First, I'm not a writer. I used to try my best to write in the past, but I left it. English isn't my native language as well.
It was an impuls I decided to write this. I'll appreciate any feedback, comments, reviews.
Just about the story… At least this first chapter begins with dialogues almost the same like in the game. I'd like to write it like what happened in the game, but expanding, adding and changing minor things. At least I start with what happened in Mass Effect.
The main difference is that Ashley Williams is a possible Romance Interest, unlike it was in the game. It was the only bad side of the game you couldn't romance Ash as femShep. So, I'd like to change it… at least here.
I hope at least some of you will read it and like it… Good luck.
~Sins of Redemption
CHAPTER I – Things just got more complicated
Jillian Shepard, an elite N7 soldier and executive officer on the Normandy was on her way to the bridge to meet with Joker and Nihlus, a Spectre ordered by the Council to check how the crew was doing their job. This was only the official story. Everyone on the ship, including Shepard was suspecting something else. Just no one was saying it loud or neither was asking.
"I hate that guy.", she heard from Joker and raised her eyebrow. Alenko asked in return, "Nihlus gave you a compliment… so you hate him?"
"You remember to zip up your jumpsuit on the way out of the bathroom? That's good. I just jumped us halfway across the galaxy and hit a target the size of the pinhead. So that's incredible!", shouted Joker in response. "Besides, Spectres are trouble. I don't like having him on board. Call me paranoid."
Kaidan shot Joker a serious glare. "You're paranoid. The Council helped fund this project. They have a right to send someone to keep an eye on their investment."
"Yeah, that is the official story. But only an idiot believes the official story.", shot Joker.
"They don't send Spectres on shakedown runs…", said Jillian more to Alenko, clearly siding with Joker and believing there was more behind a Spectre on board of their ship.
"So there's more going on here than the captain's letting on-"
"Joker! Status report.", Alenko was cut by Captain Anderson. "Just cleared the mass relay, Captain. Stealth systems angaged. Everything looks solid.", answered Joker.
"Good. Find a comm and link us into the network. I want mission reports relayed back to Alliance brass before we reach Eden Prime."
"Aye, aye, Captain. Better brace yourself, sir. I think Nihlus is headed your way.", warned Joker.
"He is already here, Lieutenant.", said Captain, clearly irritated. "Tell Commander Shepard to meet me in the comm room for a debriefing."
"Heard that, Commander?", asked Joker.
"Great. You piss the captain off and now I'm gonna pay for it..", spoke Jillian, turning back and making her way to the comm room.
"Don't blame me. Captain's always in a bad mood…", said Joker sheepishly.
"Only when's talking to you, Joker.", answered Alenko, irritated.
Jillian chuckled, "Yeah, yeah… Whatever."
She didn't want to keep Captain wait long, but she didn't also want to argue with Alenko or Joker. She really liked Joker's humour sense and most times, she sided with him, even if not saying anything. Alenko, on the other side, irritated her sometimes. She also didn't know him well, they didn't serve enough together to have her own opinion about him.
When she entered the comm room it caught her off guard that there was only Nihlus inside. She narrowed eyebrows, but didn't say anything.
"Commander Shepard. I was hoping you'd get here first. It will give us chance to talk.", said Nihlus, facing her.
Jillian was looking at the turian for a moment little untrustfully, "What about?".
"I'm interested in this world we're going to – Eden Prime. I've heard it's quite beautiful."
"I've never been there.", answered Jillian quickly.
"Eden Prime has become something of a symbol for your people, hasn't it? Proof that humanity can not only establish colonies across the galaxy, but also protect them.", said Nihlus. Then he shot a serious glare. "But how safe is it, really?"
"If you've got something to say, just say it.", asked Jillian immediately, taking a step forward.
"Your people are still newcomers, Shepard. The galaxy can be a very dangerous place.", answered the turian. He crossed his arms, "Is the Alliance truly ready for this?"
Jillian wanted to ask what the Alliance was ready for, having no idea what the Spectre was talking about, but at the very same moment the door opened and the Captain entered the room. "I think it's about time we told the commander what's really going on."
"This mission is far more than a simple shakedown run.", said Nihlus.
"I already figured that out.", said Shepard with a little of accusation in her voice.
"We're making a covert pick-up on Eden Prime. That's why we needed the stealth systems operational.", explained the captain.
"What is the payload, Captain?", asked Jillian immidiately.
"A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some kind of beacon during an excavation." Captain shared a quick eye contact with the Spectre. "It was Prothean."
Jill raised an eyebrow. "I thought the Protheans vanished 50,000 years ago."
"Their legacy still remains. The mass relays, the Citadel, our ship drivers – it's all based on Prothean technology.", explained Nihlus.
"This is big, Shepard. The last time humanity made a discovery like this, it jumped our technology forward two hundred years. But Eden Prime doesn't have facilities to handle something like this. We need to bring the beacon back to the Citadel for proper study."
"Obviously, this goes beyond the human interests, Commander. The discovery could affect every species in Council space.", said the Spectre turian.
"Are we expecting trouble?", asked Shepard, narrowing eyebrows. "I'm always expecting trouble", answered Nihlus immediately.
"There is more, Shepard. Nihlus isn't just here for the beacon. He's also here to evaluate you.", said Anderson with serious tone in his voice.
Jillian looked surprised at Captain, the at Nihlus, then again at the Captain. "What's going on, Captain?"
"The Alliance has been pushing this for a long time. Humanity wants a larger role in shaping interstellar policy. We want more say with the Citadel Council.", explained Anderson, more excited. "The Spectres represent Council's power and authority. If they accept human into their ranks, it shows how far the Alliance has come."
"Not many could have survived what you went through on Akuze. You showed a remarkable will to live – a particularly useful talent.", pointed out Nihlus. "That's why I put your name forward as a candidate for the Spectres."
Jillian raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "Why would a turian want a human in the Spectres?"
"Not all turians resent humanity. Some of us see potential of your species. We see what you have to offer to the rest of the galaxy… and to the Spectres.", said Spectre proudly. "We are an elite group. It's rare to find an individual with the skills we seek. I don't care that you're a human, Shepard. I only care that you can do your job."
Shepard sighted, nervous.
"I don't like people making decisions about my future… I'm not the right person.", she said finally, then looked at her captain. "Captain, do you approve this?"
"This isn't about you, Shepard. Humanity needs this. We're counting on you.", answered Anderson.
"I need to see your skills for myself, Commander. Eden Prime will be the first of several missions together.", explained Nihlus.
"You'll be in charge of the ground team. Secure the beacon and get it onto the ship ASAP. Nihlus will accompany you to observe the mission.", ordered Captain.
"Just give the words, Captain.", said Jillian, wanting to leave in a moment.
"We should be getting close to Eden-"
"Captain! We've got a problem.", interrupted Joker.
"What's wrong, Joker?", asked Anderson.
"Transmission from Eden Prime, sir. You better see this!"
Anderson narrowed his eyebrows, looking nervous. "Bring it up on screen."
In the next second before them appeared a scene. Transmission from Eden Prime, everything but good. A female soldier was shooting and defending her squad while being attacked from all sides. Some soldiers were panicking, trying to survive. Some seconds later there were some tentacles of a strange, big ship shown. After a second the video transmission was cut off and everything was Jillian was seeing was a film grain.
"Everything cuts out after that. No comm traffic at all. Just goes dead. There's nothing.", said Jocker shocked.
"Reverse and hold at 38,5.", ordered Captain a second later.
Then the ship reappeared again. Jillian did never see something like this. It was huge, but also the structure and built of this giant, it was nothing she faced before. Tentacle like, moving arms, casting fire from each of them. This was definitely not good.
For a moment three of them stared at the ship in a silence.
"Status report.", ordered Captain again.
"Seventeen minutes out, Captain. No other Alliance ships in the area.", answered Joker immediately.
"Take us in, Joker. Fast and quiet. This mission just got a lot more complicated", Captain sighed, looking at Nihlus.
"A small strike team can move quickly without drawing attention. It's our best chance to secure the beacon.", answered the Spectre.
"Grab your gear and meet us in the cargo hold.", said the Captain to the turian. Then, when Nihlus was gone, Anderson turned around to face Shepard. "Tell Alenko and Jenkins to suit up, Commander. You're going in.".
Jillian nodded and she looked again at the picture of that ship, thinking. Turning around she looked at her captain again and left the comm room.