"Shepard…..Shepard...SHEPARD!", Johnathan Shepard snaps back into reality and realizes that he's sitting in the mess hall of the Normandy SR-1. He turns his head to see David Anderson standing over him giving him a look that would have most civilians start sweating nervously, but after being practically raised by the man John has become numb to it. "Are you just going to nap all day or are you going to get ready for the mission?", Anderson asks with a slightly annoyed tone, but John speaks Anderson, he was just being the worried old man he was when John first met him.
"Yes sir just taking a nap.", John dismissed, but Anderson countered, "Has 'just taking a nap' evolved to thrashing with the occasional grunt?", "Well didn't humans evolve from primates is it hard to believe that naps evolved too? The nap evolution is at hand!", Johns voice was laced with obvious sarcasm. However Anderson was in no mood for it, "Commander Johnathan Shepard are you fit for duty?", 'He's using both my rank and full name he's in full dad mode right now.', "Yes sir, I'll go get my armor."
John leaves for the armory, and on his way out the mess hall he received a few judging and worried looks from the rest of the crew. John never really understood why people couldn't mind their own business. It was one thing for Anderson to be worried, but he was just being daddy Anderson, and to have all these strangers look at him like he was todays' gossip would piss teenage John off. However Anderson has taught him better, and he will ignore them….the best he can.
Later
"I hate that guy" Joker says the moment Nihlus is out of earshot. "Nihlus gave you a compliment… so you hate him?", Kaidan adds. John was in the cockpit with Joker and Kaidan when they went through the Mass Relay he listens to Jokers honest opinions with Kaidans' consistent comments. "You remember to zip up your jumpsuit on the way to the bathroom? That's good. I just jumped us halfway across the galaxy and hit a target the size of a pinhead. So that's incredible! Besides, Spectres are trouble. I don't like having him on board. Call me paranoid.", "Your paranoid. The Council helped fund this project. They have a right to send someone to keep an eye on their investment.", 'And there's Kaidan obeying every higher up without question like always.', "Yeah, that is the official story. But only an idiot believes the official story.", "You always expect the worst." John adds. "Well bad feelings are an occupational hazard. We don't go anywhere unless there's a good reason, so what are we doing here?" Before John could comment Jokers comm-link went off. "Joker! Status Report."
In the Comm-Room
"Commander Shepard. I was hoping you'd get here first. It will give us a chance to talk." When John entered the Comm Room instead of Anderson there was Nihlus. 'Not the person I'm looking for, but I have to play nice I guess.', "The captain said he'd meet me here." "He's on his way." Nihlus paused looking thoughtful then spoke again, "I'm interested in this world we're going to - Eden Prime. I've heard it's quite beautiful." "I've never been there." "But you know of it. It's become something of a symbol for you people, hasn't it?" 'That doesn't mean I know anything about it.' "Proof that not only humanity can not only establish colonies across the galaxy, but also protect them. But how safe is it really?" 'Got something to say buddy?' "If you've got something to say, just say it." John snapped. "You're people are still newcomers, Shepard. The galaxy can be a very dangerous place." 'As long as there are people like you.' "Is the Alliance truly ready for this?" 'How dare-" Johns thoughts are interupted by Anderson walking into the room.
"I think it's about time we told the commander what's really going on." Just by looking at Anderson, John can tell that he knows that he just walked in on something. But he was kinda glad Anderson did walk in at that moment, that 'nap' earlier still had him on edge, and who knows how many more comments from Nihlus he could take. "This mission is far more than a simple shake down." Nihlus adds. 'Ffff… I hate it when Joker is right.' "Is someone going to fill me in, Captain?" The word 'please' was on Johns tongue, but he knows that he does not need to say it for Anderson to answer. "We're making a covert pick-up on Eden Prime. That's why we needed the stealth systems operational." "There must be a reason you didn't tell me about this sir." "This comes down from the top, Commander. Information strictly on a need-to-know basis." 'Good, because being leader of the ground team I need to know, and it would've been nice to know earlier!'
"A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some kind of beacon during an excavation. It was Prothean." 'That explains Nihlus.' " I thought the Protheans vanished 50,000 years ago." Nihlus then decides to bestow his 'wisdom' upon him. " Their legacy still remains. The mass relays, the Citadel, our ship drives - it's all based on Prothean technology." "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 the facilities to handle something like this. We need to bring the beacon back to the Citadel for proper study." 'We get to meet the council. Yay.', "Obviously, this goes beyond mere human interests, Commander. This discovery could affect every species in Council space." 'I've got nothing against other species, but 'mere human interests?' "Why didn't we keep the beacon for ourselves?" "You humans don't have the best reputation. Some species see you as selfish-" 'Including yours.' "Too unpredictable. Too independent. Even dangerous." "Sharing that beacon will improve relations with the Council. Plus we need their scientific expertise. They know more about the Protheans than we do." Like always Anderson has a good point humans need to get off their asses and do something to make others think we want to be treated like equals like we did in the past hopefully it will not end as badly and start another Civil War, but interstellar.
"The beacon is not the only reason I'm here, Shepard." 'Oh, really?' John was genuinely surprised, if the Council didn't just send Nihlus for the Prothean beacon then what else is there for the Council to be interested in? "NIhlus wants to see you in action Commander. He's here to evaluate you." 'Evaluate? For what?!' "What's going on Captain?" "The Alliance has been pushing for this for a long time." 'Which thing there are quite a few.' "Humanity wants a bigger role in shaping interstellar policy. We want more say with the Citadel Council. The Spectres represent the Councils power and authority, if they accept a human into their ranks, it will show how far the alliance has come." 'Wait. THE SPECTRES!' Before Shepard could speak Nihlus entered the conversation again."Not many could've survived what you went through on Akuze. You showed a remarkable will to live - a particularly useful talent. That's why I put your name forward as a candidate for the Spectres." 'Nihlus put my name forward?! I did not expect THAT! Did I misjudge him?'
Shepard had to be sure, "Why would a turian want a human for the Spectres?" Not all turians resent humanity. Some of us see the potential of your success. We see what you have to offer to the rest of the galaxy - and the Spectres." Nihlus had once again surprised Shepard, perhaps he really did misjudge him. "We are an elite group. It's rare to find an individual with the skills we seek. I don't care that you're human, Shepard. I only care that you can do the job" 'This will be an interesting experience.' "Just tell me what I have to do." " I need to see your skills for myself, Commander. Eden Prime will be the first of several missions together." Nihlus couldn't see it, but Shepard notices a look in Anderson's eyes it was a look a proud father would give to his son when they had taken the next step in their life. It's a look that he remembers his father giving him many years ago. He wonders what his mother would think, she had only been in the Alliance for a few years before she met his father. Then one day she had to leave for both her sake and his dads'. He then wonders if perhaps if she hadn't met his dad if she would be on this ship with a Spectre candidacy. She wouldn't have been on Mindoir. Maybe she'd still be- 'No Shepard! What happened, happened. She made her choice, and she lived a good life, maybe not the long one she deserved, but it was enough.'
For the second time that day Anderson snapped him back into reality, "You'll be in charge of the ground team. Secure the beacon and get it on the ships ASAP. Nihlus will accompany you to observe the mission." Shepard asked a few more questions about the Protheans, Eden Prime, and the beacon then Anderson decided it was time to get going." We should be getting close to Eden-" Anderson was suddenly interrupted by Joker.
"Captain. We've got a problem."
A/N: To anyone who even reads these things I am of course WolfNinja0303, and this is my first FanFiction though some of you might be thinking I'm just making a Fanfiction about Shepards' perspective in the game. Do not fret fellow fans this series will have a bit more than that including a bit more insight of my version of Johns backstory, and family, and there will be more characters to add. You will probably be confused, but some of you probably won't. There will be flashbacks so there will be clear stories on how John Shepard became Commander John Shepard, but seriously please just stick with me. Please tell me if my paragraphing is too messy, than perhaps I will learn from my mistakes.
Sneak peaks not really needed for next chapter I think we all know what happens on Eden Prime unless you didn't play the first game and your a Non-Mass Effect Fan in which WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!PLAY THE GAMES!
Anyways see ya'll next time. w