Author's Note:

Hello everyone! ^-^ This is my very first fanfic under the genius that is Mass Effect. Word of note, this is a WIP, so please be patient as I update. I'll try to shoot for a chapter every few weeks. If I'm lucky I'll update sooner than that. I'll try to shoot for Fridays as update day. Other than that, please enjoy and leave me comments to let me know what you think!

~ TomiKitteh

PROLOGUE

There was something to be said about the concept of synergy. Ethan Shepard knew it first hand from working with his siblings. And right now it was working beautifully.

Another volley of bullets whizzed near his head, causing his shields to crackle as he dove for cover. He quickly recovered, leaning against the barricade, watching as his sister overloaded the shields of the opponent that had tried to take him out. The smile that had crept on his face vanished quickly when he saw three enemies converging just behind Emily. The electric thrill of his biotics kicked in as he sent them flying into the air, where they floated helplessly. A few seconds later each of them fell to the ground as his older brother, Elliot, took them out with precise shots from his assault rifle.

Taking the small reprieve, he took a few steadying breaths. His brother and sister came over to him, making sure he was alright.

"I didn't even see them, but thanks for that," Emily said a smile gracing her delicate features.

"Any time, sis," Ethan said, smiling in return. Turning his gaze to Elliot, "You're getting better with your shots, bro."

Elliot raised a dark eyebrow in skepticism, "Better? I've always been a good shot. The best in fact and you know it, Ethan."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

"Laugh it up, little brother," Elliot intoned. And while most wouldn't have heard the edge of laughter in his tone, Ethan caught it and playfully punched his brother in the shoulder. Ethan shook his head and took a few seconds to check his pistol. His thermal clip was about half full and he wasn't sure how much longer they could keep this up.

Suddenly, Elliot's body went rigid. "Better brace yourselves. We've got six converging on our location. Two to the left, two the right, and two in front."

"I'll take the ones on the left," Emily said, her soft soprano ringing out almost too loud for the silence that encompassed them.

"I got the ones on the right. Ethan, you take point."

"As always." Ethan looked up from where he was crouched and took in the enemies coming towards them. A second later, he nodded to his siblings and they broke into action. Emily quickly sent off an overload that destroyed the shields of one of the two on the left, before hitting the second one with a neural shock. Seconds later she was shooting them down. Elliot took out the two on the right in quick succession, firing off two shots almost immediately. All that was left for Ethan to take care of the two in the front. And he was ready.

A smile came to his face as he activated his biotics. The electric tingle encompassed him as he threw one of them almost fifty feet while simultaneously lifting the other one into the air. A second later he hit the enemy with a warp and watched, almost smugly, as the enemy fell the ground with a thud.

As soon as that last enemy hit the ground the entire area flickered out, leaving only a barren simulation field. Ethan breathed an audible sigh and quickly shucked off his helmet, turning to see his siblings doing the same.

"Great job, guys," he said as he walked over to them.

"I knew we could do it," Emily said, playfully shoving Ethan.

"Right? How many times did I have to save your ass?" Elliot said, a mockingly skeptical look on his face.

"Oh, shut up, you!" Emily said. A second later she grabbed his assault rifle from him and began to run around the empty room, laughing loudly as Elliot chased after her, swearing and laughing. Ethan just stood there smiling and laughing himself at the way his siblings acted.

He still found himself amazed at how much they got along, especially considering that they were nothing alike, yet somehow that helped them in getting along.

Elliot was the cocky, slightly roguish older triplet with crew-cut, jet-black hair and dark blue eyes. He was the tallest standing at 6 foot 5 and muscled like a champion weight lifter.

Emily was the loud-mouthed, easy-going middle triplet with chin-length, fiery-red hair and bright green eyes. She was of medium height, roughly 5 foot 9, with a slender, curvy figure and lithe muscle covering her graceful form.

Ethan was the youngest triplet, soft-spoken, quiet, with short, dark blonde hair and pale gray eyes. He was the shortest of the three, standing at 5 foot 6 and muscled like a swimmer with a penchant to smile modestly or in most social circumstances.

A laugh erupted from Ethan's chest as Elliot finally managed to grab hold of Emily, swinging her into the air, spinning her in a circle; her surprise made her drop the gun and she giggled freely, yelling, "Put me down you asshole!"

"Not a chance little sister!" Elliot's voice echoed around the room.

Shaking his head, stifling his laughter, Ethan yelled, "Alright you two, come on! We don't want to be late for dinner with mom." He picked up his helmet from where it had fallen and jogged towards the exit. A few seconds later he could hear his siblings following, still laughing and shoving one another.

After washing up and changing into their civvies, the Shepard triplets entered their mother's apartment to the welcome scent of frying steak and the sound of Hannah Shepard's laughter. Walking into the kitchen, Ethan caught sight of Captain Anderson and his mother. She had a glow about her that he hadn't seen in a while. He smiled softly to himself and then went to give her a hug, wrapping his arms around her and placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Oh, Ethan!" She turned and hugged him back just as warmly, her dark green eyes sparkling. A second later, Ethan felt his siblings join and he felt as if he were going to pass out from the group hug.

"Did you enjoy yourselves?" Hannah asked as soon as they separated and they'd taken their seats at the table.

"As always," Elliot voiced, a cocky smile on his face.

"Of course you did," Emily said, sticking her tongue out at him.

"Watch it, sis," he said with a mock glare.

"You guys, quit it." Ethan got up to help his mother in finish dinner. While he got out the makings for a salad, he asked her, "So, when did Anderson show up?"

"Oh, about twenty minutes ago. He has something to discuss with all of you, which I said was perfectly acceptable, only if he stayed for dinner."

"Uh huh. And is that all?" Ethan knew is mother better than anyone and was the closest to her out her three children. He glanced at her, giving her a look as she blushed.

"Well, it doesn't hurt that he's a handsome man."

"I thought so," he said with a smile. Finishing the salad he said, "I'll take this to table. Do you want me to open a bottle of wine?"

"I don't see why not, I'm almost finished here, go ahead."

Setting the salad at the table, he quickly fetched a bottle of their best wine. It was a dark red wine with a robust flavor and sweet aftertaste. He knew everyone would enjoy it. "Hey, Emily, could you grab a few wine glasses while I open this?"

"Sure!" She quickly grabbed them and set them at each place setting.

"I don't need one of those," Elliot said. Ethan noticed the look Emily gave their older brother and she just shook her head with a smile. "Fine, go get your beer then."

The cork on the wine bottle finally popped, just as Elliot came back to the table, swigging from his open beer bottle. That was so like him, steak and beer. Ethan sometimes thought that his older brother was born into the wrong family. He quickly poured each glass full and then sat down just as their mother brought out the platter of steaks.

After everyone had served themselves some food and conversation and laughter had been going for quite some time, Anderson finally spoke up.

"There's something I wanted to discuss with the three of you."

At once three pairs of eyes zoned in on him.

"You all know about the newest Alliance vessel, correct?"

All three siblings nodded. They'd learned of the vessel just a few days ago and was wondering about it. All they knew was that it had been a joint effort between the Turian Hierarchy and the Alliance.

"Well, the shakedown mission is planned for next week. I was wondering if you three would like to join the crew?"

Blinking rapidly, Ethan cast a glance at his siblings. Emily was just staring at Anderson, with a curious look on her face. Elliot had a huge grin on his face. "Was wondering when you were gonna ask us, Anderson!"

The older man smirked at that and looked to Emily and then finally Ethan.

"How do you two feel? You up for it?"

"Well, it's been a while since I've been on a ship, sure," Emily said, her tone excited.

Ethan wasn't sure what he thought. While he didn't not want to go, he was worried about it. He didn't want to leave his mother all alone. He bit his lip uncertain, his brow furrowing with worry. Then he felt a soft hand take hold of his and he turned his gaze up from the table and looked into his mother's face. "I'll be fine, honey. I promise."

Smiling softly he squeezed her hand and looked towards the other three at the table.

"I'll do it."

"Great!" Anderson said, beaming.

Ethan picked up his wine glass and took a drink from it. While he was still worrying about leaving their mother all alone, he couldn't deny that he was a bit excited. After all it the newest vessel in the Alliance fleet.

"So, where's the shakedown run heading?" Elliot asked as he took a swig from his beer. Emily munched on some salad, her eyes trained on Anderson's face.

"Eden Prime."

Ethan felt a wide smile come to his face. Now the deal had just gotten better. After all it wasn't everyday one got to see the crowning jewel of Alliance territory.