Title: A Shepard in the Wilderness

Author: Knife Hand

Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated, flames unappreciated

Spoilers: Nothing Specific.

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect.

Summary: A retelling of the Mass Effect saga where Shepard forges her own path and takes command of the Galaxy, and some of her crew, in her own way. Earthborn, Sole Survivor Fem Shep.


"What's the matter, Williams?" Sheppard asked when Ash fidgeted for the third time on the elevator ride.

"Sorry Commander." Ash replied. "This armour is not the best fit."

"I'm surprised any Alliance Requisitions Officer would ever issue improper armour." Alenko interjected.

Shepard snorted at Kadien's naive comment.

"Yeah, keep believing that, Lieutenant." Shepard retorted.

"He thought it was funny to give me the girliest armour he had." Ash added.

"Right. Change of plans." Shepard said, using her omni-tool to change their destination.

"Where we headed, Boss?" Ask asked.

"To get you ready for combat." Shepard replied.


"Willis!" Shepard called out. "I know you are in here!"

"Fuck, Shepard." Willis said as he came out of the back room. "I told you, the Fourth Gen Miniature rail-mounted grenade launcher won't be available for another three months. Though I still say putting one of those on your Eagle is nuts."

"Oh, come on." Shepard replied. "I've done all the math. With the other mods, I'll be able to take out anything short of a Mainline Battle Tank with the Eagle."

"Yeah, well let me know when you test that, so I can be elsewhere." Willis said with a shake of his head. "So, what do you need?"

"What upgraded Heat Sinks you got?" Shepard asked.

"Only got First Gens. You already got, what? Third Gen?" Willis countered.

"Yeah, but these two only got base." Rhian replied. "Alright you two, give up your Heat Sinks."

Both Kaden and Ash began to pile their standard Heat Sinks on the counter while Willis brought out the upgraded Heat Sinks that were slightly more efficient.

"Don't suppose you have a TFC system?" Shepard asked sceptically.

Willis just gave an eye roll and shook his head. Shepard sighed by nodded, not really surprised. Thermal Fluid Cooling systems were rare, even among Elite N7 Operators, but Shepard had one. Normally her Heat Sinks were stored in a harness of combat webbing over the breastplate of her Armour, along with a few grenades. Once the Heat Sinks were 'spent', instead of discarding them, she would slot them into the loops of the TFC around her waist, which cooled them sufficiently that after two minutes they were able to be used again as if they were a new Heat Sink. Used well, the TFC effectively extended the ammo capacity to close to infinite.

"Williams needs a full new set of armour." Shepard continued. "What you got available?"

"Not a lot, actually." Willis replied. "I got some of the new Marine Armour that's supposed to become standard for line Marine troops. Got one set that should fit."

"Right. Break it out. Williams, go get changed." Shepard ordered. "Now, what mods you got for their weapons?"


Shepard, Williams and Alenko were standing around waiting for the Krogan, by the name of Urdnot Wrex, that Bala Von had pointed them towards. Wrex was talking with, well ignoring and insulting, a C-Sec Officer.

Ash was much more relaxed and comfortable in her new blue and white Marine Armour. There had not been many available Mods for their weapons, and what there was did not appeal to either Kaiden or Ash. Shepard understood that, as she had extensive arguments with other N7's about Mods and it all came down to personal preference.

"You Battlemaster Wrex of Clan Urdnot?" Shepard asked.

"Yeah. What do ya want, Human?" Wrex replied.

"I want a lot of things." Shepard replied. "A rail mounted Grenade Launcher for my pistol; four hours with the Consort that involves strawberries, whipped cream and an electric mixer; Harken flopping on the floor in front of me bleeding from massive rectal trauma. But what you can help me with is crushing the walking pile of shit known as Saren under my boot, setting him on fire and pissing on the ashes."

"Thank you for those visuals, Commander." Kaiden said slightly queasy.

"Ha. I like you, Human." Wrex chuckled. "Tell you what. The Shadow Broker wants a guy called Fist dead. Idiot plans to double cross The Shadow Brokers. Help me with that and I'll help you crush Saren."

"Maybe we should just go with that C-Sec Turian who was investigating Saren instead." Ash said.

"I know where he is." Wrex said. "I could hear the argument he had with the Executor from here and then he was muttering he was going to see a Doctor in the Wards. A Doctor Michelle. Someone took a contract out on her. Amateurs or they would have hired me."

"We have to save her, Commander." Kaiden almost demanded.

"Down boy." Rhian said. "Forgive the Lieutenant. We're still trying to get the factory stamp saying 'Combat Virgin' off his ass. He'll settle once he's seen a few people blown apart."


The breach into the Medical Clinic was efficient, brutal and over almost before it started. The four humans hired to kill Doctor Michelle had been standing in two groups bracketing the Doctor. Not bad for thugs intimidating someone helpless but perfect targets for the breach assault. The Turian C-Sec Officer had just been sneaking into position when Rhian, Wrex, Ash and Kaiden had breached. Rhian and Wrex had each taken down one of the groups with bursts from their Assault Rifles before the thugs had even had time to turn in reaction to the breach.

"Huh. I was tougher than that when I was five." Rhian said, poking one of the corpses with the toe of her armour's boot. "More intimidating too."

"Well that's great." The Turian C-Sec Officer said sarcastically. "Any reason I should not arrest you all?"

"You're Garrus right?" Rhian asked. "The guy who was going after Saren? Good, because I am going to make all your dreams come true."

"Ok?" Garrus said confused. "I've never been that into Humans though."

"Not that, Bird Boy." Rhian said with a roll of her eyes. "I am going to find Saren, go all Psycho on his ass and use his head like a sock-puppet. I am giving you the chance to come along pop a couple of caps into his ass."

"I have no idea about most of what you just said, but if you're going after Saren, I'm in." Garrus said. "I've had it with C-Sec anyway. The Executor is more concerned about politics than stopping crime."

"Welcome aboard. I feel like I am assembling a Merc Company. What you think Williams? Rhian's Rampagers or Shepard's Slaughterers?" Rhian asked.

"Commander, shouldn't we be focusing on info on Saren?" Ash asked back.

"I heard that Fist was arranging a meeting with someone who wants to see the Shadow Broker." Garrus said. "Rumour is the meeting is tomorrow."

"Whoever agreed to that is dumber than a Pyjak." Wrex said. "The Shadow Broker meets with no one. Even I work through intermediaries."

"I bet the meeting is about Saren." Kaiden said.

"Well duh." Rhian replied. "The meet is probably our best bet to intercept. Still I would like to scout out Fist beforehand. Makes you wonder how he came up with that name? Sounds like something you pay extra for at an Omega Brothel, the anything goes kind."

"Chora's Den is a hive of sex, violence and more violence." Garrus informed.

"My kind of place then." Rhian replied, walking out of the Medical Clinic.

"Um… thanks." Doctor Michelle said as Shepard left, getting a casual wave in reply.

Kaiden sighed, Ash and Garrus just exchanged glances and Wrex chuckled as they followed Shepard out.

TBC…