No Shepard Can Stand Alone

by Syllvanus

With the invention of psychometric technology 3000 years after the Reaper War, it has suddenly become possible to read the final moments of those who have come before. Using this technology, Matriarch Jainania T'zeve writes a book to honor the unnamed heroes of the Reaper War, to ensure that while their names may be forgotten, their deeds will echo through eternity.

Prologue

3000 years after the invasion of the Reapers, and still we rebuild. Kahje remains desolate, and it seems the Hanar will never return home. Part of Thessia remains as a graveyard of mangled steel and shattered homes. Countless worlds will be scarred for millennia, cities torn asunder by the wrath of our most deadly enemy.

Still, we treasure our heroes. Mordin Solus. Garrus Vakarian. Urdnot Wrex. Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. Miranda Lawson. Justicar Samara. Liara T'soni. Commander John Shepard. Heroes. The men and women who held our galaxy on their shoulders, who fought against those who sought to discredit them. Our histories are filled with praise for these heroes, and rightfully so. But sometimes, under the shadows of such giants, it is easy to forget those on the ground. The men and women who fought day and night, not for the galaxy, but for their families, and for the men and women next to them. The mothers and fathers who rose above to protect their children. The sacrifices made not only by soldiers, but farmers and workers. All deserve to be remembered.

My name is Matriarch Jainania T'zeve, and this book is a collection of tales of men and women whose deeds deserve recognition. The development of psychometric technology, giving us the ability to reach into the minds of those long dead, to touch upon their last moments, has been a boon in many sectors. No greater is this shown than in the field of archaeology. It has finally become possible to truly reach into their moments. Their love. Their loss. Their sacrifice. We will never know their names. But their deeds shall echo for eternity. Because we remember the Scientist, the Krogan, the Quarian. We remember the Turian, the Asari, the Geth. We remember the Human. We remember the Shepard. It is time to remember the Fallen.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to those forgotten, to the unnamed billions who gave their lives for the cause. You fell, so that we may forever stand. The galaxy is eternally grateful. We are eternally grateful.

Thank you to the families who offered us the bones of their family members, for the continued research into the fallen heroes. Thank you to the United Species Government, who allowed us, unrestricted access to the battle sites and territories of our Final War. Thank you to the Normandy University, for their unrelenting faith in our research.

"You think we don't know our role? We are meant to die. We stand and we fall, right here. For the galaxy. For our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers. We are meant to die. But in our death, we will become a part of something that will echo for eternity. Remember why we do this. No Shepard can stand alone."

-Anonymous Turian