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So, let me get started on talking about something that happened recently. A few months back, I watched an LP of the very well known franchise called Mass Effect. I don't know how many of you here are fans of that game series, but if you don't know what it is, go check it out whenever you feel like it. So, anyway, I decided to watch it to see what it was about. The first game I didn't get into because it was kind of bland in my opinion, but I was quite intrigued by the different elements of it. I liked the different races and their unique qualities, I liked the different places and planet, oh my goodness, so many of those places were so beautiful, especially the views from the surfaces of those planet. Stunning, breathtaking, I'd love to see those places. The game, itself, is like a sci-fi dream come true of sorts, the desire to go into space, live in space as well as on different planets, meet with the different alien species and sorts. It was incredible. Again, I really didn't get into it, but I went on to watching the second game since the first one kind of ended in a cliffhanger, pretty much telling you that there's still more to the story. Well, come the second game, I really got into it. During the second game, I became hooked. A lot of the different elements in the first game felt like they were enhanced, it was amazing. I really did love the interactions between the characters, the many different things that took place in the game, especially the space travel, it's one of the reasons why I became enamored with the game. I've loved it and I have watched the LPs of the game multiple times. So, what does this have to do with creative work? Well.....I'm a little coy about admitting this, but.....I've been writing a fanfic of sorts....well, actually, it's more of a coping story than a fanfic, at least I believe so. You see, my....personal issues have kicked in again and I have been writing another story to deal with it. It's an unorthodox one....and one that I believe is a little unorthodox for a Mass Effect story. Regardless, the stuff that I have put into this story I've added for good reasons. Ideas like this are what have kept me sane for a long time and I would be worse off without them. Please understand that I do what I must for my mental health even if what I do seems mental. If you would like to check it out, here's the link for an account of mine that I have been writing the story in: https://iffdwfayelons.tumblr.com/ This story is a challenge all on it's own. I do whatever I can to not stray away from the elements that make Mass Effect for what it is. I love a good challenge and it can be fun to work on something that can be quite hard to do. This is something that comes naturally for me and I have exercised this for a very, very long time.

So. It's happening. Three years after the contested* trilogy finale of Mass Effect 3, BioWare decides to revisit the ME universe and announces Andromeda. Probably old news for everyone out there but just leaving this here for those of you who didn't catch up. BioWare announced another installment in the Mass Effect series. As far as info was given, the plot seems to be focused now on another galaxy (Andromeda), assumed separate from the original trilogy events. It does sound like this game will have planetary exploration as a recurrent element again, such as featured in the original Mass Effect. I am for one hoping this time they can deliver more variety to the exploration sections, adds to the general content value and playthrough time. N7 is still a recurring theme, the trailer protagonist being seen wearing the trademark armor, so it's not a far fetch to say that the Alliance still exists in some manner. Leaving the thread here for discussion out in the open. Thoughts, speculation, hype, frustrations if need be, you know the drill. (*: Keep in mind I'm still in my first ME3 playthrough so I still don't have a solid opinion yet.)

Hello everyone! So I usually have a lot of ideas milling around in my head about different ideas and such, and whenever I have them they simply pass without being used. So I want to toss my scrap ideas here where someone else might get some use out of them or I can pick them back up later. JUST ASK PERMISSION BEFORE USING THEM. My first is inspired by a piece of music that I've been listening to, in particular Shepard of the Galaxy by Big Giant Circles A great piece about the Mass Effect trilogy as a whole, tying in the different themes of the series. BACK STORY TIME!!! This got me thinking of a potential crossover between Star Fox and Mass Effect. It would be taking places roughly ten years after Mass Effect 3 ended, destroy ending of course. The Galaxy is in a state of civil war as the different nations argue over where power resides. On one side, we see the Turian Hierarchy, the Asari Republics, and the Vol Protectorate. On the other side, we see the Systems Alliance, the Turian Federation (a rebellion group), the Salarian Union, the Krogan Empire, and the Quarian/Geth Assembly. Poised between Alliance and Hierarchy space is the Lylat System. I decided to use my version of the Lylat System, where Star Fox 1's story has a little more depth to it, and Fara Phoenix was an original team member alongside Fox, Peppy, Falco, and Slippy. Krystal is an orphaned child picked up on Sauria when Star Fox investigated the disappearance of a research team observing the planet. Fay and Miyu are both members that were included at some point in the series. The Aparoid War brought the Lylat System to a state of unity, allowing them to band together and expand beyond the Lylat System through Corneria's Frontier Lines program, allowing mercenary teams to pave the way for the allied powers to construct bases and expand. This is where we see conflict. Star Fox unknowingly starts to investigate a territory that is currently a warzone. It's peaceful at first, but then the Great Fox is caught in the crossfire, leaving the team stuck on the planet until the Alliance secures the area. Star Fox is tossed in the brig and interrogated by an Alliance Commander by the name of Daniel Riley. Riley is also an aviator like Fox, but he's also an N7 Special Operative and Spectre candidate, meaning the Alliance is pushing for him to have experience in dealing with alien threats. After discovering Fox's intentions weren't malicious in any fashion, the Alliance capitalizes on this by setting aside land for the Lylatians to expand into, creating an ally. The Hierarchy, dead set on evicting the Lylatians out of their space for war efforts, starts attacking. The particular scene I had in my head is just before the final push, where the Joint Alliance Fleet is ready to push back against Palaven and seize the Turian capital for the Federation to assume leadership, bringing an end to the war. Using the Zypher Ring Gate technology from Corneria, the Alliance is ready to execute a surprise attack, coming in right in the middle of the Turian Fleet. Riley and Fox, having served alongside each other throughout their campaign, share a moment to pay respects to one another just before their suicide mission. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Riley relaxed in his cockpit as his squadron formed up on him. He performed a standard roll call procedure, opening comms to his squadron. "All wings, report in," he said with a commanding tone in his voice. One by one, his squad responded with conviction. Striker Two, standing by. Striker Three, standing by. Striker Four, standing by. Striker Five, standing by. His team was ready, giving him the clearance to check ready to the fleet. "McCloud, is your squadron prepped?" he asked over open comms. "We're with you Riley." Daniel took a deep breath, taking in the scope of this mission. They would be outnumbered five to one. There was a slim chance for survival, but these were all acceptable loses in the broader scope of the war. He flipped on secure comms, now only talking to his team and Star Fox as they were the vanguard for the fighter groups. "Command has asked me to keep shut about this, but chances are you've all heard the scuttlebutt. There's a damn good chance none of us are going to come out of this alive." He paused for a minute to let this sink in. While Fox and his team were used to these words and often defied expectations, this was a very real risk to the Alliance pilots. Every time they've heard this, at least one squadron member has gone down. In their careers was the Reaper War and now the Civil War, where many pilots have lost their comrades and were forced to condense squadrons. They didn't want to die, but they were used to the idea that their next mission might be their last. "The reason I say this to you all is because I want you all to know is that in case one of us goes, they'll dying knowing that I believe it's been an honor serving with them. And it has been. I can't think of any other group of pilots that deserve this praise, especially with what we've gone through." Fox chimed up on comms. "Riley, my team and I have been working together for the last six years. We've gone against what were once impossible odds and have ended three major conflicts in our space, and I haven't lost a single man under my command," he said. "As long as every pilot commits themselves to their mission and their squadmates, we'll come out of this in one piece." Riley thought this over as he looked at the forming gateway in front of him. "You may have lost people before, but I feel like this time you're not going to lose a single man." Riley looked over as Fox pulled his Arwing along his wing. Maybe he was right. Maybe this time, they'd all come out of this alive against incredible odds. "Mr. McCloud, I admire your optimism... Maybe you're right. Maybe, just this once, we'll all come out of this together." Fox grinned. "Of course if I'm wrong, I'll need a new tour guide to show me around Earth, so you better not go down. Promise me that, Commander!" Riley grinned at Fox's humor. "You have my word, McCloud. Let's do this thing." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That was a rough draft of what I would have done, and I'll probably overhaul it at some point, but I hope someone can at least appreciate what I was trying to accomplish with this.