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[Major Tao]

This is a collection of short M.E. 3 stories I've written for my amusement and that of fellow Mass Effect fans.


This story first appeared in "A Connection I would like to See Pointed Out" 


ofcoursenot wrote:  "....the similarities between the Reapers and the dark beings within the realms of Lovecraftian horror? 
                                     Beings whose existence is far beyond...."

Well JeweledLeah noted the in-game homage to H.P.L. and the Cthulu mythos just now...

I made a plea for more horror of the kind we might expect when encountering the Great Old Ones in the thread called "I Wish the Reapers were Scarier".  

Yes, some reference has been made. It remains to be seen whether we will encounter comprehensible reasons for the Cycle of Reaping and Extinctions.   

I haven't yet seen any cults devoted overtly to the Reapers and their return.  Indoctrination effects -yes - but nothing prompted by peoples own fear and desire for the Return of the Old Ones. 


"They Shall Return - When the Stars are Right !"

Scene:   On the Normandy

Kelly:   "Commander - you may not believe this - but there's a call from the Illusive Man !"

Shepard:   "You're right - I can't believe it - what does that F&$*  want NOW ? 
                     Okay - I'll take the call in the conference room.

( Shepard storms into the conference room.  The Communication Array lights up. )


TIM:   "Shepard - you're looking well."


Shepard:   "WHAT - do you want - you manipulative, murdering dreck ?"  


TIM:    "Right to the point - okay.    You've heard of the water world - Trident - I assume ?
            Archaeologists have reported that an alien civilization once thrived there - a billion years ago. 
            The ruins are so old - most are worn away by the seas and only some remnants remain of what were immense cities and pyramids.  The architecture is bizarre and is covered with a language that is incredibly difficult to decipher.  Well there was a major find a few weeks ago.  An undersea quake uncovered part of one of these undersea cities. One of my teams discovered an immense tomb - a tomb that radiated INCREDIBLE ENERGY !" 

Shepard:   "....And you sent them in there."

TIM:       "Of course !   Shepard - I believe the war with the Reapers is as good as over !  
Let me introduce you to my new patron, Lord and Master !"

Shepard:     "Lord...?   What the....?? ?"

( The camera swings towards the view of unspeakable horror - the visage of the Great Old One - Cthulhu !  )

Cthulhu:      "FHTAGN !"

Shepard;      "AIIIEEEEE  !!!!!"    ( Shepard loses consciousness and collapses to the floor... ) 

( Days Later ) 

Shepard awakens with a start - to find herself in a straightjacket and in a makeshift brig on the Normandy.
She looks up to see that all the walls are covered in frantically scribbled words.  She begins to tremble as she realizes that the words are all written in blood.  A sharp pain in her hands prompts her to reflexively turn her eyes and she sees that her fingers are bandaged - from cuts ? Looking closely again at the walls she can just make out a few phrases such as  "anti-life",  "outer darkness", and two names...."R'leyh" and "uhluhtc" ?   Shepard is shocked by a terrible memory surging into her awareness - and with great determination bites down on a scream that almost escapes her lips.
         After a few moments, -though still trembling - Shepard calls out for attention. 

Shepard:   "Hello ?"  

Security Guard:   "Commander - just a moment - I'll alert the Doctor that you're awake."

(  A screen lights up in the room - and Shepard sees the visage of a haggard Dr. Chakwas - clearly she's been up for hours. )

Dr. Chakwas:   "Commander - I've been so worried about you !   How are you feeling ?"

Shepard:   "I'm a bit shaky.  Doctor - why am I here this room - and why am I restrained ?" 

Dr. Chakwas:   "You don't remember then ?" 

Shepard:   "No - I remember only receiving a message from the Illusive Man - and then I blacked out." 

Dr. Chakwas:    " I'm sorry Commander.  You may have blacked out - but shortly thereafter you got up and tried to walk into the reactor core of the ship !  You knocked out Gabriella, and broke Kenneth's arm when they tried to stop you. EDI sounded the alarm when you wouldn't respond to her warnings. You were fighting with Tali -when Jack appeared and knocked you unconscious."

Shepard:    "I..... I can't believe I did all that." 

Dr. Chakwas:    "Again, I'm sorry Commander - EDI can we have playback of the Normandy security system for the Commander ?"

EDI:     "Affirmative Doctor."  

( Shepard watches the playback depicting her actions - in the video - she moves like a person possessed. 
Shepard's vision blurs as she watches herself attack her crew, comrades, and friend - and finds it's because she's crying - something she hasn't done for ages. ) 

The door opens.  Dr. Chakwas, Miranda, and two security officers are present.  Four more security personnel are stationed nearby.  

Dr. Chakwas:  "Commander - For the time being, you are are considered incapacitated and command is transferred to Miranda at present.  I'll release you from this room so I might better assess your condition.  Miranda requested that we conduct some essential ships business and a debriefing - if you're up for it."

Shepard:     "Yes." 

Dr. Chakwas:   "Commander - for the record - please state your name, rank and serial number.  State your location and the date."

Shepard:     "Shepard, Commander,  XP67-04-11-2154-N7.  I am on the Normandy, and the last date was I'm sure of was 2186, March the 7th."


Dr. Chakwas:   "Commander - it's now the 10th of March.  Shepard, do you feel in control of yourself ?  
Do you feel likely to attack anyone on the ship ?"  

Shepard:    "Yes, I feel in control of myself, and no - I have no desire to harm any of my shipmates."

Dr. Chakwas:    "Miranda - help me get the jacket off the Commander."

( The Doctor and Miranda assist the Commander and they move into sick bay.   
Dr. Chakwas examines the Commander, takes samples, scans for abnormalities and after an hour shakes her head....) 

Dr. Chakwas:  "Commander - I can't understand it. I cannot determine a reason for your actions at this time due to anything obvious such as a drug or other factor.  I'll have to give the matter more thought.  I can say that you are under tremendous stress - now.  One other thing I can't explain is that your hippocampus has suffered some kind of trauma.  It's as thought you went without sleep for a week.  I believe you will recover with treatment - but I want to keep you under observation for the time being.  All right - Miranda - your turn." 

Miranda:   "Shepard - you were speaking in an unknown alien language - well screaming really - when you were prevented from entering the reactor core.  And for at least the next day, you continued to speak in this other language.  We can't make a match for it in any database." 

Shepard:  "Trident - he said they found it on Trident.   Okay, I'm ready to make my report - please ask the security officers to step outside the room - they can observe us from outside." 

( Miranda and Dr. Chakwas confer briefly, and then Miranda sends the guards out. ) 

Miranda:   "Okay Commander - please fill us in..." 

Shepard:   "Our situation just became a lot more complicated.  First you should know that we're all in terrible danger....  We are facing a threat that may well dwarf that of the Reapers - and we're going to have to take great care against casual exposure to any communications coming from where this new threat is.  It is so dangerous and alien - that it is a threat to everyone's very sanity - as I've experienced firsthand."

" A while ago, Liara was telling me some ancient Asari myths about primordial horrors and threats to the galaxy.... 
I thought this one was in reference to the Reapers...but I find that it is not.... ( Shepard's voice trembles... ) 
Doctor - could you please give me a sedative right now ?   I find I'm losing my composure...! "

( Dr. Chakwas jumps up and immediately moves to deliver a sedative shot to the Commander - under Miranda's watchful eyes.  After a moment, the Commander stops trembling and begins again... ) 
  
"According to the oldest Asari legends, there are....beings which exist in other spaces... other dimensions.
For millions of years, they exist elsewhere in those outer dimensions, but there are times when they can awaken, and exist in our universe...for an unknown length of time...  I don't know yet what those conditions are... but one of these beings has been awakened.  We must find a way to either destroy it... or change the conditions that allow it to exist here."

Miranda:  "Shepard - how dangerous are these beings supposed to be ?"

Shepard:  "If the legends are to be believed,  just one of these creatures can consume the life force of an entire planet.  I don't know how long it would take - and I don't intend to find out !  We've got to get as many ships as we can at short notice - and immediately quarantine the entire planet of Trident.  Please send a message to Liara, I need her assistance in researching how to fight this.... thing.  Also - I request to be reinstated to command as soon as possible. Barring that - Miranda I cannot overstate how important it is that we act NOW to combat this thing ! 

Do you believe me ? 

Miranda:   "Commander - I believe - that YOU believe it - and until I learn more - that's enough for me. 
But we're going to have to take precautions. If our sanity can be affected by a simple message - we're going to have to guard against a kind of attack that we've never experienced before - until now."

Shepard:   "Agreed, I believe EDI can check any incoming messages - and I can give her some parameters to watch out for.  But for the time being we must warn everyone to avoid accepting any communications from Trident ! 

We can put out a cover story that there is a VI outbreak occurring and it's trying to beam itself off the planet. That's dangerous enough to prompt a communications blackout. We should continue to monitor information - through EDI - about the current status of the planet Trident and advance with caution.  Miranda - please send a priority message to Liara - I want her to forward any Asari legends that speak of "the Ancient Ones, or anything mentioning the word "R'lyeh".  Lastly, please alert the crew that we must monitor each other for any unusual behaviors - these are to be reported immediately for evaluation.  No one is to be allowed to work alone for the duration."  

Miranda:   " Very well Shepard.  Commander - I will be consulting with you regularly - until the Doctor states that you may resume your duties.  For now, please note that I consider this to be a top-priority. This mission is code-named Operation Trident". 


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The next Story Originally Appeared in the Thread  "Give Me the Option to Give Up in M.E. 3"

Sister Helen wrote:  "Interesting idea.  I've often thought that Shepard should get a major case of burnout, grab his LI, and run like hell while the galaxy burned."  

"BurnOut" 
 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Well, even if Shepard and the Love Interest did run away... in my imagination I can see them get captured by the Reapers and / or Reaper proxies. 

They would be dragged before Harbringer...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Scene:   A gigantic sub-terranean hanger / base - where Harbringer has esconced itself in darkness and ominous backlighting.  Harbringer's thrumming machine voice begins..... 

Harbringer:   "Our drones have captured you !  Now you see that resistance is futile ! 

Shepard:   " I  wasn't resisting....I was going on PERMANENT VACATION !!!  "

Harbringer:   " We recognize you Shepard.. you have disrupted our plans...but you are an annoyance only...
you are insignificant..."

Shepard:    "EXACTLY -  I'm insignificant !   I'm A BUG !   I'm beneath your notice.  Sooooooooo..... if you could let me and my "special friend" over there go.... maybe you could stop noticing me for oh.....how about another thousand years ?"

Harbringer:   " Our plan is unfolding - and you do NOT Escape our notice.  Nothing will be left to chance..."

Shepard:  [color=rgb(255,0,0)"> ]   "OH FRACK it all !....."[/color]

Harbringer:   "Now Shepard... disclose your plans to us...   

Shepard:      "PLAN !!!!  ???  There ain't NO PLAN !" 

Harbringer:   ....or we turn you into tapioca pudding.....!!!

Shepard:    " I'VE GIVEN UP !!!    I QUIT !!!    I RESIGNED THE GAME !!!   YOU'VE WON - YOU STUPID GIANT SPACE SQUID !!!    GO AHEAD AND BURN DOWN THE  FRACKING GALAXY FOR ALL I CARE !!! "

Harbringer:   ( processes for microsconds )    Shepard.... you think this defiance will save you.... 
                       
Shepard:      "Oh PALEO-CHRIST..... !"  

Harbringer:     ...It will not !   I will show you TRUE POWER !!! " 

Shepard:     " PLEASE DO !!! " 

Harbringer:      "You pretend to embrace despair..... your ploy does not fool us !!!" 

Shepard:         " Oh Goddess  ! " 

( The interrogation goes on like this for hours.... with Harbringer refusing to believe the Commander has given up...and insisting that this is all some kind of elaborate ruse by the Commander.  Torture through pain induction on nerves is implemented .. but the Commander keeps shouting that " It's ALL OVER !!"    Harbringer even grudgingly admires the Commander's strength of will and determination... but repeats the Reaper party line...that they will CRUSH EVERYTHING IN THEIR PATH.... so why not give up now ?  

Shepard continues to insist he / she IS giving up !  Frustrated, the Reaper takes a break to confer with it's peers...and orders it's de-evolved servant creatures to move the Commander into a cell.  Exhausted, the Commander and Love Interest collapse into unconsciousness.....)

Meanwhile.....a commando team has landed nearby the Reaper Base.  The team quickly takes out surface resistance near the base maintenance tunnels and works to disable alarms and power to the base.  Lights wink out, and laser barriers fail. The commando team finds the unconscious Commander and L.I. and they are carried back through tunnel to the waiting Normandy... the ship quickly warps away from the Reaper base as an orbital bombardment begins rolling across the surface landscape - wiping out Reaper proxies and their ships.  

Commander Shepard awakens to find Commandos, Normandy crew, and Dr. Chakwas all looking down at 
him / her in the sick bay....

Joker:   " Commander !  You're back !  You've been rescued from ALMOST CERTAIN DEATH  - AGAIN ! 
         
Kelly:  " - And NOW YOU'RE BACK IN THE FIGHT ! "

Shepard:     " NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!     
I wanted to see the Galaxy BURN !!!   I wanted a VACATION !!! "

Dr. Chakwas:   " Oh dear.... I think the Commander has been indoctrinated ! "


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The next story originally appeared in the thread "Cafe on the Citadel ?"

Outdoor cafes are a great place for the Commander to get a coffee,  a sandwhich and to get ambushed by the Batarian Bahak Revengers that will be stalking her / him from now to the end of time. 

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"Citadel Lunch "

SCENE:  PLC's StarCafe

Shepard and Love Interest walk over to meet Emily Wong for that long-delayed exclusive interview.

Shepard:  "Well this should be fun..."

L.I.:   "Will you tell her about your vid-book ?"

Shepard:    I'll mention it right at the end...though I I WONT mention where we'll be vacationing.

L.I.:   "Hey - there's Emily."

Emily Wong:   "Commander -it's great to see you again.  Let's get a table outside by the fountain." 

( Meanwhile )
Outside the cafe... an Eclipse merc in street clothes speaks into a throat mic.  

Merc Spotter:   "Okay !  Target is here - get into position !"

A heavily armed team of mercs bursts out of a storage area and quickly takes over a second floor bar overlooking the cafe.  

Merc One:  "Okay - everyone move to the back room !  We don't care about you - be quiet - be still and you'll come out of this alive.  Mess with us and you're dead !   Number Two and Three - get into sniping position.  Four - watch for any C-Sec and maintain view on the Target.  Five and Six - get the heavy weapons ready !  Tell Zero and Seven - we're ready in five minutes !"

( Back at PLC's StarCafe )  

The owner having been alerted to a celebrity at his cafe - hurries over to say hello. 

PLC the Volus:   "Commander Shepard - Welcome !   My name is PLC - and this is my cafe.  By the way, 
if you give me an endorsement, I'll give you a special discount on all your future visits.  May I take your order ?"

Shepard:  "Thanks PLC - I'll be glad to talk with you about that later.  Let's have your lunch specials please." 

( The group orders.  Emily and L.I. leave to wash up.  Shepard is alone for a moment. )

Merc Spotter:  "Zero - you're on !" 

A cloaked figure approaches the Commander's table.  Throwing back his hood stands a Batarian - apparently unarmed. 

Shepard:   "Something you want ?"  

Cloak:   "Commander Shepard - since you refused to appear to answer for destroying the Bahak system, perhaps you thought you could avoid justice. Well justice will come to you - soon.  But first - look upon the faces of those you destroyed so quickly.  ( Hands over tablet which begins to display Batarian faces... )  See the thousands of families, wives, husbands and children who died.  They are all dead because of you !"

Shepard:  ( quietly )  "You MUST know - that I had no choice !"

Cloak:    "Yes - we know.  Commander Shepard - Galactic Hero !  Destroyer of the Reapers !  Savior of Trillions !
                But blood calls out for blood. No one should be allowed to do - what you have done - and be allowed to                   avoid judgment !  Will you answer for what you have done ?"

Shepard:  "The Batarian Hegemony have already declared me a war criminal - and have convicted me as mass-murderer in absentia !  If I go - I'll be given a sham trial and immediate execution.  That isn't justice !"

Cloak:   "Then let it be REVENGE !"  

( Cloak detonates the tablet - which throws the Commander across the seating area against a planter and some ornamental outdoor sculpture.  )   Cloak draws a hidden pistol and begins firing at the Commander. 

Cloak:   "DIE Shepard !   For my family !" 

Cafe patrons scream and run out of the cafe. Shepard's L.I. and Emily guide cafe patrons and staff out as mayhem ensues.

( Two aircars drop out of the sky - landing across from the cafe's outdoor seating and a heavy squad of eight Batarians begins to advance on the Commander's position.  The Commander looks up briefly from cover - and almost loses life and head to the second story sniping team across from the cafe. The resounding sniper shot is answered immediately from another second story location on the opposite side of the cafe - and a merc sniper collapses and falls.  

Garrus radios in:  "Shepard - Keep your head down !"

Shepard:   "Garrus - where are you ?!!" 

Garrus:  "Above you to the East.  C-Sec SWAT team is moving in now Commander.  
Let me get the other sniper - then you can make your move !"   

( Garrus and the remaining merc sniper fire at each other - but Garrus downs the last sniper. ) 

Garrus:  "Go Shepard !  - Quickly  - they've got rockets !"

Shepard:    "Great !"     

 Shepard fires and downs Cloak.  Rocket fire begins to pour into PLC's cafe - blowing up the entry, blasting holes in the roof, cratering the indoor seating, and taking out part of the outdoor seating.  Exploding rockets shower the Commander with concrete shards, cafe debris and sandwiches.  Seeking better cover - the Commander fires on the advancing Batarian squad - killing two in quick succession and wounding a third as he prepared to throw a grenade.  The grenade detonates - blasting the thrower to bits and knocking two Batarians to the pavement.

C-Sec security begin to appear from the surrounding area - as C-Sec air cars land and the C-Sec SWAT engage the remaining Revenge Squad members. Garrus fires again and kills one of the Engineers manning the rocket turrets.  The last merc engineer fires now on Garrus's position - and he throws himself to cover to avoid the blast. 
Leaping up - Garrus fires - destroying the rocket turret - which explodes and knocks out the Engineer beside it. 
A C-Sec SWAT team storms the second story bar and swiftly kills the remaining mercs.

Watching from meters away the Merc spotter sees the failed assault and turns to go... nearly bumping into Jacob and Commander Bailey.  Jacob clocks the Spotter with a punch - and two C-Sec quickly grab the Salarian before he can rise. 

Bailey:  "Put him in holding - no visitors until I get back - and keep an eye on him !"

"Situation report !"    

C-Sec HQ:   "Ground attack team neutralized Sir - Six dead, two survivors."

Bailey:  "And the second story mercs ?"   

C-Sec HQ:    "Five dead, one survivor."  

Bailey:  "Any civilian casualties ?  What about C-Sec personnel ?"

C-Sec HQ:   "Some patrons were wounded from shrapnel. Evans and T'Chek were wounded in the assault on the second story bar - but they should recover."

Bailey:  "All right..  Secure the area - watch for any OTHER surprises and send in forensics. 
               Have some officers take statements from the cafe and bar patrons and passing witnesses."

Female Turian C-Sec Officer:   "Sir ?   I've got the Cafe owner here...."

Bailey:  "Have him wait for a minute..."

( Shepard walks up...)  

Bailey:    "Commander - you look no worse for wear."

Shepard:  "Bailey - thanks for the quick response."

Bailey:    "How did you find out they were going to try to hit you here on the Citadel ?"

Shepard:    "Batarians with family on Bahak have sworn revenge.  I've been expecting something like this, and I knew there was a team looking for me -but I was only tipped off thirty minutes ago.  One of my friends intercepted their radio transmission. Sorry about the mess."

Bailey:  "Well - it could have been a lot worse.  Look - could you help me with the Cafe owner ?- He's going to be upset." 

Shepard:  "Sure thing." 

( Shepard and Bailey walk over to where a squat Volus is berating a female Turian C-Sec officer. )

PLC the Volus:   "LOOK AT THIS !  ( gasp )  You don't UNDERSTAND... ( sob )  - This was my DREAM !
It took me YEARS ( gasp ) ...to save and build this place - and now - now it's a crater !  IT'S ALL GONE...!  ( gasp ) 

Female Turian C-Sec Officer:   "Sir..."

Bailey:   "That's okay deputy, I'll take it from here."  

( The Turian deputy salutes - and the Volus turns unsteadily around.)

Bailey:  "Mr. PLC - I'd like to extend apologies for this unfortunate incident.  I want you to know that your patrons and staff are all alive. Most of the attackers were killed and those remaining will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

PLC the Volus:   "But - my Cafe...!"

Shepard:  "Mr. PLC - I am sorry about what happened. You can rebuild - I believe you will find compensation funds available to rebuild your cafe - even better.  Please contact Barla Von and he will assist you immediately."  

PLC the Volus:   ( stunned )  "Thank- thank you Commander... Mr. Bailey.   I think I'd better go lay down.  I will see Barla Von right away....maybe tomorrow..." 

Bailey:  "Deputy - call an air car for Mr. PLC and check to make sure he gets home safely."

Deputy:  "Yes Sir !"

Bailey:  "Shepard - Can you and your people come to the station so we can take your statements ?"

Shepard:  "We'll make our statements - and then we'll take off.  Send me if a message if I'm required for the trial. Mind you - I don't want their trial to be turned into a statement about Bahak - but that might be unavoidable.            This was going to happen somewhere - sometime."

Bailey:  "Trouble always follows you doesn't it Commander ?  Well - Let's go."