Author's Note: Well guys, here's another chapter for your enjoyment! Got to admit, its weird to actually get support on something like this! I mean, just 5k words and I've got close to 50 followers on my first story! That is what motivates me to continue writing , so thank you to all that have supported me so far! ESPECIALLY those of you that have left reviews and helped me write!

Disclaimer: Don't own anything from the Mass Effect universe, only Bioware and EA do. I only own my OC.

…

Mass Effect. Loved the series. I would download all the DLC, replay each game hundreds of times, and would learn all of the lore. To put it simply, I was a major fan... that was in my old life though, before I died.

Now... well, I'm actually in the Mass Effect Universe. I can't believe it. Got killed, reincarnated, and now I'm here. Not only that, but I'm THE Jane Shepard's little brother. A lot to live up to huh?

Kind of sucks right now though. I mean, I'm a month-old child that knows exactly what the hell is gonna happen to billions in the galaxy and right now, all I can do is sleep, eat, and then, to top off my schedule, sleep some more. Fun, right?

Anyway, for the first month of my new life I've been stuck in a hospital. Why? To run tests of course! See, I was exposed to eezo while in the womb, thus I have some of the stuff in my nervous system, which means I might have these crazy powers called biotics. On the other hand I might have a nasty case of cancer.

One month in this lousy universe and I already have the threat of death looming over me. Mass Effect everyone!

I think that I might be fine though. The doctors don't seem to be as worried as before, and even my parents don't look at me like they might not see me around next month as often. Big sis doesn't even know that she might lose her partner for target practice, and for that I'm thankful. That girl scares me sometimes.

My parents seem alright with the situation though. Must be something to do with being in the military, but they seem to be alright people. My father, Nathan, seems to be a kind, funny (depends on your definition of the word), and lighthearted, which seems a bit strange considering he's a Marine and all. He's definitely not the definition of smart though.

Surprising, especially since he received the Star of Terra, apparently he was awarded it based on his services during The First Contact War. Something about taking multiple heavily defended areas with only a five man team. When other forces finally united with Dad, he was the last one left. The bodies of his team having been discovered far behind him. Other teams came and replaced the Turians in the positions Dad took.

Other than that I don't really know much else. He doesn't really like to talk about it all that much. Not that I'm surprised. I mean, his team had been wiped out and he was the only one to get off the planet alive. He surely has some guilt over that incident. Had to have therapy or something like that, must've been a really close group of people.

Anyway Dad got found, and was taken off of the battlefield. He was then recommended for the award by some admiral that must have retired before the games. Finally, on Earth he received the award along with a handful of other soldiers, with most of the Alliance watching.

Next, my mother, Hannah, though, she is a lot more practical than her husband. She's serious most of the time, but she's caring, gentle, and kind. Definitely pulled the longest straw in that department.

I wasn't so lucky in the naming department however. My father, in his infinite wisdom, decided to call me Verrel. Yeah I know, it's a wonderful name! Makes whoever says it sound like they're drunk and trying to say barrel! Of course, Hannah just lets this slide, and now I'm stuck with this terrible name!

Whatever, at least as a child it gives me time so I can think about how to help my sibling stop the Reapers, even if that's like... twenty-three years from now... I think. Anyway, I could become a Marine like my father and try to get stationed on the Normandy when its about time for Saren and his Geth to attack Eden Prime. Or, I could become a Merc and just tag along with Shep and her rag-tag team of aliens, heck maybe I'll even be able to save a few lives. Decisions, decisions.

I dunno... not meant for this type of thinking. I'll figure this out later, for now I wait.

…

2161, April 22nd

Arcturus Station

…

Life has been decent so far. Bored as hell, but not dead from cancer yet, so that's a plus. I can kind of talk now. I can form decent sentences, for a one year-old, another plus. That might be something to do with my lack of teeth though. The parents think I'm some sort of genius, but then again I am much older than anyone thinks I am.

Oh yeah, and today's my first birthday! Joy...

At least Dad's gonna be around for it. His schedule allowed it, so he gets to see all the stupid moments and take all of the pictures that will be used as black mail later on in my life.

It'll be a small party as far as I know. Just me, Jane, Mom, Dad, and a few of their friends. Oh yeah! One of Jane's friends will be their as well! Don't know his name, but Jane seems to hold him in high esteem sooo he's probably crazy.

Basically, right now everyone else is making those last minute party preparations that everyone seems to forget about until last minute.

Meanwhile, I'm stuck up in the kitchen, strapped into a baby-stool. Bored as hell. Ready to be displayed to and for the masses, who will probably laugh as I stuff myself full of cake. Well, I don't want to embarrass myself but you don't get sweets around here often so I'll take what I can get.

I take a glance around the room and my eyes settle on a mirror. Gazing into it, I see my reflection.

I've got mom's pale, blue eyes and I inherited dad's jet, black hair. I'm quite pale, but being stuck on a space station will do that to you I suppose. Bit chubby, but I'll work on that. Not to shabby to be honest.

A loud clanging noise comes from my right and I look away from the mirror. I see Jane opening up cabinets and throwing their contents onto the floor. I then make an attempt at communicating with the little girl, "Jan, wa' er y' d-doig'?" ... God I hate my life.

The little demon looks up from her work and turns back to me, "What do you mean?" I look at the pile of utensils, pots, and pans on the floor and then back at her, "Oohhh! That. I want to find something me and Jeff can play with!" She then looks back down at a not-so-empty cabinet and continues her work.

Jeff? It can't be...

"Wo Gef?" God f-

"You never pay attention!" True, "He's my friend! The one coming here for your party!" I was beginning to draw connections here.

"Oh... wa's heh was nam?" Butchering everything there! Gooood job me!

She looks back up at me, red hair hanging in her eyes, "Moreau. Why?"

I try to appear uncaring, but on the inside I'm nerding out. Jeff frickin' Moreau, aka Joker, future pilot of the SSV Normandy, is coming to my birthday party? Well, looks like my previous statement was true I suppose, but the main events of the trilogy haven't even started and I'm already about to meet one of its' characters! One of Shepard's future crew! I mean it would make since, Joker does grow up on Arcturus, and since Jane and I have been here awhile it makes sense she would meet him!

Okay, Okay chill out Verrel, just give Jane her answer and be done with it, "Jus' wan'd t' now." Ffffffuuuuuuuu-

"Alright then!" She then continued her work searching for something that she and Jeff could play with, which I imagine is kind of hard. Especially since he has Vrolik Syndrome. Damn, must be hard to be a normal kid when if you make one wrong move you can end up with a broken bone... poor guy.

I hear the door to the kitchen open and look away from Jane to see my mother walking in. When she sees me she smiles, but then she sees the mess that Jane has created. Her smile quickly turns into a scowl, and she looks over to find Jane, halfway in a cabinet and green eyes wide open, looking like she wants to really be somewhere else, "Jane Elizabeth SHEPARD! What the heck is all of this!?"

Elizabeth? I giggle. Jane looks over at me, her cheeks flushed red from embarrassment, "Whatever, Verrel!"

Okay, she has a point there. Jane then looks back at Hannah, "I was looking for something me and Jeff could play with." She sounds almost proud that she made a mess in the process.

Hannah face palms,"That still doesn't explain why you threw everything out of the cabinets!"

Jane rolls her eyes and smirks, "I was being thorough mom. Like you always say!"

"Okay, you have me there, but why did YOU HAVE TO DO IT BEFORE THE PARTY!" You wouldn't believe how often stuff like this happens.

"I dunno."

"Good lord! You're as hopeless as your father! Think ahead Jane!" Should've told that to dad before I was born... Verrel! Way to think ahead then mom!

Hannah sighs and begins to massage her forehead, "Did you at least find something that you and Jeff can play with?"

"Nope." Popping the 'p', just to annoy our mother.

"I can't believe this*sigh*... just... I dunno! Look somewhere else but not before you clean up this mess young lady!" Then she turns around and leaves the kitchen. 'Cuz forget punishment am I right?

Jane looks back at me, crosses her arms, and smirks, "Well little brother, it seems that I win again. No punishment for me!" I simply roll my eyes and look away from the girl.

Jesus, I just want my cake...

…

Later

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!" Dear god please stop...

"Happy birthday dear Verrel! Happy birthday to you!" As the song came to a close, I could see my father with his omni-tool raised, no doubt trying to record this wonderful experience. Mom was standing right next to him, smiling at me.

Meanwhile, I was sitting in a baby-stool, with a large, chocolate cake right in front of me. A single blue candle sitting on top, and a small orange flame balancing at the peak. Just waiting to be blown o-

"Hurry up Verrel!" Ah yes, sweet, sweet Jane. I was wondering where you went.

After cleaning up from her little escapade, Jane had given up on finding something real she and Jok- nope not his name, Jeff could play with, so she installed some program onto her omni-tool. It appeared to be a game, some sort of futuristic Candy Crush. Just... well, without the waiting for more lives and all that crap. Still looks fun though. That makes me wonder, what are games like nowadays? Plus, which game companies are even still around...

-Aaannnd I'm getting sidetracked, anyway Jane found something she could play with Joke- *ahem* Jeff, and that's all that matters.

Speaking of Jeff, he arrived a couple hours after the whole kitchen fiasco. Walked ri- well, I should say hobbled right inside. He was wearing a hat, which didn't help the inner fanboy in me one bit. He also was using crutches to hobble around our humble abode. He seemed like a shy kid, barely spoke three words to me and those were, "Hi," and, "Happy birthday."

Then he was off to play with Jane, but I swear I will draw out the inner Joker within that guy if it's the last thing I- never mind. I just realized I'm only a year old and I would like to live a little longer so forget it.

Anyway, I roll my eyes at the seven-year old, and then look back down at the cake. My mouth watering at the thought of tasting the sweet chocolaty goodness.

Not wanting to wait any longer, I take a large breath and then blow out the candle.

As soon as the flame goes out everyone starts clapping and I hear an audible click coming from Dad's direction. Probably his omni-tool taking a picture to remember this wonderful occasion. Then I notice Mom walking up to the cake, knife in hand, and cutting a few slices for the quests.

Or, she would have if we didn't hear a knock on the door.

I just want MY DAMN CAKE! Enough of the interruptions!

Dad looked toward the door and opened his mouth to speak, "I wonder who that could be?" He then walked toward the door and opened it. Revealing a tall, colored man standing in the doorway. He was wearing civilian clothes, but he looked like he was in the military.

When he began to speak I drew a connection, "Sorry I'm late Nate. Had some business I had to deal with along the way. You know how it is, right?"

Standing in front of my father was the man who would help start Shepard's journey in stopping the Reapers.

David Anderson

…

Reaper: It's done! It's FINALLY FREAKIN' DONE! HALLELUJA, PRAISE THE LORD! *ahem Now that that's done I can chill and explain.

First, exams came up and boy were they fun! Then the holidays! Then back to learning useless crap! One last thing, can you guess it? No? Well, my girlfriend broke up with me! Yep fun! Best few weeks of my life! Anyway, I want to apologize for not uploading in forever, but now you know why.

I might get another chapter out in about a week, but thanks for reading guys! And remember, leave reviews so I can make these things better yeah? That will benefit all parties, so thanks and see ya next time!

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