Time Effect ( A Mass Effect Fanfiction)

WITH MIRANDA

Miranda, Jack, and Oriana arrive at their home a few moments after leaving the LD headquarters. Their home, thanks to their position at the company, was close to it.

While Miranda and Samael had talked privately, Jack and Oriana went to stay with the crew to bond, the young Lawson having the most attention.

She and Solana became close, and so did the rest of the crew. Oriana quickly became well-liked and even pouted a bit when Miranda and Samael emerged from their reunion.

Although Jack and Oriana still had energy, the same could not be said for Miranda. She had just had a shocking conversation with Samael that changed her perspective on many things regarding him.

Samael had altered the fates of the crew, whether for better or worse only he knew. He had created many good things, such as the Quarian Pill, the serum, and the cure for the Genophage.

From another perspective, one could argue that he manipulated everyone, using the accomplishments of others for his own benefit. Despite this, Miranda trusted him, and sometimes that was enough.

Noticing Miranda's confused mood, Jack, being the considerate girlfriend she was, did her best to send Oriana to sleep. Although the young Lawson had plenty of energy, she knew how to read the room.

So Jack suggested, "How about we eat something and then go to sleep?"

Oriana was too young to fully understand the situation but old enough to recognize when to listen. She nodded and said, "I want pizza, though."

Jack paused and stared at Oriana, who didn't shy away from her gaze. In the end, Jack sighed in defeat and said, "Fine. But the flavor will be pineapple."

Oriana shot daggers at Jack, believing pineapple on pizza to be blasphemous. Still, she knew she was on the losing side from the beginning, and in the end, a pizza was a pizza. "Fine! But I want half of it."

"Deal."

The duo shook hands. Twenty minutes later, the pizza arrived and Oriana grabbed her half and went to her room with a triumphant look. Whatever the others were discussing was none of her concern, her focus was solely on eating.

While Oriana was enjoying her pizza, Jack approached Miranda, who was sitting in a chair with a non-alcoholic drink in her hands, deep in thought about life.

"What's on your mind?" Jack sat beside Miranda, focusing on helping her girlfriend with whatever was troubling her. She knew that whatever she and Samael had discussed seemed to have affected her deeply.

Miranda looked at Jack with a smile. "Nothing much, just how lucky we are to have met each other." She knew they would have crossed paths in the future, and Samael had only sped up the process. Regardless, she was happy he did that.

Jack gazed deeply at Miranda. "We were indeed lucky..."

They sat in silence for a moment, and then Jack asked, "What did you and Samael talk about?"

Miranda shook her head. "It's a secret."

"Not even I can know?" Jack was surprised, as Miranda and even the mysterious Samael had never gone to great lengths to hide things, so this was somewhat unexpected.

"Yes. Hell, not even RR knows; that's how secretive it is."

"Wow." Jack found that shocking, as RR was basically an extension of Samael. For her to not know about it was really significant. "... Will you tell me eventually?"

"It's not my secret to share."

Yes, Miranda was loyal to a fault—something she suspected Samael took advantage of when he told her about time travel. Regardless, she would not say anything to anyone, and even if she did, she doubted anyone would believe his story.

Instead of being upset, Jack lightly kissed Miranda, who looked confused. "What was that for?"

"For being you."

Miranda was taken aback but soon laughed. She then kissed Jack and said, " I will still not tell you.''

Jack tsked but soon laughed. That gesture was enough for Miranda to say, '' I love you."

"I love you too."

They continued sitting together, watching the scenery outside. Miranda knew rough times were ahead, but with the plans Samael had, she would do her best to even the odds against the Reapers.

After all, she had her girlfriend, sister, and future babies to protect.

--

WITH SAMAEL

While those three were at home, Samael was on his way to his. Some members of the crew separated, with Samael, Liara, Grunt, RR, Samara, and Tali heading to Valery's home, while the others went to drink and show Garrus and Solana a few sights of the city.

The group had to travel through the slums, with Grunt thinking that the place looked like Tuchanka but cleaner and more advanced if that made sense. He also noticed that whenever they passed by, everyone nodded at them, more specifically at Samael and RR.

The Krogan remembered that this was literally where the human was born and where change occurred the most due to his influence, so it made sense for all that admiration. RR, too, even though a late addition to Samael's story, was respected here in the slums.

Samara noticed the gazes of the others but stayed quiet about it because there was no reason to discuss it. The only reason she came with this group was because of Grunt and to meet Valery, Samael's mother. She had nothing but respect for that person.

The group continued walking in peace through the area when suddenly, a group of people who looked like they had ill intentions appeared in front of them.

Grunt thought this was an opportunity to fight, but his hopes were dashed when one of them suddenly stepped forward with a big smile on his face. "Samael! Good to see you."

Samael clearly recognized the person and smiled back, going in for a hug. "Long time no see, Tarzan. How are you?"

"Good, good. Thanks to your help and LD's, the city is under my thumb. Of course, all our businesses are honest, so don't worry about it." Tarzan broke the hug soon after.

One of the conditions for Samael to give the unofficial title of "owner of San Francisco" to Tarzan was that they must go legitimate and at least attempt to avoid shady dealings. It was challenging, but the man knew he was only here today thanks to Samael, so he tried his best to comply.

"And you, my boy, how are you holding up? Everyone else and I saw the news about the reunion... Is that serious?"

"I'm good too, but..." Samael made a difficult face. "The content of the reunion is real. We have a war of a magnitude the galaxy has never seen, and we are preparing. Let's just hope it's enough."

Tarzan sighed but soon showed his support. "It may not be much, but you can count on me and my boys. Just say the word, and we will help."

Samael looked touched and nodded. "I'll hold you to that. And expect good weapons and armor from LD soon. Can't leave you guys without the best stuff."

"Thanks, thanks. Now, are you only going to visit Valery or something more?" Tarzan didn't push and only wanted to know to not get in Samael's way.

"Just a visit and for less than a week. After that, I'll go on a journey." It then hit Samael that this might be one of the last times he saw Tarzan. He felt a bit melancholic, remembering the time he built his fortune thanks to the man's money. He appreciated the help a lot and would try to ensure the man survived.

"Well then, we will leave you to it. See you around." Tarzan and his henchmen left.

When Samael turned around to say they could continue on their way, the rest of the group looked shocked by what just happened. "What?"

"You never told me you had the slum boss under your thumb." Tali tried to sound accusatory, but based on her slight smile, she didn't care one bit.

While the rest didn't say anything, their faces showed the same surprise as Tali.

"You never asked, and the subject never came up. Now, how about we continue?"

Everyone nodded, and they carried on. Soon, they arrived at Valery's home, and Samael smiled a little.

Even though they had met not long ago, he always missed home and his mom. One of the biggest regrets he had in all the cycles he lived was not enjoying his mom's company for longer.

Sure, in this last cycle they had the serum, so they could live longer, but they still needed to win the war.

Not wanting to dwell on his feelings for too long, Samael knocked on the door and looked at Grunt and Samara. "Just be yourselves and she will love you. No pressure."

That intensified the pressure on the young Krogan, but Samara remained calm. They both nodded at Samael, and soon the door opened.

What greeted everyone was a middle-aged woman, maybe in her 40s or 50s. She had a big smile on her face as she hugged and kissed Samael, Tali, and Liara. She was familiar with those two, hence the kisses.

When she saw Grunt and Samara, she didn't hesitate and hugged both of them, saying, "Welcome to our house. It might be small, but it fits everyone."

Grunt was touched by that and said, "Thanks for having us." From whom he got all that education, no one knew.

Samara also said, "Thanks for having me."

Valery nodded. "Now, how about we enter? Dinner is already done and waiting for you."

Soon, the entire group entered, and the night passed in a blur. When it was time to sleep, Grunt wanted to hear stories about Samael's childhood, same as Samara.

Perhaps driven by curiosity, Tali and Liara felt the same, and soon Valery started to share stories, gaining a few glares from Samael along the way.

The night ended just like that, and soon everyone went to sleep.

---

NEXT DAY

Samael kissed Tali and Liara and got up. He had a long day ahead of him, after all.

Breakfast was already prepared, with Valery sitting at the table, waiting for everyone else.

"Morning."

"Morning, son. How was your night?"

"Good, good." Samael sat down and started to eat. "How about you? Did Grunt cause you any trouble?"

Samara and Grunt slept in the same room, but Samael could hear his snores even from his room.

"I slept like an angel and didn't hear a thing. And he's adorable."

"That he is."

The duo ate in silence until Valery broke it. "I just wanted you to know that I'm always going to be on your side, regardless of what happens. Don't ever forget that."

She could ask about the Reunion, but she knew how her son must have already answered a lot of questions about it, so there was no reason to add one more. Besides, she trusted him.

All she wished was for her son and the rest of the galaxy to create another miracle.

"Thanks, Mom. And here." Samael passed her one of the pills that grants extended lifespan without the need for metamorphosis.

"What is this?" Valery held the pill in her hands, looking at it with curiosity. She knew her son created a lot of strange things, and this must be one of them.

"Something that gives you a longer lifespan—at least 20 more years—while maintaining your appearance. So please, just for me." Samael knew that his mom normally would not take it, based on what he knew about her, so he urged her, just a little.

Valery wanted to decline at first, but after seeing Samael's expression, she sighed in defeat. "Any side effects?"

"None."

Valery looked at the pill once more and swallowed it. "Now what?"

"Now you just need to wait a few days, and you'll be as good as new."

"Huh… you never fail to surprise me."

The duo then ate in silence once more. Samael didn't press her about moving to another place because he knew she would not listen to him, and she said no the first time. Besides, he was planning to make Earth the last standing stronghold anyway, so almost all the forces would be concentrated on this planet.

Sure, the other planets under his command were more secure since they were focused on hiding rather than fighting, but there was nothing he could do about his mom's stubbornness.

Soon after, everyone else got up and went to the table. Valery, knowing that everyone there had different diets, did her best to accommodate everyone.

They ate, and after the Breakfast Samael went to LD with RR and he also called EDI and Legion. It was time to put one of his last plans into action: getting the Geth under his command.

To do that, he would send RR, EDI, and Legion on a mission.