"So Kaiden tell me about yourself." Shepard stood there patiently.
"Me? Well there isn't much to tell. Joined the Alliance when I was old enough. Only child. My parents were divorced by the time I turned two. As far as I know my father met someone else. Haven't had contact with him in a while. But I'm sure you don't want to hear about my family life. So tell me about yours."
"Don't have a family. I was born down on Earth in the metropolis areas. Lived in New York City. Ran with gangs. Eventually I grew tired of it all. Wanted to get away. I didn't want to end up like the rest of them. So I enlisted with the Alliance at age eighteen. It's a lot better than Earth."
"Yeah I hear you. Earth hasn't been getting much better since we moved out here in space. People grew too eager to explore and settle down out here. We should've focused our attention on our own home world. Guess it's a lost cause now. But anyway thanks for the talk Commander. Hope I didn't waste too much of your time."
"No problem Alenko. Talk to you later."
"I'll have to think about that. But yeah…I'd like that."
When Shepard turned away she smiled to herself. 'That man is different.'
Commander Rory Shepard had a full crew. Wrex the krogan, Kaiden the biotic, Ashley the soldier, Tali the quarian, Garrus the C-Sec cop, and Liara the scientist. Joker was her snarky pilot and Chakwas was her reliable doctor. But Captain Anderson suggested another person be added to her crew.
"I think you'll like her. She's down here on the Citadel in the Ambassador's office."
"Are you sure that's a safe place to put her?"
A muffled chuckle. "Well then you better hurry up and recruit her before something horrible happens to her."
"Kaiden. Tali. Suit up and let's go." Shepard paused then noticed her mistake. "Uh, sorry Tali. No offense."
"None taken Shepard." Tali gave her a smile behind the mask but she knew Shepard wouldn't see.
The trio headed into the elevator and quiet elevator music echoed within. Kaiden found himself humming and Tali swaying slightly to the music. Shepard just stood there silent as ever. She can switch the Commander persona on and off fast. When the long elevator ride was over they stepped off and into another elevator. Before they could push the button, a reporter rushed up to them. "Oh shit. Paparazzi. Quick! Push the button."
Tali rammed her sharp fingers into the button and the reporter's words were abruptly stopped. "Thank god!"
Kaiden's chuckle and Tali's melodic giggle blended together into one sound. Shepard slipped a grin at them. The rest of the elevator ride was quiet.
When they reached the Ambassador's office Shepard stepped in first and slammed into the Ambassador himself. "Watch it Shepard," he barked before walking off.
"Charming," Tali said sarcastically under her breath. The three stepped in after Shepard and Anderson waved them over.
A tall strong-built woman walked up to them and saluted. Kaiden and Shepard saluted back. Her blue-black hair was slicked back into a ponytail with unruly strands slipping out. Her eyes had a gray blue tint and she wore red lip-gloss with dark black eyeliner. The woman's steely gaze made the three of them uncomfortable. 'And he thinks I'm going to like her?' thought Shepard.
"Hello Commander. I'd like you to meet Corporal Kal Alenko. She's already been briefed on your overall goal to chase Saren down. She-"
"Alenko? As in A-L-E-N-K-O?" Kaiden interrupted.
"Yes, lieutenant. I just thought it'd be fair if you knew you had a sister out there."
"But she looks nothing like me!" Kaiden was floored. He looked ready to faint.
"That's because she looks like her mother. You know your father met another woman. You told me in one of our talks. But you have no idea what she looks like or if they are married or not. They both had a child and here she is. Your half-sister."
Said woman stepped up and raised her hand up to shake. "I was shocked as well lieutenant. Hopefully we'll get to know each other in time." She gave Kaiden a genuine smile and he couldn't help but crack a grin back.
"So this arrangement won't be a problem then Alenko?"
"No sir." The two replied in unison. Their voices were somewhat similar except Kal's voice was more feminine.
"Well this should make our mission against Saren a bit more interesting right Shepard?" Tali glanced over at Shepard.
"Indeed." Was all she said back and gazed at the two siblings warily.