Chapter 2.

"Human nobility. I didn't know such a thing existed."

Unnamed Batarian.

File No.3, 2:20, The Citadel.

MD: "How were you liberated Commander?"

JS: "One day while we were in our bunks in the slave pens we were awoken to the sound of explosions and gunfire before any of us realised what was going on a group of Alliance soldiers burst into the room with the torches on the end of their rifles blinding us, they ordered us all down on the ground, many people, myself included were dragged from their bunks and flung to the floor, once everything had calmed down they lined us up against the wall and began examining all the male human slaves, they were looking for tattoos, when they began leading away fellow rams in omni cuffs I knew something was wrong"

MD: "Why were the Alliance targeting the battering rams?"

JS: "Turns out that one of the guys receiving a punishment sentence turned out to be a high up alliance politician, some rams on the outside had kidnapped him for some billionaire with a grudge, and turns out the Alliance soldiers were all N7 operatives and had been tracking the kidnapped politician for months."

MD: "Didn't you have the battering ram tattoo, did they find it?"

JS: "Yes they did but when it came to my turn….i wasn't going down without a fight, I had hidden a shiv in my sleeve and when one of the operatives came to me and demanded I show him my arm… I stabbed him in the side but it failed to pierce his armour. He shouted and knocked me over with the butt of his rifle, seeing me in trouble Otto runs in to help but gets bowled over by another operative. Otto and me are both on the ground mewling in pain and the man I tried to stab looms over us and takes off his face, They're just kids he says, and orders a medic over, we are taken away."

MD: "Did you ever meet that N7 officer again?"

JS: Yes I did indeed, after the mines liberation he offered me and Otto a choice, join the marines make something of our lives or go to prison once more, of course we picked the first option."

MD: "What was the name of that N7 officer?."

JS: "David Anderson"

MD: "The David Anderson?"

JS: "Yes when I said we went far back I meant it, he got me into the military and he was there when I graduated to N7".

MD: "Wow… moving on what was your early military career like?"

JS: "It was mostly patrols, and garrison duty and the occasional gunfight with armed gangs that the police couldn't handle, outside of that for me and Otto it was all about loud music cheap booze and loose women".

MD: "Any notable experiences before your promotion to N7?"

JS: "Yes actually the event that caused my nomination to the N7 training programme."

MD: "What was that?"

JS: We were stationed on…

(There is a sudden rap at the door, putting a stop to our interview. I notice Shephards expression changing to one of both relief and anxiety. The sound of boots clicking against metal fills the room as a woman enters, striding past me and stopping at Shepherd's side. Her beauty is unparalleled, her appearance striking both awe and fear into the heart of any who gaze upon her. Her pale skin gives a drastic contrast against her auburn hair, and her dress sense is obviously inspired from a life in the military. Her boots rise up to her knees, merging seamlessly with her tight fitting jeans. A leather jacket practically moulds itself to her figure, as does the top she wears beneath it. She leans forward, whispering into Shepherd's ear as she hands him a datapad. His face turns suddenly grave as she speaks. Whatever she has told him cannot be a good tiding, and judging by the Commanders' expression, the material on the data pad is no different)

JS: "Mr Davin I am sorry about this but I must post pone our session for today, something has come up".

MD: "That's fine Mr Shepard I understand"

(Shepard leaves out an exasperated sigh, pausing briefly before rising from his seat. He gives a sad, but affectionate look to the woman. I do not recognise her, but I can definitely see that she means a great deal to the Commander. My suspicions of a personal intimacy are confirmed as he leans closer to her, pressing a kiss against her cheek and walking away with an obvious purpose. To my surprise, the woman lingers, turning towards me. She casts a glance at me which, on the surface, seems welcoming. However, I can see that she is apprehensive behind it all)

ML: Mr Davin my name is Miranda Lawson it's a pleasure to meet the man interviewing Shepard.

MD: "The pleasure is all mine Ms Lawson, I am privileged that Shepard chose me, it'll be good for him to finally get the truth on record "

(Miranda leans over the table, gripping either side of it with her hands. She looks me dead in the eyes, almost commanding me to give her my full attention)

ML: ""You might want to check up your definition of truth, Davin. Are you talking about what you've been spoon fed over the last three years, or what actually happened?"

(Miranda's eyes narrow to slits as she stares into my eyes, almost burrowing into the depths of my soul. Her words resound within my mind, and I begin to finally realise the extent of her loyalty to Shepard. She turns without uttering a word, and exits the room. However, even after her departure, I can still feel her cold demeanour lodging in my bones. I'm almost afraid to move, lest I aggravate her in some fashion. I can see her being rather obstreperous in future)

End Of File 3.

Authors note, I updated this chapter with the help of a very good friend of mine who is now my editor, I really need feedback from ye guys in the reviews as I want to see what ye think