So idk what I'm doing. Haven't had much inspiration lately due to schooling and shifting interests. I recently had the chance to get all the Mass Effect games and DLCs, and I got hooked. After reading some self-inserts, I wanted to try my own spin on the story. Hopefully, we'll get farther with this than with my other poor attempts at fiction.

'insertstuffhere' - thoughts

"insertstuffhere" - dialogue

Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect, only the character I created.

This is actually not a self-insert. It involves an OC and his tribulations. It may be AU, but we'll see what happens.

*clitter* *clatter*

The sound of metal parts rang throughout the alleyway as a small figure was rummaging around the area.

"Maybe I'll find something today," The young man whispered to himself, scanning the assorted parts with his omnitool while keeping one hand near his pistol.

Wiping his hands on his ragged clothes, he stood up, his scrawny body aching, and ran a hand through his hair.

"Not today, huh…" None of the parts were salvageable; most were cracked or actually broken enough to be considered trash.

The man shut off his omnitool and turned to leave the alleyway when he heard some footsteps and some loud laughter. He froze. Where could he hide?

When you were a "street rat," paranoia was a must - whether it's C-Sec or a simple civilian passing by.

After seeing some metal containers along the side of the wall, the man positioned himself on an alcove overseeing the alleyway. This way, he had no worries that there could be anyone else near him. Just as he jumped on top of the last box, a turian along with some salarians walked in, holding assault rifles.

"Hey, do you know if our informant's gonna arrive?" One of the salarians asked.

The sole turian scoffed. "Of course, Fist isn't gonna lead us astray, if only to protect his own ass."

The young man narrowed his eyes. These aliens appeared to be mercs, by the basis of their armor and weapons, and they also mentioned Fist, the owner of Chora's Den. However, something about them just irked the human's sense of danger.

"Shut up will ya?" The other salarian barked. "I think our informant is here!"

The human stiffened, believing that they had detected him, but he was relieved to see another alien walk in. This one wearing a mask, a hood, and a suit that covered the entire body.

A quarian.

"Are you the Shadow Broker?" The quarian asked, a female voice slightly garbled by the voice modulator on the helmet.

The human noted the quarian's accent, having only seen them on the extranet and not on any holovids.

"No darling," The turian sauntered towards the only female. "But he's gonna be here. Why don't you wait until he gets here?"

"What? I told Fist that I would give the information only to the Shadow Broker!?" The quarian was getting furious. "I'm not staying here any longer!"

"Huh? I don't think you're going to go anywhere." The turian pointed his assault rifle at the alien female.

'It seems that this deal is a bit more complicated that it seems to be,' The human mused as he considered his options.

If he simply waited, the quarian would most likely die. But he would live.

If he decided to help, the quarian may be able to escape. But his chances of surviving would be low.

However, despite the hardships in his life, the young human could not abandon this quarian female, obviously outnumbered 1 to 3. He was lucky that he had just the programs for moments like these...although they weren't fully tested.

With a few keystrokes, his omnitool flashed blue. If the mercs had shields, they would disappear for a few moments, like an AOE Overload.

Sighing to himself, he prepared to jump from the alcove he had been waiting in. The jump was a bit high, but nothing that he couldn't handle.

Seriously though, he had to stop playing those old stealth games from before the Space Age of Earth.

The human let out a long breath and jumped from the balcony, pressing a button on his omnitool. Immediately the mercs' shields died, confirming the success of his program, and the human landed on one of the salarians, breaking his neck.

"Wha-" The other salarian raised his rifle but was shot twice in the stomach and once to the head.

The human heard a bang.

'Shit!' He turned to see the quarian holding a shotgun, the turian dead and bleeding on the floor.

For a moment, both of them stared at each other, at least, the young man thought she was staring at him.

"I had that handled," The quarian finally said, holstering her weapon behind her. "Thank you though, for saving my life."

Crap.

Although the young man was slightly confident in his ability to fight, he knew (and admitted wholeheartedly) that his people skills were a bit lacking.

"Um...it was the least...I could do," The young man stuttered out. It was then he saw a most peculiar group approaching the both of them: three humans, a turian, and a krogan.

One of the humans, a female with strikingly bright red hair, pointed at the bodies. "I guess you two have already taken care of Saren's thugs. I'm getting ahead of myself though. My name's Jean Shepard, Alliance Military. I'm searching for evidence of Saren's treachery against the Citadel. I believe that you have proof…?"

"Tali'Zorah nar Rayya. I believe we should discuss this in a more secure area."

"Of course, follow me. What about him?" She pointed at young man, still holding his pistol out.

As the rest of the group moved to see me, there were many reactions: the turian had one of scrutiny, the krogan had one of ambivalence, and the other two humans (male and female) had ones of pity.

"Ah, the human? He should follow us. Simply being involved will put him in danger from Saren. Who knows what he can do to the man?" The quarian turned to the face the young man again. "What did you say your name was..?"

"...Chip."

Little did Chip know, he would get involved in one of the galaxy's most life-threatening situations.

It took me about an hour to write all of this, and this was after the idea suddenly sprung into my head after attempting Calculus homework.

I appreciate any reviews, constructive criticisms, etc, but any sort of flames will be ignored.

Thanks, I plan to update ASAP, whenever I find time.