckily we got a hit on one of the planets, which wasn't named in the Prothean map. So we set the course to that planet and hoped for the best.
Estimated travel time was roughly about 5 days, mostly because we are spending 3 days to navigate through the complicated route of hyperspace lanes within the core of the galaxy. All the gravity and all sorts of anomalies made the route very difficult to travel. There are reasons why a lot of people thought navigating through the deep core of the galaxy suicidal without proper data.
While we were stuck in the ship, waiting for Ebon Hawk to arrive at the planet, which we believe to be Shanxi, I noticed that master Revan was going through crates in the cargo hold.
"Master? Is there something you are looking for?"
"I found a data core with backup memory of my droid companion a while back, so I thought it would be a good time to go through the inventory to see if there still are some spare parts to rebuild him."
"Wow… you mean HK-47?"
"Precisely. HK will be very invaluable if we are to participate in the war."
We were very fortunate that we found enough spare parts for reconstructing the Hunterkiller droid, and it didn't take too much time for us to rebuild HK-47.
"HK, what is the diagnosis of your current state?" Master Revan asked the completely reconstructed droid.
"Answer: System diagnosis…..complete. All system green, I am currently operating over 90% efficiency at putting holes to meatbags who get in our way Master."
"How much do you remember?"
"Commentary: my last record indicates that you left me to your jedi meatbag of a wife and she doomed me in the hands of the Jedi Council…. it was the most depressing moment of life…. me, hailed as a hero of the Republic? It was a nightmare, master….. I also believe I have lost a significant amount of memory or was deactivated for a long time." HK spoke after going through his memory data.
"I found your backup memory core. We built you whole out of spare parts left in Ebon Hawk."
At Master Revan's answer, HK looked down as if he was disappointed.
"Then… I am a replica. That is… highly disappointing."
I remember enjoying dialogue with HK when I played the Knights of the Old Republic, it was difficult for me to see him down for some odd reason. So I decided to cheer him up.
"Don't worry too much. You are here now, with functioning limbs and chassis. I am sure you will have plenty of chances to find deserving meatbags who will be gifted with your…. specialty."
"Quarry: Is this meatbag your new apprentice, master? He seems very intelligent and understands my genius engineering…. for a meatbag. Very impressive."
"HK, If I am not around, Gale here is my padawan. He will be my second in command, I expect you will treat him as you would to me."
"Statement: Yes, master. I will do as you command…. It is unusual for me to say this… but, I have good feelings about this."
"Nice to meet you, HK. I am Gale Skywalker. Padawan of Master Revan."
I introduced myself to HK with my newly given last name by the Priestesses.
"Introduction: I am HK-47, protocol and translation droid… with fully functional assassination and combat protocol. You seem like a very interesting meatbag. Is there any meatbag you need me to kill to celebrate our meeting?"
"Well, we are expecting a war where we are going. I am sure you will meet new kinds of meatbags you never put holes in."
"Statement: Very good. I will look forward to being used in my primary function at 100% efficiency then. You seem to know how to treat this assaination droid well. I like you, young master."
Master Revan chuckled as he was watching our conversation.
"I am glad to see you two get along pretty well."
"Statement: Master! You have finally developed good taste in who you take as your apprentice. Young master is very kind and understanding, my behavior core is abuzz at the thought of finally being used by someone who truly appreciates my ingenuity."
"I have so many plans for potential targets since we now have HK with us master. His ability will truly come in handy in the future, master."
"Statement: As I said, your new apprentice is very delightful, master."
"Gale, I appreciate getting along with HK, but you must remember that you are a Jedi. Killing those who may do things in the future isn't the right answer." Master Revan said with a frown.
"I understand, master. I assure you, I do not plan to get rid of people who didn't do anything. Just those who committed something deserving of HK's special gift."
HK's renowned assassination protocol would be really useful when we are going to take out the Shadow Broker or The Illusive Man/Jack Harper. Also, considering we will likely jump into the First Contact War, we might as well need extra hands who are good with combat. HK is definitely great with blasters if not with any weapons in his hands.
With the resurrection of HK-47, the last couple of days in hyperspace travel in Ebon Hawk definitely wasn't boring. I was learning all about blasters and listening to HK's narration regarding Master Revan's romantic relationship with Bastila Shan was very hilarious. Full of sarcasm. Master Revan was very nostalgic at remembering his good old days.
As we came out of Hyperspace, we found a green planet, in the middle of the battle between Turian and System Alliance fleet. We were keeping our distance, but it seems we were not noticed by both sides. We easily bypassed the fleets by going around them in distance and entered the planet's atmosphere.
As we flew over a number of settlements, it looked as if some of them were devastated by orbital strikes and there were a number of Turian shuttles making their landing to drop ground troops. It was quite strange because if I remember right, orbital strike on garden war was a severe crime in Citadel law.
"Hm…. it seems we weren't noticed by both Turians and the local military…"
"Master, I believe that might be because they rely on Eezo drive's unique energy signature and IFF signal for detecting ships, which Ebon Hawk has none of. We might show up as a small asteroid or not even show up in their radar. Unless they were able to see us."
"You are probably right. Let us land behind the defense line of the local militia. HK, take the turret. We will fly over the Turians and surprise them before landing."
"Commentary: Wonderful choice, master. This should be fun!"
As Ebon Hawk flew in low, HK operated turrets and shot along the lines of Turian forces trying to push their offensive against the barricaded defense line of the local colony militia. The red bolt of superheated plasma struck on to the troops, causing many casualties, explosions and collateral damages on nearby equipment and armored vehicles.
We landed in wide empty ground near the heavily fortified building that looks like the command center of the colony militia. I geared up with a full jedi robe and simple chest armors, similar to Obi-wan and Anakin during the Clone Wars, while Master Revan put on his mask looking all intimidating. HK was humming with a heavy blaster rifle in his hands, anticipating many murder and mayhem he was going to cause at Turians.
As we lowered the exit ramp and got down from Ebon Hawk, the people from the building came out to greet us. With guns pointed at us.
"Stop, right there! You are not with the System Alliance. Identify yourself!"
One of the soldiers shouted with his gun aimed at us.
Master Revan stepped forward and talked to the soldiers to deescalate the situation.
"We have no ill intention towards you or this colony. I am Jedi Master, Revan, and this is my Padawan learner Gale Skywalker. We are here to aid the defense of the colony against the Turian invaders."
"What's a Jedi? Are you from some kind of cult?" Soldier asked with confusion.
Then, there was a man in his late 40s or 50s, with a decorated military uniform, who was likely the highest military authority of Shanxi Colony, stepped forward and greeted us.
"Lower your weapons. I don't know who you are or what Jedi is but I just saw your ship raining hell on those aliens. We are desperate and need any help we can get. I am General
Williams of System Alliance and leader of Shanxi's remaining defense force." General Williams said as he extended his arm for a handshake.
"Well met, General. We came here to help as soon as we could. We Jedi are sworn protectors of innocents. We may not have a fleet to drive back the Turians in orbit, but we can help you hold your ground until reinforcements arrive."
"You seem like you know these aliens who invaded us. Come inside, we have much to discuss."