Hi all readers!

Here we go again with a fix of the story. I've been given a few pointers to some error in the story, don't know if all of you have noticed them and hope you haven't, but they were so annoying to me that I had to go back and fix them the best I could. I'm sorry to say there will always be a few spelling and grammar errors that will be missed. And sometimes a few words that's wrong... please bear with me and ignore the minor ones.^^

Well, hope you all will like it!


Escape the Fate

Prologue

Three men stood around the table in the human Ambassador's office on the Citadel. Each one had a few dossier spread around in front of them with all kind of information on various soldiers. They had to decide which one of the many fine men and women they were going to choose for this kind of mission. Some of them, the three men knew personally and could vouch for. But which one of them would be the best choice?

Each soldier showed great potential and had seemed eager to become the Executive Officer on the new frigate SSV Normandy. Their service records was exceedingly impressive, therefore being the candidates and would certainly do the job well if chosen. But "well" wasn't going to be good enough for this upcoming mission. They needed someone with outstanding leadership skills - which could motivate and inspire his or her comrades. To make the tough, yet right decisions and never waver. Someone with exceptional combat expertise and tactics.

The Ambassador grabbed yet another dossier and transferred the information up on the screens which covered the wall. Information on his many accomplishments was listed next to the picture of the man in his late twenties. A strong jaw line and with piercing blue eyes which held a roughness within stared back at the camera. His hair was cut till the standard cropped style most marines had, which made him look like any other marine. But his list of recommendations was more than average and quite astonishing. The man had quite a few of them, each and every one of the recommendations speaking very highly of his performance, camaraderie and righteousness. Helping the innocent seemed like his calling card. Also he had been rewarded with several medals for his efforts and good service. He truly seemed like a model marine and maybe even the one they were looking for.

"What about this John Shepard?" The Ambassador asked, not being able to hide the impressed tone in his voice. His eyes went to the man's birth origin and nodded approvingly to himself. " He's earthborn..."

The Captain looked up from the dossier in his hand as he recognized the name. He had never met the man, but he could already see the similarities, particularly the color of his blue eyes. He had heard great things of this man. But his origin he had heard from somewhere else and it had been slamming, yet he knew better than to take someone else's perspective to form his own opinions. "He was raised on the streets. Learned to look out for himself," the Captain said approvingly.

"He proved himself during the Blitz," the Admiral spoke, he too with the tone of approval. Just by the mention of the name, the Admiral knew exactly who he was. John Shepard was famous throughout the Alliance. He was known for following orders and getting quick results with barely any casualties. He had also been there to witness when the man had been given the medals for saving Elysium. "Held off enemy forces on the ground until reinforcements arrived."

The Captain gave a soft nod, remembering the news of the man's heroism very well. "He's the only reason Elysium is still standing."

"We can't question his courage," the Ambassador said as he felt like they had come to a mutual agreement. He took another look over the dossier, scanning it with content until he found something rather odd. Suspiciously, he said; "But the records of his family had been erased."

The Captain and the Admiral exchanged a knowing look. It was bound to come up at some point. But the Captain was quick to come to the defense; "He is a hero and humanity needs one. John Shepard is the best. He should not be defined by a family member's choices and mistakes." Though he couldn't help but feel like it wasn't only John he defended.

Before the confused Ambassador could ask for an elaboration, the Admiral chipped in with an explanation; "Quinn Shepard, formerly known as Quinn Summers when she was in the Alliance, is his sister."

"The Pirate?!" The Ambassador almost shouted, his eyes wide in shock. "The shame of the Alliance?"

The two men gave a slight nod.

"She was indeed a former marine. Ruthless, violent and reckless. A bad personality," the Admiral spoke with his arms crossed, remembering the young woman quite well and not with a fondness.

"But one of the best at such a young age," the Captain couldn't help but put in. "Reached the rank of Commander at the age of twenty-three. I haven't seen such determination in years. Her methods may have been extreme but she got quick results."

Extreme was a bit of an understatement, the Admiral though. Compare to her brother, Quinn Shepard had no problem when it came to casualties. It was almost like she preferred it. There had been no secret she had seen her fellow marines as tools to get the job done and death was something they all had sign up for when enlisting, but not with the goal of sending your comrades to a certain death.

"What made her betray the Alliance to become a lousy lowlife pirate scum?" The Ambassador asked, not bothering to hide the disgust in his tone.

The Admiral looked up at the screen at the woman's brother and wondered if John knew the truth about his sister. Though from the information he had gotten, the brother hadn't even seemed to know that his sister had been a soldier at the time.

"She had forged her birth certificate to join the Alliance in false name to hide her criminal records." Before the Ambassador could ask what records, the Admiral answered; "Murder, theft, dealing, to mention a few."

"Once a criminal, always a criminal," the Ambassador snorted coldly.

The Captain didn't like the Ambassador's tone, no matter how justified it may be. "Her criminal past caught up to her and forced her to use Alliance resources to smuggle guns," he explained, feeling the need to defend the woman he had once called comrade. Maybe even friend, at least from his part.

"We're not here to justify a criminal's actions," the Ambassador said, eyeing the Captain with a warning look. "I suggest we get back to the matters at hand." He turned towards the screen once again and the records of John Shepard. "Well, I say we should not be defined by our relatives actions. I'll go and make the call."

The Ambassador nodded to the two marines after their agreement and stepped out of the room.


Thanks for the read!

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And for the teaser...


The man took a drag at his cigarette as he watched her with an overconfident manner which immediately rubbed her the wrong way. This idiot was looking down on her.

Smoke quickly escaped his mouth when he opened it to speak. "I see you've taken over the ship." Even his tone was arrogant and somewhat patronizing, though she wasn't sure if that was just his way of talking or if it was directed towards her...