Chapter 1: Meetings, Meetings, and Consequences
It had been three hours since leaving the surface of Akuze, but for Jane it might have well been three years. She reached into her pocket and withdrew a photo from before their last mission.
Her commanding officer at the time had taken it claiming it was to preserve the memory of their times together. At the time she had thought it was a waste but now she found the familiar faces tragically comforting. She could put a name to most of the faces in the photo but it didn't help, she could tell stories involving the people in the photo but it couldn't help, she could even… no she couldn't they were dead she had left them in that settlement to die she ran away while they stood and fought. Maybe if she had just stood her ground, they might all be with her now, or maybe if she had better equipment she could have fought the Thresher Maws off, or maybe-
"I know that look." A voice said as Jane sat in the cargo bay of the patrol ship. She looked up and saw a tall man with black hair wearing the standard alliance off duty blue and black form fitting t-shirt and blue pants.
"Sorry if I interrupted some of your personal time Ma'am but I was walking by the cargo bay when I noticed that look on your face. You are trying to figure out what happened but also second guessing every move you made." He gave her a warm smile that slightly came off as awkward. He straightened himself.
"Sorry where are my manners? My name is Kaidan Alenko." He moved over to where Jane was sitting. He extended his hand and she shook it.
"Jane U. Shepard. Thanks for this I don't think I'll ever be able to figure out if there was a way I could have saved them all but I'd prefer the second opinion come from someone, other than the top brass Kami bless those who have passed." she whispered the last part as her and Kaidan released each other's hands
Kaidan laughed at Jane's attempt at humour before a thought occurred to him
"Just out of curiosity Jane how long were you running? Considering you looked like you were about to drop dead when we found you. Yet somehow you managed to not only out run a Thresher Maw but also leap around thirty or so feet in the air. If I didn't know better i'd say you were part Uzumaki given your stamina or maybe a kunoichi. Heh you could Probably even give the legendary Naruto Uzumaki a run for his money with your stamina"
Jane winced upon the mention of both Naruto and the Uzumaki luckily it looked like her wince went by unnoticed to Kaidan.
"I highly doubt that I could give Naruto a run for his money considering how lucky he was I mean if the rumours are to be believed. Besides I have no relation to the Uzumaki clan none whatsoever. Also I'm no kunoichi I had the choice to become one but I chose to be a soldier instead no chakra whatsoever none at all." Jane stated matter of factly trying her best to sound convincing
Kaidan looked at her with a critical eye amusement sparkling behind his brown eyes
"Well whatever it doesn't matter to me that you're a kunoichi and an Uzumaki, with a possible relation to the legendary Naruto Uzumaki."
Jane stared at Kaidan in shock how could he have known that she was a kunoichi let alone related to a legend among her clan hell even her former teammates didn't know her relation to Naruto so how could he?
"We were briefed upon accepting the mission, while we were to search for survivors the primary objective was to find and rescue you if you still lived. Also quite a few of the higher ups have known for quite sometime that you are an Uzumaki with relations to the Hyuuga dating back as far as the fourth shinobi world war. Also the Uzumaki Clan Head requested that we bring you home alive if at all possible"
While Jane was contemplating the possible consequences of being found out that she was a kunoichi related to Naruto Uzumaki an announcement was broadcast over the intercom
"Attention all Personnel we are approaching Arcturus Station please gather your gear and prepare to meet the Clan chiefs as well as other visiting dignitaries upon docking"
Hearing this Jane nearly started to panic at the idea of her repercussions regardless as to the fact that her Grandfather is the Clan Chief of the Uzumaki. The fact that she may be thrown out of the shinobi/ kunoichi core for abandoning her company or even executed terrified her beyond belief.
" No if I explain to them what happened surely they can understand why I ran surely they will understand and I will continue to be a kunoichi, without having to reveal anything about my familial relations… hopefully Grandfather doesn't butt in… or baby me that would be embarrassing… I don't think I know what would be worse Grandfather babying me or be cut from the Kunoichi/Shinobi program" Jane continued her train of thought as she walked towards the cargo bay doors steeling herself for the coming storm.
As the cargo bay doors began to lower the Jane and the crew of the patrol craft were greeted with the sight of many different people scientists by the looks of them rushing to and fro back and forth all the while moving around a young military man (that looked like he had just been promoted to chunin) was fast approaching them
"Lieutenant I will take the prisoner from here if you wish to you may follow me the Clan Chief's may want to debrief you as well as this prisoner in order to discover the true events that transpired on Akuze. So if you will please after you." The young man said as he quickly turned on his heel and started back the way he came with Kaidan and Jane following after him.
Jane looked at the chunin in front of her while she knew she wouldn't be welcomed with open arms the idea that she was going to be prisoner of the alliance for any set of time baffled her had the clan chiefs already decided on what was to be done to her without hearing her side of the story in regards to the events on Akuze?!
"No Grandfather wouldn't let them do this so what is going on why would I already be considered a prisoner when no one has heard… wait maybe they got my report first but that doesn't make sense considering I was just finishing it upon entry to Arcturus Station… So what is this really regarding?"
As Jane continued walking she was roused from her thoughts when she nearly ran into a scientist who was rushing past her when she attempt to apologize the scientist was already half way across the room standing at the elevator while talking to someone on her omni tool.
"What is going on here why is everybody running around like Naruto at an all you can eat ramen buffet?" Jane asked getting a chuckle from both Kaidan and their Guide. Jane started to look around and she noticed at a group of scientists huddled around a computer screen
"That's Classified. It's way above my pay grade to know things like that. But scuttlebutt* says that it's a massive Meteor dating back at least 1000 plus years and the best part is it's crashed right in the middle of the asari city of Astella on the planet Nevos. Hah that'll teach the smug Asari that they are not all powerful. Ah I wish I could see their faces when that meteor hit and they realised there is nothing they could do to stop it oh I bet they were..."
As the man continued to rant about how inferior the Asari where Kaidan and Jane payed him no mind and continued on their way to meet the chiefs (Which was amazing because even though their "Guide" was ranting and raving about the idiocy and uselessness of the asari he still seemed to know where he was going.)
10 minutes later the small group found themselves approaching the meeting room where behind to massive doors waited six of the most powerful beings in the alliance the 6 Clan Chief's each one representing a different region of earth. As they got closer Jane was becoming more and more nervous with each passing second, until finally they reached the great doors of the clan chamber just as two men were exiting.
Their guide finally realizing where they and who was approaching them quickly shut his mouth and stood at attention at the same time as Kaidan and Jane.
"Ten-hut!" The guide shouted as he saluted the two men.
"At ease! You are dismissed Chunin. We have a few questions for these two before they get thrown to the wolves." One of the men said as he looked toward Jane and Kaidan. When his gaze fell on Jane she looked down to the floor still ashamed by what she had done on Akuze. Kaidan on the other hand stood tall and didn't flinch when the man's steely gaze fell upon him.
When Jane felt his gaze leave her and Kaidan she looked back up to try and figure out who he was. A prominent scar went down his face, starting at the right cheekbone and ending at the upper lip. His steel blue eyes could read a person before they said a single word and showed conviction to a cause. What that cause is Jane didn't think she'd ever know. He is caucasian with steel Gray hair that was covered by a blue and gold naval admiral's hat, wearing a blue and gold Alliance Naval Admirals uniform.
Jane looked toward the other man instantly recognizing who he is. This man is Captain (Jonin) David Anderson decorated war hero of the alliance, the man who has enough medals that if he melted them down he could make a life size statue of himself. He is a darker skinned man probably from the southern jungles or Lightning country with short black hair, brown eyes, wearing a blue and gold naval captains jacket. Both of the men stood straight as a board waiting for the chunin to leave before they continued their conversation with the two soldiers in front of them. The Chunin finally realizing that he wasn't going to be given any say as to whether or not he got to continue to escort
"Unfortunately for you Admiral Hackett but I have-"
"Son I know you have orders from the Clan Chiefs unfortunately for you I just came from talking with the Clan Chiefs and they have transferred the job of escorting Lady Uzumaki to me so once again you are dismissed. Now then Chunin I believe that you might want to consider taking a vacation once your shift here is over considering how furious the Kotei Shin Ryuu is that you are treating his great granddaughter like a common criminal." Admiral Hackett stated the poor chunin seemed to suddenly go a little green in the face (Hell even Kaidan seemed shocked) and started to do a perfect imitation of a fish out of water as he looked between Jane and the Admiral trying to figure out if what was said was true or not. Finally unable to comprehend or process the thoughts that were no doubt running through his head and the chunin promptly fainted in front of Admiral Hackett and Captain Anderson.
Captain Anderson turned to look at Alenko and after giving him the once over stated
"Lieutenant Alenko you may leave their is a shuttle leaving for earth at 1800 hrs you are dismissed."
Alenko saluted to Admiral Hackett and Captain Anderson. As he turned to leave he looked at Jane and said
"While Lady Uzumaki it was a pleasure to meet you hopefully the Next time we meet will be under better circumstances."
"Likewise Lieutenant." Jane responded before both parties went their separate ways
"Lady Uzumaki, if you would please be so kind as to follow us we will take you into the meeting room to confer with the Clan Chiefs." Captain Anderson stated while he turned and started back towards the doors to the meeting room.
After what felt like a couple hours (but in reality was about five minutes) Admiral Hackett turned and looked at Jane and spoke in a commanding voice so low she almost didn't hear him
"After the meeting me you and Captain Anderson are going to be having a conversation in regards to your application into the Systems Alliance Navy and the information you provided."
Jane didn't have long to think of the implications that this "conversation" might have seeing as they had just arrived at the doors to the meeting room with the Clan Chiefs. She didn't not like how things were going so far for her.
As the group of four entered the meeting room Jane could feel the tension and wasn't looking forward to talking with the council especially.
"Jane Uzumaki or do you prefer Shepard?" one of the Chiefs asked her. The speaker is unmistakably female, her voice sounded like the rustling of tree leaves on a windy day. Jane looked up at the chief: a tall woman even when sitting. Her rich mahogany skin and dark brown hair made her seemingly blend into the dimly lit council room. Her cold silver eyes contrasted the surroundings like a full moon in a dark starless sky.
"I prefer to be referred to a Jane Shepard in honor of my late father." she said as she looked at the rest of the Clan Chiefs.
Each of them had an unreadable expression on their visage especially the Uzumaki Chief. In comparison to his fellow Clan Chiefs his tanned skin almost seemed to blend in with dark room where it not for his silver grey hair. His emotionless golden eyes seemed to be able to predict the very thoughts she was thinking. So this was the famed Dai Konran no Ryū(*) it shocked her that the man she used to visit when she was a child who she always felt was warm was the same man sitting in front of her now.
'No' Jane thought 'This man right now is not my grandfather Chōjirō Uzumaki. The man in front of me right now is the Clan Chief for the Elemental Nations.'
Jane removed her gaze from her great grandfather and shifted it onto the next Chief.
The man is a bald portly fellow with a long bushy braided brown beard and small beady ice blue eyes. If she had to guess he was probably from the nordic states as his pale skin seemed reflect the icy weather of his homeland.
As Jane's gaze drifted along the other three, she realized that no one had asked her any other questions since she entered the room. So deciding it was time to find out what was going on. Jane decided to ask the one question that had been on her mind since she entered Arcturus Station.
"Honourable Chiefs, I would pose a question if it is not be too bold of me."
Jane waited a few minutes and when no one seemed to oppose her she continued on.
"While I believe that my distraction got my squad killed and believe that I should be condemned for it. Is there any way to prove my worth and redeem myself" Jane asked
The Nordic Chief stood up a mask of rage painted on his red face
"You've don't get to demand things of us After all you said that your "Distraction' was what got your squad killed but we of the Chiefs know what you really are you murderer. I have here the very accurate report of the pilot of the craft that picked you up and in it he says that as he came down to pick you and your companion up you jumped onto the craft and then as your companion approached you shot him just to save your own hide. So don't go pretending that you've done nothing wrong you bloody..."
Just as the Nordic Chief was about to finish his statement he was blasted with the combined killing intent from three different people the greatest of whom was the Uzumaki clan chief
"Reprimand her if you must Heath but don't you dare disrespect MY GRANDDAUGHTER, and in regards to the events on Akuze perhaps it is best if we hear the events of what transpired from an eyewitness, my great granddaughter was there and as for the event you described we all know that the pilot is your nephew and that you and your family have never really forgiven the shinobi for soundly defeating your people in the last war. Now then I believe it is time for us to cease the hostility and get on with my Granddaughter's report."
While Jane had heard that her grandfather was a very political savvy man it was anothering thing entirely to see him in action. It was at this point that the Clan Chief from the Southern Jungles spoke up in a slightly annoyed voice
"Thank you Lord Uzumaki but I believe the Council of the Six Clan Chiefs of the Six Nations of earth have not gathered to disrespect your granddaughter." Then turning to the Nordic Clan Chief "Nor are we here to start an international incident that drags mankind into another war. So if you intend on trying to do just that lord Heath we will ban you from this council and force the Nordic people to choose a new representative. What We are here to find out what actually transpired on Akuze. Now if you would Commander Shepard, please tell us the events that transpired on Akuze."
Jane looked once more at the Clan Chiefs assembled around her and took a deep breath before her she began to explain what transpired on Akuze.
"At 0600 hours my company and I landed on Akuze our mission was to investigate why the colony on Akuze dropped out of contact with alliance space. From the drop zone it took us to 1000 hours to arrive at the settlement we didn't want to disturb any evidence in the settlement unfortunately the closest drop zone from the settlement was 4 hours away. Upon arrival in the settlement we began to investigate the buildings there was no sign of struggle, in fact there was nothing to indicate that the residents hadn't just walked off into the night. For the next 10 hours we continued our investigation. At around 20:00 hours we set up a Forward Operating Base, ate and then turned in for the night at 21:00 hours. From 21:00 till 02:35 had volunteered for the first watch and was standing outside the tents and was to be relieved of my shift 02:35 by Sergeant Johnson. It was around 01:35 when I noticed a something flash in the distance and decided to investigate in hopes of perhaps finding one of the colonists. Unfortunately when i found the source of the flash it was a child's toy as I was about to turn around and head back to the FOB I heard Gunfire coming from the direction of the base and quickly ran as fast as I could back to my squad. When I arrived the only way to describe it was that all hell had broken loose there were Alliance Soldiers everywhere either being dragged down by Hundreds of Thresher Maws or running around shooting the thresher maws or even just running from the maws. I stood for a few minutes and tried to fight them off but I realized that their was no way for us to continue to fight and win. Either we would have fought them off but died in the progress or we ran away and died in the progress or we try to fight the maws off and die in the progress there was no way to win against the thresher maws. So I ran away and escaped death. But I believe that the cost of my life was too high. The price wasn't worth the reward, Perhaps if I had decided to let my Uzumaki status be known maybe…maybe they would still be alive, or maybe even she would still be alive." Jane stated the last part in so quiet a voice that the Chiefs almost didn't hear it
The Clan Chiefs looked at Jane and began muttering amongst themselves but never taking their gaze off of her. A long awkward silence filled the room the only face among the Clan Chiefs that she could read was the Nordic Chief… Heath she thought his name was...the rage and disgust clearly painted onto his face.
"While I may not have been the only one to have lost a loved one I say we sentence her to death! But I doubt that even that would wipe the shame from the Uzumaki Clan all descendants of Demons" Heath spat to the side after he said this but Jane could see that her Grandfather didn't approve of his harsh words but unable to do anything that wouldn't start an International Incident. So she decided to compromise
"We of the Uzumaki clan are very proud to be descendants of a village of shinobi that took three of the great villages to take down. Also we are descendants of Three Jinchuuriki of Konohagakure No Sato, Mito Uzumaki, Kushina Uzumaki the red hot habanero, the red death, and Naruto Uzumaki, The Hero of The Fourth Shinobi world war, Konoha's number 1 unpredictable ninja."
Heath grinned maliciously.
"If you're so proud to be an Uzumaki then why didn't you take the Uzumaki name? Hmmmm? What tora* got your tongue?"
Jane frowned at what The Nordic Chief was insinuating.
"Enough. We are not here to discuss the Uzumaki's Proud Lineage, Nor are we here to discuss Commander Shepard's surname. We are here however to hear about what had transpired on Akuze as well as Punish or Reward the commander whichever is deemed appropriate."The Clan Chief of the Southern Jungle Stated "" The Clan Chief of the southern Jungle stated "Now Commander we the Chiefs have three very different reports each one states that you Out ran a Thresher Maw, You Jumped over 30 feet into the air and climbed into the hovering patrol craft and You seemed to barely be winded by these extraordinary feats. To Name but a few of the similarities, now you see here's the problem the report of the pilot states that your lover also survived and when he tried to climb in you shot him… Is there something funny" She asked as she turned in her chair to look at the Uzumaki Clan Chief who was trying… and failing to control his laughter.
Jane paled at the Idea that her grandfather of all people might have discovered her secret, and what if he decided to mention it to her great grandfather or even worse her mother oh what would she do to or think of her youngest Daughter.
If anyone had looked at Jane they would have seen her go from a sickly pale color to ghostly pale almost as though whatever she was thinking was to terrible to be described. But luckily her great grandfather's commanding voice had broken her out of her Machinations regarding what her mother would do to her.
"Do you honestly wish to continue this farce we have the reports from three people including my granddaughter. Two of which seem to be corroborated by the anbu unit we sent out shortly after we received the reports. My fellow Chiefs I grow tired of this farce of keeping Commander Jane Uzumaki Shepard in the dark about what pretend we know and don't know in regards to the events on Akuze." He stated
Jane's turned her gaze to her great grandfather curious as to what he was actually saying. After all the Uzumaki clan has been famous for looking underneath the underneath since the time of Boruto Uzumaki. Jane looked from her great grandfather to the nordic chief curious as to what he was going to say
"As you wish Chōjirō-san I was getting tired of playing the bad guy." Heath stated as he turned his gaze to Jane "I must apologize young lady while I have no quarrel with you or your blood in regards to these political matters, my Nephew on the other had seems to have forgotten that just because we are related doesn't mean he can act like a spoiled child when things don't go his way. So on behalf of my blood I would like to offer an apology to both the Uzumaki Clan as a whole and to you Jane. But I would still like to know why you refuse to use the Uzumaki surname.?"
Jane's jaw dropped when Heath's attitude did a total 180, not only was he not accusing her of murder but also he offered her and the Uzumaki clan an apology… what the hell just happened
Seeing the look on his great granddaughters face Shigekuni Uzumaki decided it was time for them to explain what was going on
"Jane you must be utterly confused by what just happened and the truth is that we were trying to find out first hand what happened on Akuze, you see a lot of people in the alliance were in a panic when they heard that Akuze had dropped out of contact with us. So when we announced we were sending a recon team to secure the situation and investigate the strange events that may have transpired on Akuze a lot of stress was relieved but then you and your company dropped out of contact with the Alliance. So we asked ourselves do we send another company to try reestablish contact with the first and the colony or do we cut our losses and forget about akuze. Unable to decide we put it to a vote between us and the admirals. Eventually we figured we would send a small ship to investigate and retrieve any survivors if there were any or bring back the bodies if there weren't. Lo and behold you had survived a witness to the events that befell your own company. Unfortunately some were suspicious on how you would act while others wondered if you had anything to do with what happened to your company considering you are the sole survivor. So we put you through a little test to see what you feel you deserved. Now tell us why you feel you need to perform a deed of some sort in order to redeem your actions?"
Jane looked from her Grandfather to the other Clan Chiefs.
"Honourable Chiefs I feel that I am at least partially to blame for the death of my squad had I not been distracted by the child's toy I would have continued my rounds and I might have noticed the thresher maws before they rose up out of the ground, or perhaps I could have gotten to the FOB faster and helped save my comrades, or I could have used my jutsu's and defeated enough of them that the rest of my company might have lived…so that she might of lived!"
Jane looked at the ground tears beginning to form as she tried once again to forget the sounds of her comrades screaming as they were dragged down under the ground to the gruesome death that awaited them.
Seeing that there was going to be no way to convince her that it was not her fault that so many good people lost their lives on that Kami forsaken planet the Chiefs looked at each other and then at Jane unable to figure out just what sort of deed or task they could get her to perform.
"Jane Shepard you are to wait outside while the my fellow Chiefs and I figure out just what sort of deed you will need to perform in order to redeem your actions." One of the Clan Chiefs stated
Just as Jane was about to head out into the reception area a deafening buzzing resounded throughout the meeting room, while to Jane this sound was more of an Annoyance when she looked at the chiefs she noticed looks of worry on each of their faces.
Seeing Jane staring at them one of the chiefs motioned for his guard* to escort her out of the room. As she was leaving the room Jane overheard someone mention Priority Zero Message. Which was strange to her since she had never heard of a Priority Zero before.
"Commander Shepard as you are leaving if you would be so kind as to send in Admiral Hackett and Captain Anderson thank you." The southern Jungle Chief asked
With that asked of her Jane left the meeting room wondering just what was going on.
It had been over two hours since Jane left the meeting room and she sitting down on a nearby bench while beginning to get a little impatient about what was going on. Her thoughts ranged from Invading armies to Armageddon to false alarm but whatever this Priority Zero message was it was something important if the look on the Clan Chiefs faces were anything to go by. Jane was just about to wander off to try and locate either food or drink (She just realised she hadn't eaten or Drank anything since she landed) when the meeting room doors opened and a young woman peeked out.
"Commander the Chiefs are ready to see you know." She said as she motioned for Jane to follow her back into the room.
Jane got up and went into the meeting room and once again was face to face with the clan chiefs.
"You called for me?" Jane asked
"Yes" Chōjirōs poke "We the Six Clan Chiefs of The Six most powerful Nations on Earth have come to a decision on the deed you are needed to perform in order to redeem your actions. You are to travel to the asari city Astella on the planet Nevos, I'm sure you've heard about the meteor that impacted there while we have ground reports that the meteor is giving off Chakra signatures and a steady life sign. Your mission is to retrieve the life sign in the meteor and bring it back to alliance space so we may figure out what it is to have such massive amounts of Chakra. We believe that this Mission will redeem your actions on Akuze, you will be travelling on the Normandy* serving under Captain Anderson and Admiral Hackett. You will be leaving within the next thirty minutes. "
To say Jane was shocked would be to say that an Inuzuka had a good sense of smell. Not only was she travelling to a different planet to retrieve a Chakra producing meteorite with a life sign but she was going to be on the most advanced warship in the alliance fleet. This mission would truly redeem her actions, she hoped nothing would go wrong.
After the group of three left to prepare the Normandy* for departure Heath looked at Chōjirō
"Why didn't you tell her the full story of what she was going to find on the planet's surface?" Heath asked
"Because it was unneeded information that and she didn't need to feel ahh inspired when she met him the man who made her want to become a kunoichi."