Mass Effect: Abyss Chronicles

A/N: I do not own anything of this and all credit for characters are to Bioware.

Chapter One: Relapse into Existance

The night of space spoke quiet whispers into Jerome Shepard's ear as he slowly felt himself slip into the comforts of sleep. His body felt sore from his previous mission and yet he couldn't find it within himself to ignore the upcoming one that seemed much closer than he anticipated. Either way, his story wasn't over.

"Commander, do you have a moment?" asked a familiar voice.

Shepard didn't bother to open his eyes, the soothing calm voice of Liara quickly alerted him of her presence.

"What do you need?" he asked knowing this wasn't a very nice way to say "good job".

"I just wanted to see if you were alright. It's only been a week since we completed our last mission together but you have been isolating yourself from everyone since, including me."

He sighed. No matter how much he tried to hide his emotions he knew the quick wits of an Asari would overcome his mental barriers. He knew he couldn't keep himself from everyone for long but the guilt of letting the council and countless others die because of himself still struck dear to his emotions.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. We still got one hell of a battle to face and I can't let you go soft on me." he said not letting his gaze be taken away from the space scenery. Although he wanted not to see her he could still see her obviously disappointed expression through the windows reflection.

"Shepard, you don't have to place your guard up with me. Don't you remember what happened between you and I? Didn't that mean anything? I'm not sure why you humans act the way you do but I still feel the same about you. Why not just open up and tell me what's really bothering you?" she said firmly. This was the first time he had heard Liara speak with such an affirmative approach.

The truth was he felt unsure. Unsure of the course he had taken. Unsure if his decisions have ultimately made him better or worse in the eyes of everyone in the Traverse. He knew the Ambassador was already constructing a new council most likely filled with humans. Although it never crossed him before it now seemed to be the only thing he could navigate in his mind. How are the other species reaction towards this sudden move? It couldn't be well, how would it be to suddenly loose a council and then accept a new one but with the only interests of humans? No doubt the humans managed to save the entire Traverse in what to be a seemingly Armageddon like prophecy but it still seemed overbearing.

"Liara, you said you never knew your 'father' parent right?" he asked.

"That's correct."

"You only had your mother Benezia and you became a archaeologist to spite her."

"Well in some circumstances that is correct."

"Your path in life was determined by your mother."

"I admit that's a legit look upon it."

"I never knew my parents. So I could not have them to lead me anywhere. I came from a gang back on Earth and from there my whole life has been centered on blunt responses. What if I finally realized that I had made a mistake? What if my regret has finally come back to haunt me?"

"We all have regrets, Shepard. We all make mistakes and it doesn't mean you're not a great person because of it. It just means you're sincere about the future of everyone.

"Yeah well, I just hope I don't live to regret my past."

"Commander! Distress signal from the Citadel!" said Joker over the intercom.

"Patch it through, Joker."

Shepard quickly stood as his ear caught hints of static from overhead.

"Commander. We need your ass back here immediately! We have a problem, we have a rouge mercenary here claiming to know you and she has refused to stop firing upon the embassy until you meet with her."

How he hated being the center of attention. Being a spectre surely did come with inevitable conflicts and endless resolve.

"Alright, Joker tell everyone we're headed to the Citadel. Tell the Embassy to temporarily shut down its emergency defenses. We're going in fast and silent."

After reaching a number of relays the sights of the Citadel soon came into vision. Shepard stared intently out of the cockpit windows hoping to find the fastest way to get into the Embassy without alerting this "rouge" mercenary. The Normandy soared into the docking bay but instead of docking he redirected towards a series of waste disposing vents. He took a moment to plan out the infiltration in his mind but was quickly interrupted by a strong voice behind him.

"You sure about this, Commander?" Chief Williams questioned.

"I'm sure," he said turning over to his crew, "Tali and Garrus, suit up and follow me."

"What about me?" asked Ashley.

"Stay here and entertain Joker."

This suggestion clearly insulted her but Shepard did not take the time to evaluate what he said. He quickly suited up and headed out onto the Citadel's haul.

Moments later he found himself jamming the opening of a vent open and stealthily sliding himself into the light. He motioned for Tali and Garrus to follow but quickly withdrew his demand once he noticed a woman wearing military-like armor walking past him. He looked around and realized he was within the shopping emporium close to the Consort Halls. He quickly placed his back against a shopping console and gestured for his crew to hold. Tali nodded as she quickly elbowed Garrus to back up.

Shepard knew the Presidium had already been evacuated so his need to be careful wasn't as great. He peered out from behind the console when he noticed her back was turned.

"Hold it!" demanded Shepard.

The woman immediately lifted her hands only holding her rifle with her finger.

This was too easy... what was she planning?

"I'm going to assume you're Commander Shepard?" asked the female mercenary.

Shepard held up his pistol while mouthing for Tali and Garrus to make an appearance.

"Yeah and what of it? Why the hell are you here shooting up the place? You're lucky the Citadel's defenses are still under construction from the incident a few weeks ago. Now tell me, what do you want?"

She turned around wearing a mischief smile.

"You don't remember your little sister's voice?"

"She's lying, neutralize her." said Tali as she withdrew her own pistol from her holster.

"I wouldn't do that. I've been searching for you for years and this is how you welcome me? Not the type of warm welcomes huh? Then again, you never were." she said.

"I don't have a sister, if anything my family has been gone since I was a kid."

This only made this strangely enigmatic woman smile even wider.

"Ah, ya see. That's where you're wrong. Don't you remember? The gang? Don't you remember there being only one girl in it? Guess who would that be?" she said gesturing to herself.

Suddenly he felt his mind slowly begin to halt his reasoning. He did indeed remembered only there being one female in the group but why couldn't he link that? He would've known if that was his sister how come he couldn't link that girl with this one.

"You're not here to do anything illegal, are you? And you didn't hurt anyone?" he asked.

She shook her head.

"Commander, do you think this is wise?" asked Tali.

"I agree, this is taking a risk. You might attract unwanted attention if you were to let this slide."
said Garrus.

Shepard didn't know what it was but he felt something oddly familiar about this woman.

"What's your name?"

"Eve"

The name sent chills down his back, it meant something, not at this moment but he knew it would have meaning later whatever that meant. Just then he heard rapid footsteps and then to his dismay the Ambassador reared his head.

"Commander Shepard! Who is this and why the hell are you not arresting her!" he said with his wispy voice.

"She's fine, she's with us." he said not wanting to dwell into specifics. He desperately wanted to talk with her alone.

"What? She was just here firing in the Embassy lobby and you say she's with you? Hardly justifiable!" he continued.

BOOM.

Everyone ducked as a massive explosion caught them all off guard. Shepard quickly regained balance as he saw smoke and debris spill from the Citadel tower. Without thinking he withdrew his pistol and darted for the elevator. He was soon caught up by his mystery mercenary who managed to slide under the elevator door before it shut behind him.

"What are you doing? You're going to get in the way." he said.

"Shut up and if you're good I'll show you what I can do." she remarked.

Moments later the two of them exited from the elevator doors, they both ducked behind a pillar to avoid the incoming shots hurled at them.

"They knew we were coming!" called Shepard.

"Eve! My name is Eve!" she said ignoring him, "It's the Geth, they're still acting!"

A tight knot shot through his stomach. The Geth? How? He thought they were gone for at least until the Reapers arrived.

Eve then jumped from her hiding spot sprinting into the gunfight. Shepard followed providing cover fire. Indeed his worst nightmare was realized, Geth appeared from behind pillars blindly shooting at them. The two ducked behind the central floral piece.

"How the hell did you know the Geth were here?" he asked as he squeezed off several blind shots.

"They sort of followed me. No time to explain, let's get rid of them." she replied. Shepard stood to fire but was relieved when he spotted the Normandy hovering just outside the viewing glass at the end of the tower. Suddenly a barrage of bullets and hellfire rained upon them hitting all of the Geth in a fiery wave.

"Got ya covered." laughed Joker.