Mass Effect: a shepherd's tale
“…If I’m going to tell you about the adventure of my life -- explain how I got to this place with these people, and why I did what I’m going to do next -- I should probably start by explaining a little bit about PipBucks.” Dad read the last page of the heavy paper, black and gold book, closing it with a light clak. He looked at me with those soft orange eyes that made me feel safe, like everything's going to be okay.
"Now to bed with you. Its late enough as is," Dad said with amusement, tucking me in a little tighter. I tried to stay awake, to keep my eyes open but they felt so heavy, like lead lined doors.
"Hey, Dad?" I asked through a yawn, looking at the image of Celestia framed by her sun with a shotgun in her hooves on my blanket instead of him.
"Yes, Deer?" my gaze shot to Dad, turning into a glare, as my checks puffed out, he made that pun again, with a cheeky grin.
"Can I be a hero like the Lightbringer?" my cheeks deflated as I asked through another yawn.
"Of course you can! Maybe with more starships and less drug use," Dad fidgeted his wings at the end, careful not to knock the shelf filled with books and figurines.
"Of course not, drugs are bad eimk?" I stick out my tongue at the im?, Imp? Impa? At the idea. Dad snorted then laughed, I couldn't help but laugh as well.
"Yes well, a hero needs her sleep, as I'm sure you know eimk?" another bout of laughter filled my room between us, I wrapped my head with my pillow blanket.
"Love you, Dad," I say, as I let go of the magic holding the pillow blanket, its fabric covering my eyes.
"Love you, Shepherd," the soft click of the lights going out reached my ears, as I fell asleep.
the next day
I stared at a paper, symbols mixed in with numbers to form a code that not even daring do would be able to creak, what's this code you my ask?
"Ice Sail! Whats twenty six divided by four?" miss's Mulberry barked, staring down a pale green and white colt with a severe look.
Math class.
I tried to ignore the colt's stammering and miss's Mulberry's shout of disapproval, the buzzing of the lights every hoof fall, every whispered word, every clank of a pencil derailing my focus, if only I could get some sweet sweet quite.
"Shepherd! What's two hundred divided by five?" my brain stalls at the series of sounds that made up words that the Alliance thinks a filly should know of.
"Ugh, forty two?" I more asked then said. miss's Mulberry gave a upword twitch of her mouth, a rare sight for the class.
"You were close," miss's Mulberry said with a tisc and shake of her head. I hid my face behind my mane, its deep red strands covering my blush, as the rest of class sinkered at my expense.
Of course the loudest drew miss's Mulberry's attention and they'll be next on the chopping block.
The rest of the class was incomprehensible gibberish and lung compressing sound.
"That's enough, miss's Mulberry. Next class. Gun training and safety with mister Gladiolus," the voice of the school MI was a relief to the whole class. I waited a few seconds, the shuffle of hooves and school supplies filled my ears, as the rest of class trotted out.
Even with computers, haptic interfaces and ommi tools, the Alliance still prefers physical medems.
I could have been tinkering with my ommi tool instead of this bizzare thing that I just can't wrap my head around, Dad said its like telling a Pony to know what the letters that form the word apple means without that Pony ever holding or seeing a apple or even knowing that those letters mean said fruit.
I take a few deep breaths to decompress. With a groan I sit up from my desk, light my horn and pick up my stuff.
Mine and no one else's.
The halls are like the classrooms, drab grey prefabs and bussing lights that if the walls aren't made from metals and plastics with windows, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in a underground stable instead of a school on the surface, The identical lockers that rolled past, as I trotted to mister Gladiolus' class didn't help.
I wonder if that sequel to Daring do and the fire lord's idol is out yet? I chuckle, I'm gonna have to reset my current playthrough, just can't bring myself to pick the bad filly options.
More and more lockers and doors pass by, my mind wandering.
Dad said he had something special planned for the weekend, maybe he got me a new program for my ommi tool? A book? Is uncle Granite visiting? maybe I'll be getting mechanic lessons from that quarian that just moved in!
Something heavy struck my cannon, I felt the air move by me in a breeze. The air was knocked out of me when I hit the floor, the hall spinning.
"Watch where you're going, Shepnerd!" a voice said above me. A hoof steps on my side, too light to be a teacher, to heavy to be a regular foal.
I lift my head to glare at the artificial Alicorn staring at me with a smug smirk.
"Aaaww is the little blank flank gettin upsetty," Cross Guard said in a baby voice. It's hindquarters you over grown seagull!
"Cross Guard," the sub vocals and bird like growls of mister Gladiolus sounded, with the frustration of a officer dealing with a insubordinate. His large frame towering over us, glaring Cross Guard down.
"Shepherd started it!" Cross Guard almost shouted, looking anywhere but the Turian that was our firearms teacher.
"Blaming your fellows? I expect better from you," mister Gladiolus lit up his ommi tool, a recording of Cross Guard waiting for and tripping me, playing on its holographic screen.
"N-N-Now let's not do anything hasty" this is what you get! Cross Guard steps off of me, a look of panic on her normally smug face.
"Your parents and the principal have already been notified, and until you can follow orders you are banned from my class with detention," mister Gladiolus said with finality.
"I...Fine!" Cross Guard canted away, tears in her eyes. I would feel bad if she'd just stop with the bullying. I let out a sigh, standing up, I looked at mister Gladiolus with a smile.
"Thank you," I said in Turian, trying to mimic the Turian's sub vocals with my magic. mister Gladiolus' mandibles twitched with what I think is surprise, not many Ponies go through the trouble of learning the languages of the citadel races.
We are not a fan of the translators or the other "Prothean" tech.
"Your welcome. Now come, class is just starting," he strode down the hall a bit, taking the door on his left. I follow him, stretching, as I trotted to workout the growing soreness.
The gun training and safety classroom was a large room, with weapon lockers lining the far wall and a gun range to the right of the door, to the left were two Alliance soldiers in uniform. Mister Gladiolus positioned himself to be flanked by the uniformed Earth Pony and Unicorn. I took a spot at the range, some foals did the same, most just mild about.
"Okay class! Today we'll go over weapon handling one more time,"- a bunch of groans and grumbling spreaded across the class in discon-, dis-, the class was upset. Mister Gladiolus walked to one of the lockers, waved his ommi tool and pulled out a pistol, that quickly shuted up the class,- "This is the M-1 Predator! It has a effective range of 91.44 meters! It has eight rounds of continuances of fire before overheating! If you become security or military personal, this will be your standard issue sidearm!"
Mister Gladiolus stalked up to the firing range, the pistol aimed forward and upward. He gave each of us a long stare, some of the foals shivering and quacking, Mister Gladiolus pointed the pistol doing range.
"While you are wielding a firearm of any kind, you will follow these rules!" the unicorn's horn lit up, as Mister Gladiolus spoke. Orange holograms appeared in various forms, mostly Batarions, Krogan, Varen and other Ponies.
"Keep the safety on outside of combat and hunting situations at all times!" Mister Gladiolus aimed at one of the Batarion targets and flicked the safety off.
"And never ever, aim a firearm at anything you do not fully intend to destroy, doesn't matter if its overheated, jammed or unloaded!" Mister Gladiolus punctuated each rule by squeezing the trigger, a finger sized hole teared through the targets head, a hoof sized one on the exit, the wounds highlighted in red.
"Take up positions at the firing range, you will be provided with a M-1 Predator modified for Ponies," the Unicorn said, levitating said M-1 Predators. The rest of the class filed in the empty isles, Mister Gladiolus stalked the isles, carefully watching us to see if what he said stuck. We were each given a Predator, its handle to the side instead of on the bottom, trigger in the center where a Pony's tongue would rest. I gently held the weapon in my magic, a gap in the field where the trigger and safety was.
"Enter firing positions and fire at will," the Earth Pony said. I bit down on the handle, my magic wrapping around my neck in a brace, I aimed center mass at a Batarian, flicked the safety off. deep breaths, fire on the exhale just like Dad taught you.
Fire.
Three shots, the first missed outright, the second struck the shoulder, the third hit the gut. Hey! Two hits on the first try, that's... surprising. Maybe I'll get a marksmare cutie mark!
I resisted the urge to check, as I shot again, two misses and a hit in the arm.
Again, two hits, one in chest and one in the leg.
Again, all three missed.
Again, all three hit! one in the gut two in the chest.
Again-.
The sharp hiss of venting heat broke my focus, I took a deep breath to calm myself, almost jumping at the unexpected noise. one shot, hit in the heart. I waited for the gun to cool, firing again once it can.
I went for shooting multiple targets this time. A Batarion and a Varen, a Korgen, and a Varen, and of course various Pony tribes, mostly misses and glancing shots with a kill shot mixed in.
"Cease fire! Cease fire!" Mister Gladiolus shouted over the den of gunfire. I moved my tongue from the trigger and flicked the safety on, levatating the pistol out of my mouth. We looked at him, as he paced in front of us.
"I am impressed with some of your performances,"- Mister Gladiolus looks to me and a colt, and a filly. My heart leaped for joy and a big smile grew on my face, Mister Gladiolus was impressed with my performance, I wanted to prance my happiness, my legs shaking with the effort to say still. Mister Gladiolus gaze then fell on three fillys with the smooth, silky manes and jewelry of rich parents,- "You three need much more practice, come back here after school."
"I'll notifie their parents, Mister Gladiolus," the school's M.I said, Mister Gladiolus jumped, a few of the class laughed at that.
"Sprites. Five years here and I still forget Ponies use A.I," Mister Gladiolus muttered under his breath. The class was ushered out, the three rich fillys pulled aside, puffed checks, pouts and scowls on their faces.
I get that history is important, it reminds us of our roots, the good and bad things we've done, are capable of, warnings from the mistakes of our ancestors.
Who are we who don't know our own history?
With all that in mind. Why does school insist on making this class, sooo booooriing. I mean seriously, when a schizophrenic Stallion with the ponysona, of a pastry desk jockey on the extranet teaches history better them a Pony who's job is to teach the same subject, you have a problem!
Today its not even our usual teacher, misses Halleen but some substitute with too many vowels in her name.
"Can anyone tell my what the first step in the nations of Equss becoming the alliance is," the teacher asked, her voice so bland that you'd think she was blessed by a sprite of boredom. I just scratched away, most of the topic known by watching the schizophrenic Stallion with the ponysona, of a pastry desk jockey on the extranet. Non of the class was raising hooves, most ether dozing off or talking with next desk friends.
"Anyone? Anyone at all? You, green filly with the red mane, do you know the answer?" the teacher asked with a sigh. I huffed, I could be tinkering with my ommi-tool right now.
"When Equestria and Zebracia signed the treaty of dusk," I replied, not even looking up from my 'homework', thank you schizophrenic Stallion and your obsession with pre, current and likely post Twilight's rule history. the rest of the class was its usual headache and chest compressing self, the teacher only occasionally chimed up to see if we were getting it.
"Next class, magic with Misses Starshine," the school M.I said. I smiled, as the rest of the class groaned. Magic outside of basic stuff like: Telekinesis, cloud forming and plant growth control always seemed make the caster nauseous.
A short trot through the halls lead us to Misses Starshine's classroom; the harsh florescent lights were replaced with softly glowing red and amber crystals, large windows that let the sun of mindor in.
"Allo Class! it's time to put you through your paces again," the deep, gravely yet somehow feminine voice of Misses Starshine rang out. She walked from behind her desk, sunlight reflecting off her crystal armor and mane, her sharp diamond toothed smile greeting us.
Yes I'm not yanking your chain, we had a honest to Celestia, Crystal Pony, as our Magic teacher.
"Alright! Today we'll continue work on elemental manifestation, Unicorns you'll be working on complex telekinesis,"- Misses Starshine's smile just grew with a predatory tinge as the class groaned and trembled "-Hey no need for that, your only doing a quarter of whats expected of foundlings."
We took seats at where ever was most comfortable to us. For me it was a spot by the window close to the teacher's desk. Misses Starshine levitated chairs, mech parts, modern "art" and anything else that was oddly shaped or heavy. I was given a office chair that looked like it was made for one of those gross as sin asari.
My head snapped behind me as I felt the hindquarters of another Pony touch my own. A light grey Pegasus filly with a black and purple mane with purple stripes, a Zony.
"Hi, you don't mind if I sit with you? The air can be a little stuffy without the window open," the Zony said with a easy smile, wings fidgeting this way and that. I did mind a little, it was hard enough to lift normal everyday objects with the noise and lights, let alone the oddly shaped and heavy ones that Misses Starshine tasked us with.
On the other hoof, I might be able to have a friend!
"Its fine," I lied, hiding my face behind my mane and looking at the floor, our hindquarters touching making me uncomfortable and shift my weight a little. She gave a quite thanks, turning to her own work, electricity dancing between her feathers.
We sat there, focusing on our own tasks, the chair jerking whatever which way when the Zony shifted her seating. In the background, Misses Starshine gave quite advise to members of the class.
The chair was spinning at odd angles when the class ended.
"next is break period," the school M.I said, Misses Starshine chuckled waving us to the door, her diamond toothed smile glinting in the sunlight.
When I grow up, I want to be as pretty as Misses Starshine.
We filed out into the halls, the noise of chattering crowds tightening my chest.
"What do you think their serving for lunch today?" my head jerked to the Zony with a start, not realizing that she kept pace with me at the back of the class. She gave me a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of her head with a wing.
"Stir fried rice with ground deer, last I checked," I forced some air into my lungs, not used to social interactions outside of my family.
"Sweet! I'm Dark Matter by the way, what's your name?" Dark Matter asked, her wing moving back to her side and her smile turning easy.
"S-Shepherd," I stuttered, hiding behind my mane waiting for the laughing to start.
"That's a nice name," a heat washed over my face, no one in my class has been this nice to me! Its had always been some form of mocking for my name, some rude comment about my special talent being to do with goats and sheep or at best apathy.
So in short, I'm not used to compliments without some other shoe dropping.
"T-T-T-Thanks," No I was not blushing! I kept my face hidden in my mane, as we trotted to the playground, a comfortable silence growing between us.
The playground was a mid sized plot of land with a swing, a jungle gym and other structures, all rooted in a soft rubber and budgie cord floor, a small thing of woods surrounded it. Some foals were milling about, a mix of Ponies, non Crystal, Griffins, Dragons, Zebras, Diamond Dogs and Kirens.
"Hey! Shepnerd,"- I ducked, a rock sailing where my head would've being. Crossguard glowered at me, a Diamond Dog and a Earth Pony being her lackeys and giggling at the dump insult name, - "You made me really angry Missy."
"Has Alicorn tried not being a meanie yet?" a Diamond Dog called out from the forming crowd, a few giggles and jeers sounded out, barely heard over the support for reestablishing the pecking order. Crossguard picked up a rock in her telekinetic field and I knew what was gonna happen when Crossguard's gaze shifted to the Diamond Dog heckler.
I lit my own horn, a screen of telekinetic force blunting the impact to a dull thump. Like a belling for a boxing match, the three bullies sprang into action, the Earth Pony charged at me with a cocky smirk, a bolt of lightning stopping her in her tracks, Dark matter gave a middle feather while I moved the telekinetic barrier around the Diamond Dog that got roped into the fight. I moved to behind Dark Matter, the Diamond Dog on Crossguard's side picking up rocks and throwing them at us while the roped in one moved to us, bringing the barrier with him, why though?
Oddly enough, my chest was loose, my breathing clear. Everything was a simple yes or no.
The Diamond Dog on our side picked up one of the thrown rocks and threw it back, hitting Crossguard's Diamond Dog square in the face and giving me a idea. I throw the telekinetic barrier forward, catching Crossguard in the muzzle and tossing her and lackeys through the circle of students and into the structures of the playground.
I gave out deep, ragged breaths, taking a moment to let my racing heart settle. I was... surprised? impressed? I've never used magic that intensely or for that long.
"What is the meaning of this!!" a voice screeched with fury. I turned around to see Principal Cane glaring at us, Misses Starshine and Mister Gladiolus standing next to her.
"Unacceptable! absolutely Unacceptable!" Principal Cane shouted at us from behind her desk, fury written on every part of her face.
"Oh piss off, Candy Cane! What were they supposed to do? let themselves get beaten to a bloody pulp or worse?" Misses Starshine asked angrily, taking a stance beside us.
"While violence may be all fine and dainty for you crystalline brutes, us actual Ponies are more sophisticated on such matters as this, violence is not the answer no matter what!" principal Cane slamed her hooves on the desk for f-fin-finsi-
"Be that as it may there is still a clear cut aggressors and defenders here, I-" Mister Gladiolus began formally, his back straight in a stand at ease but getting interrupted by Princebul Cane.
"You stay out of this Turian, It's bad enough that Ponies have to share this galaxy with Jackolopes and Florans, let along you and the Krogan!"- principal Cane went on a rant that I tuned out, looking around I noticed the foals with bored, nervous or in the case of Crossguard, smuggness and the adults angry...that slowly shifted to amusement for Misses Starshine's and shock on Mister Gladiolus' faces respectively, -"And giving them the right to vote? What was she thinking."
"Are you questioning how I run things, Miss Candy Cane?" A voice asked with a icy, dangerous calm. All of our heads snapped up, a purple Alicorn with a indigo mane standing over and behind principal Cane with a blank expression.
"Princess Twilight!? I uh, you're early," principal Cane said with fearful nervousness. Oh yeah, Princess Twilight was gonna do a special presentation on the magic of friendship. Misses Starshine's amusement turned smug, leaning forward.
"Yes, your highness, yes she was," Misses Starshine said in a stage whisper, one of her armoured hooves covering her mouth from Cane's view.
"Hmm, we'll be having words, miss Cane," Princess Twilight said in that same unnerving calm and a slow turn of the head to face the Principal that induced fear in all who were in the office, even Misses Starshine gave a slight shiver.
"Understood, Princess," Principal Cane said, sweat dripping down her chestnut brown coat, looking anywhere but the Princess' eyes.
"Good. Misses Starshine, I leave the disciplining of these foals to you, dismissed," Twilight said with authority. With a flash of light and a thrumming crunch, she was gone. We were ushered out by Misses Starshine, withus in a daze.
"I think I have a crush," I declare faintly with a thousand yard stare.
School let out a few hours later. The presentation was... interesting, Princess Twilight spoke of her experiences with friendship, we can lift each other up, how it can drive us to do wonderful and terrible things, how we should give others a chance and to at least try to be understanding of the problems and struggles of others, but that that there are some circumstances were the person in question won't change and when to cut them out of your life, how we should state our problems and issues with one another plainly without passive aggressiveness or expectation of the other person knowing said problems and issues.
For me, it all boiled down to: clear communication is vital to friendship and to offer friendship in one hoof, but arm the other.
I was sitting on the stairs to the school, Dark Matter and that Diamond Dog from the playground, who I learned was named Scoop, sitting around me. Scoop was working some homework, his eyes narrowed and his tongue sticking out in consecrations, Dark Matter was bouncing a small ball of lightning between her wings. We watched the crowd of adults forming to pick up their foals.
"Hey, deer, who's this?" Dad asked curiously, the sound of his wing beats audible before I saw him fly to us with slow wing strokes, his red mane and black coat standing out in the crowd. He gestured to Dark Matter and Scoop.
"I made some new friends," I said happily, a smile on my face. I reared up on my hindlegs, letting Dad pick me up and place me on his back, "See you tomorrow?"
"Outside of getting sick or my parents being dummies, yes," Dark Matter said to our retreating form with a wave, Scoop nodding in affirmation.
I waved back with a growing smile, I have friends! I hold on tight to Dad, burying my face into his fur while we ascended higher in the air.
Through health or blight, bliss or pain, the happiest moments to the saddest, I promise to be the best friend I can be.
Author's Note
It's been a long time since I've last played Mass Effect, that plus the AU stuff from a Fallout: Equestria tech having alliance of all the races of Equss taking the place of humanity, so if I get something wrong with the Mass Effect lore, go ahead and tell me (preferably nicely).
And I am sad to announce that all fics posted and will be posted here are now hobby fics, meaning that they'll only be written and updated when I feel like it or if I start to feel burn out with my job, and will not have as much attention to detail and planing put into them
