Hello all, and welcome to my first try at a novelization of what has to be my all-time favorite series. Naturally, all rights and characters belong to Bioware, except for segments entirely improvised by me. Please let me know what you think!

Chapter 1

Commander Richard Shepard pulled his gaze away from one of the SSV Normandy SR-1's viewports and headed for the bridge. He had slightly tanned skin, short brown hair, and strong features, with a firm jaw and high cheekbones. His eyes were large, almond-shaped, and rich brown in color. On his forehead, a scar, earned during the Skyllian Blitz, traced a faint line over his right eye. He was not overly tall, standing precisely six feet, but he was broad of chest and shoulder, giving him an imposing presence. He wore moderately thick armor, plates of black ceramic and carbon composite, the joints kept flexible but strong through so-called "superfibers." A bright red stripe, bordered with thinner white stripes on either side, ran down his right arm. That stripe indicated his rank as Commander and position as leader of the ground team. On his chest was a small, simple emblem, easy to overlook, but possibly the most important mark on the armor. The emblem read simply, "N7." This seemingly meaningless combination of a letter and a number was in fact part of the Earth Systems Alliance's vocational coding, and in that system, Shepard's code was rare indeed. N7 was the designation for the best of the best. "Code N-Special Forces, Proficiency 7-Maximum." N7 meant that the human wearing that mark was among the best warriors the species had to offer. There were precious few alive.

Attached via small magnetic fields and lightened by mass effect fields, no less than four different weapons adorned Shepard's already imposing figure. His sniper rifle, so thoroughly compacted that it seemed only a rectangular box when not extended for combat, rested on his left shoulder, while his shotgun attached to the small of his back in an oval shape. On his right shoulder was his his assault rifle, significantly less collapsed to allow for a swifter draw in combat, and at his right hip rested his favorite weapon, a heavy pistol. While the old saying, "every Marine is a rifleman," was still true, and Shepard was quite a good shot, he had paid special attention to the pistol. It was smaller and lighter, which allowed him to use his biotic and tech abilities more easily, since he could still fire effectively with just one hand. He had earned his Pistol Expert medal back in basic, and the seven extra rungs in the medal's chain attested to the fact that he had kept his skills sharp: each one represented a consecutive year of achieving the rank of expert. Even without firearms, he was hardly vulnerable; he had both the military tech applications on his omni-tool, ranging from hacking programs to disrupt enemy communicaions and technology to systems that released powerful electrical discharges, and his psychokinetic 'biotic' abilities to fall back on, to say nothing of his expert-level ranking in hand-to-hand combat, courtesy of his stint at the famed ICA, the Interplanetary Combatives Academy where N7s trained.

Sliding past crewmembers as he moved through the Combat Information Center and past the galaxy map navigation tool, he looked ahead to the bridge. Looking over the pilot's shoulder was a tall, intimidating form in red armor: the turian Spectre, Nihlus Kryik. Shepard moved to stand beside him. The turian stood significantly taller than Shepard's six feet, and may as well have been a statue. Shepard had only spoken to him a few times in the week prior to the Normandy's official launch when the whole crew was gathered together to meet each other, but he tried to keep his mind open. He had never really worked with aliens before, and it required some getting used to, although he had learned a great deal about other species in his training.

Turians were one of the three species represented on the Citadel Council, the highest political authority in the galaxy, along with the monogendered-female asari and the amphibian salarians. They were generally humanoid in shape: bipeds with two arms and a head containing the brain and sensory organs. Other than that basic outline, though, they were quite different. Their three fingers and toes on each limb were tipped with talons, and their mouths were filled with razor-sharp teeth, with odd flanged 'mandibles' on either side of the mouth. Their skin was hard, with metal incorporated into it to protect turians from the radioactive sun on their homeworld, leading to the nickname 'skullfaces,' and the males had long fringes, collections of spines that extended off the back of the head. All in all, they most closely resembled a mixture of a human and a predatory 'raptor' dinosaur. They were known as the most military of the Council species, providing the majority of the Citadel Fleet as well as ground forces, and famed for their discipline and dedication. It was a favorite saying that 'you'll only see a turian's back once he's dead.' This mentality stemmed from a culture that valued the group over the individual, with all turians serving in the military or some other public service capacity for several years, starting at age 15. Turians had been the first alien species humanity had encountered, and it hadn't been pretty. In 2157, the turians had opened fire on human explorers unwittingly breaking galactic law, and it had quickly escalated into a full-on conflict, called the First Contact War by humans and the Relay 314 Incident by turians.

Nihlus seemed polite enough, if intensely focused on something he had not spoken of. In spite of the lingering tensions between turians and humans—courtesy of the First Contact War—Shepard had learned to respect the turians during his study of alien tactics and training at the ICA. Best to judge him on his actions, not his species.

The Normandy approached the massive tuning fork-shaped hulk of the Charon Relay, humanity's gateway to the rest of the galaxy. Shepard considered the simple, elegant form of the key to long-distance space travel for a moment before they jumped through. In a matter of seconds, the ship dropped out of the strange, almost tunnel-like passage and back into space as they knew it.

"Thrusters: check. Navigation: check. Internal emissions sink engaged. All systems are online. Drift…just under 1500K." The pilot could not keep a note of smug pride out of his voice. When the crew had met, everyone had quickly latched onto his old nickname, Joker, because of his constant, sarcastic humor. Ironically, the nickname had been mocking his serious demeanor when first bestowed on him, but now it was used without irony. And there was no denying that Joker was one of the best, if not the best, pilot in the Alliance.

"1500 is good. Your captain will be pleased," was all Nihlus said before turning and heading out of the bridge.

Joker watched him leave out of the corner of his eye, and when he was out of earshot, grumbled, "I hate that guy."

Sitting in the co-pilot's seat was Shepard's direct subordinate on the ground team, Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko. "Nihlus gave you a compliment, so you hate him," he said with a raised eyebrow. The easygoing Lieutenant had quickly become everybody's friend in the week prior to the Normandy's launch. He and Shepard shared a unique connection, being the only two biotics on the ship, blessed with the ability to command mass effect fields with their minds and use them to achieve seemingly magical effects in combat.

"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 a pinhead, so that's incredible!" Joker shot back. Shepard couldn't help but chuckle. "Besides, Spectres are trouble. I don't like having him on board. Call me paranoid."

"You're paranoid," Kaidan obliged. "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."

Shepard thought briefly. Kaidan had a point, but a Spectre? You sent diplomats to keep an eye on your investment, not one of the agents entrusted with the power to work above the law. "They don't send Spectres on shakedown runs," he admitted.

"So there's more going on here than the captain's letting on," Joker stated triumphantly.

Before Shepard or Kaidan could say anything else, the intercom buzzed, and Captain Anderson's deep voice rang out. "Joker, status report."

"Just cleared the mass relay. Stealth systems engaged, everything looks solid," Joker reported.

"Good. Find a comm buoy and link us into the network. I want mission reports relayed to Alliance brass before we reach Eden Prime."

"Aye aye, captain. Better brace yourself; I think Nihlus is headed your way."

Anderson's displeasure at that last line was obvious. "He's already here, Lieutenant. Tell Commander Shepard to meet me in the comm room for debriefing."

Joker turned to Shepard. "You get all that, Commander?"

Shepard nodded. "The captain sounds upset."

"Yeah, well, is it just me, or does the captain always sound pissed off?" Joker shrugged.

"Only when he's talking to you, Joker," Kaidan joked as Shepard headed towards the comm room in the aft of the ship. He passed Corporal Jenkins, the other member of his ground team, talking to Doctor Chakwas, the medical officer. They seemed to be discussing exactly what Kaidan and Joker had been: how odd it was to bring a Spectre on a shakedown trip to Eden Prime. Shepard passed them by and went through the door that led to the comm room, walking down a long corridor.

He finally reached the round room and saw Nihlus at the back, looking at a holo of Eden Prime. He turned at the sound of Shepard's entrance, and his flanged mandibles moved slightly; expressive by turian standards, but Shepard had not had enough exposure to them to have a good sense for how to read their plated faces. "Commander Shepard. I was hoping you would get here first. It gives us a chance to talk."

Shepard raised an eyebrow. "I thought Captain Anderson was here with you."

"He ran downstairs to pick up his datapad." Nihlus looked back at the holo for a moment. "I'm interested in this world we're going to, Eden Prime. I've heard it's quite beautiful." He gestured at the holo behind him. "It certainly seems that way."

"They say it's a paradise, sir." Shepard answered, making sure to stay formal with this important guest.

Nihlus began to pace. "Yes, a paradise: serene, tranquil, safe. Eden Prime has become something of a symbol for your people. Proof that humanity can not only establish colonies across the galaxy but also defend them. But how safe is it really?"

Shepard's eyes narrowed in concern. "Do you know something?" he asked, realizing it came out a bit more confrontationally than he intended.

Nihlus had apparently caught that, and his voice was conciliatory. "Your people are still newcomers, Shepard. The galaxy can be a very dangerous place. I wonder: is the Alliance truly ready for this?"

As Nihlus finished, Captain Anderson entered the room. "I think it's time we told the Commander what's really going on."

Nihlus nodded. "This mission is far more than a simple shakedown run."

Shepard shrugged. "I figured there was something you weren't telling us." Something in Nihlus' eyes seemed to indicate some sort of approval to Shepard.

"We're making a covert pickup on Eden Prime," Anderson explained. "That's why we needed the stealth systems operational."

"There must be some reason you didn't tell me about this, Captain," Shepard replied, his tone making his thoughts clear: What's so secret you can't even tell your XO about it?

"This comes down from the top. Information strictly on a need-to-know basis. A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some kind of beacon during an excavation." He paused. "It was Prothean."

Shepard's mind reeled. The Protheans…creators of the Citadel and the relays…the source of humanity's knowledge of the mass effect, courtesy of the Mars archive. "Prothean…holy…cow," he breathed, only barely catching the curse about to leave his mouth.

"Indeed. All our technology today is based on Prothean discoveries," Nihlus said, agreeing with the Commander's sentiment.

"This is big, Shepard. The last time humanity made a discovery like this, it jumped our technology forward at least two hundred years. But Eden Prime doesn't have the necessary facilities to handle something like this. We need to take it to the Citadel for proper study."

"Obviously, this goes beyond mere human interests, Commander. This discovery could affect every species in Citadel space," Nihlus said, a bit more firmly than usual.

"Definitely," Shepard agreed. "So you're here to help me recover it? Extra hands on the ground are always welcome."

"The beacon is not the only reason I'm here, Shepard." Nihlus seemed almost like he was smiling.

"He's also here to evaluate you," Anderson explained.

Shepard chuckled. "Guess that explains why I keep bumping into him every time I turn around." His face than turned more serious. "But what is he evaluating me for?"

"Humanity has been pushing for this for a long time. We want a larger role in shaping interstellar policy. We want more say with the Citadel Council. The Spectres represent the Council's power and authority. If they accept a human into their ranks, it shows how far the Alliance has come."

Nihlus picked up before Shepard could react. Me…a Spectre? "You held off an enemy assault during the Blitz single-handed. You showed not only courage, but also incredible skill." Shepard nodded, doing his best to conceal his emotions. The Blitz…it always comes back to that shithole… "That's why I put your name forward as a candidate for the Spectres."

Shepard was confused. "Why would a turian want a human in the Spectres?"

"Not all turians resent humanity," Nihlus explained. "Some of us see the potential of your species. We see what you have to offer to the galaxy, and to the Spectres. 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. I only care that you can get the job done."

Shepard still had some misgivings. Would he have to resign his post? "I assume this is good for the Alliance?" he asked Anderson.

"Earth needs this, Shepard. We're counting on you," he replied.

"I need to see your skills for myself, Commander," Nihlus informed him. "Eden Prime will be the first of several missions together."

Anderson nodded. "As we told you on Earth, 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."

Shepard nodded. "Just give the word, Captain."

Anderson smiled. "We should be getting close to Eden—"

Joker's voice interrupted them over the intercom. "Captain! We've got a problem!"

Anderson scowled and turned towards the speaker. "What's wrong, Joker?"

"Transmission from Eden Prime, sir! You better see this!"

"Put it up on screen, Joker," the captain ordered. Shepard and Nihlus waited with bated breath as the image flickered to life. The camera recording shook violently as it showed Alliance marines firing wildly at an unseen enemy. The footage was clearly of a pitched battle. The soldier responsible for setting up the transmitter was cut down in the middle of requesting evac, but a horrifying sound led whoever had picked up the camera to slowly turn towards its source. There was a brief image that looked almost like a black hand reaching down from the sky, like a bitter god passing judgment. Then the shooting started again, the camera spun wildly, then collapsed into static.

"Everything cuts out after that. No comm traffic at all. Just goes dead. There's nothing."

"Reverse and hold at 38.5," Anderson ordered the computer responsible for playback. The image jumped to the brief look at the strange thing in the sky. While it had seemed to be a hand in the instant it was onscreen, in freeze-frame it looked more like a spread of tentacles from some nightmarish Lovecraftian creature, red lightning jumping between the metal and the clouds. Anderson shook his head. "Status report!" he barked at Joker.

"Seventeen minutes out, Captain. No other Alliance forces in the area."

"Take us in, Joker, fast and quiet. This mission just got a lot more complicated."

Nihlus turned, already moving for the exit. "A small strike team can move quickly without drawing too much attention. It's our best chance to secure the beacon."

"Grab your gear and meet us in the cargo hold," Anderson said over his shoulder to the departing Spectre, then he turned to Shepard. "Tell Alenko and Jenkins to suit up, Commander. You're going in."

Shepard looked at the strange ship on the screen one last time, then nodded and left the room.