I was wondering if my father could hear my heart beating as loudly as I could in my head. It felt and sounded like it was going to explode. I wasn't one to get nervous, I'm a very confident person, but this was nerve-wracking. I'm sure so many people are going to be watching me, waiting for me to make a mistake, and when I do, I'm done for.
We walk into the main deck of the Normandy after decontamination, already noisy with voices, beeping, and footsteps. You'd think the crew had been here forever, but they just boarded the shuttle today after Alliance final inspections. Technically they were former crew mates, most of them from when my mother served, give or take a few new people. I couldn't tell regardless, everyone was new to me, but my dad seemed to know most of them as some shouted "hello" to him.
The ship is phenomenal, tons larger than the one and only ship I've ever served on, a lot brighter too. Mind you, this ship has been docked for nearly fourteen years, it had to be fixed up for over two weeks, but even then it looked... gorgeous.
"Welcome back, Jeff, and welcome aboard the Normandy, Commander Moreau."
What was that? An AI is on the ship? Different. The Evorte didn't have an AI, but the Citadel had a few around, so I'm no stranger to them. Alliance scarcely installed them aboard even their most advance vessels, fear of them going rogue mostly.
"EDI!"
I had to hide a smile that was trying to creep up on me as my dad walked over to the cockpit and took a seat, an authentic grin on his face. I always got happy when my father did, it was rare, but he behaved so differently when he was. I'm sure he'll be less of a downer now that he's back doing what he really loves, instead of getting angry over his students. He says to me constantly that teaching them is like "trying to fight a bipolar Krogan naked with a sack of ricefuckingpudding".
I had to keep a neutral face though, I had to show that I was serious about this job, and I wouldn't be taken seriously if I just went around grinning like an idiot.
I walked around the main deck, introducing myself to the crew, shaking a few hands, and nodding in acknowledgment to the few waves I received from preoccupied workers.
"Commander! May I speak with you for a moment?"
I turned away from the man I was introducing myself to, and excused myself before walking over to the orange-haired woman.
"Wow! You've gotten so big, and not to mention cute! Last time I saw you aboard you were so tiny! " I crossed my arms and raised a brow at her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, that was...unprofessional, ma'am. Yeoman Kelly Chambers," she gave a salute, "I served under your mother years ago...until she well..." she lowered her green eye to the floor, her entire expression sorrowful and let out a heavyhearted sigh, "She was a great Commander." She looked back up at me, her entire expression doing a complete 360, "As soon as I herd you were bringing back your mother's crew and I was invited to join, you bet I said yes! I know you'll lead us to victory! My job here is to notify you of any new messages or meetings. Also, I have a degree in psychology, so I can also provide councilor support whenever necessary."
I nodded before extending my hand out, hers grasping onto it and shaking it firmly, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Chambers. I'd love to chat but I need to get around to the rest of the crew."
"Yes! I'll see you soon Commander!"
She turned back to her terminal and I quickly walked over to the elevator. I let out a large breath of air as the elevator doors closed. So far, so good. The crew was very welcoming, I was expecting more sneers as I walked away, but they all seemed cheerful and sprightly. Kelly seemed...nice, not to mention excitable...way too excitable. She looked like she was going to jump on me the whole time.
I decided to head to the engineering deck. As I walked around, it was extremely quiet, the only sound I could hear was the faint clank of my combat boots. When I got closer to the core, I heard loud voices,
"Kenneth, you're such a dog!"
"Aye! Only because you make me beg woman!"
I cleared my throat as I leaned against the doorway, watching them turn around quickly and face me, appearing surprised when they saw me. They stood at attention as I walked towards them,
"Names?"
The woman stepped forward, glaring at the man before facing me, "Engineer Gabriella Donnelly ma'am," she reached out, and I shook her hand quickly, "and this is my husband Kenneth," she directed a thumb over her shoulder, "I'm responsible for the propulsion systems while he handles the power control systems. We're looking forward to serving under you, Commander Moreau."
"You two are married?" I questioned. It was rare for married couples to serve on the same ship in the Alliance.
Kenneth spoke when Gabriella opened her mouth, "Married for ten years and counting, shes a pain in the rear end but I love her gorgeous self to death!" I noticed her trying to cover her smile with her hand before elbowing him in his arm. It was...cute in a way.
"It's nice to see you all grown up! You were such a rascal when you were on this ship when you were a bairn. You grew up beautiful though, just like your mother! I'm sure the men can't stand i—ow! Damn it woman!"
Gabriella smacked him in the back of the head before hissing at him, barely loud enough for me to hear, "You're talking to a Commanding officer you moron!"
She let out a deep breath before she spoke to me, "We own Shepard our lives, she saved us from those awful Collectors years ago. She was a great woman, and I'm sure you'll take those Reapers down."
"Yeah, we'll kick those bastards in their stinkin' robotic bawbags!"
My eyes opened wide at his comment, "Do you speak to all your Commanding officers this informally ?"
Gabriella had a pleading look on her face towards her husband before looking back at me, "Sadly, yes. He would have been kicked out of the Alliance already for insubordination multiple times if he wasn't so efficient."
I was almost tempted to let it go, but I couldn't, "Don't let it happen again."
They nodded before I turned on my heel, hands clasped behind my back heading back into the sanctuary of the elevator. I guess you could say I have a naturally kind nature, I'm not ruthless by any means, and I'd love to be informal with all of these people as they're used to with their former CO, but I will not tolerate being treated as a child instead of the Commander of this damn ship!
They seemed happy together though. I've never been attracted to any boys. I've been asked out by a couple, but I've always been consumed with my training; no time for pointless relationships that won't last. I don't think I'll ever fall in love and all that happily ever after stuff, my love is in my work, and that's probably how it'll stay.
An hour and a few new faces later, I finally made it to my quarters.
"The room is exactly the same as Shepard left it, Commander. You may make changes as you see fit. Your box of possessions is on the desk near the sofa."
Gosh, is that AI going to be watching my every move? Kind of creepy. "Thank you, EDI."
"Logging you out, Commander."
I went and sat at the desk near the bathroom. I couldn't help but chuckle at the collection of model ships on the wall. That, I find, is a cute hobby for the kick-ass Commander my mother is suppose to be. There were data pads scattered around the small desk, but a video-pic instantly caught my eye. I lifted the black frame off the desk and pressed the button to make it play. It was me when I was younger and my mother playing one of those child hand games. We both had beaming smiles, and I felt a ping of emotion as I saw my smaller self jump on my mother. I sat it back in its former space and looked at the other photos. Two of them were me and my mother in various poses, one by myself, one with me and my father hugging, and one with her and my father kissing. There was also a picture with a large group of people who I was assuming was her crew, from them being suited up or in uniform. I noticed my dad and godfather, Uncle Garrus, were in it. I also saw Chambers, the Donnelly's and my grandmother. A few other faces I recognize of people I just met.
I went over to the other desk, which was bare and opened the box with my few possessions. I might as well put my stuff over here, I really don't want to touch my mother's things. There wasn't much inside anyway, I had a few pajamas. I honestly dreaded sleeping in my uniform aboard the Evorte, and now that I have my own room I'm going to take advantage of it. I had a few of my own photos that I sat out on the desk, and a couple data pads with things I needed to go over later. The final thing I took out was my...teddy. I know, babyish, but it's the only tangible thing I have from my mother.
I took it in my arms and threw myself backwards onto the perfectly made bed. The blue glow from the empty fish tank gave the dimly lit room an eerie look to it. I wonder how often she actually slept on this bed, with the weight of the universe on her shoulders? Wow, this is the most I've thought about my mother in, well, ever. I try not to think about her, because honestly, part of me hates her. She should have stayed with me and my dad and let someone else play hero, but I knew she was doing it because she wanted to protect us, everyone.
"Hey Commander," I recognized my father's voice filling the room, sounding kind of serious, "Doc is looking for you Commander, so you should go see her in the med bay...Commander. Lieutenant out, Commander!" He was laughing hysterically by the time he cut the intercom. Well, I'm glad he's enjoying himself.
I headed up to the medical bay on Deck Three, and when I stepped inside, I saw the woman sitting in a chair, her back towards me.
"Doctor?" My voice echoed in the near-empty room.
She swiveled her chair around and smiled gently while she stood up. "Why, look at you. Are you just going to stand there, or are you waiting for me to salute you Commander?"
I took long strides over to the woman and hugged her tightly.
"Hi grandma," I whispered as she returned the hug. I couldn't even try to ignore how much I missed her, I haven't seen her in years. I pulled away from her before asking, "How have you been?"
She took me by the hands, "I'm perfectly fine. I've never dreamed I'd be on this ship again after all these years! I always regretted retiring, I missed life on-board. How about you dear? Are you settling in well?"
I sat down and she did the same, "The entire crew is welcoming for the most part, they all seem very fond of my...mother."
She rested an elbow on her desk, her hand holding up her head, "She was a good soldier, the best I've ever seen. She led everyone to hell and back multiple times, and we merrily followed."
I let out a sigh, "I want people to respect and follow me because I can be a great leader, not because they feel as if they owe my mother."
Her expression turned into shock, "Nonsense! We're all here because we know you are capable. Remember - you were born right in this very room."
I looked around the room before my eyes went back to focus on the elderly doctor, a reminiscent look on her face, " The whole crew gathered in this room not long after you were born, wanting to meet the daughter of their Commander, who they knew was destined to be great," she let out a chuckle, " your poor mother was so upset, she barely got to hold you before you were passed around the room. She had to threaten everyone to get you back!"
I grinned as my mind imagined how they would play out. "When was I last here, anyway? I don't remember this ship at all honestly..."
She thought silently for a moment, the snapped her fingers, "You were around four years old, parading around the ship while your mom was doing work in her quarters. You had a blue baton, and the cutest matching jumpsuit on, going around order the crew to do the silliest things, riding on Vakarian's shoulders so you'd 'look bigger'!" We were both cracking up by now, our laughs sounding loud in the echoing room, "It gets better! You made poor Andrew Bocket fly to the Citadel, even though your mother had told him to go to Illium. He was always so nervous, that boy, and he actually did what you said!" My mouth was hanging open as I laughed. It was unbelievable! Was I really that bad? "Ryla finally came from her room, and the crew was doing silly things like jumping rope, or drawing pictures, your mother honestly thought everyone went absolutely mad!"
"Did she get angry at Boket?" I would have flipped!
"No, she didn't, she was too amused that you took over her ship effortlessly! She said that you were a possible threat, joking of course. She did scold Garrus for being an accomplice and letting you scare the poor pilot. You said you wanted your dad to come play with you, he was getting a break from you, that's why you were on the ship, you wore the poor man out."
I shook my head in amusement, they let me get away with anything.
She placed a hand on my knee, "My point is that we do know you're capable, and we believe in you, we're your crew."
"Commander, Jeff is asking for you on the main deck," EDI's quickly said, her voice silencing us both.
"Tell him I'm on my way," I stood up and smiled slightly, "I'll see you later, thanks for telling me those stories, grandma."
She waved me off, "I have plenty to tell, don't forget to visit."
I nodded and headed down the the CIC, walking up behind my father, who leaned his head all the way back to get a glimpse of me, then turned the chair around. A big ridiculous grin was on his face, his hands clasped together, looking like a giddy school girl "Aw... look at my little Commander!"
I glowered at him, my hands on my hips, and he rolled his eyes, "Don't give me that look Aimz, I still can ground you!"
I rolled my eyes, "What did you need dad?"
He turned his chair back around, "Where are we heading first? We can't just float around space forever, it tends to get boring."
I pondered it for a bit, and I smiled when I knew exactly where I wanted to go first, "Let's hit the Citadel first, I want to get Uncle Garrus."
He groaned, "Him? Why do we have to get mister grouchy half-face first?"
I smacked him on the top of his hat, "Ow!"
I chuckled,"I'm the Commander, that's why Lieutenant!"
He shook his head, "Aye, aye, you brat."
I gasped, "Brat? Far from!"
"Whatever you say! ETA two hours Aimz."
I headed up to my quarters, tomorrow would be when we finally started recruiting. We had a few people to pick up on the Citadel, hopefully they'd all come. I just hope things will go as planned for once, that'd be nice. We can only hope for now.
(A/N)
Ahh, major slackage. I just could not write this chapter for the death of me, I hate introductions, and first person! Plus...I've been playing Halo Reach so yeah, that's why too!...Mostly why! The father we get in, the more interesting this story will be! For now it's going to be a lot of intros until we get into the main story. Update soon!
