A new Job

„Hooray" they yelled, when the Reapers finally ceased their fire and flew off the Earth. The N7 Unit under the command of Major Richard Armstrong was only seconds away from getting killed by the fire of a giant Reaper capital ship, as the sky was suddenly turned blue from a giant explosion in the orbit.

"Admiral Hackett, Sir, I report you the complete and utter defeat of the Reapers ground forces, the Reapers seem to flee from us" the Major said via his communicator.

"I know Major, we have incoming reports from the entire galaxy, the Reapers hold their fire and retreat. I guess the Crucible has worked and somehow changed the Reapers".

"Any Orders, Admiral?"

"Yes, our Fleets will stay in the Sol system, we won't follow the Reaper Ships trough FTL. Major I want you to check for any further resistance from the Husks and these other Reaper abominations, regroup with the rest of our ground forces and destroy what's left of them"

That was two years ago. The united forces under the command of the human Admiral Steven Hackett docked a device called The Crucible at the citadel, which sent out a huge blue energy wave across the galaxy, ending the Reaper war and heavily damaging every single mass relay.

Today everyone knows that Commander Shepard, Citadel Spectre and hero of the galaxy, sacrificed himself at the Citadel, uploading his DNA to the Crucible, which devastated his body and uploaded his mind into the Reapers. The Reapers, now under Shepards control, began to help the galactic civilisations to recover from the war, repairing the damaged mass relays and sharing their advanced knowledge and technology with every species represented on the Citadel. Two years after the giant battle, most of the Worlds were repaired, from the Terminus systems to the council space, every species enjoyed a period of peace and security.

Major Armstrong enjoyed a few batarian beers in a seedy little bar on Omega. He was a young, black haired caucasian man with brown eyes. Although you could see he was in a good shape he didn't look extraordinary muscular. He was pretty average, and no one at the bar payed any attention for him.

He took a look around the place. He could see a bunch of Batarian thugs beating up a sorry Salarian outsuide the bar. He saw some Turians, probably Blue Suns, that did some kind of drinking contest, and all kinds of lone, pitiful characters boozing away their problems.

For a moment, he was so distracted that he didn't witness the woman that took the seat next to him right away. She was different than the others, he could tell that she wasn't an inhabitant of Omega. The common people of Omega don't wear uniforms, nor do they care about basic hygiene.

"Are you Richard Armstrong?" she asked.

"Aye. Do we know each other from somewhere?"

"No. The name is Miranda Lawson, Alliance Intelligence. We were searching for you for some time now Mr. Armstrong. I know you retired from your duties, but the Alliance needs you once again."

"Really? I assume you know why I resigned from the military."

"What you did during the war is irrelevant to my bosses. You are one of the best soldiers the N7 program has ever made. They have a job for you."

"I don't think I can decline the offer of your bosses?"

"Certainly not. There is a shuttle waiting for us outside. We'll get you to our ship, it's waiting near the Omega Mass Relay. Any questions you have will be answered there."

The alliance agent brought Richard to a Kodiak shuttle, which left the Planet as fast as its possible for this type of vessel. Omega was still an ugly, seedy place filled with all kinds of criminal scum, bars and shady market places where you could buy all kinds of stuff you can get for credits, ranging from spacecraft tech to a killing contract. When Richard looked out of the Kodiaks window, he saw Omega's damage surface and ravaged city districts. The Station hasn't been fully repaired since its occupation by the Cerberus fleet. Sure, Arias Afterlife and the homes of the Crime Lords and Mercenary Leaders shined like never before, but little efforts were made by Omega's rulers to repair the rest of the station.

"So here I am, in your shuttle and I don't know where we're going. What do you want from me" Richard asked.

"I guess you've heard from the latest "malfunctions" of some of the Reapers"

"I'm told that a few Reaper destroyers went crazy and attacked fleets and colonies located in council space."

"We believe that someone or something is separating single Reapers from Shepards control and using them against us. Until now only a few attacks by small destroyers happened, but even these caused terrible casualties for the councils navy. Can you imagine what would happen if a Reaper capital ship would attack one of our colonies?"

"How can we be sure that it isn't Shepard attacking us…"

"Major" she interrupted him "Shepard fought and died for everyone including you and me in the galaxy to stop the Reapers and you seriously think that it's possible…"

"Just a thought"

"Besides we have no evidence that should let us not trust Shepard anymore."

"Anyway, what are those Reapers even doing. I mean before they attack our undefended cities."

"The Reapers are spread all over the galaxy to ensure peace and security. Most of them help repair or rebuilt the damaged mass relays. Looks like we arrived."

The Kodiak docked at a bigger alliance vessel. Richard and Miranda stepped out of the vessel and entered the shuttle bay of a larger ship.

"Welcome aboard the Normandy SR2, Major" a VI Voice said.

"Wait a second, this is the Normandy, Shepards Ship?"

"Yes it is" Richard recognised the voice.

"Joker?"

"Yup, that's me"

"Man, it's good to see you're alive. We haven't seen us in like 6 years or something"

They have been friends for a long time in the past, the last time they've seen each other was when Joker saved Richards unit from a batarian attack many years ago, he was the only pilot able to reach the batarian lines to help the squad with air support. After that, they've lost contact which each other, Joker was moved to the alliance's experimental ship flotilla, which later recommended him to be the pilot for the SSV Normandy SR1. After these events, Richard decided to enter the Interplanetary Combatives Training program, which made him an N7 soldier.

"Major, we need to talk, meet me at my bureau, crew deck third floor, quickly" Miranda interrupted them.

"I'll be there, just give me 5 minutes with Joker"

Richard followed Joker, as he returned to his pilot seat.

"You know, most of the crew here served under Shepard, some like me even on the Normandy SR1"

"So you've been the one who destroyed the Sovereign? And the one who managed to get through the Omega 4 relay? Wow Joker, and I thought my Job was hard" he laughed.

"Aye, but as you know, when it comes to flying, I'm the best and they needed the goddamn best pilot in the Alliance navy. It was a pretty great time, I was there, at the very beginning of all this, at Eden Prime. We discovered this whole Reaper thing."

"Any Ideas why Miranda brought me up here? And did she also worked for Shepard with you?"

"No, Rich, all I know is that she is leading this operations and we're after what makes the Reapers go crazy and murder everyone, pretty big thing i guess. And for her history with Shepard and this ship, I'd say you gotta ask her these questions yourself"

"So Miranda was part of Shepards squad. Were they… they weren't together, were they?

"No, you know Liara T'Soni? Shepard was with her since these two met for the first time. It's a real shame that he had to die, really. He was more than just our commander."

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Nay it's okay Rich, now I guess Miranda would like to talk to you"

"I should go" Richard said has he went to the elevator.

"So, what are your plans for me Ms. Lawson?" Richard asked as he entered her room.

"Shepard is losing control over the Reapers. The attacks become more and more devastating every week, and we need to investigate on this as soon as possible. To make a long story short, after Shepards death, we don't have a human spectre anymore that's really up to the task. Lt. Commander Williams is a great soldier and a brave fighter, but in this case, we need someone who can lead and who can inspire others. The Alliance wants you to be our new spectre, we will travel to the council at the citadel, Lt. Williams will recommend you as a new spectre and then retire from her spectre duties. You will then take over this operation. The alliance supreme command wants this problem solved as soon as possible and they believe that you're the right man for the job"

"But I think as a soldier she's atleast as capable as me, and she fought with Shepard, I believe she's perfect for the spectre job"

"Maybe, but the reason we've chosen you is not only that you've graduated the N7 program with great success, only Shepard achieved a higher rating during the final tests and exercises, or that you posses extraordinary skills with all kinds of firearms and your stealth cloak implants are the best available, my superiors believe that you are our best asset at the moment."

"I guess I'm up to the the job, but being promoted to a spectre, right now? And how do you know about my implants?"

"Well since you were an alliance major, it wasn't really hard to find information about you. You are Richard J. Armstrong, born on the 20th January 2158 in Los Angeles, you've signed up for the alliance military at the age of 19, your parents are still together, and your all time favorite film is Blasto 8: Blasto Cures the Genophage, we've checked your Extranet activties."

"Impressive that you haven't looked on any notes for that, you're good" he laughed "Now I need to think about this spectre thing, alone. Where are my quarters, I need a place to sleep and stuff"

"I have already prepared your room, it's the suite of the commanding officer, at the first floor"

"Thanks. But for now, where are going right now?"

"Joker makes the Normandy ready for the mass relay jump in this very moment, we will be travelling directly to the citadel. As I said, I prepared your room, you can go there anytime you want, Mr. Armstrong."

"Thanks alot Miranda, and please call me Richard.

He went off to his quarters, he saw all the stuff Shepard collected during his adventures, the fish and all these ship models, all in all it pretty much looked like Commander was still there, still living and giving orders to his crew, but Richard knew that he would be in charge as soon as he would become a spectre, that he would be some kind of a replacement for Shepard.

"Well, I guess it's time to check the ship and meet everyone here, the only one I really know here well is Joker, but we haven't seen us for years know." Richard thought as he laid down on his bed.

He struggled with the thought of now being in the role of Shepard, of a team leader again, but this certainly wasn't his crew, atleast not yet, would they accept him as their commander? Could they follow him into battle like they once followed Shepard through the Omega 4 relay? He didn't know. But now there was no going back, he was there, at the Normandy, soon becoming a spectre, a fighter for the entire mankind.