Mass Effect: Marine of a different time.

Chapter 1: Pakistan

Year: 2014

Location: Somewhere in the Middle East.

Operation Leader: Sgt. John Hawk.

"Ok guys, heres the op: CIA has credible intel that one of their agents, James Lynch, has been captured. So, they need us to go get him out." I look around at my platoon, expecting smartass comments. Guess not today. " Alright, intel says he's in Pakistan so this has to be one hundered percent covert. No witnesses. Am I clear?" I get a chorus of "Yes Sarge", "Understood Sergeant". Damn i need to get these guys some R&R when we get back. Morale's getting low. "Op order has been transferred to your tablets. We're going in silent, extracting silent and get to the evac as fast and quiet as fucking possible. You are not little whiny ass Army infantry, you are Marine Corps Force Recon." At least that got a laugh from them. "Now, I've got a surprise for you, I got a request approved, we all get two months leave when we get back, so you're welcome and merry Christmas." Now that got a reaction. Twenty Marines could make some noise if the reson arose. "Wheels up in an hour. We'll be HALO jumping in so get your gear."

Six hours later the op had gone pretty uneventful. We'd taken out quite a few nationals and since they're too damn stupid to do radio chrcks, they have no idea we're here. "Arrow 2-4 this is Arrow Actual." I say into my headset, " We have VIP and are moving out of the complex. Be ready to cover our exit."

"Solid copy Actual, we're set up and the Huey's on its way. ETA six mikes." Said Boomer from about two hundered yards away, outside the base. Almost there now. Haul the CIA spook out of here, then two weeks of me, my girlfriend, and Mass Effect. Damn, how did i find a girl that loves that game as much as me? Enough! Get your fucking mind back on the mission! I shake my head clear of that shit and look to my team. "Ok, lets move," I whisper. "Keep it quiet if you can but don't hesitate. This felt too easy." I'd had that feeling since we made it in. we had minimal resistance gaurding a company man. You'd think they'd want to keep him squared away better. Maybe they're just idiots. The spook was cuffed and had'nt said a word, not even a thanks.

"Arrow 2-4, we're coming up on the door. Be ready." No response. "Arrow 2-4?" Nothing. Fuck! "Ok guys, safety's off. Something's wrong." We all stacked the door, two per side. I pulled out my Remington 870 shotgun, a truly beautiful door breaching, brain splaterring tool, and got ready to blow the hinges. "Go go go!"

Bang

The door flew off, and my team took cover outside. We weren't prepared to see what we saw. Nobody can be. Boomer and his team lay in a pile with bullet holes ripped through their bodies. We didnt hear a single shot. Must have supressors. Once again, intel gets it wrong. We didnt think they had anything but unmodified AK's. Dammit! "Anyone see any of the motherfuckers that did this?" "Negative." "None Sarge."

"Ok, three mikes till extract, lets move. We'll come back later and get our men back. Diamond formation, three meter spread, VIP in the center." I take point as my men take their positions. We've got about a mile to cover and the chopper only stays for five minutes after touchdown. Should be enough time. We're running now, all out sprinting for the LZ. I feel an excruciating pain in my throat as i hear the report of a sniper rifle. Dragonauv by the sound of it. Good chance I'm not going to make it. Can't feel any pain. Must be the adrenaline. Suddenly, all throughout my body all I can feel is fire. It feels like my nervous system is being ripped out of my body but i cant react. My jugular has been severed. I can feel two Marines dragging me to cover, one clutching each shoulder of my vest. I know I won't make it. I wish I could form words to tell them to go on, but i can't. The medic tries his best to save me, but i know I'm dead. I can actually feel my brain start to shut down. That's interesting. Then... nothing. Darkness.

Sgt. John Hawk died that night in Pakistan. At least that's what everyone in this universe thinks... In reality, he was needed elsewhere.

Chapter 2: What the hell?

Conciousness seeped back into my mind. My nerves are still on fire. I've got no idea what's happening. As i was thinking, I realize that I'm nowhere. Pitch black. Then blinding white light. What the hell is happening? As soon as the thought is crossiing my mind, I'm thrown into reality. My face slams on a metal surface. Doesn't feel great in all honesty. I'm finally looking up and see a face I recognize. "No. this isn't possible. You're not real."

"What the hell are you talking about? Who are you?" asks Commander Shepard himself.

" I'm dead! I was just killed! Why the hell am i here?"

"Look pal, I dont know who or what you are, but your gear looks ancient."

I look down and notice I've still got all of my weapons and ammo. I finally realize that I'm on the Lazarus space station that saved Shepard's life. Gotta love irony. I'm gonna try to figure out how to make this work until i can expain to the Commander who I am. "Commander, my name is Sergeant John Hawk, United States Marine Corps Force Recon, Arrow platoon. I'll do whatever I can to help you get out of here."

Shepard looks skeptical, but i know the situation is desparate. "Ok," Says Shepard. " But i want answers as soon as we're out of here. Starting with how you know who I am and where you came from."

"Understood Commander." That'll be interesting as hell I'm sure.

I realize for the first time that Jacob and Wilson are standig behind Shepard, looking bewildered. I suppose that's understandable. Crazy fucking situation. So I decide to take up position beside Shepard.

We make our way through the facility with little trouble, my custom .338 Lapua AR-15 does a damn fine job against these mechs. Sadly, without shields of any kind, I have to be very careful about when I pop out of cover to shoot. It all goes smoothly enough, and soon we're walking towards the door to the shuttle bay. Wilson breaks formation and runs ahead to get the door. "C'mon, the shuttle should be just through here." He pauses as the door opens and the beautiful Aussie everone either loves or hates is standing there with her pistol. "Miranda, but you were-" He starts off.

Boom

"Dead?" She says as Wilson's lifeless body falls to the ground.

"What the hell are you doing?" Jacob exclaims as he checks Wilson for a pulse.

"My job, Wilson betrayed us all. Who's this?" She says, focusing on me.

Shepard takes over the conversation. "Sgt. Hawk. Intersting situation, we were making our way through the station, and he just appears out of nowhere with this ancient gear saying he's a United States Marine." For the first time ever, Miranda looks confused.

"A what? From where? He just appeared? How the hell? Well this doesnt matter as much as getting you to see my boss Commander."

"You mean the Illusive Man? I know you work for Cerberus."

" Aww Jacob, I should've known your conscience would get in the way."

"Lying to the Commander isn't the way to get him to join our cause"

"Well either way, let's go. we need to get off the station."

"No arguments there." Says Shepard, throwing his two cents in. "Let's move, Sergeant.

"Yes sir." Great, I'm here five minutes and I've already fucked up the dialog. That's nice. Nothing i can do about that now, just have to figure out what the fuck I'm doing here.