Author's notes: Wow, it's been ages since I posted anything! Hi, all! First, some stuff!

This is, obviously, a Mass Effect fanfiction (I'm very late to jump on the bandwagon, but it's SUCH a good series and I was exposed to it as a freebie XD). I have it on my Deviantart account and you can basically search for it there.

It focuses on an OC rather than Commander Shepard, and while both of them have their own character profiles and whatnot, I'm just gonna give you a quick guide.

This Shepard is an Earthborn Sole Survivor, and an Infiltrator who's the best darn sniper in the galaxy. Once an up and coming straight arrow, something inside him snapped. He's not insane, but he's eccentric and takes measures so aggressive they're sometimes comical.

This OC is sort of diametrically opposed. Sober, a stabilising presence.

Hope you enjoy it! I certainly loved writing it!

Disclaimer: Mass Effect and all related properties of AWESOMENESS belong to BIOWARE.

Mass Effect: Shepherds

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Systems Alliance N7 Log
Username: Ares23
Password: *****
WELCOME, LT. RAMSHIEP
Entry 1 (2183): So here we are. Udina said I should keep a record about all of this. I've already got DA and Spacebook for that, but I suppose it makes sense. I'll be seeing stuff for Alliance eyes only, after all. The Normandy came back from its first run, and the higher ups were able to haggle with the Council, so I guess I'm in as an observer for SA. I heard the commander of this outfit is the survivor on Akuze. If his track record is anything to go by, I suppose I won't be bored. That aside, what could possibly go wrong?
EDIT (2184): Huh. I wonder whether I jinxed it by writing that.
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"Stop worrying, lieutenant. Hackett and Udina already cleared this."

"I'm not worried."

"You nearly threw up. With a helmet on."

"With respect, sir, you have a very luxurious voice. Have you considered voice acting on the side? Or PSAs, or promos. Narrations-"

"And you're rambling."

The lieutenant sighed. The armour felt strange on him. It was years since he last wore it. His voice sounded even stranger through the filter, and he'd been using thatsince his first cry.

The one thing which sounded perfectly fine was the voice of his superior. A velvety bass, perhaps a little scratchy from years of service and cares, like a well honed drive core. His features were familiar, hard yet compassionate, like sapient granite.

"I know this is a lot to take in, Ramshiep. I appreciate that you're here."

"I...I'm sorry, sir. I've got it now. It's just...Saren and the geth? Some Prothean tech on Eden Prime? This is all..."

Alan Ramshiep looked down, his mind searching for an appropriate analogy for the recent turn of events.

He'd been through training which broke his bones and blistered his buns. He'd been in live combat that left him with a few scars, both physical and metaphorical. He even saw and occasionally worked with beings which, until their present era, seemed to belong in a science fiction novel.

That's when it hit him.

"It's...kind of like a holo. Heh."

His eyes lightened up, and he removed his helmet. The edges of his mouth turned upwards, buoyed by a persistent sense of humour. The sudden swell of awareness escaped his lips as a light chuckle, and soon grew into a short bark of laughter.

Fresh air and the airing of his doubts refreshed his thoughts. With his second wind (of the idiomatic kind, not the astrophysics kind), he found it in himself to face reality.

"Feel better?"

"Yes, sir. Thanks. Holos I can handle. I mean..." he paused, carefully formulating a reply of confusion, not despair. "I'll be there, those are my orders, but...why me? I don't shoot up geth. I'm not Spectre material. I've never worked in anything other than a cohesive unit. I'm just...just a specialist, that's it."

Anderson gave the younger soldier a pat on the back. Alan knew that it was fairly earned, for Anderson treated everyone fairly, as they deserved...to his benefit, and to the detriment of certain others (*coughudinacough*).

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Ramshiep. I wouldn't have picked you out as an aide if I didn't think you had potential. As to why...well, Shepard's been through a lot. He seems normal," and at this point Anderson mumbled "well, normal relative to him...", concluding "but I have my concerns. And I know for a fact that things are only gonna get harder from here on out."

The Captain's focus sharpened, and Ramshiep felt it. The pressure of living up to a superior's expectations, as well as the unconditional faith that he could do it.

"What he needs, lieutenant, is a stabilising presence."

An eyebrow twitched on the younger man. Was that it? He liked easy assignments, sure, but...

That can't be it.

"You could just get him a Yeoman for that."

Anderson smiled knowingly.

"Well, I thought this called for a little more...versatility. Shit's gonna hit the fan, kid. What we need is someone who knows how to stay out of trouble, but won't run from it if he has to."

And that was when he got it.

Shepard needs an aide. Someone to give him advice and tell him yes, no, or 'are you batshit insane'.

Slowly but surely, Alan nodded, saying "I think I can do that, sir."

The doors slid open and an armoured figure walked in, its stride relaxed but confident. Well, not just any figure; it stood more than a head taller than he did and was broader, too. The face reminded him of Anderson, except...younger. Wilder. More energetic. And there seemed to be a spark of laughter there as well.

"Ah, Shepard. Got another crewmate for you. He's my aide, and now he'll be yours."

Shepard spoke clearly and casually. The faintest hint of an accent was in the wind, something from the vicinity of Scotland. "It's alright with me, Anderson. Think he's up for it?"

"Ask him yourself."

Alan Ramshiep stood to attention, straight as he could manage, and extended a hand. Being face to face with a legend, it was all he could do to not turn into a babbling wreck.

"Commander. It's an honour."

The agents of the Systems Alliance shook hands, the hero turning it into an informal clasp. Ares stumbled forward a bit, and Shepard laughed. But it wasn't mocking, cruel laughter...it seemed to set him at ease. Like he was laughing with him over some unsaid joke.

"Oh, I'm sure. Slandering the name of a public servant is always a worthy cause. Now, think you could help me hunt some evidence?"

Author's notes: I'm not going to cover every single questline and moment in the game (sadly), but I will be covering separated scenes that will give you a bigger picture over time. Hope you enjoyed it!