Mass Effect: ODST Lost

Chapter One:

Dropping In

While being unconscious in the middle of a drop was not an ideal scenario, it was far from uncommon. Anything can happen on the way down, a mid-drop collision or a failing inertial dampener. Though I've never heard of a drop pod being launched through a rogue Slipspace anomaly, to be fair. That one might just be a first. Lucky me, huh?

I groaned as I regained consciousness, raising a hand to my helmet in an attempt to sooth my pounding head. I couldn't feel any movement, so I knew the drop was successful at least. I was also alive, that was good as well. Taking a deep breath, I pushed through the headache and opened my eyes, hoping to see something familiar. Instead, what I saw made me freeze up completely.

While I doubt I was the first ODST to be completely surrounded by hostiles before even exiting their pod, the very large alien with very large teeth staring into it was still a very unpleasant surprise. Pure instinct kept me from moving a single muscle as I observed the creature. As previously stated, the alien was very large and stocky with some sort of hardened crest covering the top of its head. It was also wearing some kind of armor I didn't recognize. Both it and the alien were completely unknown. Though it almost looked like someone had put a grunt on a heavy duty steroid program, it certainly wasn't any Covenant species I knew of.

Thankfully, or perhaps concerningly, the hulking brute in front of me was wreathed in some kind of blueish aura and bodily flung to the side with an indignant yell. Taking its place was yet another unknown alien, this one being far easier on the eyes than the other. It mostly resembled a human, the primary differences being the blue skin and lack of hair. What the actual fuck is going on here?

The blue alien knocked on the pod a few times and said…something. Besides being slightly muffled, it was in a language I didn't know. It was, presumably, her native tongue, unfortunately I don't speak blue alien.

Now, my first instinct when met with unknown alien forces was to pop the hatch and fill everything in the surrounding area with bullets. Thankfully, my brain still being mostly functional for now, I was able to see the situation for what it most likely was: first contact. I sighed heavily. If this was a first contact scenario, then shooting my way out of it was probably a bad idea. Especially since they didn't appear to be hostile at the moment. The fact that I didn't know how many of these things were around and getting trigger happy would result in my immediate death also played a role in choosing a peaceful response over my first instinct.

Another heavy sigh escaped me as I proceeded to open the hatch, scowling when nothing happened. Damn. The circuits must've been fried. So much for the new shield plating. Ignoring the unfair thought, considering the drop pod was most certainly not made to travel through Slipspace anomalies, I looked back to the alien. Making a note that the larger one seemed to have moved out of sight, the blue one was still staring into the hatch in open curiosity. With my only option of getting out being to blast the hatch, I started trying to convey that through gestures. Thankfully it seemed to understand, nodding and moving off to the side. Once she was safely out of the way I started hitting the emergency blast caps and braced myself for said blast. A few seconds and a loud bang later saw the hatch burst outward a dozen or so feet into the forest I never noticed before. A forest full of fauna that was, ironically, completely alien to me.

No sooner than I stepped out of the pod the alien, most likely female from the look of it, was in front of me, babbling excitedly in the same language as before. Unfortunately, I still couldn't understand a word of it, especially since her words per minute seemed to have tripled. The hand she held out to him, however, was a more than familiar gesture. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't understand you." I said, shaking the offered hand.

The apparent woman frowned. She released my hand and held her opposite wrist in front of her. I nearly jumped back as orange holograms instantly formed over her hand and forearm, though relaxed slightly as she started using it like a wrist mounted keyboard. After a second of typing, she held her arm out to me and motioned me to take a look. Hesitantly doing so showed me a small text screen. There were only two lines written on it. The first one was complete gibberish to me, as expected of an unknown alien language, but the second was written in perfect English. I repeat, what the actual fuck!?

Pushing my shock aside, I focused on the question. 'My name is Kiara. Who are you? Is your translator busted? What happened to you? Do you need help getting back to human space? Or the Citadel?'

As if having a wrist mounted, holographic computer with an alien to English translator wasn't impossible enough, these aliens apparently had knowledge of Earth and her colonies. Something was very wrong here. It suddenly felt like I was the only one viewing this conversation like a first contact scenario. Nothing about the last two minutes made one damn bit of sense! Ok stop. Just take it one step at a time. Focus on the current problem now, worry about everything else later. She clearly can understand me just fine, so talking isn't a complete problem. Just answer the lady's questions for now.

"Captain Nathanial Renkov, UNSC Marines. Leader of squad Alpha-147 ODST. I'm afraid I don't have any internal translation systems. I know a few different languages, unfortunately none of them include whatever you're speaking. I'm not 100% sure how I got here, much less where here actually is. I don't know what citadel you're talking about, but I would greatly appreciate transport back to UNSC Space, if possible."

The more I spoke, the lady seemed to get even more excited. She tilted her head slightly, an oddly familiar gesture, before going back to her translator screen. This time she spoke as she typed. Either she was thinking out loud or potentially using a comm link. It was still gibberish, but I did catch my name being repeated so it was possibly the later. A second later she showed the screen to me again.

'Happy to meet you, Cap! I have no idea what a UNSC or ODST is, but we can definitely get you back to Alliance space. Probably have to get you to the Human Embassy on the Citadel, but we can make it happen! I have no idea why you don't have a translator and I'm more than confused how you don't know what the Citadel is, but we'll figure it out once we get you a proper translator! It'll be nice to be able to actually speak without going through a text translator, right!? You are Human, right!?'

Fuck, this is starting to make my head spin. Ok, again, one step at a time. She knows about humans, but has no knowledge of the UNSC. Alliance space apparently translates to human space. Still don't know what this Citadel is, but humans have an Embassy there. That means a whole community of different species living on one planet, maybe a space station, humans included. HOW THE FUCK DID WE MISS THAT AND WHERE THE FUCK AM I!?

Before I could get my shit together enough vocalize anything, my motion tracker pinged two individuals entering the area. Looking over I saw the large alien from before walking toward us with yet another alien. It was about human sized, but seemed to possess a hardened carapace in place of skin. My current conversation partner noticed my stare and started waving excitedly at the new arrivals. Is there anything this alien doesn't do in an excitable manner?

As they got near, Little Blue started babbling at the others rapidly. The other two seemed to find this amusing as they tried to get her to talk in a calmer manner. For some reason I didn't think well of their chances. Eventually the big one rumbled something, and Kiara laughed while the other one shook its head in what seemed like fond, yet tired, manner. This one held up its arm and the same orange hologram appeared. It typed away on it for a bit, but hummed curiously after a minute. It typed some more before holding her arm out for me to see. Doing so I saw it had the same text translator Kiara had used up. 'Hey there. Name's Vetra. Nice to meet you. The big lug next to me is Drack, by the way. Kiara says your name's Nathanial. Bit of a mouthful, huh? Do you have an Omni-Tool in there by chance?'

"Do I have a what now?" I asked, just as confused as when we started. "My BDU does have an internal computer, if that helps."

More frowns, though none of them seemed to be angry just yet, which was good. Except for Blue, she just seemed to get more excited as things got more confusing for everyone else. And the big one, Drack, he was hard to read. Or he was just angry at all times. Who knows?

Vetra was typing once again when I got the idea to access my VISR. I searched for any incoming signals and found only one trying to make contact. This was good because it meant I might be able to actually talk to them soon. It was bad because I was apparently cut off from any UNSC communications. Fuck. I reached out and contacted what I can only assume was Vetra's signal, confirming my assumptions when she seemed to start in surprise. Regaining…her...composure, she then sent me an info package containing the 'Galactic Translator' program. Yeah, that headache's coming back, alright.

"Ok, I have the program. Now what?"

"Now we see if you can understand me." Vetra said, her voice an odd, dual toned sound. It was also certainly female. Then she chuckled. "Well?"

"Loud and clear, ma'am" I answered, not quite able to keep the smirk out of my voice. Call me crazy, but I think I'm starting to like this one.

Little blue squealed in what could only be pure delight before rapid firing questions at a speed that made it impossible to actually understand any of them, even with my new translator. I raised an unseen brow before turning back to Vetra, who just chuckled and nodded. So normal behavior then. Good to know. "I don't suppose now would be a good time to ask a few questions?" I asked.

As soon as the words left my mouth the universe decided to tell me 'your luck just ran out'. The sound of a ship's engines came into hearing range seconds before the ship itself became visible. About like everything else so far, the ship's design was unlike anything I've ever seen. It drifted over them quickly before I could hear them setting down. "Don't suppose those were friends of yours?" I asked, though my hopes were practically nonexistent.

Drack snorted. "Not likely, runt. We should check it out, Vetra. Sounds like they landed in the same clearing we did."

Vetra nodded. "Go on ahead, Drack. You too, Kiara. Recon only, wait for us to catch up."

I was only listening with half an ear. The rest of my attention was busy emptying the gear out of my drop pod. Grenades, ammo, a small rucksack, an M7S Caseless SMG that I attached to my right thigh plate and an M395B DMR that I carried in hand. Turning back, I saw Vetra, who had drawn an odd looking sniper rifle, waiting patiently. She chuckled with an impressed nod. "You certainly look ready for war. Anything else sitting in there you need?"

I just shook my head. "Ready to move out."

Vetra nodded silently and started jogging after her crew.

Personally, I was conflicted about the potential fight ahead. Not about the fighting itself, I was a soldier, after all. This was far from my first battle. It was the fact that I didn't know anything about the people I was about to fight, nor about the ones I would be fighting beside. I could be helping a group of escaped convicts or war criminals for all I know. Not that I have much choice in the matter. And these guys have been friendly and helpful, at least. I just hope I'm not making a mistake trusting them. Deciding to take a wait and see approach, I continued following Vetra, easily keeping pace behind her.

ooOoOoo

We caught up to the others quickly, their LZ not being to far away. Looking down my scope at the newcomers made me feel a bit better about the coming battle.

There appeared to be another Drack, whatever his species was called, and a lot of a much smaller species wandering about the clearing. The smaller ones certainly looked vicious. Thin, almost boney, with sharp claw like hands and needle like teeth on full display. For now, they were circling one of the ships, Vetra's most likely, while the big one was shouting orders and gesturing to it with a large shotgun. One of the little ones spoke and the big one rammed its head into it. The little one didn't get back up. And now I suddenly miss the Sangheili. They have honor at least. That was just brutal and uncalled for. "Friendly bunch, aren't they?" I remarked.

"Oh, yeah. Just a bunch of cuddle bugs. Something tells me they're not just gonna get on our ship and leave, though." Vetra snarked back, looking down her own scope. "Look, guy, I know you're a Captain and all, so you're probably used to calling the shots, but I'd appreciate it if you'd let me take point here."

Fair enough. "This is your Op, ma'am. Unless I think you're about to get me killed, I'll follow your lead."

Vetra nodded. "Good enough for me. Drack, Kiara, circle around the clearing and flank 'em. Hold before engaging and let me know when you're in position. Stay out of sight, obviously."

Kiara nodded and Drack chuckled menacingly, both moving out quickly. I had to give the big guy credit; he was pretty stealthy for…such a big guy. God damn it, am I really that bad with descriptors?

I looked over at Vetra. "I take it we're the distraction team?"

"You got it. I hope that rifle is mid-range, at least?"

"Mid to long." I confirmed. "So, what's the plan, ma'am?"

"Well, first off you can stop calling me ma'am. Haven't been in the military in a while and, even if I still was, I'm not your CO. You outrank me, anyway." Vetra snarked. "Second off, once Drack and Kiara are in position, we'll grab their attention and start picking off the Vorcha from range. Then Drack will focus on taking out the Krogan with Kiara switches between helping Drack and us respectively."

Vorcha equal the little ones, our job. Krogan equals the big one, Drack's job. Kiara hits both, where able. "Copy that." I confirmed. Then I smirked. "Ma'am."

"What did I say the first part was?" Vetra asked, a slight growl in her dual toned voice.

"You may not be military, or my CO, but that does make you a civilian, technically." I reasoned, smirk still firmly in place. "That means 'ma'am is still in an appropriate term here…Ma'am."

Vetra growled again, slightly louder this time. "How about this then? You start calling me Vetra, stop calling me ma'am and, in return, I will not shoot you and leave you here. How does that sound?"

"…Fair enough."

Vetra nodded. "Good."

Once we got word that Drack and Kiara were in place, Vetra relayed the plan and the two of us took aim. "Fire!" She ordered.

The familiar bang of my rifle was a stark contrast to the sound of Vetra's sniper, like the sound of a gunshot heard from underwater, though I had no time to let the thought properly form. As soon as we started the group in the clearing started firing back and running for cover. Seconds later saw Drack and Kiara enter the clearing. While Kiara was shooting at anything in range of her pistol, Drack ran straight at the other Krogan. Admittedly, it was an impressive display. It was like watching two brutes go at it, especially when they switched to CQC. I nearly started to move my aim when some of the Vorcha grouped up to charge Drack, but was suddenly reminded of my first experience with Kiara when train of blueish white explosion made them go flying. If I wasn't so preoccupied, I would've stopped to gawk at the display. So, the aliens have superpowers. That's fine. Perfectly normal. Just…just hold the freak out for later. Please don't do it now, Nate. For the love of all that is holy, don't do it now. Focus on the task at hand and then you can go cry in a corner.

On the non-panic inducing upside, these Vorcha were very easy to kill, going down in one or two shots at most. Checking on Drack again saw him shooting at the remaining Vorcha with Kiara, the other Krogan laying in a pool of its own blood. The rest of the 'fight' didn't last a minute.

Vetra and I made our way into the clearing where Drack was busy looting bodies and Kiara was entering the now open cargo ramp of their own ship.

"Really, Drack?" Vetra admonished lightly.

The Krogan just huffed. "Hey, credits are credits and guns are guns. Besides, these pyjaks aren't gonna be using them anymore."

I have no idea what a pyjak is, but I guess that's fair enough. Better than letting them rust out here anyway. "Any idea who these guys were or what drew them here?"

"Mercs, Blood Pack, most likely." Vetra guessed. "And they were probably here for either us or you. Salvagers like us are often viewed as easy targets and you didn't exactly make a quiet entrance here."

"Fair enough." I said. "Should we worry about reinforcements?"

"Not likely. We didn't detect any significant activity on the planet when we saw you drop in, so they likely picked up you signal from orbit like we did." Vetra explained. "That being said, we probably shouldn't stick around long, just in case."

"What about their ship?" Drack asked. "Be a shame to just leave it behind."

Vetra hummed, looking the ship over. I took a look myself. She was small as far as UNSC Starships go, maybe a Winter-Class Light Prowler at most. She also seemed to have a fair bit of mileage on her if the damage (superficial mostly) and lack of paint (it was mostly small streaks and splotches of red that remained) was anything to go by. Aside from that though, she was in decent shape, at least from an outside inspection. The rest of her must be, at least, in decent shape as well if the mercenaries managed to get her through the planet's atmosphere and land here. It also meant she was space worth, obviously.

"It would, wouldn't it?" Vetra mused, pulling me from my thoughts. She was still looking at the ship, but appeared to be slowly coming to a conclusion if her tone was anything to go by. Then she looked at me, her eyes seeming to almost smile. "Why don't you take it then?"

That damn near made me drop my rifle. Sharing a glance with Drack proved him to be in a similar state of disbelief. "Not that I'm ungrateful, but…why? If you guys are salvagers, then this ship would likely be a healthy payday for you."

Drack grunted. "Yeah, it would. Why should we give that up for some whelp we met less than an hour ago?"

"A few reasons." Vetra explained. "One: If this really is a Blood Pack ship, then selling it would be akin to signing our own death warrants. They'd know what we did to the crew when they don't report in in a few days. Two and three: Cap here needs to get to the Human Embassy on The Citadel. We could take you, but us being in Citadel Space would be as bad for our health as pissing off the Blood Pack. This also lets us get back to work, and away from here, right off. Four: He just helped us fight off a merc squad. I think that's earned him a reward, don't you?"

The three of us stayed thoughtfully quiet for a moment before I spoke. "You're not just salvagers, are you?"

Vetra laughed as Drack grunted and stalked off. "Oh, we are. We just might not follow all the relevant laws while we work. Takes too much time to cut through the red tape, you know?"

"Right." I said, not bothering to hide my skepticism.

Vetra just laughed again. "Come on. Let's give your new ship a once over. Never know what's hiding in a merc ship."