In 2186, humanity became a strong and sovereign race in the Milky way. Across the inner & outer Council space, Earth alliance space and Terminus systems were the main domains of humanity. However, not all humans shared the same opinion about a position of humanity in intergalactic politics. Humans were separated into two militaristic fractions – The Alliance and Cerberus.
The Alliance based on idea of cooperation with alien races among the galaxy. Their efforts were directed to getting a seat in the Council which was situated on the Citadel. Each race in the galaxy like volus or elcor wished to get a seat in council so they would have some privileges and hope to provide their people better future. The Council originally consisted of three counselors – a turian, an asari and a salarian. Humanity and other races were represented by ambassadors. In the case of humanity and alliance, the ambassador was Donnel Udina.
Cerberus was the other branch of humans who didn't believe that diplomacy with aliens would lead into anything good. Cerberus was an organization led by the Illusive man. His vision was to uplift humanity above all races in the galaxy. The Illusive man believed that there are necessary sacrifices to be made if humanity was meant to be superior. Cerberus and the Illusive man were able to go into extremes and for their goal there were experiments made to improve a regular soldier. Thanks to all the controversial and cruel manners, Cerberus was declared a terroristic organization by the Alliance and it was known that Terminus systems were Cerberus' territory.
Young commander, 31 years old Adrian Shepard, was from the beginning the Alliance's best soldier and representative of humanity on the Citadel, right next to Donnel Udina and the actual counselor David Anderson. He was the very first human to became a spectre, which is an equivalent of FBI or CIA agents who are appointed by the Council itself. Shepard played a major role in convincing the Council about humanity being worth the seat in it. He proved himself and the humanity twice. At first, the Council didn't trust him, but he discovered one of their best spectres, turian Saren Arterius, has gone rogue and was planning on destroying the Council along with the rest of the Citadel.
Adrian Shepard managed to defeat Saren and his army of robotic race called Geth during the attack on the Citadel. Before the attack, Shepard along with his group found out that Saren and the Geth weren't the actual threat. They were victims of indoctrination caused by an ancient race of machines called Reapers. The particular one which controlled Saren and the Geth was named Sovereign and Shepard realized one thing – they were coming. Reapers were coming after 50.000 years to wipe out organics because of never ending cycle.
There was a new problem ahead after beating Sovereign. Shepard and his ship Normandy were destroyed by a new threat – Collectors. Shepard was revived after two years in 2185 by Cerberus. He didn't like it but he knew that without any help he wouldn't be able to beat Collectors himself. He really didn't have any other choice because the Alliance declared him death so it was impossible for him to return. Shepard accepted work with the Illusive man and hired people in his crew. There were old faces like turian Garrus Vakarian, Liara T'Soni, Joker, Tali'Zorah but new faces as well such as Miranda Lawson, Jacob Taylor, Jack aka Subject Zero, Legion – the true Geth, Samara – the asari justicar, Kasumi Goto – the thief, Mordin Solus – salarian scientist and doctor, Zaeed Masani, Thane Krios – drell assassin or Grunt – tank-bred krogan.
The crew didn't remain together for long time. Once the suicidal mission related to destroying base of Collectors near the Sagittarius A* black hole was completed, Shepard split all ties with Cerberus and the Illusive man and he decided to go back to the Alliance. Each member of the crew decided to go its way of life and Shepard was awarded with detention after his return. You can never be too certain if the ex-Cerberus member would be an informant.
Now to the presence. The Citadel science team has accepted a delivery including cryogenic pods full of deeply frozen bodies. They well all transported into research facility on the Citadel for further investigation. Now scientists had to run a scan whether the bodies were still capable of life after unfreezing.
"No essential functions. No brain activity. Lungs in high state of necrosis prior to cryogenic stasis. Hardened liver. According to these results, the subject has been highly addicted to narcotics. Termination inevitable." Said the salarian scientist checking state of each subject in the room. There were 10 pods with humans. Almost none of them was capable of living. For various reasons. Some subjects were affected by physiological side and some suffered from mental diseases such as psychosis or paranoia according to the information gathered before. Only one human appeared to be intact.
"Reading neural activity. Internal organs are intact, condition is good. Subject was diagnosed for autism, Asperger syndrome. However, capable of social integration, studied master degree in mathematics, physics and astrophysics. Subject can be released." The salarian scientist said and moved away from the pod. Engineers and assistants started a process of defrost which was taking about 10 minutes because sudden defrost would cause shock, most likely it would even cause damage to a skin.
The body inside became unfrozen. Breathing started to move with his chest back and forth slowly. His body and short hair were dripping water.
"Another information about the subject, Mordin?" one of the scientists said to the salarian named Mordin Solus.
"Name Daniel Husk. Born in 1996, volunteered to be cryogenically frozen in 2025. No descendants, moved from his family to a new country. Occupation – teacher." Mordin explained with traditional list of information which salarians did.
The pod finally opened, letting the warmer air getting inside warming Daniel up. Daniel's eyelids moved up, uncovering his eyes which needed time to focus after such a long time of stasis. Vision was very blurry but after few moments of blinking, it became sharp and drew figure of Mordin standing right in front of his pod.
"Daniel Husk?" Mordin asked briskly. Daniel heard Mordin to speak. The first thing he didn't expect would be salarian saying his name. His eyes widened and he felt urge to get away from Mordin whatever it costed.
"Mother of… what the…" Daniel looked around the room, seeing other salarians, "No! Get away from me!" Daniel exclaimed, pushing Mordin away from him the way he fell on his butt. Daniel tried to escape his pod but because of the lack of space, he got off his pod, however, he fell over causing the pod falling down. Daniel stumbled and fell over on the floor. The pod fell on his legs, "AH! SHIT! My legs!"
"Take the pod off of him. And humans, help him to get in the infirmary. Let doctor Chakwas see him." One of the salarians said. Once the human engineers helped Daniel to get the pod off of him. Then two of them took each Daniel's arm around their neck and pulled him away. The salarian scientist went to Mordin, offering him helpful hand to get up.
"Feeling ok, Mordin? I think you should have let him be terminated."
"Feeling good. And no, I am not that cruel to let that human be terminated."
"He just pushed you away that you fell down!"
"I expected that reaction."
"What? Mordin, how was that expectable?"
"Two things. First – diagnosed for autism. Those people don't like big changes. Second – Waking up after 160 years in different world and seeing different species wouldn't make you feel comfortable!"
"No… Definitely not. Sorry, Mordin."
"No apologies needed. He needs some understanding and adaptation to a new environment!"
Back on Earth, Adrian Shepard was released from the detention of the Alliance. He walked off his cell proudly, ready to be member of the Alliance again. However, now that his crew was no longer available, he had to find a new one soon.
"Good luck out there, commander!" said the security officer. Adrian nodded, a faint smile drawn on his face. His next steps were leading towards Normandy. A ship that experienced many adventures under his command. During his way he was greeted and saluted by other members of the Alliance army. Shepard made his way on the deck of the Normandy.
"Well, look who's here! A prisoner, convict, traitor, pirate, thug-" Joker smiled but got cut off by Shepard raising his hand.
"Ok Joker, I got it! It's good to see you too."
"We missed you, commander."
"We?"
"I and EDI."
"EDI missed me too?"
"Jeff is trying to create a paradox." The AI of the Normandy appeared next to the pilot.
"Meaning?"
"AI cannot express something such as feelings. That is a matter of organics and it would be irrational for AI to feel something. It could affect the functionality and integrity of Normandy's systems."
"So, you say you didn't miss me? Not even a little bit?"
"The only thing I can say is that during your stay in the detention there were problems with controlling full potential of Normandy's thrusters while remaining on one place. Welcome back, Shepard." The AI vanished.
"Thank you, both of you."
"You're welcome, captain. What is our next move going to be?"
"The Reapers are still big threat. We cannot rely on the Council so we have to create our own assembly."
"What about the crew? Everybody's gone though."
"I'll try to find some information before we begin with hiring. However, I think that Garrus will not refuse helping us."
"Ah, Garrus! I liked that guy! He's rebel! And he's got a great sense of humor as well! It's not like other turians that are hateful against humans! Who else?"
"Right now I'm not sure, maybe I should ask Thane, Samara, Kasumi, Jack and others…"
"I wouldn't rely on that, Commander."
"Why, Joker?" Shepard crossed his arms and gave Joker amused smile.
"Thane left message. He needs to be in hospital because of that Kepler's syndrome thing. Samara returned to her job and wipes injustice in galaxy. Kasumi… well, she said she had enough fun back in Collectors base. Jack is a teacher." Joker said and Shepard's face went in surprise expression, "Yeah, I know… but since she's powerful biotic, she teaches in Grissom Academy teenagers how to use their biotics."
"Seems that you've got more information than me. Tell me more and set course on the Citadel."
"Aye, aye, captain." Joker said and Normandy set off. The next station was the Citadel. Joker explained that Grunt returned on Tuchanka, fighting for the name of clan Urdnot. Miranda and Jacob left Cerberus. Miranda started living on her own, fighting the evil herself and Jacob joined the Alliance. Mordin remained on the Citadel in the team of scientists. Tali went back to the Migrant fleet. Zaeed Masani returned to Omega as a bounty hunter again.
"And Legion…?"
"Back with Geth. Honestly, commander, you were the glue that held the crew together." Joker explained and Shepard gave him nod. Their next goal was the Citadel and that was where Normandy was heading to.