Multiverse One Shot Collection - Reader Insert

Mass Effect - Spartans Can Feel

Spartans were born and bred to fight, kill and die.

Because of their nature, procedures were performed in order to protect their minds and their sanity. Their emotional responses were dialled down, reducing their ability to feel and form attachments to their actions or individuals.

You were no exception.

When your mind fractured and splintered, scientists had to decide whether you joined the others who could not adapt to the augmentations and perish. Or take extreme measures and ensure your body does not go to waste.

That's when you received Ash. You're own personal A.I, who's sole purpose was to inhibit your amygdala and hold your fractured mind together as best she could so you could get the job done.

But it came at a cost. One that was greater than becoming emotionally and mentally detached.

You experienced mind numbing migraines, ones that forced you to your knees no matter where you were. Bodily functions would cease to work and organs would fail regularly.

Ash only had control of your mind, so there was nothing she could do.

The last time you experienced the effects of your augmentations was after you headhunter operation, upon returning to the ONI headquarters. A migraine pierced your skull and inhibited any bodily functions allowing the UNSC to detain you.

Even after being forced into another universe, you still feel the effects. The only issue was that you never told anyone.

——

You were on the ground in the middle of the lab, face down when Liara and Tali walked in.

They rushed over to you, trying to shake you awake, which after a moment worked and you began to stir.

You groaned as you pushed your torso off the ground and shook your head before climbing to a knee. You look at the two worried faces and spoke,

"What's going on?"

Tali practically belted out her answer as Liara checked you over for wounds with the help of Ash,

"Ash told us you needed assistance! We walked in and found you facedown on the ground!"

You pushed yourself to your feet and placed a hand against the wall as you began to sway slightly from side to side,

"I think I just blacked out."

Tali continued to voice her concern as Liara helped brace you,

"Blacked out!? That cannot be normal for a human!"

You waved a hand dismissively,

"I'm fine."

Liara spoke sternly,

"You are not fine, even I can see that. Tali, notify Dr Chakwas for me please."

Tali began to work with her Omni tool while you looked around with a spinning head. A brief moment passes and Dr Chakwas and Shepherd bolt through the doors toward you.

You sat down slowly and leaned your back against the wall as Shepherd crouched down in front of you with a hand on your knee as Chakwas questioned you while standing,

"Y/N, you passed out? Have you been sleeping?"

You didn't answer and before Ash could, you shut off her communication module. Shepherd spoke sternly as Garrus and Thane walked around the corner to the interesting sight.

"Answer her question."

You stared at Shepherd through your emotionless gold visor before gently shaking your head. Chakwas asked another question,

"Eating? Drinking? Have you even taken the time to sit down?"

You don't reply, giving her the answer she needed while the others watched in concern and Shepherd in mild annoyance. Chakwas spoke,

"I don't know a lot about you Spartans but I do know it's no wonder you collapsed. Just like any animated body, you need rest, food and water or you'll end up as a walking metal coffin. You're lucky you didn't have a seizure, that would have done irreparable damage."

You move Shepherds hands away from you and began to stand while speaking,

"I'm busy. I have things to do"

As you began to walk away while everyone uproared, Ash locked the armour, preventing you from continuing.

Shepherd takes the advantage and removes your helmet and with the combined effort of everyone, removed your armour and left you in your undersuit.

Your skin was pale, you looked like you had lost muscle mass which is concerning for Spartans increased physical structure.

You looked sick.

As everyone felt their chests tighten at the sight of your frail form.

The helmet in Shepherds hands beeped causing her to look down. She saw the light flashing beside a small switch, so she flipped it. Ash then spoke,

"He's been neglecting his needs in favour of everybody else"

Garrus spoke cautiously, afraid of the answer he'd get.

"Everybody else?"

Ash replied,

"You have all asked for his help but none of you offered to help him. He may be a Spartan but at the end of the day... he's still human."

Everyone spends a few tense moments thinking back in their actions as a weight builds up in their chest.

Not once did they try to help you with anything or even ask how your day was. Despite all of that, you gave everyone the help they needed.

You helped Garrus calibrate the Mako.

Tali with her engineering improvements. Liara with her research.

Shepherd with her mission prep and even Thane, grabbing him supplies when they were docked on the citadel.

And during your two months onboard the Normandy, nobody had taken notice of you lack of rest and energy.

A/N - Something short that didn't fit in story plan. Figured I'd toss it in here so it didn't completely go to waste.