EA/BioWare owns this. Stolen idea from Shakarianhell . Tumbler . com with this cute idea!
We can be hhhheeeeerrrrrooooooeeesss… if just for one day!
One-Shot #4: We Can Be Heroes
Set in 2176, Post-Assault of Elysium
"Scott! Quick! It's on!"
Scott Alan Ryder rushed over to the living room where his twin sister, Sara Elaine Ryder, sat on the couch in the living room, the Magnavox 10K UHD Holovision was on the Alliance News Network channel, streaming live from the ExtraNet as both thirteen year olds clamored onto the couch, completely ignoring everything else as they glued their eyes to the HV monitor as the news brought up the 'special report'.
"Geez, Scott! You're a minute late to everything!" Sara jibbed him, reminding Scott that she was born first.
"You're always the first to jump in and mess it up!" Scott returned, the rivalry beginning again.
"Kids." Alec Clancy Ryder looked over his bifocals from his easy chair as he looked to his twin children. "Watch, please. In silence."
A choir of yes, Dad came from their mouths as they returned to the monitor, their attention completely undivided. It was on, and they weren't going to miss it for the world.
There she stood in her Alliance Dress Blues on stage, standing in perfect attention, the cameras catching her from multiple angles, this young woman, recent graduate from the Military Academy, and newest star in humanity.
Ensign Jane Shepard.
"Today," began the President of the Systems Alliance, President Martha Rickover, spoke from a podium, Ensign Shepard standing at attention by her side as a marquee scrolled underneath, giving off subtitles, "today marks a day of loss and of hope. One month ago, a villainous assault on one of our colonies held fear in our hearts and cold fury in our souls as pirates and slavers assaulted Illyeria, Elysium. Their intent was to seek and destroy, to take what they wanted. They came with greed in their hearts and lust in their souls as they blackened our skies with their villainy. And they would have succeed… save for one woman."
"Cool." Both twins choired.
"Ensign Jane Shepard was on leave, having graduated from London barely two weeks before, visiting her family in Illyeria when tragedy and war struck. Ships swooped through the skies as Planetary Defense Alarms rang out. Villains of every kind came with dark intent, and during our darkest day, came one woman to make it our finest hour. Heedless of her own safety, Ensign Shepard manned an anti-aircraft platform and began defending the lives of the colonists of Ilyeria, buying time for evacuation and defense. She shot down seven shuttles this way before the gun malfunctioned, the heat sinks melted from her intent to protect. This did not stop her as she joined the Civil Police Forces of Illyeria, grabbing armor and weapons, and using what she had learned in the Academy to lead dozens of police officers in hit-and-run tactics throughout the streets of Illyeria, stalling advances and denying access to major intersections by parking contragravity vehicles and pulling power cores. For seven hours, anarchy was contained by those willing to follow a woman who would not give up or give in. In the end, the pirates retreated, having received so much damage and so many losses that they were forced to abandon their plan, unable to achieve their objective. Because of one woman, Illyeria was protected and defended not with just valor and courage, but with precision and skill. Because of one woman, we need not need to hear the cries of family members taken, reaved like Mindoir. Because of one woman, we have shown what one person can accomplish.
"Ensign Jane Catherine Shepard, I award to you the Star of Terra."
Alec Clancy Ryder looked over to his twin children, seeing the glee on their faces, the sparkle in their eyes, their imaginations running while as the father smiled softly, knowing how little children understood war. One only needed to be a hero for a day to understand that for each one brought forth was done over the bodies of thousands. No, they didn't need to know that.
He prayed they never would.
Author's Note: Stole this idea from Shakarianhell . Tumbler . com. A two-panel pic where you see a 22 year old Shepard having the Star of Terra dropped around her neck, a marquee reading off the act, and twin 13 year olds Sara and Scott watching the news, faces alit with wonder.
The song I reference to in the beginning is David Bowie's original version of 'Heroes'.
Illyeria is the canon colonial capital of Elysium. The planet itself is supposedly multi-ethnic with a large population of non-humans, perhaps even half.
Alec's middle name, Clancy, is based off his Voice Actor, Clancy Brown.