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[ebreder]

"The One That Got Away"

A thrilling retelling of Mass Effect. An ambitious story that knows when to be serious, when to be fun and how war really feels to a soldier. Starts eleven years before the events of ME1 and continues all the way to the end and beyond.

Since this is a re-imagining of Mass Effect, it does go AU at certain points, but respects the original story. Not at all fluff. "Mature" for violence, language and adult themes. Chapters posted bi-weekly. If I'm going to be late due to holidays or work, I will post to let everyone know.

About

This is not your usual fanfiction, and a quick read of the first chapter or two will prove that beyond the shadow of a doubt. Despite the darkness of the story, there is humor, tenderness and the very human quest of belonging somewhere and finding one's purpose. This is a story that will crawl under your skin and stay there.

We start out when James is thirteen years old, getting an inside look into the dangerous situations that are circling little Jimmy Sanders and his best friend's older sister, Lola. Later on, Shepard enters into the picture and we see how she develops into the badass reaper-killer we all know and love.

I welcome constructive feedback of all kinds. I'm writing this as practice for an original piece and I intend to be finished with this one by July 2013. Please don't be shy to PM or review. I have a history for finishing stories, I know where this one is going and I have a great beta reader to help me stay accountable to my publishing schedule.

Read Chapter 1 of "The One That Got Away" on fanfiction or deviantArt
Extras, the Spanish Glossary and playlists are curated here on deviantArt.

P.S. I know my Spanish is horrendous. If anyone can help with that, I'd appreciate it. It's a minor part of the story, but important for atmosphere.

Modifié par ebreder, 17 février 2013 - 08:01 .

[ebreder]

Chapter 1: Meet the Sanders, a family that is breaking apart, and see Jimmy go on his first adventure with the enigmatic Lola.
dA or FFN

Chapter 2: See Lola confront her brother's new "friends" and the explosive results, and catch an inside look at Jimmy's ideas for his future.
dA or FFN

Chapter 3: Meet a new character with ties to the Blue Suns and follow Jimmy to his first trip to the range with his Uncle Emilio.
dA or FFN

[ebreder]

Chapter 4: Lola learns that there can be a price to pay for doing a job too well.
dA or FFN

Lots of Lola in this one, but next week will be mostly James. Tons of character-building material this week. Don't forget to consult the Spanish Glossary for the best reading experience.

Also, I always have a song or two for the chapters to set the mood. You can find the playlist here.

[ebreder]

Chapter 5: Recon

James goes on his first mission and reflects on events from his past.

Read on dA or FFN

This one, as promised, is all James. Here we see him as both an adult and as a child.

Did a lot of research for this one and employed three betas to ensure the story read well. Please let me know what you think!

[Sugarjaye]

*sigh* I love this story so far.... we needed more of this in the game.

[ebreder]

Sugarjaye wrote...

*sigh* I love this story so far.... we needed more of this in the game.

Needed more of the backstory, you mean?

[ebreder]

Chapter 6: Game Day

The Urban Combat Championships come to San Diego and Raul makes a surprising revelation.

Read on dA or FFN

I was two days late for my normal publishing schedule. Sorry, I had a lot of paying work to do. I'll try not to let it interfere again.

Modifié par ebreder, 14 août 2012 - 03:06 .

[Locutus_of_BORG]

Thanks for writing this. Keep it up.

[ebreder]

Locutus_of_BORG wrote...

Thanks for writing this. Keep it up.

I will, thanks!

[ebreder]

Chapter 7: The Calm

Cinco de Mayo brings profound changes for Lola and James.

Read on dA or FFN

This chapter took a lot out of me. I'm going to spend the next week proofreading the previous chapters and making sure everything is formatted correctly. Next chapter will be posted on or around August 30th.

Modifié par ebreder, 31 août 2012 - 12:08 .

[ebreder]

Just an update: The next chapter is coming along nicely and I'm getting caught up with my work thanks to this break. Thanks to the readers who reached out and said to take my time, it really helped to hear your words of encouragement. Next chapter should be posted on schedule, at the latest by next Sunday.

[ebreder]

Posting slightly earlier than usual, this week's chapter really flowed. It's been in the works since the very beginning, so I really hope you like this one.

Chapter 8: Fallout
The difficult process of recovery marks many endings and beginnings for James, Lola, and the people who care about them.

Read on dA or FFN

Enjoy, and please don't be shy to let me know what you think!

[ebreder]

For anyone that's enjoying this story, I thought I'd post some of the extras that I have created for it.

Here are the character references on my deviantArt journal.

James: Coming soon!

Raul

• Pictures: Raul, Raul. (I use the word dastardly in this one.)
• Playlist: The Raul Playlist

Lola

• Pictures & Playlist: Meet Lola!

Mason Black/Sam Blanco
Mason/Sam was an OC in pestomonkey's popular story "Blackwork". She has gradually become my writing partner for TOTGA. Since this story began she started a new story in the same universe called "Blood Brothers" about Mason's lifelong friendship with Emilio Vega, James Vega's uncle.

• Her character sketch for him: Black Thoughts
• Photo reference for Sam at 18: Visualization
• Read "Blood Brothers on dA or FFN (lemons)
• Read "Blackwork" on dA or FFN Does not tie in with TOTGA. (lots and lots of lemons)

Modifié par ebreder, 31 août 2012 - 05:47 .

[Locutus_of_BORG]

Awesome. I had a feeling that plot twist would come, I just wasn't sure you would actually do it.

[ebreder]

Locutus_of_BORG wrote...

Awesome. I had a feeling that plot twist would come, I just wasn't sure you would actually do it.

This is just the beginning. I have a lot more twists and turns planned.

Love your screen name, by the way.

[ebreder]

Update: The next chapter should be posted this weekend sometime.

Just like with Lola and Raul, I've created some extras for you. I use these as inspiration when I write in that character's voice. This week's chapter is 100% about Jimmy, so here is my inspiration for young James Vega (13-14 years old):

See the post Inspiration for the Illustrious Mr. Vega on deviantArt

Included is the playlist (plus my theme song for Vega) and a pic of a young actor that fairly well represents what I see in my head when I write young James.

Enjoy!

Modifié par ebreder, 07 septembre 2012 - 05:41 .

[ebreder]

I'm thinking about putting up a simple blog for the story so that people who don't use deviantArt or Fanfiction.net can follow the story more easily via email or RSS. If you're interested, hit me up or comment. If I get less than ten replies I won't bother.

[Locutus_of_BORG]

It's been almost a week since the last promised installment. What's up?

[ebreder]

Work is what's up. Last weekend turned into a web development free-for-all instead of my usual writing free-for-all.

No worries, I've been plugging away at it every night, just with far less time than I had before. I had wanted to post last night but I didn't have time to do a proper beta read and I don't want to put out something half-baked.

EDIT: I am finished with the chapter and will post it tomorrow, Sept. 15, after my beta is done with it.

Modifié par ebreder, 14 septembre 2012 - 10:21 .

[ebreder]

FINALLY!

Chapter 9: Back to School

The school year begins, bringing new friends and a new chapter in James' life as he deals with his grief. His family drama comes to a head.

Read on dA or FFN

Share and enjoy!

Modifié par ebreder, 16 septembre 2012 - 02:52 .

[ebreder]

Back on schedule this week. I've been laid up with a hurt leg so I had LOTS of time to write.

Next chapter on Friday/Saturday.

[ebreder]

Back on schedule this time! I wrote right up until midnight on Saturday. I wish it didn't take me so long to format them for deviantArt and FanFic.

Chapter 10: Graduation Day

Shepard graduates from Alliance Marine Basic Training and questions where she's going with her life.

Special playlist created just for this chapter: Raving with FemShep. You'll see why it's called that when you read the chapter. Party on!

Read on dA or FFN

Modifié par ebreder, 30 septembre 2012 - 05:40 .

[ebreder]

On schedule to post this weekend.

[ebreder]

Chapter 11: Letting Go

The last day of the 10th grade presents James with his first real choices of adulthood.

Read on dA or FFN

Special playlist created just for this chapter.

[ebreder]

Chapter 12: Blindsided

Josh makes a last-ditch attempt to keep James close and Shepard takes her first extended shore leave.

Read it on dA or FFN

I'd love to hear your opinion on the story so far.

Modifié par ebreder, 27 octobre 2012 - 06:32 .