Authors note: A few things for readers to know. I don't own anything. I own my version of Shepard and any other random characters I think up. There are certain character histories that will be mostly non-cannon. With that said, I hope you enjoy this story.
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Chapter One:
Merida Shepard looked out the window of her hotel room. She had been moved from the Impalas, the ship that had been her home for the last three years. That is until the transfer for her to be moved to the Normandy came in. The Normandy. She couldn't believe it. The ship was the prize of the fleet, special, designed by both human and turians. And it was led by Captain David Anderson. She knew the man well enough to act familiar with him, but she was still formal when she needed to be. It had been thanks to him that she was here.
Looking out the window one last time she went and pressed the control that shut the shades on the window. She didn't know why she had been transferred. She had hoped to stay on the Impalas. She liked the crew, enjoyed the missions, she was comfortable there. It was home. She would miss it and its people, which was the hardest part about being transferred. Merida bowed her head as she went to wash then get changed for bed. She wanted to leave early the next day. Get to the Normandy and take it in, get to know the layout before the rest of its new crew showed up. The crew who was handpicked by Captain Anderson himself.
As she stood in the shower, trying to relax as she washed, she thought about the call she had to Anderson when she first arrived. She had talked to him for a while. A small smile formed as she thought about him. They talked for a while, catching up. Anderson wasn't her father, but he may as well have been. Her family was gone, and in happenstance, he became a father figure to her. It was slow at first. He made sure she found a place to stay. Then she made an effort to contact him, thanking him. Following that, she kept messaging him, keeping him updated. He would message her back and, when time allowed, he would take shore leave to spend time with her when she wasn't with her friends. He could tell she appreciated the time he took, and it helped them grow closer.
Anderson disconnected after they talked, leaving her alone again to go to bed. That night she dreamt of the first time she had ever lost her place. The reason she clung to Anderson. Mindoir.
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Joker sighed as he shifted, settling himself into the pilot's seat. It felt good, and he didn't have any plans on leaving it soon. He had, as was his custom, arrived to the ship early. He didn't want any of the new crew seeing him; to know about his condition. Of course it didn't really matter. He was the best pilot in the Alliance, and he had proven it when they'd placed him on the best ship. He started to look through the programming; he hadn't much of a chance to see them to their full potential. As he worked through the system he was pleased to see there were only a couple of changes, of course these pertained to the unique engine and drive core.
He was so drawn into checking the system that he didn't hear the hatch to the door open, being the first and only one there he had not deemed it necessary to lock the doors. It wasn't until he heard the small gasp. He turned and nearly cried out at the sight of the young woman looking down at him. Her eyes seemed to have an unnatural blue to them, almost glowing.
"I'm sorry," she apologized to him. "I thought I would be the first one here. Get a feel for the ship." She smiled at him before stepping closer and holding out her hand. "Merida Shepard. I'm going to be the commander for this ship."
"Jeff Moreau, but everyone calls me Joker." Joker introduced himself to her. She didn't blink at the fact he wasn't getting up, and her smile was charming. "Shepard, I've heard about you. Especially about Akuze." He saw her tense; he could feel it in her hand too. Yet she didn't say anything, and her smile never faded. "But I'm sure you've heard that a lot." They let go.
Merida swallowed, nodding. "Yes. And I've heard about you Joker, the best pilot, not one to take insults, no matter how mild they are. From what I heard you've piloted out of some of the most difficult situations without breaking a sweat."
That got Joker laughing. "They would say that, probably with murmurs of jealously to lace those gracious words," he stated, which caused Merida to laugh in return.
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't." She sat down her bags before getting into the co-pilot's seat and leaned back. "Nice view you'll have from here. The stars will be really nice to see." She looked over giving him a wider smile. "I may have to steal this seat from time to time. Or yours," she joked, and laughed harder at Joker's a look of mock horror.
"Oh don't you dare, this seat had my name on it. I carved it in before I sat. So it's mine now," he taunted her, however his smile had returned.
Merida sat there for a while longer before she stretched and got up. "Well, I think I'll take my own personal tour around the ship. I'll see you later Joker." With that she reclaimed her bags before heading towards the rest of the ship, leaving one very fascinated pilot, who just shook his head, his smile never leaving his face.
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Merida walked through the ship, taking her time. She even paused and went up to the CIC and galaxy map. To see the galaxy all laid out like this… It took her breath away. Maybe someday she would be able to captain in this spot. If not on the Normandy, then on her own ship one day once she had worked her way up the ranks. Turning away from the map she made her way through the doors and down the steps to the crew quarters. She could see the captain's cabin, the med bay, and the sleeping pods as well as a small gathering of lockers. She walked past the dining table and to her locker, opening it up and started to unpack.
Among the many items she owned were remnants of her life: the last pictures she had of her mother and father, a small medal from her training days and a picture of her squad from the Argo, taken days before their last mission. Looking at the pictures she sighed, touching each picture in turn. "Well, you won't believe where I am now," she practically whispered, looking at all of those she had lost. Looking at the image of her father last she had to steel her emotions as the disappointment she had of him started to surface. Unlike the others, she did not lose him to death. No, he left her for his own selfish reasons after what had happened. Reasons that had shamed her into taking her mother's maiden name and helped her disconnect from him.
She had finished putting away the last of her belongings when she heard a sound. The crew had arrived. She could hear them filtering in from the CIC deck, comments of admiration and amazement reaching her ears. Questions as to why they would have been transferred to the ship. What was the captain like, the new commander? It surprised Merida that not many realised it would be her. Soon enough, though, the voices stopped making her look up. She saw that she had been spotted. Closing the door to her locker she smiled at the crew. She started introducing herself to them, shaking hands, answering more than once that she would indeed be the commander of the Normandy. This got several cheers; it was obvious her reputation preceded her. However it was a reputation Merida didn't want, making her brush off the obvious praises of her career.
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It was during all this Joker sat in his seat, listening to his new commander, smiling. He had been wondering what she would be like when he had heard Merida Shepard would be the one chosen to become Commander. After meeting her, and hearing her talk to the crew, getting to know them. He came up with only one conclusion, he liked her.
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As they introduced themselves Merida tried to remember their names. However, the only ones she could instantly remember, apart from Dr. Karin Chakwas, were Kaidan Alenko and Richard L. Jenkins, whom, she had been told during her briefing when learning she was being transferred, would be her ground crew. Lieutenant Alenko and Corporal Jenkins seemed to be good men. Jenkins was hyper, excited, he kept smiling, kept talking about how honored he was to meet her and to serve under her. Merida could only hope that his excitement didn't get him into any danger. Alenko on the other hand was more reserved, calm, and quiet. He was respectful, the perfect soldier. She could tell he would most likely follow any order she gave him. However when had read his dossier, as well as Jenkins's, she was surprised to see he was a biotic; she had worked with biotics before. However they always seemed to have this egotistic god persona - something Merida did not appreciate, and found to be a self centered attitude. She hoped Alenko would not be the same.
Bit by bit the crew each went their own ways to unpack and go to their stations. Captain Anderson would be arriving soon, and nobody wanted to seem like they were slacking off when he arrived. Once she was alone again, Merida went to the elevator; there was only one place she had not seen yet. Traveling down she stepped off into the shuttle docking bay. It was big - the Mako itself didn't take up a lot of room. On the other side were lockers that would belong to her squad, two of which were already claimed. Obviously Alenko and Jenkins had come and gone.
She turned and went through the doors to the side to see the engine. Engineer Adams and a few others were already there. Merida would have been interested in discussing the engine with Adams, but it was evident that he and the others were busy checking the system to prevent any possible dangers in upcoming missions.
"Captain Anderson has boarded," came Joker over the ships intercom system. "He wishes to see you Commander, in his cabin."
"I'm on my on my way there," Merida headed back to the elevator, taking it up before heading to the captain's cabin. On entering, she saluted. "Captain Anderson," she saluted.
"At ease Shepard," David Anderson told her. "We know well enough you don't need to use my title, especially if we are in private." He could see her start to flush red; she embarrassed and flustered all at once, he was her captain now, she wanted to follow protocol. "Just Anderson is fine, I assure you. As long as you don't get too friendly." He gave a small chuckle as he motioned for her to sit. "I'm guessing that you've met your ground crew. What's your take on the two men?" Anderson asked while sitting at his desk.
She stood up straight, her hands behind her back as she responded, until he reminded her she could relax, which she did. She briefly related to him her thoughts on the two men. Not informing him of her personal views, didn't see the need to.
Anderson nodded. "I see, and what is your opinion of the Normandy? It's not your typical alliance ship."
"It is impressive. Roomy, and quiet. The engine is something to behold. I admit I am not sure about the sleeper pods. I've never used them before on my previous ships. The CIC is a fascinating design. I can see the benefits. All in all, the ship is amazing sir." Merida reported.
The older man smiled, not many had such a positive opinion about the turian design of the CIC. "I also wanted to check up on you. I know this will be your second transfer since joining the Alliance," he watched her, still smiling. "I understand you were hoping not to transfer again after leaving the Argo. This time will be different."
Merida smiled back, but unlike his, her smile didn't meet her eyes. She knew she could be reacting unreasonably. However when it came down to it she had wanted to find a place to call her own, someplace she could truly call home. "I hope so."
"You may go."
Merida turned and started to head out the door before Anderson stopped her.
"Oh and Shepard? Tell Joker to head to Pinnacle Station. We have someone to pick up."Shepard left the cabin and went to the cockpit, giving Anderson's message to Joker, the whole while wondering who they would be picking up and why.