Ok guys this my first attempt at a Mass Effect/Mass Effect Andromeda fan-fiction so please give me feedback if you think this is a good read or not.

Just for a little backdrop this story will eventually end up being twenty or so chapters long depending on the length of those chapters and how far in depth I plan to go in the different games. This follows a Male Shepard who will have a long romantic interest and perhaps a few flings on the side. Absolutely no harems though. If I could write lemons I would, but I can't so let's not go there. But that's not to say I can't write romance.

This will ultimately span up through the First Contact War, perhaps the Skyllian blitz, the events of Mass Effect 1, 2, 3 and eventually into Mass Effect Andromeda, all with my Male Shepard and not those ugly defaults lol.

Also I'd like to say, please have an open mind when reading this. This is completely AU. Humans won't be too overpowered, just enough to where the Krogan don't talk crap at the bar.

Without further ado…

Shanxi, Mr. Yama 's Class

"Pride my children. The single driving force between some of the Universe's greatest accomplishments as well as its greatest sins. Take heed to our words. Do not grow arrogant and boastful in the strength we have bestowed upon you, for your purpose is ordained by a higher plane. We have given you the intelligence of our greatest minds, the dexterity of our most resilient explorers, the strength of our hardiest warriors, the speed of our most accomplished athletes, and the spirit of our civilization. Do not linger on the cause of our passing, for you will surely not understand. WE saw to it that our remains were destroyed so that you will not fight amongst yourselves with power you are not ready to wield. In doing so we have prepared you for a threat that we cowardly shed our forms to escape. Live well my seeds. Grow a thick bark to protect those around you from the harshness that awaits and cement deep roots to withstand the storms of change you will face. Farewell."

The projector shut off and lights were turned on eliciting a mass of groans and whines from many in the class, except one young man in the front row of the class.

"Wow Mr. Yama, you mean they gave us everything that they were?" the boy asked with big eyes, clearly infatuated with the topic.

"Yes Ken, the old ones saw to it that we would inherit the dominion they left behind. They even gave us many of their best attributes to create our own improved civilization. There's very little of their relics that can be found though, even less of them being functional."

"Well I'm gonna find them! Just watch Mr. Yama, I'm going to be the system's greatest explorer and you can say you taught me. I'll find all the relics and be - THWAK"

Ken's hands flailed around his head in response to somebody's holo-journal hitting the back of his head, the classes 'laughter soon falling suit. Mr. Yama sighed before restoring order to the class, but not before giving one Sloane Kelly and Ken Shepard knowing looks that meant "stay after class".

"Now that were back focused, I showed you this video to help get you started on you're study assignment tonight. I expect all of my assigned 100 history codex entries to be read in their completion. The test is tomorrow so I'll know who procrastinated from the test scores and baggy eyes." Mr. Yama looked down at his watched before sighing and continuing.

"Class is dismissed everyone, remember, not understanding the past is a set up for failure!" he practically yelled as hi student's ran from the room.

Mr. Yama motioned with his hand for Sloane and Ken to sit in two "conference chairs" close to his desk area. He usually used them when it came time to talk to troubled or disputing students but for what it's worth he might as well just engrave Sloane and Ken's name's on the two seats. He looked between the two, noticing Ken still rubbing the back of his cranium and frowned.

"Sloane, I think you owe Mr. Shepard here an apology. That was completely uncalled for." He said a stern look on his face that was staring down an unfazed preteen girl.

"I'm not apologizing to that freak. Nothing you say can make me either, my mom's a Commander in the Alliance Navy, and everyone knows he should be in the brig." Sloane said, locking eyes with her teacher and then to Ken who looked sheepish and hurt at her words.

"Sloane, I'm not going to ask you again, apologize to Ken before I contact the military girl's house about your behavior. I doubt the first thing Commander Kelly wants to her when she gets back is that you can't follow basic orders. You think you have a shot in the Alliance with that attitude?" Mr. Yama enticed, trying to use some basic psychology on the girl.

By the look on her face it worked. Ken tried to look away, not because he didn't want to completely burst out laughing at the sick face Sloane had but out of respect for Mr. Yama he didn't. He was the only person he felt might actually believe in him besides his dad, but he was never home. Sloane groaned before turning her neck slowly to rider grinding her teeth before saying "Sorry Ken." Through a clenched jaw.

While Ken would normally want to savor this moment I sweet silence he knew that firstly, Mr. Yama was probably irritated with how long this was taking and secondly, he didn't have a single lick of those history codex read. He also secretly thought Sloane was kind of cute but he would never admit.

"Thanks Mr. Yama, and I accept your apology Sloane. Just don't throw anymore journals at me and we'll be fine" he said getting up from his chair and heading for the door before Mr. Yama go his attention one last time.

"Now Ken go home and actually study. If you write another off topic tangent on the lost relics and the question is pertaining to something else I'll recommend that you drop this advanced course." Mr. Yama stated with a slight grin on his face, as to not chastise the kid further. He knew Ken would be famous one day. For what and how was yet to be determined.

"Yes sir, and uh... bye Sloane!" Ken said as he started to jog down the halls towards an exit, snickering audibly to himself.

Sloane was boiling with rage at that point. Good thing she had a plan. All the military personnel in her family amounted to something. After Mr. Yama bid her farewell she began her own run to their neighborhood. She knew a shortcut that should let her cut him off.

' I know he's probably walking, I can make it, beat him up, and still be back at the military house in time for dinner' She thought to herself as she continued along the forested path.

Earth was unique in that because of humanity's gifted abilities and accelerated technological and terraforming advancement they were able to successfully transform other celestial bodies close to the habitable zone into nice temperate and tropical habitats for the species. It was because of this that population density, and therefore habitat destruction wasn't as much of an issue.

As she neared the clearing towards their neighborhood she spotted him. Walking and listening to some century old music she was sure. 'Just another reason he's a freak.' She thought before sneaking up behind him.

'No way is he gonna see this coming!' Sloane thought triumphantly, reeling back her fist to drop Ken in one fell swoop.

Unfortunately for her, she was unaware that Ken was currently listening to Juan Solo's new rap album "Carbonite" which, in his eagerness to dance along with the inappropriate lyrics, caused him to lean forward, narrowly avoid her fist. Sloane lost her balance with her drawn out swing and fell to the ground getting Ken's attention. It didn't take long for him to figure out what happened. A dirty and sweaty Sloane on the ground in front him, defeated, without any effort on his part. 'Today just got a lot better.' He thought before bursting out into laughter.

To say Sloane was furious wouldn't do it justice. In quick succession she moved from on the ground to yelling, to grabbing Ken by the collar.

"I'm gonna kill you Shepard!" Sloane said reeling back another deadly blow to the now silent Ken.

He tried to step back in a futile effort to escape the shiner he was about to receive when he tripped, with Sloane still in tow, over an exposed tree root. Both of them landed with a thud with Ken's legs on the outside of Sloane with her on top of him. But there was a more pressing matter at hand. During the fall, Sloane's lips had touched Ken's. The screech she made upon that realization could be heard for miles, even alerting the local animal control to a possible sighting of a Jacktooth (1).

Later that evening Ken was finally home. He'd just walked right in as usual. No use in pretending like anyone else was home anymore. For a while after his dad had left on his 'mission' he'd still yell out "I'm home!" to no one in particular but, today he just wasn't up to it. Sloane had really got some good hits in before he could escape her wrath. He didn't understand why it was his fault. She practically kissed him anyway. But the more he thought about it, the surprisingly less gross it seemed.

'I mean her hazel and blue eye thing is pretty cool…pssh, what am I talking about, she probably hit me too hard, and I have a test to study for.' He thought before grabbing his school codex and turning to page 1 concerning relics. Skimming over the introductions and acknowledgements that he hated at the beginning of all history books, he turned to the first codex entry about the three main types or categories of relics that all relics fall under. The first were "instructional" relics. These were items left by the old ones that either intentionally or unintentionally progressed Human technology considerable degree by allowing human's to study their contents.

'Too bad ten out of the fifteen instructional relics were filled with philosophy' Ken thought with an inward face palm. Part of him found it pretty funny that an advanced species that created them or gods to some, left the boring parts of their society behind.

After skimming through that section, bit content with the musings of ancient minds, he arrived at the most peculiar category, Biological Relics. These were the genetic creations of the Old Race that once or still do inhabit Earth and other former worlds of the precursor species. These include the large predatory birds known as Jacktooths. Created by the Old Ones as biological factors to challenge and strengthen humanity, they and other species like them are all but docile. However, once humanity surpassed these beasts, many became domesticated animals, invasive species to colony worlds, or common pets. Most of the creatures under this category are rarely even seen as relics, as their abundance is taken for granted. Most human biologist today even estimate that nearly 60% of all species within Human space have some form of genetic and behavioral alteration.

Ken let out a yawn after reading the lengthy sub point. He enjoyed science and biology, but the unforgiving taxonomy really made him just that more sleepy. Ever since his dad departed there was always silence in his home. He could have turned on any number of shows and programs, just to break the quietness in the house but he always reasoned that holovision was never as good without someone to watch it with. His father had promised to send vidcon updates every now and then but, he also promised to be back by now.

'It's been a year and no vidcons or emails. I know he does sensitive work, but you'd think having access to the most secure channels would make it easier to get a word out, not harder' Ken thought to himself, before swiping to the last section of relics.

Here it was, his favorite relics and the ones he wanted to find first. The Relics of Power. These encompassed many of the strongest and legendary items of Human myth, folklore, and colonial discovery. The VI known as "Humble", known for his power to create seismic rifts in the Earth's crust and giving technological insight to early humans, remains in a museum today with its power core being unable to be reactivated, perhaps purposefully. A common theme among all of the known or referenced Relics of Power can also be observed, as every item such as the "Fruit of the Sun", the "Goddesses' Egg" and the fabled Armory, all have identical stories about their discoveries being unworthy and humanity being told to "wait until the time is right."

These were the artefacts that Ken would seek out, find, and conquer if need be. He'd be the one to share the power of the ancients among all citizens of the alliance. At least that's what he was dreaming about right now, but he'd have to. He'd fallen asleep before reading two percent of his study material.

Oh, how fun tomorrow would be.

KNOWN HUMAN HISTORY CODEX

TIMELINE

20,000 BC: The "Old Race" creates the Human race after they "withdrew to a higher plane of existence" to escape a threat of monumental proportions. They design our species with warfare, charisma, and intelligence favored above all else. Although no full schematics have ever been recovered, old data longs left by what was perhaps an "Old One" geneticists or biologists suggest that the average human height of 10 feet 3 inches (Male being 10'7'' and Female being 10'), full access to all neurological function of the brain from early childhood, accelerated muscle growth under duress, and increased bone and skin density was to specifically protect us from hostile alien species we could encounter.

15,000 BC: By this time, the last of Old One's who remained as "Annunaki" either interbred or have died off.

10,000BC: First Empires are forged threw local tribes banding together under leaders elected into lifelong office. Some tribes still survive unconsolidated, fiercely revisiting their more sophisticated neighbors.

8,000-4,000BC: Known as the era of prosperity, the world's roaming tribes are no more, all being assimilated into larger nation states and empires who are remarkably friendly with each other.

3,560BC: Emperor Caouhitli of the Uto-Aztecan Empire discovers a relic known only as the "Fruit of the Sun". Upon his analysis of the object, he quickly deduced that the text inscribed on the outside was somehow universally understood as "Wait until the time is right by children." No matter what language you could speak or read. Unsatisfied, the Emperor commenced his touching of the artifact on a day of Solar Eclipse, believing this to be what the message was referring to. He was instantly vaporized in front of thousands of his most esteemed citizens after prolonged tampering with the item. This was heard around the world as a sign that Humans were not ready for the any relics of the Old Ones.

1,000BC: The American Continents from the largest empire of the ancient world and begin their industrial revolution while the old world lags behind.

700BC: The Western Empire of the Sun (All American zones) launch a submarine and exploration fleet to the old world and to the earth's oceans in search of more relics beneath the noses of the common people.

668 BC: The first relic is found submerged deep in the north Atlantic. The site is dubbed, Atmora off of a popular fantasy series. In the icy submerged catacombs the explorers trigger a massive seismic eruption, awakening the VI program known only as "Humble".

665BC: After three years of devastating natural disasters seemingly caused by humble, the world's leaders gather on ships above the original discovery site and are greeted by "Humble". He tells them of their creation, his purpose to show them humility and character through duress, and instructs them in a few new technologies before his power supply runs low. His VI core can still be found in the Gonnar-Metonyn Museum in Vinland as the power source needed to turn him back on is not yet fully understood. The spread of Sirahtha begins as well, being our most popular or dominant religion to this day, this faith was the first to rightfully accredit the Old Ones as the praise they deserve.

5 BC: Sir Connigan of Normandy discovers a mostly intact contained beta ray weapon, completely revolutionizing technology of the era.

100AD: First contact with another alien species. An insect-like Species descends upon the city of Johannesburg with what appeared to be refugees of some unknown conflict. With help from human manpower, they were able to repair their crudely designed ship in exchange for weaponized exosuit technology. These technological progressions would be vital in the warfare and eventual annexation of the moon Pandora.

500 AD: First successful colonial moon colony and terraforming take place, providing a lush habitat for all of Earth's most dangerous and large species that are threatened with extinction. Rumors also circulate that a coalition of multinational scientist and military minds trained the best soldiers there but it never confirmed.

600 AD: Terraforming of the Moon one hundred percent complete, N7 moon training program released to the public. Mars Terraforming begins in earnest.

700 AD: Earth's Government's unanimously merge under one banner, The Systems Alliance in order to consolidate scientific and military power as well as locate the last of the old one's relics still hidden on Earth's surface. In the midst of the final stages of Martian terraforming alien Martians are discovered. Adorable Martian "jumpers" are the most popular pet among the wealthy. Colonies on both the moon and Mars equal roughly two million people with an average life expectancy of 135 years.

1250AD: Legendary explorer Indiana Drake, attempts to steal an artefact known as the "Crystal Skull". Despite his greatest efforts, the Skull could not be moved from a pedestal in its ancient catacombs without some unknown passcode. The location of said ruins are now lost to time or known by the select few.

1400AD: Terraforming and colonization of Titan, Triton, Europa, Calisto, Venus, and Ceres achieved, some with remarkable planetary shielding technology recovered from a relic site in Antarctica. It's capable of reflecting small asteroids back into space effortlessly while still allowing ships in and out of the atmosphere.

1500AD: Massive Space fleet developed from a growing concern over alien aggression in conservative politicians and common people. Dreadnaught blue prints place average vessels of the class to be 30 kilometers. Only three will be produced over the next 200 years.

1535-1542AD: The moon Pandora is first colonized and stripped of some of its rare resources before Humanity is aware that intelligent life existed on the planet. Seeing as this species was remarkably primitive they hoped to win over all "Nav'i" tribes with gifts, education, technology, and medical care. It is even discovered that fertile offspring between Nav'i and Humans was possible. These mixed offspring were often referred to as To'lokans by the natives and Humans alike, the word meaning "where two roads join". However, a splinter group of Nav'i known as Aya's Wrath lead by the mighty Beydamo was not amused. He and his xenophobic warriors fought for nearly 7 years against was they saw as holy forest being desecrated by Human colonist and mining activities. With the help of a coordinated, Human trained, Nav'i militia and N7 native specialist whose training was especially catered to more primitive species encountered on colonial worlds, they were able to defeat Beydamo's band and capture the legendary guerilla fighter. News of his defeat spreads across human space, not as the domination over an enemy, but one of sorrow and regret. Humanity, distraught in what their settlement caused on Pandora decides to spare Beydamo's life and allotting "Home Tree" and the surrounding lands as of limits to humans for the eternity of their colonization. Mixed raced citizens of the Alliance are immediately allotted equal rights and are encouraged to use their natural hunting prowess and carbon composite bone structure complimented by Human genes to enroll in the Alliance Foreign Legion along with full blood Nav'i. Some people across Human space criticize the creation of military units based on race or species, but the section of the military quickly becomes one of the most distinguished branch of Alliance military without integration, playing a key role in the defeat of the Greys years later in the following centuries.

1583AD: The notorious and respected Nav'i warrior Beydamo dies at age 80 on his ancestral land of 'Home Tree'. A group of Nav'i and Human sculptors create a 60 foot tall monument in dedication to the man and his Ikran. A traditional Ayan funeral was held by the Omaticaya Tribe and had thousands of Nav'i and Humans in attendance.

1600AD: A diseased race known as the Kett arrive from the Andromeda galaxy and request a formal meeting with Humanity's leadership. Most were skeptical of the aliens at first, but after seeing one of the aliens literally fall out during a conference meeting most people we moved to help them.

1660AD: after 60 years of extensive research and clinical trials, Humanity gifts the Kett with an adaptive immune system, making them invulnerable to disease by utilizing other species genetic blue prints to complement their own.

1675AD: the Kett visitors depart from Earth, and her colonies on their long 400 year long journey back to the Andromeda Galaxy.

1900AD: Malevolent "Grey" Alien race encountered and thought to be exterminated. The Alliance Foreign Legion earned more Alliance and N7 recruitment letters than any other branch of the military during the short lived war. All of the mixed and Nav'i soldiers decline the N7 offers however, believing they can do the most good by protecting Pandora and the Alliance by keeping their branch's chemistry and skilled fighters. Scientist believe the Grey's home system was originally that of Xutcl II whose star imploded due to a gravitational abnormality nearly 200 years prior. It is believed that in order to survive they interbred intensively with their limited population and short life span, eventually dehumanizing themselves through extensive genetic damage. Two human abductees were never recovered, but most experts agree that Grey DNA is already too extensively damaged to actually incorporate human genes.

2000AD: The Golden Era. The human population is at nearly 15 Billion across all worlds. New colonization efforts payed off on the planet named Shanxi that now boast a staggering twenty five million people in population. Earth Leadership doesn't trust new settlements outside of the Sol system being weakly guarded, and so the colony planet is made into a special forces recruitment and training base for ground forces and N7 as well as a major manufacturing plant for the new dreadnaught unit dubbed "HDI Restless" This twenty five kilometer dreadnought will be stationed at Shanxi along with a similar model at Eden Prime when its colonization is complete.

2100 AD: Galactic scans show large activity in the various dense clusters in the Milky Way, specifically element zero which humanity opted in not using for a power source, suggesting a very large and connected galactic community. Relays encased in ice were thawed and shown to their full glory, much to the dismay of humanity's military elite who believed this was an enemy's backdoor to Alliance space. The human Alliance maintains constant cruiser or destroyer patrol of all relays found just in case any aggressive alien species mounts an invasion.

Human lifespans are on average up to 200 years old due to new technology perfected during the help scientist gave to Kett researchers. This allows human twenty years to develop into adults, and then prolongs their "middle aged" period from 30 years old to 145 years old, the last years in which real aging occurs.

2135AD: Kett Message received from dark space, saying that when the Kett returned to what they dub as the 'Heleus Cluster' they found their race unrecognizable. Apparently, an elite Kett known as "The Archon" had forced the Kett under his command to weaponized and force a process of 'exaltation' on hundreds of intelligent species throughout the cluster. Also included in the message was a note that the Archon has no knowledge of the Milky Way Galaxy as of now, but that as his power grows his ambition will eventually go beyond dark space. This is troubling news for humanity. While not initially concerned with the message, the Alliance plans for contingencies against any extra galactic invasion. This is supported by the public primarily because of the popular belief that the Old Ones were destroyed by a force that originated from the depths of dark space.

2145AD: Human population reaches 39 Billion across all Alliance space. Military reserves boasts and impressive 35 million citizens, with active personnel encompassing nearly 3 billion people. Even though a majority of the time period has not seen hostility, many intelligence leaders believe that similarly, as stated by the first To'lokan (Mixed race) Secretary of Defense Jouro Kaya, "Space has been quiet for too long".

Alright, well chapters 2 and 3 will be out in quick succession so feel free to leave criticism and reviews and remember to set your notifications to FOLLOW for any updates. I reply back to ALL reviews, unless in the rare event that this blows up in a short amount of time lol. The next two chapters together should be 15,000 words. The real journey begins shortly, but it won't be rushed.