I shall try to keep this short.
This started as a short foray into Mass Effect world to take a break from my other writing, but turned out it wanted to become longer than I expected, so it became a full story.
It may be a novelization of the game, but there will be quite a few deviations from storyline, added original characters and most certainly as little of game dialogue as possible. I don't really see the point in rehashing the familiar game dialogue.
Constructive criticism is most welcome, as is your opinion on the story. Please, whatever you feel about my story feel free to let me know. Reviews are always appreciated.
I hope reading it gives you as much enjoyment as writing it gives me.
"Let's talk about Shepard, gentlemen."
Captain David Anderson interlaced his fingers on the tabletop with an air of finality.
"The Spectre Nihlus Kryik personally recommended him, and I fully back him up."
"Yes, I know," Udina said, glancing at Hackett. "That is why I looked into this Commander Shepard, and what I found greatly disturbs me."
He thumbed his small PDA, glancing at something on the small screen.
"I have the Commander's evaluation here," he began triumphantly, eliciting a mental groan from Anderson. "Dorian Shepard, N7 Special Operations and Reconnaissance, very powerful biotic. Extremely successful as far as his military operations go, but highly spotted service record. Earthborn, no known parents. Most known for being instrumental for the spectacular victory over Batarians in the Alliance attack on Torfan in 2178."
He paused, to give Anderson and Hackett a pointed glance.
"This, so-called 'Butcher of Torfan' is responsible for the deaths of most of his unit on that mission, unnecessary cruelty to the surrendering enemy and completely irrational behaviour. "
"He is also responsible for one of our greatest tactical victories, rooting out the Batarians at Torfan and pushing them back from Citadel space. You can't deny he got the job done beyond the call of duty."
"Those bastards had it coming after what they tried to do on Elysium," Hackett added grimly.
"Beyond the call of duty indeed!" Udina persisted. "The psychiatrist who did the post-mission evaluation's report states that he is 'grossly difficult to work with and unwilling to cooperate', and 'exhibits manipulative behaviour'."
"He is N7, almost everyone in Special Forces is going to have some undesirable traits by nature of their work," Anderson defended. "You should have seen my initial psych evaluations."
"We are talking about a man known by such colourful names as Butcher of Torfan, and Shepard The Knife! It also goes on to state he is unpredictable in his actions and extremely dangerous, a hazard to those around him," Udina paused dramatically to look at Hackett and Anderson, then repeating the word with a warning finger. "A hazard! Is this really the kind of man we want protecting the galaxy?"
"That's the only kind of man we want protecting the galaxy," Anderson rebutted coldly.
"Really? A few more select adjectives from the report for you," Udina continued assertively, pointedly reading off from his PDA. "Antisocial, pronounced negative bias towards alien species, complete disregard for human life, sociopathic personality...need I go on?"
Anderson forced a tight smile.
"I'm sure that report was exaggerated somewhat, not to mention it's an old report. Shepard has been cleared as physically and mentally fit for duty in the recent routine evaluation. I've known and worked with him for a long time, and I can personally attest to his abilities and loyalty. While it's true that he's somewhat rough around the edges, he never disobeys an order, and he always gets the job done."
Hackett was silent for the moment, just glancing from one to the other, watching, waiting.
"Yes, but at what price?" Udina said sharply. "Far too much than what we should be willing to pay!"
He glanced at Hackett for moral support, but the Admiral just watched him with that unreadable, calculating look of his.
"Shepard always puts the mission first," Anderson began, dramatically. "And while concern for lives is admirable, we need to be realistic about this, gentlemen. Good leader needs to be willing to sacrifice his men for the greater good, needs to be able to make tough decisions and not get sidetracked. Shepard has proven himself capable in that regard, more than capable, I'd say."
Udina sat back in his chair forcefully, crossing his arms in silent disagreement.
"That's all well and good, Anderson," Hackett waved his hand dismissively. "All well and good, but the problem is if he becomes a Spectre every little dark spot in his service record suddenly becomes a huge black mark. And we both know Shepard has had more than his share of little dark spots."
"And all that even before we consider his criminal background!" Udina spat defiantly. "He was involved in gang and organized crime before signing up with the Alliance-"
"That's all in his past," Hackett interrupted pointedly, and with some annoyance. "Many of our best men come from troubled backgrounds. The service straightens them out, though, makes decent people out of them."
Udina leaned in over the table.
"Are you so sure of that, Admiral?" he glanced at calm Anderson meaningfully. "Are we seriously considering this disturbed, unstable individual before all the much more suitable and respectable names in this list?" he pressed one dark finger against the table in emphasis. "Before Lieutenant Merrick?"
Hackett made a face.
"I don't think that's a good idea, really. Merrick is good at following orders, but that's about all he is good at. We need someone with a little more...initiative."
Udina was incredulous.
"Lieutenant Merrick has served in the Alliance Navy for the past fifteen years with utmost merit. He has received several commendations for outstanding service and achievement. If anyone is deserving of the position, it is him!"
"With all due respect, Ambassador, I don't think you're fully qualified to make such a military decision," Anderson interposed.
"This is not a military decision, it should not be a military decision! We need someone who can manoeuvre his way around the political theatre, not some trigger-happy space cowboy!"
"Now that's just-" Anderson began, but was cut off.
"The man is a walking catastrophe! If you put him in the position of such power, it will only get worse!"
"You are being irrational," Anderson was barely containing his temper now, his tone flat and low.
"I am being irrational?" Udina was outraged. "You want to promote someone who is practically a war criminal to the position of a Spectre, and I am being irrational?"
"Gentlemen, let's keep this civil," Hackett warned, a tone of indisputable command in his voice. "Udina is right, this isn't an entirely military decision, but it's a lot more military than political. Anderson, I know you think highly of Shepard, but I'm not entirely convinced he is capable of handling all the aspects of being a Spectre. There is a lot of diplomatic work involved in the position."
"Then ask yourself this, Admiral: Who would we rather have in that shiny Spectre chair, someone who's charming and knows the proper formal table setting, but can't quite cut it out in the field – or," here Udina gave a disgusted snort, which Anderson ignored. "Or, someone who isn't going to be anyone's darling at a dinner party, but who you can count on one-hundred percent will get the mission done, and won't let anything get in his way?"
"Someone who's both of those, preferably," Hackett quipped. "But I get what you're saying Anderson, and I agree. I'd much rather impress the aliens with our military might than our social skills. I'm just not convinced Shepard is the right man for the job."
"Military might will not get us any closer to a seat on the Council," Udina said unhappily, staring from under his brows. "You can't be serious. This isn't some fleet commander or military advisor, this is a Spectre we are talking about – the very best of the best! Is Shepard really the best humanity has to offer? We are in need of a scalpel, and all we can throw out there is the equivalent of a sledgehammer! Is that the kind of image we wish to project to the other races?"
"Shepard can be subtle," Anderson interposed. "He is an intelligent man with a lot of experience with aliens and undercover work. A good leader. He may have an unusual way of doing things sometimes, but his service record speaks for itself."
"Yes it does," Hackett said annoyedly. "He may be able to accomplish a mission against all odds, but he sure does a lot of collateral damage getting there. And that's even without considering any of the off-duty incidents."
"With all due respect, Admiral, I don't see how his private life has got anything to do with this," Anderson dismissed with a wave of his hand. "What Shepard does in his free time is his concern."
"Not anymore! The moment he takes the position, everything he does becomes the Council's concern! His every action will be scrutinized, and the entire humanity judged by it."
"Udina's right, Anderson," Hackett said pensively, keeping his calm. "We have to look at this from a wider angle. We can't afford any intergalactic incidents, not here and not now."
Udina was nodding along triumphantly.
"Well a Spectre already recommended Shepard, a Turian Spectre, at that. If that's not a good start, then I don't know what is," Anderson reminded.
Hackett furrowed his brows in a gesture of discontent.
"I don't like this, Anderson. Why would a damn Turian recommend a human to the Council?" he mulled on it for a moment. "It doesn't make any sense."
Ambassador Udina leaned back in his chair, nodding his head slowly, somberly.
"How convenient that his choice just happens to be the brutal, unpredictable Butcher of Torfan! Don't you see, Admiral? They are trying to make us look bad, by attempting to get someone instituted who they know will embarrass us."
Hackett was watching him from under scoffed brows.
"It's not exactly like that, Ambassador," Anderson defended. "Turians respect strength, skill, and Shepard's got plenty of that. They respect ruthlessness. He's got a bit of that, too. And let's be honest, the first human Spectre is going to need every last bit of it."
Udina was shaking his head energetically in disagreement, dropping one hand to the table in frustration.
"You cannot in all seriousness nominate this man for such a sensitive position, especially when there are so many better suited candidates."
"None of them come recommended from a respectable Spectre," Anderson reminded again.
"None of them are known as the Butcher of Torfan," Udina rebutted acidly. "There is a very heavy baggage that comes with this man, and it is going to drag us all down along with him."
Hackett gave a wry smile, resting one forearm on the table with a forceful exhale.
"Bottom line, Anderson, he's a nutcase."
"With all due respect, Sir, he's not insane-"
"Now," Hackett raised a quick, annoyed hand. "I didn't say that. I didn't say insane, I said nutcase – that's not so bad in a way, we got plenty of those, doing jobs that need to be done. Dirty jobs," he leaned back in his seat slowly, straightening his arms against the table. "What I'm more worried about, is him being a biotic. Now a biotic nutcase, that's a dangerous combination."
"And the fact that the eyes of the entire galaxy will be on him, on us!" Udina butted in, taking the opportunity to try and sway Hackett his way. "Are you really going to allow some...psychotic like Shepard to ruin our only chance at equal stand in the Council? Too much is at stake here, Admiral."
Hackett made a weary grimace, bringing his hands up placatingly.
"You don't need to tell me, Udina. I know damn well what's at stake here. This is our one chance to get the foot in the door on the galactic level," he took a moment to glance at Anderson meaningfully. "That is why the long-term implications of this need to be thought through well."
"As far as I am concerned, the choice is obvious," Udina crossed his arms pointedly.
"Admiral, I've known Shepard for a long time now. I can assure you that as a biotic he is one hundred percent stable and reliable. Of all the bad things he's done, and many of those are greatly exaggerated, not one of them was without a good reason. He has never had a breakdown, and his control over his biotics is some of the best I've ever seen." Anderson said somberly. "There is really only one right choice here."
Anderson and Udina were silent now, both staring expectantly, tentatively at him.
Hackett rapped his knuckles against the wood restlessly, picking up the paper with the list of names and scowling at it for a long time, putting it back down and picking it up again. Finally he tossed the page back on the desk in irritation.
He glanced at Udina.
"Merrick is out of the question here. He may have many good qualities, he's a good soldier...but not a good leader. He is not suitable for a Spectre, in my opinion."
Udina already began to protest, but Hackett silenced him quickly with a raised hand.
"I see many names on this list, all competent soldiers, all good men excelling at what they do."
He paused to frame the list with his hands on the desk.
"But what I'm seeing," he looked first at Anderson, then at Udina dramatically. "What I am seeing here is only one man having that certain tenacity I believe we need at this point in time, for this position. It's going to be a lot of responsibility for just one man. We can afford someone who bends the rules a little, we can afford eccentricity, we can even afford looking stupid in front of the aliens, but what we absolutely cannot afford, is failure. Failure is not an option."
Anderson and Udina stared at him in silence, and he stared back for a silent moment.
Then he picked up the list meaningfully, as if to show it to them.
"What I am seeing here, is a man who never fails, ever. I may not always like his methods, and I have some concerns about his mental stability as a biotic, but to date he always got the job done. Every single time. That man is Shepard."
Anderson gave a small smile, knowing that his victory was now practically ensured. But Udina persisted, he would not relent easily, especially when his own candidate was being so blatantly dismissed.
"This is absurd, Admiral! Shepard is the least suitable candidate for the position! And then there is the matter of allegations regarding-"
"I don't think that is really relevant to what we are discussing here," Anderson interjected quickly. "Nothing has been proven, and I believe people are considered innocent until proven guilty in any civilised court of law."
Udina glared at him with narrowed eyes.
"It has been decided," Hackett said with an air of resolved finality. "Captain Anderson, Ambassador. Dorian Shepard is our man."
Udina threw his hands up in gesture of silent disapproval.
"He's the best choice, I'm certain," Anderson approved.
Hackett gave him a sideways look.
"He better be, Anderson. He better be."
Udina sighed explosively, resigned but resentful.
"I'll make the call."
