A novelette prequel for Reaper Dreams - I wanted to cover some more of Joss Shepard's past as well as give Kaidan Alenko a little story time. I have twelve short chapters planned... just something to break up the heavy stuff that I've been writing through in the main story. I hope you all enjoy.

Annapolis Maryland

September 6th, 2171

Kaidan Alenko stood beneath the trees and took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of sycamores mingled with the semi-brine smell of the western bay. It was a direct contrast to Gargarin station. Condensation was a major issue on a large space station, thus Gargarin's environmental controls maintained seven percent humidity. It was dryer than a desert—complete hell on his sinuses, which made his headaches all the worse. Here on the western shores of Chesapeake Bay, he felt damn near human again.

Kaidan Alenko was from the Pacific Northwest; Vancouver Island to be specific. His parents maintained an apple orchard, which had become a lucrative business since Humanity had become part of Council Space. As it turned out, many alien species were fond of apples, especially Asari. The price of earth-raised apples had skyrocketed in recent years, and his parents were becoming quite wealthy as a result. It was strange to imagine aliens across the galaxy drinking cider from the trees he'd grafted as a child.

The new world, rather the new universe, was a majestic place, and Kaidan planned to explore as much of it as he could. His biotics, for all their pitfalls, were essentially a first class ticket to the stars. Unfortunately, the grand adventure hadn't started like he imagined. His L2 implants had been trouble from the start, severe headaches and nosebleeds, and unlike the L1's, they were damn near impossible to remove without life-risking surgery. BAaT1 training, his first real adventure, had been a grueling ordeal. It had also gone sour in the end.

Kaidan brushed recent events out of his head. It wasn't healthy to dwell on the things that hadn't worked out. He was only nineteen. It was time to move forward, and his luck had already turned for the better. Alliance NMOTC2 for all North American inhabitants had recently been moved from San Antonio to Annapolis. He'd missed the desert assignment by a few months and landed in the coastal school instead. It was a hell of a stroke of luck: trees, grass, and best of all, humidity.

The first few days of classes were a breeze compared to BAaT. It was also much more interesting, especially since a rudimentary understanding of alien biology was required. A modern corpsman couldn't pass certification without being able to render fundamental first aid to any Council species member. Kaidan had even gone the extra mile to enroll in advanced exobiology courses. He would learn the correct procedures for dozens of non-aligned species, including Krogan and Quarians.

Considering those two races were on the verge of extinction (there were less Quarians in the entire galaxy than there were humans living in the states that bordered the bay in front of his eyes), he probably wouldn't have the opportunity to use this knowledge, but it was exciting nonetheless. Kaidan prided himself on being knowledgeable and well-rounded. His father had always told him to drive on a goal; if you are going to do something, do it all the way—never half-ass it.

There was no point in doing it any other way, especially here. The students who were complaining didn't realize how good they had it. A little extra study work was a fair exchange for grass under one's toes and the balmy moist air of the bay. He inhaled again deeply through his nose. The last remnants of this morning's headache faded into a minor prickle at the stem of his neck.

A man's voice, distinctly deep and resonating, boomed in his ear, nearly startling him out his wits.

"Ah, yea, those trees sure do smell good, don't they, Alenko? Especially if you know what it's like to be cooped on a space station for months at a time," said the man.

Kaidan turned about and stared into the face of an officer in full dress. He was a large man, black, strong jaw, smallish hooded eyes, and triangle nose with a large base. His mouth was turned down at the corners, rendering his smile damn near melancholic. Remembering himself, Kaidan dropped his books, snapped to attention, and saluted.

"Sir!" he said.

"At ease, Alenko," said the man.

He offered his hand. Kaidan took it.

He nodded with approval. "Good handshake son. The name is Anderson, Commander David Anderson. I've been watching you Alenko, I'm impressed."

"Uh, thanks, Sir," said Kaidan.

"You're going to make a fine officer one day, Alenko. I'm certain of it," said Anderson. "I wonder though, why did you choose Corpsman? Your biotic tests are off the charts, your marksmanship is solid, and all your physical and mental evaluations grade out elite. You should be enrolled in ITC. You'd have a real shot at N7."

"I appreciate that, Sir," said Kaidan. "I was headed in that direction for some time, but recent events have changed my mind. I'm not excited about Special Forces. I think I can do more good here."

Anderson nodded. "Once you kill a man it changes your perspective doesn't it?"

"Yes, Sir," said Kaidan. "I've no appetite for it, that's for sure."

Anderson let out a short sigh. A hint of sadness briefly played across his face before he neutralized it, then replaced it with a slight smile. Kaidan felt an affinity for the man almost at once.

"On to business, would you mind doing me a favor, Alenko?" asked Anderson.

"You name it, Sir," said Kaidan.

"There's a student here at Annapolis who's acclimating to her biotics. She just got her L3 implants a few weeks ago. I'm a little worried about her," said Anderson.

Kaidan was confused. "Sir, they have all kinds of military trainers who can handle that sort of thing. I don't know how much help I'd be."

"She's not in the military, Alenko, not yet. She's just seventeen, waiting to muster in," said Anderson. "But she's already ahead on her officer credentials—doing all the right coursework. Also, a bit of a hitch. She was on Mindoir, I'm sure you've heard about it."

Kaidan nodded. "Oh, shit, yea, sorry, Sir, I heard all about it—damn Batarians."

Anderson continued. "It seems she discovered her biotics during the whole incident. She lost her family, her friends, and she sustained some serious wounds—they're healed now, but, the other stuff, the stuff inside her head and heart, that's still raw and bloody. Her instructors have had trouble reaching her. I figure, someone around her own age, someone she might look up to, well, you know, I just want to see the kid make it."

Kaidan understood. "I'll do my best, Sir. Where does she stay?"

"You can find her in the Sloan-Gifted, the early start dorms, just off campus. She's got some classes here, as well as some others over at St. Johns. She's always on the go, so your best chance to track her down is catch her in her room between six and nine in the mornings. She tends to sleep in as much as she can," said Anderson. "I've already cleared you with her resident advisor."

"How did you know I was going to agree to this?" asked Kaidan.

Anderson grinned. "Who's going to turn down a favor from an officer who might get you on a ship one day?"

Kaidan smiled. "Point taken, Sir. I'll remember to track you down when make captain."

"You do that, Alenko," said Anderson. "Oh, and one last thing, the student's name is Shepard, Josslyn Shepard. She's a tall girl, over six foot already, and built like a brick shithouse, so don't tangle with her if you get off to a bad start. What else, right, red hair and the temperament to match, green eyes; a bit of a looker. Careful you don't get sucked into her schemes. She has a way with people."

Kaidan sighed inwardly. Why did it have to be red hair and green eyes? He nodded his acknowledgement to Anderson, then saluted the man before he took his leave. Picking up his books, he set out to his next class. He had plans to go to the dance tonight with his friend, Ellard. Apparently there were a pair of lovely twins that cadet Ellard had been working on and he needed a wingman. Kaidan was game.

I know some of you are wondering, why books? Don't worry, it will be explained in a few chapters. :)

Up Next: The Dance