Mass Effect - A Spectre's Oath
This is a story written along the lines of the Mass Effect series of games. Main characters and general story will be kept roughly the same with some additions and changes along with a major change to the mass effect lore. In my own version of the story humanity developed their own version of faster than light technology before they encountered the prothean ruins on Mars thus giving them a significant edge on the other Citadel races which they have been un willing to share for tactical and political reasons. This serves two purposes;
1) How humanity advanced so far and colonised so many worlds in such a short time compared to how long it took other races in the Mass Effect lore.
2) Why when the Reapers arrived in mass effect 3 they took such a vast interest in humans.
I'd like to thank the fantastic writers at Bioware for giving the gaming community an incredible game with fantastic characters and story, to me the Mass Effect series is a testament to the maturity of the video game industry and not only a fantastic sci fi story but to me the greatest story I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
Prologue;Mindoir
2nd Lieutenant David Andersons personnel log August 7th 2170
What a god damned mess it is here. We hit the ground running from the drop ship and straight away had to contend with sniper fire and heavy machine gun rounds from a Batarian raiding party, looks like they had just caught some slaves from a farming community and were bringing them back to the town centre for processing. Kevin took one in the chest as soon as the drop ship doors opened, must have been a hell of a sniper rifle probably a black market Widow cause his armour did fuck all to stop the rounds impact, I could see the poor saps ribs when he hit the floor, Zaeed and me jumped for cover behind some un used building equipment then weaved in and out of the unfinished town centre buildings popping anything we seen with more than two eyes. It didn't take us long to turn the tides against the Batarian's, a couple hundred slaver bastards against six hundred alliance marines the odds were never in their favour but they do play dirty. Each time we would come close to the buildings they were holding their captured slaves in they would booby trap the entry points or simply set the building and the slaves on fire just to buy themselves a few more minutes to get to their shuttles and evacuate.
Those were the tactics of cowards, I saw three good marines I went to the academy with Tommy, William and Sharon get caught in some kind of incendiary mine placed on the other side of a door which went off as they breached to rescue hostages, the fire stuck to them and I can still hear them screaming as it burned through their armour. The worst thing was that the Batarian's had placed a family of four they captured right on the other side of the door so they burned along with my old friends, I don't know what I'd have been like if it had been me who opened that door and somehow survived the blaze, knowing that the simple act of opening a door kills an innocent family. Zaeed and I took our time scanning for traps with our omni-tools as we went along, we came up to a farming equipment warehouse which the Batarian's had turned into a place to hold younger woman they had captured(slaver bastards!). An explosive device had been attached to the other side of the door in the same way as the one that took out Tommy, Sharon and William but less powerful and with no incendiary propellant, they must have been in a rush too because Zaeed took a peek through a small opening underneath with his snake cam and there were no people on the other side, I grabbed one of the proximity mines from my pack and put it up against the door then me and Zaeed stood up a large and heavy piece of sheet metal that must have been blown off one of the building's roof in front of the mine to create a jeri-rigged breaching charge. I remotely detonated the mine and the metal did its job shaping the charge towards the door blowing it and the Batarian trap away. Zaeed went in first with me half a second behind him, we took cover behind a mobile milling vehicle as we scouted the inside of the building. There was nothing but farming vehicles and equipment in the open space of the warehouse and no enemies that I could see so I shouted clear and started to walk towards the back, there were some offices that could have been used to hold captured people. Just as we rounded a corner we saw a Batarian squad of three wearing a dark red armour that I instantly recognized as the blood pack, I've faced them before while on missions protecting convoys and striking back at slaver attacks on other colonies, there merciless bastards with decent equipment and better than average training. They got their weapons up a fraction of a second before us and started taking pot shots as we went down the corridor towards an open door we could use for cover. I jumped in the opening and Zaeed knelt down just inside the door way and started laying down covering fire from his m-8 he had affectionately named "Jessie", he yelled profanities down at the Batarian's as he saw them covering one more dragging a single young woman away, their consolation prize, Zaeed went into a mad rage got up and fired down towards the covering slavers taking out two of them but the third got a lucky shot and he went down for the first time since I've known him. I jumped out and put a good half a clip right into him, I turned to see Zaeed up on his knees getting his helmet off and a good bit of blood pouring from it as he removed it. He looked up with a great gaping hole in his cheek and the only thing he could say, and I'm quoting here "bloody four eyed bastard, I loved that helmet, almost picked out a name for her" he said without flinching then threw his helmet away slapped on some medi gel then yelled at me for standing around staring, what a soldier.
We chased the last Batarian and his hostage to a custom shuttle he had waiting outside the back of the warehouse, we were thirty seconds to late, that blood pack slaver bastard got away with a child a damn little girl. Let it be known that here in my own log and the official one that I am going on record to say we failed those colonists, they depended on the alliance and we let them down.
It took several hours to clear the Batarian's from the planet, luckily they were situated around the main population centre of Mindoir's capital and space port a few others managed to escape on shuttles that had been sent to capture slaves from the farming outskirts of the capital, god knows how many people they got away with, I can honestly say id rather put my gun against my temple and pull the trigger than live as a slave. We spent the next several days clearing up the fires and helping to patch the structural damage on the buildings that had taken a pounding first by the Batarian assault then again by ours. Thankfully I wasn't on one of the humanitarian relief teams, I realise that sounds selfish at best when taken out of context but I've never been the relief type. I love being the one who saves the girl but the one that has to stay with her, nurse her back to health then go to counselling with her it's not my thing, I know full well I wouldn't be useful doing it or being there for someone going through it. That being said I have the absolute utmost respect for those who help the poor souls and even soldiers who have been through those kinds of traumas, I hope I am never in need of their services.
Our third day was the day I'll never forget, Zaeed had come back from the Achilles after having surgery on his wound, all that was there now was a great big half moon shaped scar, I think he liked it. We were searching the outskirts of the colony when we come to an area being used as farmland with alot of burned out buildings, most of them residential in the middle of the fields. We were with a medical relief team that had pathetically little combat experience so when we came to the first house we ordered them to cover the exits while me and Zaeed cleared the building. We breached the door and the scene we were presented with sent a chill down my spine, two woman had been tied up back to back at the base of the stairs, clearly mother and daughter with the daughter pointed towards what was the living room Zaeed signalled for me to come to the living room where there was a middle aged man tied to a chair, he had been subjected to extensive torture as his daughter watched. I couldn't look in that room for too long so I turned my attention back to the woman, I knew it was a long shot but I checked their pulses, non on the mother but I did get a very faint pulse from the daughter, I told Zaeed secure the rest of the house up stairs and shouted for a medic to get in there. He and gave her oxygen and a couple of shots, stuck an IV into her then ordered for an emergency transport to get them back to the Achilles. Me and Zaeed went on to the next few houses marking the front door with a yellow marker to indicate to the medical teams it had been cleared along with an additional red to indicate dead bodies, we were to radio if we encountered any more live colonists. We got to the last house about two hours later with the medical team clearing up bodies as we went along about ten minutes behind us. As per me and Zaeed stacked up against the door ready to breach when we had some one take a pot shot at us through the door, Zaeed put a small breaching charge onto it then I readied a flash bang, he set of the breach turning the thin sheet metal door to jagged shrapnel then tossed the flash in half a second later. We followed the flash in, after a while you become immune to its effects especially when you know its coming, Zaeed went left and I scanned my right then we both centred on a young boy holding up a shot gun towards the door cradling a young woman's body. Zaeed disarmed the boy just as he was getting his bearings back after the flash blinded him, then he drew a knife incredibly quick and brought it up to Zaeed's leg, I grabbed the boys arm and thrust the knife away with a moment to spare and pushed him to the ground holding him there with my knee. I took of my helmet and shouted "were human kid, were the alliance"! the kid burst out crying and yelled at the both us that we were too late, all I could do is kneel next to and tell him I know.
We radioed the medical team to get here asap and I ordered Zaeed check the rest of the house, the boy just looked up and said don't worry their dead. Zaeed came back five minutes later saying that there is a Batarian with a shotgun round in the chest in the kitchen and one with a slit throat up stairs, a sixteen year old kid killed two slavers trying to protect his family I don't have the slightest clue how he survived. The medics got there and shook their head looking at the girl the kid hadn't let go off, they had to pry her from his hands and put her in a body bag, along with an older couple that were in the kitchen, the kid didn't cry as they took the bags outside he just stood up and watched. I tried to console him "it wasn't your fault you kept yourself alive and that's what your family would would've wanted, you did good son" I don't know if it made any difference to him but I admired how he survived and that he got through the ordeal in one piece or near enough anyway, he suffered a hell of a loss the worst you can imagine and stayed alive through it just for the hope of keeping his sister alive. That was the end of the clean up and we went back to the space port where all the survivors were being transported up to the Achilles for extraction and medical care with the Hades jumping in with fresh supplies and gear to get the colony back on its feet again. The kid came back with us to Arcturus station on the Achillies, we sat in the mess together and I tried my hardest to console him and get him open up to me, all I got was his name John Shepard son of Martin and Hannah brother of Kate. I told him id check in on him from time to time and if he ever needed anything to give me a call, I don't know why but I couldn't help connecting with the kid I think it may be that after the initial contact I never seen him cry I put it down to PTSD at the time but now I just don't think he wanted to show any weakness in front of me and Zaeed, I wanted to teach him that showing emotion in a time like that isn't weakness its human, I didn't see him cry again though.
When we arrived at Arcturus me and Zaeed were commended for our efforts and promoted, but even after that Zaeed handed in his resignation of service and left the alliance. I think he was pissed off at how the human colonies were getting left to defend themselves and he said he would find a way to hit back at those who hit us, I heard he was heading into the Terminus systems, last time I saw him I wished him luck I didn't know what else to say. I said goodbye to the kid, gave him my number that he could get a hold of me through the alliance comms and he went to a very respectable orphanage, personally I don't think any orphanage is a place to send an already traumatised kid but it wasn't up to me, all I can do is try and be his friend.
Computer end log.
File in my personnel folder and also send copy to Commander Steven Hackett, SSV Hades with message:
You've got quite a cleanup in front of you my old friend, good luck.
Lieutenant Commander David Anderson SSV Achilles.
Chapter 12183 Arcturus station, 0830 hours
A conference room had been prepared for the meeting, it was on the side of the station facing the Arcturus star, that gave it an illuminated warm and bluish glow. Admiral Steven Hackett had arrived a few minutes early, he was already on the station when the meeting had been scheduled so he was glad for the break, the fifth fleets intelligence reports and logs were not exactly light reading though the nature of the meeting had him delving into the political side of his job more than he liked, not that admission into the spectres was anything short of an honour but he was certain that the politicians would try to use the fine soldier chosen today to further their own ends with the council. The man he associated with those very politicians walked through the door followed by another officer " Admiral Hackett, I hope we haven't kept you waiting for long?" He said Wow that almost seemed genuine Hackett thought "not at all ambassador, I trust you had a pleasant trip". In many ways ambassador Donnel Udina was the Admirals complete opposite, both were in their mid 60's but that's where their similarities ended. Udina had stress wrinkles, greying hair and an ever increasing waistline due to the lower gravity and comparable Michelin star meals on the presidium on the citadel. Hackett on the other hand was at the highest level of fitness for a man of his age, Tall with tanned skin, hair still full of colour, wrinkles were hardly noticeable though with his very prominent scar stemming from his cheek past his lower lip you'd never look at them anyway, he didn't look a day past 45. The other officer that entered with the ambassador was Captain David Anderson, he was a well built dark skinned career soldier who the Admiral had put in charge of the stealth reconnaissance vessel project 18 months ago after declining a chance to command a dreadnought class vessel. Anderson stood at attention and saluted his superior " Admiral sir it's good to see you again"
Hackett saluted and offered his hand to an old friend "it's been too long Anderson, how's the Normandy looking?"
"Very good sir I'm just picking out my crew for the shakedown run"
"You're making excellent progress over there captain, good work"
"Thank you sir, the crew will be happy to hear that"
The ambassador had walked away from the two military officers during their exchange and sat down at a table that had been prepared for them, he poured himself a cup of coffee, took a sip and laid out his notes and smart pad ready to begin the meeting. He grew tired very quickly of the two other men's exchange and just wanted to get down to business so he could get back in his big office on the Citadel.
"Gentleman if I could rush you please, I'm due to be back on the citadel in 36 hours and we have a lot to get though"
Admiral Hackett sat across from the ambassador with Captain Anderson taking the seat next to his superior, pouring a cup of coffee for the himself and the admiral.
Captain Anderson broke the silence after taking a sip of his coffee "So ambassador what's the urgency of this meeting?"
"Yesterday the council asked me to a private meeting, they informed me they were considering allowing a human to join the ranks of the special tactics and reconnaissance branch of the Citadel security forces. I don't have to tell either of you what an opportunity this is for us as a whole gentlemen and I do not want this offer wasted, again"
Andersons memories of his spectre candidacy flooded his mind "why are they interested in going down this route again?" Frustration creeping into his voice, along with a hint of anger. "Their arms had to be twisted the last time"
"I don't know captain but they told me one of their top agents has been singled out to observe, shadow and eventually train our preferred candidate, so that means they have put a good deal of thought into this. That's why I'm here. We will choose the person who will represent us to the council"
"Then why am I here? I failed ambassador and it took a good chunk of my career to get past that blotch on my record"
The ambassador was visibly frustrated, he was not use to people answering him, especially military personnel and he was getting impatient.
It was then the Admiral decided to speak and get everyone back on topic "Captain we are not here to discuss the past. You were the best candidate we had and no matter what happens now I believe your experience with the spectres and dealing with the Council will prove invaluable to our candidate today. That's why I requested you here and that's why the candidate will be put under your direct command onboard the Normandy"
Anderson was a little surprised and even felt a slight bit of betrayal knowing one of his oldest and best friends chose him for this task but he knew that if the man or woman they chose today was to succeed they would need a mentor, even if it was just to stop them fucking up where he did. "Yes sir, it would be an honour. I apologise for any offence Ambassador"
"No need captain let's just get down to business shall we"
Two and a half hours and dossier after dossier the three men had their considerable pile of candidates down to just three soldiers.
'How about Benton, he's got a lot of experience and has been selected for high risk missions in the past?' Udina passed over the pad containing the soldiers file to Anderson.
"He looks good but there's not a lot about his service past in any unit?'
Admiral Hackett interjected "He doesn't have one, not anymore. I know the lieutenant by reputation. He was assigned to the Shanghai as a marine unit leader but had constant heated Arguments with the ships XO and was bumped down the pecking order for marine commander, he has been hard to work with ever since I'm told"
Udina wasn't convinced this wasn't their candidate "why has he been selected for these high risk missions then?"
"Here it is, on the occasions he was called in at the last minute for his expertise with explosives and high orbit space dives" Captain Anderson remembered his space dive training, it brought back some of his fondest memories.
"Ok how about Marcus? She's a talented sniper, says here she has top marks from all her instructors at the academy and a perfect disciplinary record"
"Those marks are dated two years ago, she's too inexperienced and never been given any kind command responsibility. I wouldn't be happy having someone like that command my marines on the Normandy Ambassador"
"Understood Captain" Udina was visibly frustrated this was taking so long.
"Who's next ambassador?" Hackett asked
"Erm lieutenant Commander Shepard. N7."
Anderson knew which Shepard Udina was talking about "he's back on active duty?"
"Excuse me captain"
"I know Shepard ambassador. His parents were killed during the attack on Mindor, he was one of only a few dozen survivors. He also rallied the civilian population to protect Elysium during a slaver attack"
"The Skillian blitz" Udina looked confused "if that's true why is he not known to everyone in the alliance?"
"He was asked to sit through interviews and do the public appearances to boost morale but he declined, he thought it would alienate him from his troops if he suddenly became a celebrity hero" Admiral Hackett said "Shepard is a soldier through and through ambassador"
"why was he taken off active duty?"
"I'm not sure off specifics but I heard some Turian's were causing trouble with cadets in a bar on the citadel, it got out of hand and the cadets were outnumbered. That's when Shepard stepped in, knocked out five Turian's but broke a couple of ribs doing it"
"I remember a report about a bar brawl come across my desk, didn't realise it was a potential spectre candidate causing trouble though"
Hackett had been reading through the full dossier as the other two men talked then noticed an interesting fact "it says here that commander Shepard was a part of captain Reynolds marine detachment on board the Agincourt, weren't you Reynolds XO Anderson?"
"Yes sir but that was years ago before commander Shepard served aboard"
"Reynolds recommended Shepard for the n7 program"
"I can tell you Admiral that captain Reynolds does not hand out recommendations lightly"
Udina moved aside the other pads containing the candidates files, he had heard enough and could tell that the two military men had made up their minds "so gentlemen is this really the kind of person we want defending the galaxy?"
Anderson had thought through all the other candidates they had looked at during the meeting, a lot were good soldiers, a few we're excellent candidates to be considered but none apart from Shepard were truly worthy to be called a Spectre "I believe this is the only kind of person who can defend the galaxy ambassador"
Udina had stood up after asking his question and was looking out the window towards the Arcturus blue super giant star "I'll make the call"