Chapter 1 – Eden Prime

Newly promoted Commander Jaric Shepard stared out the window of the station. A blue glow came from the planet Earth below, gently illuminating his face. Examining his faint reflection, he was still not used to who was staring back at him. A strong, previously clean-shaven jaw that used to belong to a Lieutenant was now shaded by thick, coarse stubble. The hair on his head was almost as short as the hair on his face. Blueeyes travelled along the vicious scar that ran down the left side of the face, testament to both ability and fortune. Jaric resisted the urge to acknowledge that scar with his fingers, as if by not physically touching it could somehow erase the events that transpired to create it. If he had been a split second slower, or had an infinitesimally less amount of luck, the scar wouldn't run from just outside his left eye to the left side of his mouth, very slightly pulling his lips into a one-sided grimace. As Jaric's eyes drifted over his scar, so too did his thoughts drift back to the events that caused it. Anyone who looked in on him now would see a man staring out a window, lost in thought.

Elsewhere in the station, three men were looking over Alliance Personnel Files. Currently, they were discussing the very man staring out a window at nothing. Three of the most important men for the Alliance had long been in conversation. Captain Anderson was a man of medium height, dark complexion and solid build. Clean shaven with very short hair, he sat across the table from Ambassador Udina, the liaision between humans and the Galactic Council. Udina was not military, but an excellent politician, and was almost the opposite of Anderson. Where Anderson looked tough and solid, Udina looked quick and wiry. Anderson had a round face, with softer features while Udina was all angles and sharpness. To the side was the commander of the Alliance fleet, Admiral Hackett. An older man with white hair, he had a full but well groomed beard and close cropped hair, but retained a solid air of authority. Each one was looking at a file.
"Well, what about Shepard?" Udina's voice ranged somewhere between a baritone and tenor, with unidentifiable inflections. A slight nasal twang gave the impression that he was looking down on everybody when he spoke. "He's lived aboard starships most of his life, won't trouble him to be on another."
"True, Udina." Anderson spoke with a deep and solidvoice. "Military service runs in his family, too. Followed in his parent's footsteps by enlisting in the navy. What are your thoughts, Admiral?"
"He recently saw his whole unit die on Akuze." Hackett had a rough, gravelly voice. "He could have some serious emotional scars. He hasn't been on active duty in weeks."
"Every soldier has scars of some form, Admiral." Anderson murmured, almost to himself, before continuing in a louder voice "Wouldn't you say he's been inactive long enough? Shepard's a survivor."
"Is that the kind of soldier we want to protect the galaxy?" An unmistakable sneer could be heard from Udina. Anderson looked towards Udina, his face unreadable.
"That's the only kind of person who can protect the galaxy, Ambassador." The three men glanced between each other and the files they had in their hands for a few minutes, then Hackett nodded to the other two. Udina stood up, straightening his clothes.
"I'll make the call."

Shepard broke from his thoughts when his comm unit alerted him to an incoming call. Turning away from the window he moved over and activated it.
"Shepard."
"Commander Shepard, Sir, this is Corporal Taggart."
"What can I do for you, Corporal?"
"You are being returned to active duty, Sir. You have been reassigned under Captain Anderson, aboard the Normandy. I am instructed to tell you to prepare your things for immediate transfer, and then report to themain briefing room."
"Thank you, Corporal. Please advise Captain Anderson I will be along shortly."
"Yes Sir." The Corporal terminated the call. As Shepard allowed his body to automate through packing his gear, a task he had done many times before, his mind could only wonder what sort of assignment it was that he could not ask any questions about. Almost as if it was glad to consider something other than Akuze, his thoughts turned to potential scenario after scenario. It would have to be something to do with the Normandy, the latest ship to join the Alliance Fleet, which was also said to have some brand new had never really unpacked in this room, and it didn't take long before he was walking through the station, a determined stride displaying that on some subconscious level he was ready, despite any personal doubts he might have.

The Normandy was a ship design unlike any Shepard had ever seen before. A combination of Human and Turian engineering design had produced something sleek, small and nimble. After he and the rest of the personnel had boarded the ship, it had undocked and headed towards the edge of the solar system to make the first scheduled jump test. The ship was far quieter than a standard Alliance frigate, at times you could almost forget you were on one. During this flight Shepard was walking towards the cockpit of the Normandy while his thoughts raced. The briefing had been short. Very short. Captain Anderson had introduced himself, advised that he was now under his direct command, and told him to report to the hangar bay where the Normandy was docked for a shakedown run. This would not have bothered him so much if he had not been joined on board shortly by Nihlus, a Turian Spectre.
The pilot of the Normandy, who Shepard had been told was named Jeff Munroe but was called Joker, was currently issuing ship-wide broadcasts of ship readiness for the upcoming jump. Shepard wanted a different viewpoint than the crew quarters for this event, and the walk also gave him time to look over the interior of the ship. As he approached the bridge, he frowned slightly when he noticed Nihlus standing nearby, overseeing the work of Joker. The only other person present in the cockpit was seated in the co-pilots chair, a Lieutenant Kaiden Alenko. Kaiden had been assigned to Shepard as part of his team, along with a Corporal Richard Jenkins. In addition to this first jump, the Normandy was scheduled to visit a remote Human settlement on Eden Prime as part of the shakedown, where Shepard and his team were to make landfall. This information had not been revealed until all the crew were on board, which to Shepard had seemed a bit odd. His thoughts turned back to the upcoming jump as Joker made another ship broadcast.
"The board is green. Approach run has begun." Shepard could hear the faint mechanical noise of the ship changing slightly in shape, the engines drawing in to group closer together to assist in a smoother jump. He looked out the window at the giant Mass Effect Relay, which at the size of a small moon dwarfed even the biggest Alliance ships. "Hitting the relay in 4.. 3.. 2.. 1…"
As the Normandy got closer, the relay sent out an energy link, resembling lightning, which bathed the ship in a blue glow. Some people did not appreciate the beauty of a jump, and indeed it even made some people claim to be nauseous – though this was highly attributed to mild hypochondria as there was no evidence from medical testing. Shepard was not one of those people, and smiled inwardly as the blue light coalesced into a small shield around the ship. He could hear the energy from the relay increasing in intensity, and knew that in a moment they would be propelled through space to their destination, momentarily leaving a shaft of scintillating blue light that other ships could see.
"Thrusters.. check. Navigation.. check. Internal emissions sink engaged. All systems online. Drift just under fifteen hundred K." Joker went through his post jump check with efficiency and professionalism. Shepard noted the internal emissions sink being engaged, and wondered why they would be using the stealth technology in this friendly area.
"Fifteen hundred is good." Nihlus remarked. "Your captain will be pleased." He turned and left the cockpit area. Joker checked over his shoulder, waiting until the Spectre had gone from sight and earshot.
"I hate that guy." Joker muttered. Kaiden glanced at Joker.
"Let me get this straight." Kaiden said. "Nihlus gave you a compliment, so you hate him."
"Remembering to zip up your jumpsuit after going to the bathroom is good." Joker replied. "I just jumped us halfway across the galaxy and hit a target the size of a pinhead. That's incredible." Joker paused a moment, and shifted in his seat. "Besides, Spectres are trouble. I don't like him being on board. Call me paranoid."
"You're paranoid." Kaiden snapped. "The Council agreed to help fund this project, they can send someone to keep an eye on their investment."
"Yeah, that's the official story." Joker snorted with contempt. "Only an idiot believes the 'official' story."
"They don't send Spectres on shakedown runs." Shepard added.
"So there's more going on here than the Captain is telling us." Joker looked like he was going to say more, but was interrupted by an intercom communication from Captain Anderson himself.
"Joker. Status report."
"Just cleared the relay, sir." Joker dropped back to professionalism. "Stealth systems engaged, everything green."
"Good." Anderson replied. "I want you to link us in to the nearest comm buoy, so we can keep Alliance brass fully in the loop."
"Aye aye, Sir. Also, you might want to brace yourself. I think Nihlus is headed your way." There was a slight pause, and then Anderson replied with a disapproving tone.
"He's already here, Lieutenant." Kaiden shook his head, Joker winced. "Send Commander Shepard to the comms room for a debriefing." A beep indicated Anderson had disconnected the conversation.
"You hear that, Commander?" Joker queried.
"Thanks a lot, Joker." Grumbled Shepard. "You pissed the captain off, now I get to deal with him." Shepard turned and left the cockpit. Joker turned to Kaiden.
"Is it just me, or is the Captain always pissed off?"
"Only when he's talking to you, Joker."

Shepard nodded in passing to Navigator Pressley, the ship's XO, as he headed toward the communication room. Before he got there he found the other member of his team, Corporal Jenkins, in conversation with Doctor Chakwas, the ship's medical staff.
"I'm telling you, Doc, there's something not right. I grew up on Eden Prime, it's a peaceful place, almost paradise. Sending a Spectre there doesn't make any sense." Jenkins was looking fairly animated and passionate about his thought, while Chakwas just looked slightly amused.
"And I'm telling you, Richard. The Captain is in charge, not the Spectre. We go where he says."
"Come on, Doc. The Spectres don't have rules. They can do what they want, when they want, where they want. They can kill who they want." Shepard decided stepping in at this point would be a good idea.
"This ship is under Captain Anderson's command, Corporal. We are to report to him, not to Nihlus." Shepard put a suggestion of a reprimand in his words.
"Yes, sir." Jenkins saluted. "I'm just saying, with the Spectre here the mission must be something special."
"I see troops like you quite often in my infirmary, Richard." Admonished Chakwas. "Too eager and getting themselves injured all the time."
"I just want to get out there and prove my worth!"
"Take it easy, Corporal." Advised Shepard. "You've got plenty of time ahead of you in your career."
"That's easy for you to say, sir. Everyone knows what you've been through." There was a slight hint of awe in Jenkin's voice. Shepard knew what he was talking about, and did his best not to think about it. Not now.
"Just treat it like any other normal mission, Jenkins, and you'll do fine. Dismissed."
"Sir." Jenkins saluted once more, then walked away.
"Thank you, commander." Murmered Chakwas. "I hope he listens to you, instead of me. I really mean it when I say I see too many men like him in my clinic."
"I'll do everything I can to keep him out of there, Doctor." Shepard promised. "But for now, I have a meeting with Captain Anderson. Excuse me."
"Of course, commander. Goodbye."

Shepard entered the communications room, but Captain Anderson wasn't there. Nihlus was, watching one of the video screens. As Shepard approached, he turned and spoke.
"Shepard. I was hoping you would get here first. It will give us a chance to talk."
"What about?" Shepard asked guardedly.
"I'm interested in this world we're going to. Some say it's beautiful."
"I wouldn't know." Shepard shrugged. "I've never been there myself. But one of my team members on board grew up there. He says it's almost a paradise."
"It's more than just that though, isn't it Shepard? Eden Prime is a symbol to your race. A new colony in paradise at the edge of your territory." Nihlus turned back to the display, which Shepard realised had some footage of Eden Prime itself. "Proof that humanity can not only establish themselves on new worlds, but protect them also." Nihlus paused, and tilted his head a little. "But how safe is it, really?"
"Is that a threat?" growled Shepard. "Are you trying to scare me, Spectre?" Nihlus turned and shook his head slightly in amusement.
"Your people are still newcomers, Shepard. The galaxy can be a very dangerous place." Nihlus folded his arms and looked Shepard directly in the eyes. "Is the Alliance truly ready for this?" Shepard knew that on some level Nihlus was testing him, assessing him for something. And it wasn't the human race Nihlus was wondering about – this was a little more personal.
"I think it's about time we told the commander what's really going on." Captain Anderson had arrived unnoticed by Shepard, who turned to face him. Nihlus nodded, then spoke.
"This mission is far more than a simple shakedown run, Shepard."
"I already figured that out. Even Joker suspects something is up."
"Even with his attitude, Joker is an exceptional pilot, Shepard." Anderson replied. "I'm not surprised he noticed something." Anderson took a moment before continuing. "We're making a covert pick-up on Eden Prime. That's why we needed the stealth systems operational."
"Why the secrecy? What could be this important so far out?"
"This comes down from the top, Commander." Anderson held up a placating hand. "Strictly on a need-to-know basis." Anderson walked slowly to stand beside Nihlus as he spoke. "A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some kind of 'beacon' during a routine excavation. It was Prothean."
"Prothean?" Shepard remarked. "I thought they vanished fifty thousand years ago?"
"Their legacy still remains." Nihlus interjected. "The mass relays, the Citadel, our ship drives. All of it is based on Prothean technology."
"This is big, Shepard." Anderson continued. "The last time humanity made a discovery like this, it jumped our technology forward two hundred years."
"I presume this is the item we're picking up, then." Shepard said. "But why?"
"Eden Prime doesn't have the facilities to handle something like this." Anderson explained. "We need to bring the beacon to the Citadel so we can study it properly."
"Obviously this goes beyond mere human interests, Commander." Nihlus took over. "This discovery could affect every species in Council Space."
"Then I'm glad the Council sent some support for the mission, instead of leaving it for us to do all the work ourselves."
"I'm also here to help if things go wrong, Shepard." There was a slight tension as Shepard wondered what version of 'wrong' Nihlus was talking about.
"There's more, Shepard." Anderson interrupted. "Nihlus isn't here just for the beacon. He's also here to evaluate you."
"I guess that's why I keep tripping over him every time I turn around." Shepard muttered.
"The Alliance has been pushing this for a long time. Humanity wants a larger role interstellar politics. We want more say with the Citadel Council." Anderson hammered his fist into his hand. "The Spectres represent the Council's power and authority. If they accept a human into their ranks, it shows how far the Alliance has come."
"Not many could have survived what you went through on Akuze." Nihlus said. "You showed exceptional skill, as well as a remarkable will to live – a particularly useful talent. That's why I put your name forward as a candidate for the Spectres."
"You? Why would a turian want a human in the Spectres? I thought you hated humans."
"Not all turians resent humanity." Nihlus responded. "Some of us see the potential of your species. We see what you have to offer the rest of the galaxy, and to the Spectres." Shepard was quickly re-evaluating the turian as he spoke. "We are an elite group. It's rare to find an individual with the skill we seek." Nihlus paused, and leaned a little closer. "I don't care that you're human, Shepard. I only care that you can get the job done." Shepard turned back to Anderson.
"I assume this is good for the Alliance."
"Earth needs this, Shepard." Anderson admitted. "We're counting on you."
"I need to see your skills for myself, Commander." Nihlus carried on. "Reading that report was only a beginning. Eden Prime will be the first of several missions together."
"You'll be in charge of the ground team. Secure the beacon and get it to the Normandy ASAP. Nihlus will accompany you to observe the mission." Shepard nodded as Anderson spoke, but had some questions.
"Why is this beacon so important?"
"Every galactic civilisation is based on Prothean technology, Shepard." Nihlus replied. "Even yours."
"Our discovery of Prothean ruins buried on Mars was an important part of our history." Anderson clarified. "That was just a small data cache, but without it we'd still be stuck on earth. Who knows what we can learn from this beacon? What if it's a weapons archive? There is no way we can let this fall into the wrong hangs. Hence the secrecy."
"I'm ready to go." Shepard said. "Just give the word, Captain."
"We should be getting close to Ed-"
"Captain! We've got a problem." Joker interrupted Anderson over the intercom.
"What's wrong, Joker?"
"Transmission from Eden Prime, sir. You'd better see this." Joker sounded a little nervous.
"Bring it up on screen here." Anderson commanded. Shepard and Nihlus moved either side of him to also watch the transmission.
What followed was unmistakably a recording from a soldier's helmet. Also unmistakable were the sounds of heavy fighting. Fire from human assault rifles, pistols, and explosions gave a constant soundtrack to the events occurring, with some very non-human sounding fire in counterpoint. The camera swivelled around madly, as if the operator was trying to look in every direction at once. People yelling and screaming could be heard. Blurry glimpses of strange blue lights through smoke and debris could be made out, then a female soldier yelled "Get down!" as she dragged the cameraman prone. A few bolts sizzled overhead before she stood back up over the cameraman and returned fire at something in short bursts. The camera turned sideways to show more of the firefight. Shepard glanced towards Anderson and Nihlus, both were riveted by the transmission.
"We need evac!" A voice yelled near the camera, and the camera turned to the owner. A male soldier alternated between looking at the camera and around him as he spoke. The audio was broken up by explosions. "We are -der attack! Taking heav.. -ualties. I repeat, heavy casualties! We can't –argh!" The soldier flinched as he took a hit. "-eed evac! They came out of nowhere. We need-" a round hit the soldier, propelling him sideways in a spray of blood. More explosions and screams where heard, before a new noise dwarfed the sounds of combat. The sound gave Shepard a chill. It seemed to be robotic in nature, and while it was a long drawn out note, it seemed to be made of multiple sounds in varying pitch. Shepard found himself almost clenching his teeth as he could feel the noise reverberating through his body. Combat sounds tapered off as people on camera stared upwards, some in disbelief. The camera tracked the direction of their staring, and Shepard could understand that disbelief.
Coming down through the thick clouds was something giant. Shepard at first thought it was a ship, but if it was a ship, it was of no design he had ever seen. The only way he could describe it was four giant robotic fingers attached to something obscured by the clouds reaching out to grasp something, with purple lightning arcing all over. It was visible for only a second before another explosion threw the camera sideways. It rolled around for a moment, then the feed cut out. The three of them stood there, staring at the static.
"Everything cuts out after that." Joker advised. "No comm traffic at all. Just goes dead. There's nothing."
"Reverse it." Anderson instructed. "And hold it… there!" On the screen they could now inspect the gigantic object, each lost in their own thoughts. Shepard pondered. It was certainly robotic, or mechanical in nature. But it was so big. Taking time to study the image, he revised what he thought it looked like. Not fingers anymore, but talons, or claws. After a few more moments, Anderson spoke again. "Status report!"
"Seventeen minutes out, Captain. No other Alliance ships in the area." Joker reported.
"Take us in, Joker. Fast and quiet." Anderson ordered.
"A small strike team could move quickly, without drawing attention." Said Nihlus. "It's our best chance to secure the beacon."
"Grab your gear and meet us in the cargo hold." Anderson replied. Nihlus nodded and walked out of the room. "Tell Alenko and Jenkins to suit up, Commander. You're going in." Anderson stared at the image some more. "This mission just got a lot more complicated."