Chapter 1 – Rumors

"I really appreciate you taking the time to train me," a young Alliance soldier confessed, his hands shaking as he shut his locker's door. "I still cannot believe the Hero of the Blitz is taking me under their wing."

"Come on, Jenkins. It's the least I can do since our grandfathers served together. You of all people should know that I'm only a soldier doing their duty," Commander Maree Shepard shrugged, wrapping burgundy colored straps tightly around her hands. She dug through her locker for a hair tie and pulled her long blonde locks into a ponytail.

"Say whatever you will, I know you're one hell of a soldier. I read all about your daring standoff on Elysium in the Alliance newsletter. You risked your life and single-handedly repelled an attack by batarian slavers. There you were, everyone was gunned down, and they were coming…"

"I know what happened," she held up her hand, "I was there."

"You are pretty much the reason we won the Blitz."

"Now that's getting a little carried away. I couldn't have gotten that far by myself. If I didn't have my fellow comrades in arms fighting alongside me, I wouldn't be sitting here today. Never take your team for granted… always remember that," she lectured as she set her foot on the bench and tightened the laces of her shoes, pulling on each strand to test their tightness.

Richard Jenkins awed at Shepard's attention to detail, "I'm still amazed that someone as commemorated as you is stuck here at Arcturus Station."

"I'm not stuck here. I'm simply waiting for my new orders."

"Any idea what your next assignment will be?"

"I don't have the slightest idea but I'm hoping it'll be… oh never mind," she took her foot off the bench and began rubbed the back of her neck, trying to brush off her illusive accomplishment, "it'll never happen."

"Oh come on, tell me."

"It's nothing…"

"Please?" the Corporal pleaded with puppy-dog eyes.

"Fine, but don't tell anyone," Shepard pointed, drilling in the secrecy of this information, "I want to serve on this prototype starship I only heard rumors about. From what I hear, it's been optimized for solo reconnaissance missions by using state-of-the-art stealth technology powered by an experimental drive core. I know it may not sound like much to you but that's an amazing accomplishment."

"You can always count on the Alliance to develop top of the line vehicles."

"Actually, if I remember correctly, the Alliance was part of a co-development team with the Turian Hierarchy. They even received sponsorship from the Citadel Council."

"Really? Turians working together with humans? I never thought I would see the day."

"I'm particularly glad to see cooperation happening so quickly between our species. The more we work together, the more we can accomplish… this starship is proof of that."

"I never would have expected you to be the spacer type, Maree," Jenkins stuttered, "I mean… I know you grew up on spacer stations and all but I never thought that you would want to serve on a starship."

"I know it doesn't seem like me at all. Hell, I doubt they would even consider me since all my experience has been for ground forces. But if I could get the opportunity to serve on it, I would love to be part of their reconnaissance team… even for one mission."

"You should definitely look into it and find a way to apply to serve aboard."

"No, it's not my position to request such a thing. With a prototype ship like that, I'm sure they are looking for the best of the best and they probably already have a waiting list of highly experienced officers just itching for the chance to serve aboard it," Shepard shook her head, trying to brush off the impossibility of her dream, "I'll just take whatever orders Alliance Command gives me and carry it out. It's up to them to determine where I am needed most."

"But they seem to be taking their time," Richard pitched in, "Why not take some action?"

"I am. I have been using this free time to make myself a better soldier. I've been training to fight harder, strive longer, and guarantee my chances of coming out on top. As well as I have made it my personal duty to train as many as humanly possible the skills required to survive on the battlefield… like you," she grabbed him in a headlock and rubbed her knuckles in his hair.

"No wonder you're the best," he praised, breaking free of her hold.

"Not this again, Richard," Shepard shook her head, "I'm going to start making you give me twenty pushups if you keep this up."

"I'm sorry, Maree. I'll try and contain myself in the future but I really think you should at least set serving on the Normandy as your personal goal to strive towards," Jenkins subtly pressured.

"I don't know."

"If it makes it easier, I'll make it my personal goal too. So we can both serve together on the Normandy."

"Why would you want to do that?"

"I was born in a rural district of Eden Prime. All I dream about is seeing what the galaxy has out there. I know that serving on a starship would definitely give me that ability."

"Maybe I will…" she considered as she slowly shut her locker's door.

Shepard was just about to grab her duffel bag when she heard another Alliance soldier coming into the locker room, calling out her name. Corporal Cathleen Dominique ran down the rows looking for the Commander. When she finally stumbled upon the right aisle, she scampered to stand tall and salute her.

"At ease," Maree sighed, dismissing the raven-haired soldier.

"Did you hear the news?" Cathleen huffed, trying to catch her breath.

"That all depends on what news you're talking about… I only caught a bit about the weath on Earth and about some recent reports about these questionable disappearances happening outside Council Space," she replied, completely oblivious to whatever news the Corporal was so adamant about.

"There's a Spectre on board," she panted and everyone went silent.

"A Spectre? Here? On Arcturus Station?"

"Yeah."

Jenkins' interest in the matter became more apparent as he chimed in, "Did they say who it was?"

"Not yet. They are keeping it very hush-hush."

"I hope that it is Nihlus Kryik. He once fought against an asari Justicar and also single-handedly defeated an entire platoon," Richard chirped, excited about the identity of the mysterious visitor.

"I'm noticing a pattern here," Shepard interrupted, "it seems that all of your idols are people who 'single-handedly' took on some sort or attack."

"I envy anyone who can have that much heroism. I haven't had the chance to fight on the battlefield yet. Hearing all these incredible stories makes me want to get out there even sooner."

"Don't get too eager. There is nothing glorious about the battlefield. You'll find out soon enough and hopefully later than sooner. No matter how prepared you are you won't be ready to deal with the darker side of fighting. That's why you need to constantly work towards strengthening yourself. Even with this Spectre waltzing around, you need to concentrate on training."

"You're right… but can you imagine if it is him. I would love to see you two go at it, one-on-one. Actually, that would be quite a match up."

"Yeah, like that'll ever happen," Maree scoffed, "I'm already suspicious at what kind of business a Spectre would have here… especially since this section is mostly a training facility. The only ones here are those preparing to be deployed."

"Isn't it obvious," Jenkins pitched in, "They're here for you."

"Not this again…"

"Think about it, Shepard. You just came back from the Blitz with all those medals. You're practically a celebrity here. The Council must finally see our potential as a race. Imagine… you could be the first human Spectre."

"That's great and all but I don't want to have anything to do with the Spectres," she grabbed her duffel bag and threw the strap over her shoulder.

"Why?"

"At this point in time, it's not for me. Once I feel like I am ready to take that leap, then I will work towards it… until then, my main goal is to train harder and become a better soldier. Possibly work towards serving on that starship I mentioned earlier… but only if you apply as well."

Richard grabbed his bag and confirmed, "I will! We'll aim to serve on it together."

The Commander smiled as their verbal promise was set in motion, "Now come on… we've stalled long enough."