Authors Note:

Aint time travel grand... Here we skip into the ME2 storyline, about midway as you will find out over time.

I know it is short so far but I hope you are enjoying my first ever story. Thank you for the reviews and interest shown so far.


Disclaimer:

Mass Effect & all characters used from there belong to Bioware EA.

Rigel Morgan (aka Void) Belongs to me!


Chapter One

I Know You.

Present Day
2185... Two Years after Normandy SR1 is Destroyed
Post Horizon

Shepard frowned at the last few of the dossiers on his desk, glancing up as the computer on his desk chimed, no doubt another mission request, he ignored it for now, but it just made him frown at the dossier that was open in front of him all the more. Tapping it with a finger and leaning back in his chair thinking. He didn't recognise the name, which as he had been dead for 2 years was no surprise. What did surprise him was that the Illusive Man had given him a dossier on an Alliance officer, and he doubted that there would be many Alliance that would join a Cerberus crew. Rubbing the bridge of his nose he sighed and tilted his head back and closed his eyes.

"EDI?" Leaning forward again he summoned the attention of the AI that had been fitted to the new Normandy. Looking at the dossier on the data pad in front of him somewhat accusingly.

"Yes Shepard?" The blue bubble hologram popped into existence behind him by his cabin door as confirmation that he was logged in.

"Can you tell me why the Illusive Man thought that this Alliance officer would join a Cerberus crew?" He was tired, and it showed in his voice, but then it was getting late.

"Hypotheses are that 1st Lt Rigel Morgan would not join a Cerberus crew... However the Illusive Man has strong reasons to think that she would join your team."

Shepard turned to look at the hologram that represented EDI, not that it really made a difference, but it helped to have something to look at. He had not missed the emphasis she had placed on the 'your' and it had him frowning a little. "Is she another plant like Alenko? A way for the Alliance to spy on us?" Not that he would be surprised, it seemed everyone else and their dog was spying on him and everything his crew did. But it did puzzle him that the Illusive Man would suggest recruiting such a person. He had dismissed the idea of her being a spy for the Alliance before EDI responded.

"No, it is unlikely that the Illusive Man would allow you to recruit anyone that had an agenda of their own, especially one that conflicted with your mission and his requirements of you and your team."

Sighing Shepard stood, leaving the data pad on his desk. "That will be all EDI, I'll deal with this tomorrow." He was too tired to logic this out right now, so it was best to leave it till he had slept. With that thought in mind he headed for his shower to get ready for bed, EDI's reply the last thing he herd before stepping under the water.

"Logging you out Shepard..."


Chapter Break

The next day Jaden Shepard headed down to medical to speak to Dr Chakwas, she might know something of this Lt Morgan that was in the dossier. Being a Dr and alive in the Alliance for the last 2 years gave her an edge in that regard. He paused a moment once he was in the medical bay before making his presence known. "Do you have a moment Doctor? I could use some input if you have the time?" He stood looking at the Dr, holding onto the data pad with the dossier as she turned to face him.

"Absolutely Commander, have a seat." She gestured at the other chair near by, waiting patiently for him to settle and voice whatever had bothered him enough to bring him to her door.

Drawing the chair over closer to Chakwas and settling in the seat, he offered her the data pad. "I was wondering if you know anything you can share about a 1st Lt Morgan. I am having trouble working out why the Illusive Man and EDI think that she would be agreeable to joining the team."

Chakwas blinked for a moment as she took and read over the data pad, comparing it to what little she knew about the person in question. What she knew wasn't much but the data pad held the basic information but little else. Then again she didn't know much either, but she knew more than the data pad held for 2 reasons. Firstly she was a doctor and the case of Lt Morgan was more than a little unique. Secondly she was Alliance and it was well known that the young officer was exceptionally gifted and had risen to N7 status in record time. Though most didn't know why, and she was honestly surprised the Illusive man had as much information as he did about Morgan. Finally after a somewhat drawn out silence she handed the data pad back to the Commander. "Lt Morgan is a unique case, very few know her full record as most of it is classified. What I can tell you though is that you have met her once before. Given that meeting she is likely to agree to help you. And if half the rumours I have herd are true, you will want her on your team Commander."

Taking the data pad back Shepard looked at Dr Chakwas silently for a short time before speaking. "I can't have been introduced to her then, I would have at least had some kind of recognition for the name."

Chakwas shook her head. "I doubt you even spoke to her, but I am pretty sure that you will recognise her when you meet her."

Shepard nods and stands, shifting the chair back to its original location. "I'm still not sure this is a good idea, this could go badly for her career, but then its her choice to make in the end. Thank you Doctor." Offering a slight smile as he turned to leave, heading for the galaxy map to get them under way to retrieve Morgan. Then it would be off to Illium to recruit an assassin and a Justicar. The journey would give her some time to settle in at least, that's if she joined.


Chapter Break

"It seems wrong to be breaking into an Alliance research facility."

Shepard looked over at Garrus who had spoken, the turian still in a somewhat rigid stance, his mandibles tight to his face. Garrus had not totally been himself since they had run into him on Omega and Shepard didn't think the injuries that Garrus had acquired there were much to do with what was wrong. But until he decided to expand on the issue there was nothing he could do to help his friend. Though he found himself nodding. "Yeah, the idea of going in guns blazing doesn't sit well with me either."

Arms folded he looked out the cockpit windows with Garrus, finding himself frowning at Neptune as he tried to come up with a way to do this peacefully and not cause all kinds of hassle for himself and the alliance. Sighing he finally gave up and opted for the direct but polite approach. "Joker open up a comm to the Triton research facility."

"Sure thing Commander." it only took a few moments before "Channel is open Commander."

Shepard nods. "Triton research facility, this is Commander Shepard, do you read?" Finding himself relaxing a little when a reply came over the coms into the cockpit.

["This is Triton research facility, what can we do for you Commander?"]

Shifting his weight his arms still folded. "I would like permission to bring a shuttle down and a small team. We have need to speak to 1st Lt Rigel Morgan." There was a telling pause before the reply came, clearly the researchers did not want him speaking to Morgan. This made him more curious, but after a while the reply came.

["Very well commander, you and 2 others may have permission to enter, the landing pad and hanger will be open for you."]

"Thank you, Shepard out." Turning to Garrus as the comm was disconnected. "You and Mordin for this one, I'm not comfortable bringing Miranda or Jacob along." He could have brought Zaeed or Kasumi as well but he had a bad feeling of what might happen if he did that, so Garrus and Mordin it was.

Garrus nodded. "Right behind you Shepard, I'll tell Mordin and get to the shuttle."

Shepard nods and watches as the turian does just that. Looking at Joker. "Look after the Normandy." With that he headed off to get into his own armour and to the shuttle ready for the drop onto Triton.


Chapter Break

Rigel looked up from the data pad she was reading as she herd voices outside her quarters. While she worked for the Alliance, she spent a good portion of time on Triton. It seemed the Alliance were still trying to work out what she was, something that they hadn't managed to find out from the data that had come with her. The information in her tube had given them everything they needed to know about her physical needs, imprinted education, genetic makeup etc. None of the information however had given any clue as to why Cerberus had created her.

Standing and setting the data pad down as her door opened she found herself looking at 3 strangers. Her eyes going to Dr Cerise questioningly, it was rare that strangers came here, and even rarer when they were permitted to see her. The Dr gestured to her. "Commander Shepard, Officer Vakarian, Dr Solus, this is 1st Lieutenant Rigel Morgan... Morgan these gentlemen wanted to speak with you. I leave them in your hands now." With that Dr Cerise left, leaving Rigel looking somewhat surprised.

Quickly recovering she shifted to attention and gave the 3 men a salute, not sure what to do as 2 of them were starring at her like they knew her, the other one was just watching curiously.

Shepard looked at Garrus, the two of them both looking a little stunned, not sure why but this was not something they had expected. Shaking his head Shepard snapped out of his surprise, returning Morgan's salute. "Stand easy Lieutenant."

Her hand fell away from her head in shock, her eyes widening, she knew that voice! Taking a step back she ended up sitting on the desk where she had put her data pad. Staring at them she focused her gaze onto the human male that had spoken. "I know you..." Sounding somewhat shaken but recovering, having herd that he was dead. Only having been told that because she had expressed a desire to meet the ones that had found her. Though she was staring at the human in shock it was the turian that spoke, giving her another jolt of shock, she knew him too.

Garrus had finally gathered his wits enough and was observing the stunned woman, glancing at Shepard again he spoke up before his friend had a chance to. "And we know you..."