Mass Effect: Earthborn

Chapter #01 Knowledge is Power

 Chapter #01

 Knowledge is Power

9.36 a.m., September 13th, 2169

Laurence Harris Public High School, New York City.

Advanced Computer Technology. Boring. Understandable but boring.

It was my first year of high school, and so far, it was good. Of course I didn’t know many of my classmates outside of school since I had been running with the 10th Street Reds since I was 12. Back then, they just wanted some young pretty face that could easily be used as a courier. That was the old days, before they realized my potential.

I was lucky though, because I had one of those minds that remembers most things, and understands them. Many of the other kids envied me and I could see why. But just because I could understand subjects like ACT didn’t mean they weren’t boring.

Advanced Computer Technology was one of the subjects that belonged under the umbrella program called Advanced Technical Subjects that was taught at most schools. After scoring off the charts at some test during the start of the school year, it was decided by some asshole that not only was I eligible to take all of the subjects offered by the program, but I was obligated to. Fucker.

This particular day, I didn’t feel like listening, so while my omni-tool was recording everything that was said, I also had it play songs through my ear-piece. Most people were unaware of the awesome music that was made in the early 21st century. Today’s choice was some guys called Alien Ant Farm with a song called Smooth Criminal.

So while the song was playing in my ears, Mr. Cast was yapping away. The first thing I noticed about the class, was when Cast went to the interactive blackboard and erased the words ‘The Matrixes of Alien Computer Systems’ and all the different algorithms he had written while talking about it, and then wrote the words ‘Combat applications of computer sciences’. That sentence made me listen, so I turned off the music on my omni-tool and took out the ear-piece.

“Now, dear children, I have arranged for a very special guest speaker and a former student of mine to talk to you today.” He turned to the door where there was an Alliance Marine standing in full dress uniform. “Come on in David.”

The blue uniform looked good on him, but you could still tell that he wasn’t a high ranking officer: his muscles were too defined for him to be a paper-pusher.

He took off his hat to reveal the traditional jarhead haircut. “I am Lieutenant David Raynes of the 103rd Marine Division, and I am a computer nerd” the Lieutenant said.

Cast, who was sitting on his desk, continued while the marine was standing straight. “The good Lieutenant here is with the special unit called Team Zeta.”

It became clear that the two of them had practiced this speech.

“I am a combat engineer, and the Alliance Navy Field Manuel classifies me as an Infiltrator. My notable skills include long-range elimination and hacking.” He was a sniper, how interesting.

“David’s team is nicknamed the Bridge Burners” Mr. Cast told us. “Can any of you guess, based on the information you have so far, what they specialize in?”

I peered curiously at the other students: they all looked like they were searching through every little corner of their brain for the answer.

Finally, I raised my hand. “Yes, Shepard?”

“Sabotage” I answered. “And I would guess that since your combat engineers, your sabotage focuses on enemy structures?”

The Lieutenant lifted an eyebrow and let a slight smile pass. “Correct, Miss Shepard.”