~N7*
Stanza 1· The Departure of the SSV Normandy
Above the warmth of air we rise
Through the frosty turbulent skies
To where the blaze of heat and light
Clashes with black in the roofless heights.
Our ship is new, her lines are clean
The crew is eager to fly
Before us is Space, the seen and unseen
In the untold depths of the sky.
We leave Earth behind – we're out past the moon.
We turn the ship's prow from the Sun's golden noon
And sail, sail away more fleet than a ray
Of that glorious, brilliant, ancient day.
We're embarked on our vessel's maiden flight,
Her first dive to the deep night's sea.
A shakedown run for the young prototype,
The stealth frigate Normandy.
She's set for a colony claimed by mankind
Renowned for its beauty,called Eden Prime.
I've worked on the moon and I've put by on Mars.
I've walked other planets, around distant stars
My boot has marked lands where no human has dwelt
I've trained among alien asteroid belts
From my youth starships have been my home.
And they still are now that I am grown.
For proudly I tread where my parents trod
An Alliance marine, before man, before God.
For ten years I've guarded and fought and served
And many have heard the name Rosamund Shepard.
But though I've seen much in my thirty-years time
I've never set foot on fair Eden Prime.
Pluto the frozen looms up and goes by,
We've dropped out of light speed. The Mass Relay's nigh.
I tread the command deck up to the bridge.
The Relay's ahead; it pulses, glows
A huge black curve and a whirligig
Spinning, spinning, juxtaposed
Across the speckled field of night
Swiftly drawing huger, near.
Work of an ancient massive might.
The stations call. 'All go! We're clear!'
And the Normandy dives to the light.