Mass Effect: Children of Cerberus

by FieryPolio

Nearly 3 decades have passed since the Reaper War and the Galaxy is still rebuilding, every species as united as they've ever been. But after the wreckage of a long lost ship is discovered and a devastating threat from the Cerberus Remnant looms, Admiral James Shepard tabs the crew of the SSV Orleans and its new captain for a mission with humanity's existence at stake. OC-centric.

1. Prologue: Coorespondence

NOTICE: All characters (except original) are property of Bioware & EA and I'm not making any money off of them what-so-ever. I'm writing this because I love telling stories, developing relationships between characters, reading the reaction of those following the story, not to make a profit. Most chapters will be in the "short and sweet" range but I'm shooting for at least 1200-2000 words a piece. A warning: The story focuses on a new crew on a new ship 27 years after the end of the Reaper War. Characters from the games will cameo, some playing bigger parts than others, but the essence of Shepard and the legendary Normandy crew will be infused throughout. Constructive criticism is always welcome, I know my knowledge of certain minutia is lacking and friendly corrections are appreciated.

Rated M for some coarse language sprinkled throughout, adult themes, violence and (maybe) adult themes and sexual situations in later chapters.

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SYSTEMS ALLIANCE
From the desk of Admiral Hamid al-Hassan
2015 West 41st Ave
Vancouver BC, Canada

Admiral James Shepard
3480 Dunbar St
Vancouver BC, Canada

Dear Admiral Shepard,

Before I begin, I wanted to take the time to once again thank you for your service to the Alliance as well as this galaxy. Returning after the destruction of the Citadel was nothing short of remarkable. And despite the disappearance of the original SSV Normandy and its Alliance crew, you're continuing fighting the good fight for years after is something that will be admired for generations. I am among many who hated the way your career on the battlefield ended, but I cannot stress the importance of having you as a figurehead on our illustrious admiralty board. Even not on the battlefield, you provide a great sense of security and hope to all the galaxy.

I also thank you for the chance to provide recommendations for the next captain for the SSV Orleans. It is not often the former captain of a ship is afforded the opportunity to do so and to me, it is a tremendous honor. The years I spent aboard as a member of the crew, as well as captain, were some of the best years of my life.

As requested, I've attached a dossier of information on the two (2) crew members whom I'm giving my recommendation. Commander Quinn should receive first consideration as he is the ranking officer, but he has a history of turning down promotions. Quite frankly, we were lucky he had no choice in regards to his last one. Erring on the side of caution, I've included information on the next best candidate, as well as profiles for other essential crew members. I know it is unorthodox, but if the Alliance is insisting on promoting more frequently from the inside, then we may have no choice.

In conclusion, I look forward to your decision. I know this correspondence may seem short, but we will have plenty to talk about at the hearing. We can discuss the candidates further then, if you so desire.

Very respectfully submitted,

Hamid al-Hassan
Admiral, Systems Alliance

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RECOMMENDED FOR PROMOTION

NAME: PATRICK VINCENT QUINN
RANK: STAFF COMMANDER (PROMOTION PENDING)
GENDER: MALE
HAIR: BLACK/GREY
EYES: BLUE
HEIGHT: 6'1"
WEIGHT: 210 LBS
AGE: 45
BIRTHDAY: 2173 JULY 14
BIRTHPLACE: SSV RAINIER (ALLIANCE DREADNOUGHT)
CLASS: SOLDIER
BIOTIC?: NO
PREF. ARMOR: N7 (BLUE/BLACK/BLUE)
PRIM. WEAPON: M-7 LANCER ASSAULT RIFLE
SIDEARM?: N7 EAGLE HEAVY PISTOL
NOTES: Born in space, raised on space stations, dreadnoughts and freighters...Son of career Alliance officers...Skilled with almost any weapon, as well as CQC...Graduate of the N7 program...Seems to be of the "Big Stick" ideology...Quiet and reserved, but crew listens when he speaks...Despite rarely having been to earth before, started and raised his family there...Future admiral if he ever accepts it...Has refused several promotions in the past, citing time away from his family as the reason...Recommended for promotion to captain...Trying one last time

NAME: KRYSTAL DAWN BISHOP
RANK: LT. COMMANDER (PROMOTION PENDING)
GENDER: FEMALE
HAIR: BROWN
EYES: BROWN
HEIGHT: 5'9"
WEIGHT: 140 LBS
AGE: 35
BIRTHDAY: 2183 NOVEMBER 11
BIRTHPLACE: PHOENIX, USA (EARTH, SOL)
CLASS: SOLDIER
BIOTIC?: NO
PREF. ARMOR: N7 (RED/BLACK/RED)
PRIM. WEAPON: M-8 AVENGER ASSAULT RIFLE
SIDEARM?: M-77 PALADIN HEAVY PISTOL
NOTES: An exemplary soldier...Graduated in the top 2% of her class at Alliance Academy...Tested high enough on ASVAB to enroll in officer's academy but chose to join infantry instead, ended up moving through ranks quickly as part of the N7 program...Diagnosed with low grade Axis II Personality Disorder while at Academy...In short, she has some difficulty showing emotion and empathy toward crew in certain situations...Could be due in part to tough upbringing, being abandoned by her birth mother and growing up in orphanages and foster care...Disorder is a double edged sword; ability to shut out emotion makes her an excellent soldier but lack of empathy can sometimes disrupt morale...Dr. Carlyon has mentioned experimental medication to correct the disorder...Still highly recommended for promotion to captain

ESSENTIAL CREW

NAME: DR. ADRIANA LAMARCA
RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT
GENDER: FEMALE
HAIR: BROWN
EYES: BROWN
HEIGHT: 5'6"
WEIGHT: 125 LBS
AGE: 34
BIRTHDAY: 2184 AUGUST 5
BIRTHPLACE: KARLSKRONA, SWEDEN (EARTH, SOL)
CLASS: ADEPT
BIOTIC?: YES (LEVEL 4, L5X IMPLANT)
PREF. ARMOR: SERRICE COUNCIL (RED/DARK BLUE/SILVER)
PRIM. WEAPON: N/A
SIDEARM?: M-25 HORNET SUB MACHINE GUN
NOTES: Brilliant scientist...Born to Italian father and Swedish mother...Family has long history of studying Reapers and Protheans...Long time admirer of Dr. Liara T'Soni...Carried on family's work after mother passed away...Earned doctorate in archaeology while attending Grissom Academy...Currently working on biology doctorate...Powerful biotic...Rarely carries standard issue weapon...Prefers pull and slam abilities

NAME: WILLIAM DEAN MORGAN
RANK: 2ND LIEUTENANT/COMMS OFFICER
GENDER: MALE
HAIR: LT BROWN
EYES: HAZEL
HEIGHT: 5'10"
WEIGHT: 185 LBS
AGE: 38
BIRTHDAY: 2180 MARCH 1
BIRTHPLACE: AMATERASU, HUMAN COLONY (AMUN, EAGLE NEBULA)
CLASS: ENGINEER
BIOTIC?: NO
PREF. ARMOR: ROSENKOV MATERIALS (BLUE/BLUE/YELLOW)
PRIM. WEAPON: M-12 LOCUST SUB MACHINE GUN
SIDEARM?: M-5 PHALANX HEAVY PISTOL
NOTES: SSV Orleans' technical expert...Specializes in communications systems and hardware, but can handle almost anything that relies on computers...Also in charge of diagnostics that keep new ship AI shackled...Assisted in design and construction of several satellites sent to the far edges of the galaxy to monitor activity (IE Reapers)...Named one satellite after his little sister Chloe Marie...Seems to prefer tinkering with projects in his quarters rather than take part in normal downtime/shore leave activities

NAME: MAYA KARINA ARACELI
RANK: FLIGHT LIEUTENANT
GENDER: FEMALE
HAIR: BLONDE
EYES: BLUE
HEIGHT: 5'3"
WEIGHT: 120 LBS
AGE: 29
BIRTHDAY: 2189 JUNE 9
BIRTHPLACE: KINGS CROSS, ENGLAND (EARTH, SOL)
CLASS: SOLDIER
BIOTIC?: NO
PREF. ARMOR: N/A
PRIM. WEAPON: N/A
SIDEARM?: M-3 PREDATOR HEAVY PISTOL
NOTES: One of the best pilots in the Alliance...Graduated at top of flight class...Co-lead fighter squadron stationed on Alliance dreadnought SSV Logan...Issued call-sign "Cricket" because of her small stature...Call-sign still used among crew today...Tends to be overly emotional at times, especially in situations involving the well-being of her fellow crew mates...A good trait to have, but can prove to be a weakness in her judgment

NAME: NIXON KEITH CALDWELL
RANK: GUNNERY CHIEF
GENDER: MALE
HAIR: BLACK
EYES: BLUE
HEIGHT: 5'10"
WEIGHT: 190 LBS
AGE: 30
BIRTHDAY: 2188 SEPTEMBER 9
BIRTHPLACE: FRANKLIN, HUMAN COLONY (SKEPSIS, SIGURD'S CRADLE)
CLASS: SENTINEL
BIOTIC?: YES (LEVEL 3, L5X IMPLANT)
PREF. ARMOR: ARIAKE TECHNOLOGIES (TAN/BLACK/TAN)
PRIM. WEAPON: M-560 HYDRA LAUNCHER
SIDEARM?: M-4 SHURIKEN SUB MACHINE GUN
NOTES: In charge of SSV Orleans' armory...Procurement officer...Has ability to obtain powerful and sometimes rare weapons and armor (we don't ask questions)...Can perform routine weapons repairs in the field...Tends to goof off during downtime/shore leave...New captain needs to monitor behavior...Perhaps an evaluation with Dr. Carlyon is needed

NAME: JHERIDIAH GREENE
RANK: SERVICE CHIEF
GENDER: MALE
HAIR: BLONDE
EYES: BROWN
HEIGHT: 6'
WEIGHT: 180 LBS
AGE: 32
BIRTHDAY: 2186 OCTOBER 30
BIRTHPLACE: SAINT LOUIS, USA (EARTH, SOL)
CLASS: VANGUARD
BIOTIC?: YES (LEVEL 3, L5N IMPLANT)
PREF. ARMOR: KASSA FABRICATION (ORANGE/BLACK/ORANGE)
PRIM. WEAPON: M-27 SCHIMITAR SHOTGUN
SIDEARM?: M-9 TEMPEST SUB MACHINE GUN
NOTES: Pilots UT-47A Kodiak Transportation Shuttle...Master mechanic...In charge of shuttle bay and vehicle repairs...Vast knowledge of Alliance ships and vehicles, including M-38 Mako...Uses biotic powers to increase efficiency of repairs...Rarely joins shore party on ground missions, but has the ability to if ordered...Prefers recon in Kodiak until completion of mission

NAME: MANUEL ENRICO ALVAREZ
RANK: LANCE CORPORAL
GENDER: MALE
HAIR: BLACK
EYES: BROWN
HEIGHT: 5'9"
WEIGHT: 180 LBS
AGE: 28
BIRTHDAY: 2190 MARCH 28
BIRTHPLACE: MADRID, SPAIN (EARTH, SOL)
CLASS: INFILTRATOR
BIOTIC?: NO
PREF. ARMOR: HAHNE KEDAR W/ RECON MASK(YELLOW/RED/BLACK)
PRIM. WEAPON: M-97 VIPER SNIPER RIFLE
SIDEARM?: M-6 CARNIFEX PISTOL
NOTES: Runs armory w/ Gunnery Chief Caldwell...Skilled sniper and mechanic...May be best long range shot in the Alliance...Tied Admiral James Shepard's sniper range scoring record while at Alliance Academy...Spent early part of career helping the Alliance rebuild of earth...Tends to slack on armory duties when Caldwell is around...Make sure new captain addresses this

NON-ESSENTIAL/CIVILIAN CREW

NAME: DR. MADELINE SOFIA CARLYON
RANK: N/A
GENDER: FEMALE
HAIR: BLACK
EYES: HAZEL
HEIGHT: 5'6"
WEIGHT: 125 LBS
AGE: 31
BIRTHDAY: 2187 MAY 19
BIRTHPLACE: QUEBEC, CANADA (EARTH, SOL)
CLASS: CIVILIAN
BIOTIC?: NO
PREF. ARMOR: SERRICE COUNCIL (RED/WHITE/RED)
PRIM. WEAPON: N/A
SIDEARM?: M-25 HORNET SUB MACHINE GUN
NOTES: SSV Orleans' physician/surgeon...Staff psychologist as well...Has straightforward, sometimes harsh demeanor with patients...Spent residency at Huerta memorial on the Citadel...Volunteered to join Alliance shortly after completing residency...Obtained weapons training while stationed on SSV Melbourne...Authorized to accompany shore parties as field medic

NEW RECRUITS/TRANSFERS

NAME: LANCE EVGENI POSCHARSKY
RANK: CORPORAL
GENDER: MALE
HAIR: BLONDE
EYES: GREEN
HEIGHT: 5'9"
WEIGHT: 185 LBS
AGE: 25
BIRTHDAY: 2193 OCTOBER 21
BIRTHPLACE: CHICAGO, USA (EARTH, SOL)
CLASS: SOLDIER
BIOTIC?: YES (LEVEL 2, L5X IMPLANT)
PREF. ARMOR: N7 (RED/BLACK/RED)
PRIM. WEAPON: M-15 VINDICATOR ASSAULT RIFLE
SIDEARM?: M-23 KATANA SHOTGUN
NOTES: Recently transferred from SSV Quebec...Born to American father and Russian mother...Took mother's last name after she passed away...Fluent in four languages (English, Russian, Spanish, French)...Average level biotic...Attended Grissom Academy, no notable commendations...Green in regards to battlefield experience...Expected to join SSV Orleans after short stint on leave