A/N So these are just some shorts that won't get out of my head unless I jot them down. I don't think they're substantial enough to warrant being their own stories each, but they are connected in that they exist in the same "universe" of my Shepard. So they get lumped together here. Warning: they are most likely going to be short, fluffy things of the type that I don't usually write. Why, I have no idea. But hey, we all need a little fluff in our diet, right? So without further ado, mindless fluff.
There she was. The SSV Normandy, most technologically advanced ship in the Alliance navy. Staff Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko studied his new assignment through the windows of the dock as he approached, eyes taking in her sleek lines and streamlined shape. She really was a beautiful ship. It was quite an honor to be assigned to her – the roster of her crew was extremely distinguished.
Her pilot was rumored to be one of the best in the entire Alliance navy, despite being relatively young. Her chief navigator had earned distinctions during the Skyllian Blitz, and that was just the start.
Captain Anderson was a highly decorated Alliance special forces operative with years of distinguished service. His name cropped up with commendation after commendation from the First Contact War onwards. It was no surprise that the Alliance had given command of its prized prototype ship to such a decorated hero.
It was her executive officer that intrigued him though. Lieutenant Commander Shepard. Like Captain Anderson she was a Special Forces graduate and a highly decorated officer. She was also probably the youngest person ever awarded the Star of Terra, for her actions at Elysium. Kaidan was a little in awe of the woman, to be honest. If she could almost single-handedly repulse an army of batarian slavers and mercenaries straight out of the academy, what was she capable of now?
No, it was no surprise that such illustrious men and women were assigned to the Normandy. The Alliance wanted only the best aboard this ship, that was the combined efforts of humans and turians. This was the Alliance's chance to prove themselves to the Council and they were investing only the best into her. It made him wonder sometimes why he had been assigned command of the marine detail next to such decorated officers. He had plenty of commendations, but his service had been quiet compared to theirs. But then perhaps that was part of the point – a solid officer who nonetheless wouldn't intimidate the hell out of the marines like their captain and XO.
And speaking of which…Kaidan turned the corner to the boarding ramp to the Normandy to find his commanding officers there at the hatch, talking to an official looking delegation. A final inspection of sorts before the Normandy's launch, probably.
Captain Anderson was exactly what he would have predicted. A solid man in character and build, self-possessed, confident in a way that reassured the men and women serving under him. He conversed with the two men before them while the lieutenant commander stood by, offering few comments of her own. She…she was not at all what he expected. The Alliance dress uniform did little to disguise a slim, athletic figure and even its starkness and a utilitarian military cut to her hair did nothing to play down the attractive face between. Even from a distance the sheer force of her personality was palpable. A formidable woman indeed.
Shepard saluted the other pair of officers and the visit was over. Kaidan dropped his bag to stand at attention, but the other two spared only the barest of protocol to his salute before they passed him by, muttering to each other.
Shepard held the same cool, capable air as the Captain next to her until the men were out of sight, then she visibly relaxed, fidgeting a little with the uniform collar like she wasn't quite used to wearing it. Captain Anderson said something he couldn't hear, something that she responded to with a rueful smile and a laugh. That smile transformed her from merely attractive to beyond beautiful. Kaidan gulped back more than a little trepidation – it was hard not to respond to that smile. He reminded himself that this was not just any woman, she was his commanding officer and it was best not to forget that.
He hoisted his bag back over his shoulder again and made his way down the rest of the loading dock. "Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko, reporting for duty, sir," he said with a crisp salute. "Ma'am," he added, greeting Commander Shepard personally.
"Good timing, lieutenant," she replied, keeping the same easy, relaxed posture. "You just missed the trial of the century."
"Sorry I'm late, ma'am," Kaidan apologized. "I didn't receive any notices about an inspection today or I…"
She waved his concerns away. "Trust me, Alenko, you really didn't want to be here for that."
"Shepard is exaggerating," Captain Anderson said mildly, "but regardless, they only requested that the commander and I be here. It was just a final inspection before the crew arrives."
"A grand inquisition is more like," Shepard muttered darkly. "They wanted to impress upon the Normandy's commanding officers how important this mission is to furthering the Alliance's goals towards respect in the galactic community, ultimately culminating in humanity's receipt of the Council seat that we so rightly deserve." Her voice took on the exaggerated grandiose tone of someone who had heard a piece of rhetoric one time too many.
Kaidan raised an eyebrow. "I take it you don't agree with them, ma'am?"
She waved that aside too. "Nothing so simple as that. I just think humanity's going to earn its place when it earns its place. Some of the aliens have been waiting for centuries. They're not just going to give us a council seat because we have a nice ship," Shepard explained with a shrug. "We'll do our jobs, but beyond that there's no point in worrying about it."
"The commander puts it eloquently," Captain Anderson said dryly.
Shepard returned with a wry grin again, then turned towards Kaidan, extending her hand in the process. "Glad to have you on board, lieutenant."
He found himself bracing against that smile yet again even as he reached out to shake her hand. They both jumped a little, startled at the spark that popped between them when their hands touched.
The commander recovered first. "Well, can't say I've worked with another biotic before. Looking forward to it, Alenko. We'll have to watch that static though." She grinned at him and he thought his heart might have skipped a beat or two. This was without doubt a very dangerous woman, on many levels.
"Um, likewise, ma'am," he returned when he thought he could speak again.
Captain Anderson watched them with just a hint of amusement on his face. "I have some business to attend to. I trust you two can settle in on your own?"
"Yes sir," they replied simultaneously, saluting the captain as he took his leave.
"Well, lieutenant," Shepard said, gesturing towards the open hatch of the Normandy, "If you'll come with me, I'll show you around. She's quite the ship."
"Yes ma'am," he replied, taking up his bag again. As he fell in line behind her, he thought to himself that he might just follow this woman anywhere in the entire galaxy she wanted him to go.