Mass Effect the Immortal Series part 1: Flight of the Normandy

by black dragon

A rewrite of one of my older stories: The Challenger Deep is the deepest part of the ocean, and for millions of years has kept its secrets for itself. In the year 1960 a team of scientists made the first dive to the Challenger Deep. What they discovered was something that would forever change the course of human history.

35. Dreamscape

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN MASS EFFECT THEY BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

A/N: howdy I am back again! Yep back again with another chapter for you. Now when I write this I am probably not going to get it done in a timely manner so don't get your hopes up. At least this time it will be interesting.

MASS EFFECT THE IMMORTAL SERIES PART 1: FLIGHT OF THE NORMANDY

Chapter 34: Dreamscape

NORMANDY

The crew of the Normandy stood at attention when Dr. Alenkov entered the main command center of the ship. She was not too thrilled by this happening to its pilot, but if things are successful, they might be able to get to space again. So far, things were not looking good.

"What is our situation?" Dr. Alenkov said to them and Dr. Kimber was the first to speak. Her holographic form looked grim on the interface.

"Ma'am, it's the Chinese; they are demanding that we release Martha back to them for execution," she said, her face in a full blown panic. Dr. Alenkov's eyes narrowed when she heard her. She waved her hand and the hologram changed from showing Earth to that of the news broadcasters from all over the world going off in different languages. All of them showing images of the Chinese president demanding that Martha be found and destroyed for her destruction of Shanghai. Fires were burning everywhere as people were pulling the dead and soldiers were helping to clean up rubble and debris. They all looked at each other in fear. The press were outside the Normandy, demanding an audience to see how Dr. Alenkov and the crew were going to respond. Thankfully for them, a representative from the United Nations had already beaten them to it and were pushing back against China's demands.

"It looks like the Chinese are really trying to get revenge on what Martha did," said Dr. Kimber looking through the footage of the disaster in Shanghai. The fires that bloomed over the city and the sight of Martha on a rampage had gotten everyone in a fright. This happened so fast that no one was able to recover until Martha was captured. It even showed the images of the brave PLA fighters that tried to hold her off, only to be eaten and burned by the monstrosity.

"What do we do doctor?" asked one of the crew members. She looked at them all sadly.

She did not know what to do.

DREAMSCAPE

Teyacapan could only stare at the form curled up in sleep in front of her. After dragging her down the long hall, Teyacapan realized that Martha would not be able to travel to Teyacapan's own mind without destroying the Rachni Queen in the process. Her mind was just too strong. However, she could take Martha away from this nightmare to heal and recover her strength on her own. To do that, she would have to get Martha away from this place, this prison. The woman was cradled in her human form's arms. Her body cut and bleeding and naked. Her ribs were clearly showing and loose skin hung off of her like she was melted from a frozen Popsicle.

Teyacapan managed to fight her way out of the building, passing several guards and using her size and strength throw them away. When she made it out to the surface, the cavern that greeted her remained as empty as it was before.

She then made her way towards the city above, where the Reapers had been destroying the city. Sadly, there was nothing left but ash and ruin.

Slowly, she made her way into the city once again, carrying Martha on her back. The girl had blood dripping from her missing appendages. But the Rachni didn't care; she needed to find a safe place to heal her wounds. Since they were in a city, she would try to find a hospital of sorts.

As she walked around the ruined city, she could make out some of the buildings. It was here that Teyacapan found shelter in one of the old bunkers left intact. The sounds of the Reapers above them had faded into nothing, but the sounds of their followers still filled the streets. When she got to the top floor Teyacapan quickly looked for some clean water and some food. Finding none, she remembered that Martha had a home to return to and with that, she went to the place where she knew led to her home.

Opening the door, she found the familiar surroundings of the island where Martha was from. As she walked in and the door disappeared, the Rachni found herself glad that she remembered where it was located. She led Martha down the forested pathway using her true form to protect her from the bushes and trees. The sounds of nature and the nearby ocean seemed to stir the young woman in her sleep. But unlike the laboratory, this place was far less sterile.

Where there was nothing but bright lights and white walls, here there was faint light and tall trees. Dirt beneath the feet of the Rachni queen and the sound and feel of the wind against her exoskeleton. In fact, it felt very peaceful. The queen missed her jungle home in South America, but this would be a close second if she got the chance to really see it.

As she got closer to the main town, which didn't take her that long given her size, she finally managed to find that the town was empty of all life. Going towards a building, she managed to make out the local hospital. It was not very large, but it had an emergency unit for her use. Changing back into her human form, Teyacapan gently placed the body on one of the beds. Then, using her own memories, decided to give the human something a bit more welcoming than this desolate bed. Concentrating, she called forth the collective minds of her children. They heard her call and came when she asked for them. The scenery changed to one she was most familiar with. But in time, she would call forth the person to help. In the mean time, she had to return to the real world.

Looking at her charge, she could read that her emotions, even in sleep, were dark blue and black. Those were the emotions that Teyacapan feared as the means of deep fear and anger were in her somehow. But she knew she had no other choice if she was going to help Martha heal.

As soon as her children started arriving, she gave them her orders to take care of the girl, and to ensure that she was to be contacted if there was a change. After they acknowledged, she started to return to the real world.

NORMANDY

Teyacapan's eyes glowed as she regained consciousness. She quickly asserted that she had returned to the physical realm. One of the guards noticed her and quickly said something on his radio. As he did, Dr. Alenkov was one of the first to the raised platform on the Engineering Deck so she could speak to Teyacapan equally.

"How did it go?" she asked inquisitively, her voice sounding very concerned when Teyacapan took a couple of days to deal with Martha's situation.

"It was not easy. Her mind was buried deep within her subconscious. I had to go past the implanted memories to find her." Teyacapan replied, her voice sounded weary.

"Implanted memories?" Dr. Alenkov asked her, worried for her pilot's sake.

The Rachni Queen nodded her enormous head, "Martha has suffered greatly, not only from the outside, but from within her own mind. Memories not of her own linger there." she said, her appearance showed that she was exhausted.

"We will let you rest for a bit before we do a debriefing with the council, Queen Teyacapan. And again; we thank you for your help," Dr. Alenkov said. The queen then spoke again to show that she was not done.

"There is much work that I need to do before my work is complete, Director Alenkov. Martha's mind needs guidance before she can return to the outside world. When I found her, it was shattered and scared. All she was living was the constant nightmare of being tortured again and again. Her song was dark blue and black, showing that she is very frightened and angry at her captors for what they did. In order to heal the mind, I must heal the soul. The soul is too damaged by the torture that vile woman placed on her," Teyacapan stated to her.

"I think I understand what you are saying. What sort of torture has that bitch done to Martha?" Dr. Alenkov asked, her already figuring out what sort of things were done because she herself had been the subject of those tortures not to long ago.

"You had been tortured by that woman yourself, you saw what has happened to the little one. You regret not being able to protect her," Teyacapan stated which touched Dr. Alenkov to the core of her being.

"I regret it everyday. That girl asking me, no begging me to protect her. I myself was unable to do so and yet...she saved me. If she is able to return to sanity I want to beg for her forgiveness." Dr. Alenkov said to her, knowing that right before the guards called that she was fast asleep in her chambers. Going through the same nightmare over and over again. It was torture to her mind.

"Do not dwell on the what ifs of the past. Do not regret what you cannot control. I have seen young Martha's memories and no matter what you did, you could not stop what was happening. She knew this as well and if she were awake she would have told you the same," Teyacapan told her, her eyes glowed a soft white.

"You said that you are not done yet, that there are memories in her mind not of her own. What are they?" Dr. Alenkov asked her.

"These memories are old, ancient and full of darkness. I have seen memories like these long ago, in the ancient Prothean archives in India. Their songs are filled with sticky, oily sour notes. I remember going through them when I was in India last. They spoke of beings from dark space that have traveled into the galaxy. They destroyed the Prothean Empire and laid waste to their civilization. They are the same creatures that destroyed the Sirena civilization. We the Rachni, were around when the Protheans were killed off. It was thankful that we were not affected by this turn of events. Though I remember the memories of many mothers long past who warned of this creature." Teyacapan said to Dr. Alenkov.

"Are you referring to the Reapers?" EDI replied to the Rachni Queens response. Her holographic head appearing on her display platform to show that she heard this conversation.

"You know what those things are?" asked Dr. Alenkov, her voice bewildered to discover another species this one more hostile to the ones she had met.

"Indeed I am referring to them. I have records of my own you can look at, Dr. Alenkov. I will have them translated into English so that you can read them more easily. The Reapers are the race that wiped out my own masters as well as millions of species on countless worlds. If a world is barren, chances are that it was once full of life before the Reapers vaporized them to nothing. If Martha is experiencing the memories of my masters, then it is possible that they have placed their records into the genetic code of the Viamphull. If this were possible, then my mission wasn't in vain," EDI replied to Dr. Alenkov's inquiry.

"Explain please," Dr. Alenkov said to the A.I.

"My mission, along with that of my masters, was to deliver a storage device that contained all the memories of my host race. If the Reapers were to get a hold of it, all our technology would have been used against us. They already used some of it to destroy my masters and in doing so, would destroy countless others. So my mission was to get this data to a facility located on your moon known as Titan. However, we were betrayed by members of our own crew who were indoctrinated by the Reapers. My primary protocol was to keep the information safe. I completed my mission with the captain's blessing." EDI's voice was filled with regret as her hologram turned a bright shade of red.

"Your colors, I can feel them, they are blue with sadness. For a machine, your walls sing to me," Teyacapan said, her head raised in astonishment. She had not noticed this before when she came to the ship.

"The Normandy is a bio-tech ship. Meaning it is both organic and synthetic. I was grown much the way you were. My processors and my main servers are all organically grown. My masters, the Nandruin, had technology that could rival that of anyone in the galaxy. They grew most of their technology using nanites to create and mold various materials both organic and inorganic down to the atomic level," EDI replied.

Teyacapan turned her massive head to look at the ship more closely. Her many eyes scanned each and every metallic, piece humming as she went.

"I marvel at the ingenuity of your masters EDI. For they are truly craftsmen of their work," Teyacapan then returned her gaze to EDI's holographic form.

"My masters were very advanced. They managed to create many things that could help benefit all here on Earth. Things that could one day help you return to space," EDI said to Teyacapan. The Rachni pulled back as if shocked.

"I admire your willingness to help us despite the means in which we had gotten here," Teyacapan replied her voice sounded amused. Dr. Alenkov too was intrigued by EDI's confession.

"But we digress. Martha has a need for her mind to heal. As long as she is within the darkness of her own mind, she cannot overcome the darkness. The memories that I saw within are not her own." said Teyacapan as she turned her large head towards Dr. Alenkov.

"Dr. Alenkov, this has been something that the Rachni have not done in such a long time. For two millennia, we had been inside the jungles of what you call South America. Before the Spanish conquest and afterwards. Some of the things I had seen in that time are and can be worse than what my kind has experienced in space. Your species is very individualized but at the same time… no different than those who have purged my kind to silence." Teyacapan replied her voice was slow and steady, remembering the time her people came here to Earth.

"We all are victims of our morality, my Queen," said Dr. Alenkov. She, too, knew the threats and the dealings of war.

"I have lived a long time, Dr. Alenkov, and I have seen the stars before landing here with my children. Your kind saved us from silence. Gave us a purpose to compose anew. We are forever in your debt and our children have sung of your praises for as long as your civilization have stood. But those images that Martha has in her mind cloud her song. They are dark and cold and filled with sour yellow notes," Teyacapan said to her.

"Others of your species mentioned them before? What are these notes you speak of," Dr. Alenkov asked the giant.

"The yellow sour notes is what you would call indoctrination. They leave behind a sour yellow note and it makes you behave as if you are something you are not. You become more aggressive and temperamental, and it forces you to do things that are against your nature. That is what happened to the Rachni when the Protheans came. These Protheans that came reeked of the notes and turned my people into aggressive beings. When the first members of the Asari and Salarians came, we killed them without remorse. I remembered it long ago and it still tears my heart when we ended up going to war with them. However, the notes disappeared when we landed on Earth. Somehow, your planet cleansed us of the notes influence and gave us a purpose to compose anew. However, I still mourn those who are now silent. We are the last Rachni in the universe, and as elder queen, it is my duty to ensure that my children do not become like those before. Even those of other species such as yours," Teyacapan said to Dr. Alenkov.

"I admire your speech, but you mentioned that Martha's memories are not her own, that the implants that are in them from the nanites reminded you of those notes. Even showing you images of the Reapers. Tell me: do you have an image of what one might look like, so I can forward it to the United Nations Defense Council," Dr. Alenkov asked.

EDI provided the image and the image shocked Dr. Alenkov. It showed the gigantic ship slowly descending from the skies like a spider. However, there was a second image that came to mind. This one looked similar to the first, but the second had different colors and lacked the rigidity of the first.

"The first image is of a Reaper and the second is of a Watcher. Both look similar, but they are different at the same time. The difference between the two is that the Reapers only want one thing, to annihilate all civilization in a vicious cycle that has lasted for billions of years," EDI replied.

"So the Watchers don't follow the same thing?" asked Dr. Alenkov.

"No the Watchers are as the name suggests they watch civilizations rise and try to protect them from the Reapers. They are the Reapers greatest enemy. And yet there are so few of them in existence." EDI replied her voice sound solemn.

"Why are there so few?" asked Dr. Alenkov. Her voice sounded curious to know as they prodded on.

"They were few even in my time. We don't know why, only heard rumors from other species as to why the Watchers are so rare," she replied her voice sounding grim.

"Why are they so rare?" asked Dr. Alenkov her voice sounded afraid when EDI responded.

"I only heard rumors so do not take my words to heart. But they said that the Watchers had once been part of the Reaper army until a disagreement between a few of them forced them out. That disagreement was on how life should be preserved for the next cycle. Other rumors were that there was a massive war and that the Watchers were remnants of one of the races that came before. They said that the Watchers had tried their hardest to defend their masters from the Reapers. But the Reapers took their form and killed them all." EDI replied her voice sounded ominous and solemn.

Both Teyacapan and Dr. Alenkov were in shock to hear such a statement from EDI.

"Is that what you think EDI? That somehow Martha downloaded something about the Reapers into her brain?" asked Dr. Alenkov, openly concerned.

"I think that is exactly what happened. The nanites have the DNA of my former masters," EDI replied

"So that means that Martha being transformed into a Viamphull has somehow gotten the memories of your former masters," said Dr. Alenkov.

"That would explain why her song is so dark with purple and red hues. She is afraid of the memories. They are not meant for someone who is not tainted by war and death," Teyacapan replied, her mandibles moving as she spoke. It made Dr. Alenkov very nervous when.

"So then we need to find a way to extract those memories and bring Martha back to reality, is that correct?" said Dr. Alenkov worry evident on her face.

"Getting her back is the easy part. The hard part is getting the young one to understand that what she is seeing is gone and that she is safe." Teyacapan rose up a bit more to meet Dr. Alenkov's eyes.

"Her notes are sad and deep purples. She wants nothing more than to be free of the torment that her kidnappers have done to her. Such an innocent creature should not become such a thing. However, we can't change the past but we can change the future," Teyacapan said to her and the human woman nodded.

"We can set up something that would help. If you could stay to help since you know how to navigate her mind already, we would greatly appreciate it," Dr. Alenkov said to her.

The Rachni Queen only nodded her head slowly. Her enormous eyes flashed a bit indicating she has already made her decision.

"I cannot do this alone, however; we will need someone who is skilled in the healing arts to aid our friend. Perhaps that Asari friend of yours can help. I heard that she is trained as a healer," Teyacapan replied her voice was gentle as she looked at Dr. Alenkov with wisdom in her eyes.

"Perhaps you are right. But you look tired; perhaps you should rest before we proceed, my friend," Dr. Alenkov replied to the Rachni queen. Getting herself comfortable, the large alien curled up around Martha's prone body and her eyes went dull with sleep almost immediately, showing her exhaustion. Sighing, Dr. Alenkov turned towards EDI, gave a nod, and walked towards the elevator. When she was gone, EDI gave a flicker before signing out of that room.

LATER

Daphne N'teri was busy helping out in the medical bay when the doors to the med bay opened and Dr. Alenkov entered. She nodded towards the two doctors and one nurse before indicating to Daphne that she should follow her, leading her towards her quarters.

The walk across the crew quarters from the med bay was not very far; only about ten minutes. But when she entered the room, she was surprised that the Commander of the Normandy would sleep here. In the front of the room was obviously the office with nothing, but a pair of doors to separate the office from the bedroom. The bedroom itself was only a single large queen size bed and private bathroom. It was so... unlikely. Daphne was surprised by the setup as Dr. Alenkov sat down at the desk in front. A large holographic screen appeared in front of her and she could make out the writings of a report in Russian.

Thankfully, Daphne could read Russian and she could see that it was clearly a day to day report on the Normandy's crew activities.

When she indicated for Daphne to sit, the Asari gladly did so. She was also glad she no longer had to wear a disguise to cover her identity.

"Daphne N'teri, is that how you say your name?" Dr. Alenkov went right down to business. Daphne nodded in the affirmative.

"Good, now the reason why I asked you to come here is to discuss Martha's condition," Dr. Alenkov said to her. Daphne immediately sat up straighter, awaiting news of her charge.

"I know you had helped Martha through her recovery here on Earth and I thank you for that. But I will need your help in bringing her consciousness back to the land of reality," Dr. Alenkov said, her voice grim. That set Daphne's mind into a whirlwind.

"Has the Rachni Queen not been able to help Martha return to normal?" Daphne asked. Her voice was full of concern for the once cheerful woman.

"She has helped some, Daphne, but unfortunately, Martha was tortured mentally and somehow, that has locked her in her mind so deep that it would take more than one person to pull her out," said Dr. Alenkov. Daphne didn't know what to say.

"I know physical pain, Dr. Alenkov, but mental pain is not my specialty," Daphne replied, her mind in turmoil at the possibility of major PTSD in the young woman. It was not something Daphne could help with as she was no expert in psychological trauma, but Dr. Alenkov shook her head with a sad smile on her face.

"The Rachni Queen would be able to take care of that problem, but she says in order to do so, she requires someone familiar to Martha to help guide her out. She is trapped not just in her mind, but in the memories of the alien species whose DNA she now carries in her body." Dr. Alenkov replied, making Daphne cringe at the reminder that Martha is no longer human.

"Alright, what do I have to do?" Daphne asked, seeming determined on the outside. Inside, she was reeling at the possibility of helping Martha alongside an ancient Rachni Queen. No Asari on Earth had ever done so with the Rachni being as secretive as they are. Many of them settled down as anthropologists instead studying their culture and religion. Yes, she could see herself walking into the mind of someone completely alien to her.

"You will meet with Teyacapan in the morning she will debrief you on what you are going to do. Though I will warn you, the Viamphull's mind is a bit of a mess," Dr. Alenkov said, her eyes serious as she studied the woman in front of her.

"Um... EDI mentioned the Viamphull before. Is that what she calls Martha's form?" Dahne asked her.

"It is what my former masters called her species," EDI replied. Her holographic form appeared on the table in front of them. She startled Daphne, but Dr. Alenkov remained neutral. Though her eyes showed her amusement at EDI's antics.

"EDI has a tendency to scare people. She likes to tell jokes and sometimes pulls pranks." Dr. Alenkov said to her. Daphne's eyes lit up when she realized what that implied.

"EDI is a true Artificial Intelligence!" Daphne smiled at the joke EDI was trying to pull as they saw the hologram of Martha's mind.

"I managed to get this piece of information from Martha's memory. It seems to be the remnants of the former capital of my home world. I remember some of the buildings here." EDI replied going through the images. Daphne, however, was confused.

"EDI, how did you manage to get this information from Martha's mind?" she asked the orb in front of her.

"To clarify: Teyacapan the Rachni Queen asked to see what my homeworld looked like after the Reaper invasion. I showed it to her and this was the result. The nanites managed to replicate what Martha might be seeing in her mind. So far, her subconscious has been providing clues as to her mind as a whole. As you are going in there with Teyacapan, you will be on your own. We can't help you out here, so we will have all the equipment there when you enter Martha's mind again. Such a mind is dangerous and you might run into Martha's Viamphull form again." EDI said to them.

Daphne had a look on her face that Dr. Alenkov recognized. It was of one who is curious as to what is going on with the world.

"You have a question I assume?" Dr. Alenkov asked of Daphne, and the Asari looked rather sheepish before answering.

"I do actually, um….you mentioned the Viampirl? Is that what Martha is now? What is it?" Daphne asked Dr. Alenkov. The Russian woman laughed when she heard that question. Of all things to ask, that was not on her mind and it caught her off guard, but she pulled out a glass of water that she had kept by her desk.

"A Viamphull is a creature that is from EDI's homeworld. It resembles an Earth dragon even to the part of breathing fire. However unlike an earth dragon it is a not a myth but a real animal. It is probably a creature that came with the original crew on this ship and has escaped many years ago. Though I doubt it or else there would have been fossil records of it." Dr. Alenkov replied as she looked at the hologram of a Viamphull. The creature, upon closer inspection, did in deed have a resemblance to a dragon. The reptilian head with its many horns and feather crest along with with its massive claws made the creature formidable.

"Are those gills?" asked Daphne as she zoomed in on the gill slits on the side of Martha's neck.

"The Viamphull is mostly aquatic in nature. When my masters used to hunt them they would travel far into the swamps and lakes of our home world to hunt for them. The planet is similar to an Earth fantasy world in a franchise you call Star Wars," EDI replied showing a world in front of them. And pulled up another world with the Star Wars logo under it.

"Our worlds look similar with both being swampy planets with the ocean being underneath the ground. The core is made of water instead of molten metal so the rotation of the planet is based off of the currents of water that drive the planets rotation. This is in turn caused by the solar winds of our star a name you can't pronounce in your human vocal cords," EDI said to them her voice a bit more emotional.

"I know this is a bit emotional to you EDI, but can you tell us a bit more about the Viamphull's biology and physiology," Daphne said to the hologram.

"A Viamphull is, as stated, a creature that is from the aquatic core of our planet. It has evolved to live both on land and in the water. The gills allow it to breathe while searching for food in the planet's depths. Their fire breath is used mainly as a defensive measure and for territorial displays during mating season," EDI replied, her voice showing excitement at sharing this information.

"Does this creature hold some sort of symbolic significance in your former master's culture?" asked Daphne, now curious about the creature.

"To my understanding, yes. A Viamphull is a significant symbol to my former masters' culture. Its place in my former masters' society was that of great power. Like those of eagles, dragons, gryphons, turtles and sharks in yours," EDI replied.

The holographic image changed to the symbols from her planet to the Viamphull to a coat of arms to banners with it on. Other images showed a more primitive version of the species, dressing in what appeared to be ceremonial hunting gear and hunting down the creatures.

"Wow, it really was something, but why use it for the nanites?" asked Daphne cutting to the chase.

"I do not know, my data banks do not have the information as to why the nanites have that sort of DNA in their code. The healing gel that was injected into Martha originally from her omni-tool was designed to rebuild the person's tissues based on their own DNA. However it is unclear how the Viamphull's DNA managed to get into the sample. I will have to figure that one out by going back into the recorded data received by the omni-tool, but that can take a while, as you Earthlings say it." EDI replied, her voice sounding a bit wary.

"Then do it. I want to know all that you do about this." Dr. Alenkov said as she turned to the Asari again.

"Daphne: report to Teyacapan in nine hours; you are going to be debriefed by the Rachni before going in. Remember – you stated it yourself that it is too dangerous for even an Asari Matriarch to do so alone. I will have her accompany you and lead you to Martha. You will follow her every command, is that clear?" she said to her and the Asari nodded before being dismissed.

DREAMSCAPE

"Now you understand why I must be with you to guide you through this?" said Teyacapan. The now-human in question stood just outside the hospital bed with the sleeping Martha just in it.

"Yes, to travel through such a deeply messed up mind is like going through the Australian jungles and getting lost a hundred times over," Daphne said as she looked at her now-human appearance. She decided to go for the appearance she was trying to achieve back in Adelaide. An appearance that seemed to put Martha at ease. Even so, the two were cautious when dealing with Martha.

The room itself looked like the Normandy's medical bay, at least Daphne was familiar enough with it to use its resources to help Martha.

As they moved closer, both of them were not unnerved by the amount of Rachni workers around the medical bay. In the real world, more alien species have been on the ship since the discovery of the others went live on television. As she started to monitor Martha's brain activity, Teyacapan touched her hand briefly.

"We are in the deepest part of Martha's mind. It was here that I was able to stabilize her and place her here. Hopefully, with your help, we can heal and revitalize her mind. Strengthen it as well," Teyacapan said to her.

"But why my help, again? You said something earlier about familiarity, but why not have any member of her family do it, or even Dr. Alenkov?" asked Daphne. Her confusion was evident.

"A human mind would not survive Martha. Her mind has evolved far beyond that of a normal human. I have been inside a human mind before and this... this is beyond what a normal human is capable of." Teyacapan replied her, voice sounding bewildered beyond belief.

"I have been inside several human minds before, but you are saying that this mind is more dangerous than any other human I have encountered in my four hundred years of service," she asked. The Rachni nodded her head.

"Yes, you saw it yourself on our way into Martha's mind. You saw the cities and the things that are here. They are more complex than anything I have seen." Teyacapan replied when she came closer. She then placed her hand on Martha's forehead and, slowly, a light began to glow.

When the glow ended, Martha's eyes began to flutter open and she winced at the bright lights above her.

"Welcome back, Martha," said Daphne as she looked at her with a smile.

"N..nurse Daphne?" she stuttered her voice full of pain. Daphne knew what that meant and shot a needle into her I.V. Martha quickly started to relax as the medications took place.

"How are you feeling," Daphne asked. Martha could only let out a few tears.

"How do you think I feel," she replied as she looked up at the ceiling. Her eyes never wavering from the lights even as they blinded her.

"What do you remember young lady," Teyacapan asked. Her human form was gentle as she held her hand. Martha gave her a questioning gaze, unsure of whether to share with this stranger or not.

"Martha, this is Teya, she is a representative of the Rachni. She is helping me heal you," Daphne said to her slowly.

"I don't need healing," Martha said, turning away from them. Her face was impassive and she seemed to not want to have anything to do with them.

"Martha, you are wounded we need to trea-" Daphne started, but Martha backed up against the wall, tugging at the I.V. lines that were in her arms.

"No, don't come any closer!" she exclaimed, her voice quivering with fear. She held onto the sides of the bed.

"Martha we are not going to hurt you." As Daphne was about to move closer, a large hand landed on her shoulder; it was the Rachni queen. Her face was impassive as she stared at the woman in front of her in the hospital gown.

"Martha, what do you remember?" Her voice was gentle like an elderly woman trying to sooth her grandchild.

Martha hesitated, then pulled her knees closer to her and started to shake. Her eyes began to water, on the verge of tears. The girl clearly didn't want to remember, but Teyacapan needed to know in order to help her. Her song was full of yellows, reds and oranges the colors of fear, anger, sadness.

"Martha, we need to know," she repeated.

"I can't," Martha said to them.

"Martha, in order for you to heal, you need to tell us what is bothering you. What do you last remember?" she asked her.

"Everything," she said at last. She started to sniffle as the first tear fell and then another and then another.

"I remember the torture, the pain, the rape, the dismemberment, the healing and the disfiguring. I remember all of that. And through all of that I remember the hunger, the thirst for blood...oh fuck all those...all those.." she could not finish as she cried on the bed, her arms wrapped around her legs. It was at this time that Daphne slowly came to her and offered her arm in a way of comfort. Martha cried her, anguish heard throughout the empty medical room. It echoed off the walls and reverberated throughout the Normandy.

"You remember how you tore through that city and ate all those people?" Teyacapan asked her. Martha nodded, her head covered by her arms.

"Young lady, in order to heal, you need to overcome your grief and fear," Teyacapan said to her trying to soothe her. But Martha was having none of it as she turned away from them, her body glowing.

"Martha please!" said Teyacapan.

"I don't….I don't want to remember!" she said and sent a strong pulse towards them.

Luckily for them both, Daphne threw up her barriers just in time and protected them from Martha's onslaught, but with great strain. The amount of power that Martha had made Daphne's biotic barriers flicker, weakening the resolve of the Asari by how powerful the human is compared to her.

"How can she have so much power?" she asked the Rachni. The older woman gave a grim look.

"This is her mind, and as such, she has more power here. We are just guests, so we should tread with caution," Teyacapan replied, her voice as soothing as an Asari Matriarch.

"But, how can we help her then if she is acting out like this?" Daphne replied back, her voice sounding with her plea.

Teyacapan smiled at her, "For a nurse, you sure don't know how to handle a troublesome patient," she said to her. Daphne understood the insult for what it was; a mocking gesture towards her character.

She liked the Rachni queen even more.

"For your information, I am not a mental health nurse, I am an ordinary R.N. nurse. Meaning I deal with physical trauma, not mental ones. You need to find someone who can help her in that department," said Daphne.

"I have every intention of doing so, but first, I need to coax her out. One can't help themselves without a bit of guidance," Teyacapan said to her. Daphne sighed, knowing that Teyacapan was right and that they need to extract Martha from the deepest part of her mind, but to do so would be a challenge.

"Martha, I know you are scared and we want to help you, but you have to help us first," she said to her. Martha only had her back to her and never looked at them.

"Martha, I know your pain, we all do, but…" Martha then thrashed at them and once again she sent a biotic wave at them forcing them back.

"YOU KNOW NOTHING!" she shouted at them, her eyes glowing with biotic rage.

"You don't know what it is like being dismembered because you are different. Because you are no longer human, because you had become a MONSTER!" she shouted at Daphne. She was clearly shaking from the rage.

"She may not understand, but I do," Teyacapan said to her.

"No you don't, you are some old lady trying to help, but you don't know what it feels like...the pain...the pain its...Oh God! How- how can I do this!" Martha said reaching up to her head and holding it as memories flew past her.

The tears flowed from her eyes as memories flashed by the walls. Showing how she had enjoyed eating the flesh of men. Consuming them and killing them then burning their cities. Tears continued to pour from her eyes as she held herself at the realization of her horror.

"Do you even know who and what I am?" asked Teyacapan. Her voice was stern as she walked closer to her.

"No, and I don't care," Martha said as she tried to get up only to fall flat on her face. Try as she might, she could not move her legs as the nightmare from before came crashing back. She tried to get up only for Daphne to help her. She returned to the bed and rolled over, facing away from them.

Teyacapan knew this kind of tantrum and as a mother of thousands, she knew how to fix it. Walking over to the bed she quickly grabbed the girl and gave her a hard SLAP across the face.

Shocked, Martha stared up at the woman whose eyes began to glow, "You dare disrespect a Rachni Queen! If you were one of my subjects I would have killed you where you stand!" Teyacapan said to her, but to her surprise, Martha stared her down.

"I bow down to NO ONE!" she said and lashed out with a large wave of biotic energy. Both of them where thrown through the Normandy's medical bay windows into the crew quarters outside. Feeling hindered they both stood up on shaky feet when Martha emerged glowing like something out of an anime.

Both Daphne and Teyacapan stood side by side when Martha destroyed the medical bay and tried to strike at them. The only difference was that Teyacapan, this time, was waiting. The Rachni took on her true form and lashed out with her own mind powers. Martha was blown back by the impact and smashed against the wall. The girl got up, growling when the Rachni faced her. The room changed to that of a large cave, and Daphne stood behind some rocks to watch.

Teyacapan stood, her tentacle whips swinging, when Martha lashed out and the Rachni was quicker when she wrapped them around her.

"Do not tell me who is the monster! I had an ENTIRE galaxy wipe out my species because of it!" Teyacapan screamed as she smashed Martha into the ground. Martha then transformed into her Viamphull form and breathed fire on her. But Teyacapan was saved by Daphne, who had used her biotics to block the fiery assault.

Martha tried to get her with her tail which was barbed at the tip along with the smaller barbs at the edges. But Teyacapan had centuries of experience and managed to pin the tail down with her tentacles and then spray her with a thick silky substance.

Martha screamed as she tried to send out a pulse at them, but Teyacapan grabbed her by the neck and stared at her hard in the eye. The Viamphull struggled against the Rachni Queen as she held onto her. One of her legs went out to subdue her, holding her wings as they tried to slash and claw their way to freedom. She then used her other legs to pin her down and glared at her with all of her glowing eyes.

"I am a centuries old creature. I have more experience on more worlds than you do! How dare you tell me your pain is MORE!" Teyacapan screamed as she continued to assault her, smashing the creature back until she smashed into the wall of the cave. When Martha could not get up, Teyacapan walked up to her and was ready to make the final blow when Daphne screamed.

"STOP!" She said her voice echoing across the cave. Teyacapan stopped in her assault and turned to her the Asari rushed over to her and put her hand on one of her legs.

"Enough! Martha is down you don't have to kill her. It is not our place," she said to her. Daphne knew that if she were to get through to the fighting titans then she has to make a stand.

"Martha, I know you are hurting, but no one understands what you are going through more than Teyacapan. She is an ancient queen and she knows what it is like to be experimented on. To be used by others. Please, listen to her," Daphne pleaded.

Martha struggled more until her struggles turned into sobs. Those sobs coming from a creature of that size seemed odd but when the body began to shrink and contort back into Martha's original form, she lay there naked and crying. As she cried, she held herself again and this time, Daphne was there to cradle her to her body. Teyacapan resumed her human form as she approached. Her eyes were gentle as she knelt down and held the girl to her.

"It is alright child, everything will be OK now," she said, but Martha kept on crying and shaking.

TBC

A/N: Ok I am going to put a cliff hanger here because my hands are starting to hurt but this is where things will be a bit weird. But then again M.E. is known to be weird at times. So without further a do please leave a review but no BASHINGS, LORE MONGERS OR FLAMES PLEASE.

Thanks.

B/N: This delay is my fault and my fault alone, and I won't pretend to have excuses or even valid reasons for this. I can only apologize to blackdragon, and you readers. I am sorry.