I'm now starting chapter 4, and here, well, little action occurs: mostly just getting new "toys" for the team, and leaving the Citadel...and something extra for those wondering where the rest of the Elgang is... ;)

Chapter 4: Normandy


The group had broken up, moving through the Citadel, with Eve, Elsword, Aisha, and the Shepards heading towards C-Sec Academy, to obtain new weapons for the group. When they arrived, they located and approached the Requisitions Officer. "One sec, looking you up," the C-Sec Requisition Officer said, as he looked up the group. "So...Commander John Shepard, here with the Alliance Military. First time on the Citadel. That about right?"

"How did you know all that?" John asked.

The C-Sec Requisition Officer responded, "I'm the C-Sec Requisition Officer. I need to make sure our buyers are authorized." Then, the Turian nodded to the person looking over John's right shoulder. "Good to see you again, Jane."

Jane nodded at him. John looked back at his sister. "You know this guy?"

Before Jane could say anything, the officer answered, "A couple years ago, she came to the Citadel with another couple other new N7s, and she helped sniff out an illegal weapons mod operation. As payment, she was given some of the extra mods not needed for evidence: we decided since she was military, she should be responsible enough."

John raised an eyebrow at his sister. "Is THAT where you got those Frictionless Materials X, Scram Rail X, and Kinetic Coil X mods for that Volkov X Sniper Rifle you have?"

"Uhhh..." was all she could say, before nervously nodding.

John turned to the Officer. "That can't be all she did, to be allowed to get those things..."

The officer sighed. "Well...there WAS the hostage situation-"

"Hostage situation?!" He looked shocked at his sister.

"They...C-Sec needed help...I helped..."

"More like you broke up the whole situation: sniped the hostage taker, and helped provide supporting fire for the officers and the Spectre present, while they apprehended the other suspects."

John then asked, "Who was the Spectre?"

"Jondum Bau, a Salarian," Jane answered, before adding with a nervous smile, "Said I was a natural."

The officer added, "More than him think that: honestly, it's humans like you that are accumulating some level of good faith in the human race." Finally, the officer turned to John again. "So, will you be purchasing anything today, Commander John Shepard?"

"Show me what you got," John said.

"Sounds good," the Requisitions Officer stated, "Let me just set you up...whoa. This must be a mistake. System's telling me to offer you our select stock...Spectre?" The officer then looked at both John and Jane, before stating, "Well...I should have probably seen this one coming: the younger sister helps a Spectre break up a hostage situation, I'm almost not surprised the older brother became a Spectre himself. I'd heard about the new "Human Spectre", but didn't realize it was you at first. Sorry Commander."

"Just show me what you got," John said.

Then, the officer noticed one of John's companions. "And you must be the AI that saved the Citadel, then...face looks like the picture I noticed on the profile..." he said, looking at Eve, drawing her attention.

"Yes," Eve said.

"Well...not many people trust AIs, even those accepted by the Council, myself included...still, I can't deny you did the Citadel a service for taking down that rogue AI, so you have my thanks for that." Eve gave the officer a respectful nod. "Now, I'll open the rare stocks for you, Commander. Enjoy."

John looked through the Spectre stores, and asked, "I take it that these weapons and supplies have to remain on my person?"

The requisitions officer gave a favoritive glance to Jane...and a not-so-savory one to Eve, before saying, "You, or anyone you entrust with it."

John nodded, before looking through. The options for weapons, armor, mods, even Omni-Tools and Biotic Amps, was extensive. However, one disadvantage was..."Look at how much this all costs! How am I supposed to get all these credits?!"

"Excuse me, Commander?" John turned towards Eve. She reached to her Omni-Tool, and pulled out a credit chit. "During the showdown with the AI, Nihlus obtained these. He gave them to me, claiming he had more than enough, but it appears your needs are greater than mine."

John put the credit chit in and download the credits...and his jaw dropped. "50 million credits?! Where'd you get all this?!"

"The AI was pulling credits in to purchase a starship for itself. Nihlus claimed the credits when I destroyed the AI, and after our meeting with the Council, he gave them to me, claiming I "earned them". However, it appears you need them more than I do."

"Wow, I-thanks...I now have more than enough to outfit the whole team...well, you guys up first. Take a look..." John said.

His sister appeared alright with her equipment, although she obtained an upgraded Omni-Tool, a Savant Mk X. Elsword, being the close-combat type, got a shotgun, a Mk X HMWSG Master Shotgun, in addition to a Mk X Logic Arrest Tool Omni-Tool. Aisha concentrated more on using her "magic", but agreed to obtain a Mk X HMWP Master Pistol for defense, and a Mk X Polaris Omni-Tool. John got himself a Mk X HMWA Master Assault Rifle, a Mk X HMWP Master Pistol, a Mk X HMOT Master line Omni-Tool, and a Savant Biotic Amp.

Eve was a little more tricky to buy stuff for. After a period of waiting and thinking, she asked the Requisitions Officer, "What kind of weapon is this?" She then pulled out a pistol, and handed it, handle first, to the officer.

The C-Sec Officer looked over the pistol, before saying, "This would be a Kessler Pistol, Mk IV. Where did you get this?"

"On Eden Prime. Shortly after arriving, I found it on a dead colonist, along with my translator and Omni-Tool." She activated her Omni-Tool at this.

"Hmmm...A Cipher Tool, Mk VII," the officer observed, "It might be wise, if you're going to be hanging around Spectres, to get better equipment."

"I see," Eve replied, "However, this Omni-Tool is already linked to my systems. Would there be a manner to upgrade the Omni-Tool without totally replacing it."

"Difficult, but doable," the officer replied.

After a little bit of time, the Nasod's Cipher Tool was upgraded with programming from a Nexus Mk X, while retaining its Cipher Tool abilities. Furthermore, she only asked, in ways of weapons, for a Mk VIII HMWP Advanced Pistol, claiming she was going to "try something" with her Kessler. Finally, for what she claimed was "research purposes", she also asked for a Mk I Solaris Biotic Amp. When asked why, she said she was going to take it apart, and see "what made it tick". After some time, the group picked out weapons and supplies for the others, and departed.

"Good thing you had all those credits, Eve, we had enough for the new gear, as well as having more than enough left over," John said.

"Think of it as thanks for not shooting me in the face back on Eden Prime."

Eve's comment did not fall on deaf ears, and the Shepards stopped momentarily, before Jane asked, "Did she just..."

"I think she did..."

"What?" Elsword asked, stopping and turning to face them. "She can joke, can't she?"

The siblings were silent for a moment, before John said, "Apparently...she can..." Apparently, Elsword wasn't aware the Shepards were NOT questioning whether Eve was allowed to joke or not...


The group finally reached the docking bay where the Normandy was. Waiting for them was Udina, Anderson, and Nihlus. When they approached, Udina spoke to John. "I've got big news for you, Commander. Captain Anderson is stepping down as commanding officer of the Normandy. The ship is yours now."

Anderson continued, "She's quick and quiet and you know the crew. Perfect ship for a Spectre. Treat her well, Commander."

John was startled by this. "This isn't right! The Normandy belongs to you!"

Anderson countered, "You needed your own ship. A Spectre can't answer to anyone but the Council. And it's time for me to step down."

John wasn't buying that this was all there was to it. "Come clean with me, Captain," John said, "You owe me that much."

Anderson finally came clean. "I was in your shoes twenty years ago, John. They were considering me for the Spectres."

"What happened?" John asked.

"I failed. I couldn't make the cut. It's not something I'm proud of. Ask me later, and I'll tell you the whole story," Anderson replied, "For now, all you need to know is I was sent on a mission with Saren, and he made sure the Council rejected me. I had my shot. It came, and went. Now you have a chance to make up for my mistakes."

"I won't let you down, sir," John said.

"Saren's gone. Don't even try to find him," Anderson said," But we know what he's after: the Conduit. He's got his Geth scouring the Traverse looking for clues."

"We had reports of Geth in the Feros system shortly before our colony there dropped out of contact. And there have been sightings around Noveria," Udina added.

"Find out what Saren was after on Feros and Noveria. Maybe you can figure out where the Conduit is before he does."

John remembered from the message something, and commented regarding it, "The Reapers are the real threat."

"I'm with the Council on this one, Commander," Udina replied, "I'm not sure they even exist."

"But if they do exist," Anderson rationalized, "the Conduit's the key to bringing them back. Stop Saren from getting the Conduit and we stop the Reapers from returning."

"I'll stop him," John replied.

"We have one more lead," Udina announced," Matriarch Benezia, the other voice on that recording? She had a daughter, a scientist who specializes in the Protheans. We don't know if she's involved but it might be a good idea to try to find her. See what she knows. Her name's Liara. Dr. Liara T'Soni. We have reports she was exploring an archeological dig on one of the uncharted worlds in the Artemus Tau Cluster."

"Sounds like we should head for the Artemis Tau cluster," John said.

Anderson then said, "It's your decision, Commander. You're a Spectre now. You don't answer to us."

"But your actions still reflect on humanity as a whole," Udina claimed, "You make a mess and I get stuck cleaning it up."

"I'll try not to make things any harder on you, Ambassador," John replied.

Udina seemed relieved. "Glad to hear it, Commander. Remember: you were human long before you were a Spectre. I have a meeting to get to. Captain Anderson can answer any questions you might have." And, with that, Udina left.

As Udina left, John turned to Anderson. "Yes, Commander?" Anderson acknowledged.

"How are you holding up?" John asked.

Anderson sighed. "Honestly? This isn't how I pictured my career coming to an end. Pushing papers really isn't my thing. But you're the one who can stop Saren. I believe in you, John. If that means I have to step aside, so be it."

"You're a good man, Anderson," Eve said, a strange twinge of emotion in her voice, "You do deserve better than this."

Anderson nodded appreciatively to the Nasod. "Thank you, Eve."

Then, John asked, "Tell me what happened with you and Saren twenty years ago."

"It's close to twenty years ago now," Anderson began, "Ambassador Goyle was our representative here on the Citadel. Like Udina, she wanted to get a human into the Spectres. She chose me. The Council sent Saren to keep an eye on me and evaluate my performance. Just as they sent Nihlus to keep tabs on you."

"The Council sent a Spectre that hates humans to evaluate a human Spectre candidate?" Aisha reviewed, "It's like they intentionally set you up for failure."

"It's easy to see it like that," Anderson said.

John crossed his armed. "I think I deserve the whole story," he stated.

Anderson began, "We had intel on a rogue scientist being funded by Batarian interests. He was trying to set up a facility to develop illegal AI technology out in the Verge."

"Hey," Elsword interrupted, "Who all here wants to take bets on Saren being in on that research?" He raised his hand...in about half a minute, everyone present, one at a time, ending in Anderson, raised their hands.

"Anyways," Anderson continued, "Alliance intel had done all the work, but the Council wanted a Spectre involved. We compromised: I was assigned to help Saren in his investigation. We tracked the scientist to a refining facility on Camala. He was hidden away somewhere inside, protected by an army of Batarian mercenaries. The plan was simple: sneak into the plant, capture the scientist, sneak back out. Quick, quiet, and a minimum of bloodshed."

"I'm guessing things didn't go a planned," John stated.

Anderson replied, "Saren and I split up to cover more ground. Then, about halfway through the mission, there was a massive explosion in the refinery core. Officially, it was ruled an accident. But I think Saren detonated it on purpose to draw off the enemy guards."

"How many casualties?" John asked.

"The explosion tore the refinery to shreds. The whole place was on fire. Black chemical clouds poured out into the atmosphere. Nobody inside survived. There was a camp of workers and their families nearby. Between the fires and the toxic fumes, the final death count was over five hundred. Mostly civilians," Anderson answered. Saren didn't care. The target was eliminated. Mission accomplished. And I ended up taking the blame. That ended all talk of me joining the Spectres."

"Saren caused the explosion. How'd he pin it on you?" John asked what everyone else was thinking.

"In his report, Saren accused me of blowing his cover. He said it was my fault the guards were ready for us. He claimed that's why it turned into a massacre. Saren's report was all the proof the Council needed to kill my chances of becoming a Spectre."

"Don't blame yourself, Captain," John said.

"Yeah, it was Saren's fault, whether the Council is too prideful or stupid to admit it or not," Elsword piped in.

"I don't, but thank you both. I blame Saren. I think he wanted things to go bad. He was looking for an excuse to blow that refinery," Anderson said.

"With his reputation, I'd be hard-pressed to find a reason to disagree," Aisha commented.

"Maybe he just likes the violence," Anderson said, shrugging, "Maybe he was just trying to make me look bad to keep humans out of the Spectres. If so, he pulled it off."

"For a short while," Eve piped in, looking directly at John.

"Still, why'd you let him get away with it?" John asked.

Aisha actually facepalmed. "In case you weren't paying attention," the young Element Master stated, "Humans weren't considered trustworthy at that stage. What reason would they have for believing a supposedly-reckless human soldier over a supposedly-reliable Spectre veteran?"

"Exactly, Aisha hit it on the nail: Who do you think the Council was going to listen to? Me? Or their best agent? I had a bad feeling about him right from the start. I should've been more careful. Maybe I could have stopped things before they got out of hand."

"The only thing I care about is stopping Saren," John then said, with urgency.

Anderson then replied, "You're right, Commander. It's no good living in the past."

"I should go," John said.

"I'll be here if you need anything," Anderson replied. John nodded and led the group into the Normandy.


John, Jane, Nihlus, and Eve came onto the bridge. When they got there, Joker began to speak. "I heard what happened to Captain Anderson. Survives a hundred battles, and then gets taken down by backroom politics. Just watch your back, Commander. Things go bad on this mission, you're next on their chopping block."

"Such is life when dealing with politics," Eve said, with a worried expression, looking at John.

"Saren's out there somewhere," John said to them both, "And we're going to find him."

Eve gave him a smile and nodded. 'There's something about him...' she thought.

"Everyone on this ship is behind you, Commander. One hundred percent," Joker then said.

John then looked at Eve, and she gave him a smirk and nod.

"Intercom's open," Joker said, "If you've got anything you want to say to the crew, now's the time."

John leaned forwards, towards the intercom, everyone listening. "This is Commander Shepard speaking. We have our orders: find Saren before he find the Conduit. I won't lie to you, crew. This mission isn't going to be easy. For too long our species has stood apart from the others. Now it's time for us to step up and do our part for the rest of the galaxy! Time to show them what humans are made of! Our enemy knows we're coming. When we go into the Traverse, Saren's followers will be waiting for us. But we'll be ready for them, too. Humanity needs to do this. Not just for our own sake, but for the sake of every other species in Citadel Space. Saren must be stopped, and I promise you all...we will stop him!"

"Well said, Commander. Captain would be proud," Joker said.

John replied, "The captain gave up everything so I could have this chance. We can't fail."

Joker's response was simple: "Yes sir!"

As John walked off the bridge, he passed by Jane and Nihlus, but stopped when he saw Eve deep in thought. "Are you alright?" he asked the Nasod.

She thought for a moment longer, before looking at John. "Yes, I'm just thinking, worried about the others."

"Don't worry, Eve," John said, "If they're out there, we'll find them."

Eve couldn't help but smile at that. "Thank you, Commander." She then walked back into the cockpit and looked out at space. "Where do you think they are?"

"I don't know," John said, "But, like I said, we'll find them. Wherever they are, we'll find them." He turned and left, leaving Eve, smiling, in thought, looking out at space.


The 2 cloaked figures walked up to Afterlife. One of the guards stop them. "Stop! Where do you think you're going?"

One of the 2 figures approached the Batarian, getting in its face. "I just finished a job for Aria, and I'm coming to collect," he said.

"I haven't heard of this," the Batarian guard said, hand going to his SMG.

However, beforehand, a sword materialized in the man's hand, pointed at the Batarian's neck. "I said, "Let me in"."

Suddenly, another Batarian exited Afterlife. "Aria's expecting them," he told the hostage-guard.

"Ok, OK!" the Batarian guard said, the cloaked man returning his weapon to its sheath, and taking his companion, a female cloaked in a similar black/red cloak to his, into Afterlife. Inside the club, the duo passed the various patrons. One male Batarian made a less-than-pleasant pass at the female...only to face the male's left arm, which was larger than his right one, which ended in a metallic taloned hand, with some kind of blaster in the palm. The Batarian quickly backed off at that.

The duo finally made their way to Aria's box, where she looked over the club. A Batarian guard stopped them, and, before the male could say anything, he said, "Sorry, standard procedure." After a few moments, the Batarian let them pass.

Without turning around, the Asari asked, "Did you do it?" Wordlessly, the male nodded to the female, who nervously pulled a bloodied helmet from her pack, before uncomfortably handing it to the male who removed the arrow still embedded in the helmet and returning it to the female, who put it in the quiver on her back. Aria then turned around, and accepted the helmet: it was a Blue Suns helmet with multiple modifications, including a modified paint job. "Good work. And his little minions?"

The man now opened his own cloak, and removed a large group of pistols hidden in it, all disabled. "One for every one of them, except for those 2 from the same man."

"Excellent work. You weren't fucking with me when you said you get the job done. I must say, when you took the job, I didn't think you both would make it back alive. A fucking bow and a sword against a group using guns, I was sure at least one of you, if not both of you, would have gotten your asses killed, yet, here you are. Well, a deal's a deal: 3 favors from the most powerful person on Omega. Let's go over them again, make sure you're getting what you wanted."

The cloaked male immediately started. "Number one: I want a starship, cruiser-tonnage, dark grey and black with red trim, the best you can afford, adequate weapons to defend myself with and maybe attack a small base, but few enough to not be kicked off when I dock at the Citadel. I also want the engines modified to make the ship faster than any other ship of its tonnage. I don't mind if you have to remove a little armor to accomplish that."

"Well, good for you we found and captured that Turian Cruiser that was discovered and repaired by Batarian Pirates, and the overhaul follows those specifications. When you get the chance, tell them what you want to call the ship, can't have you flying with a Turian name, can we?"

"Number two: You remember those friends of mine I mentioned before? I want your help finding them. I heard you catch wind of everything that goes on both in the Terminus Systems and in the Attican Traverse. If you find descriptions of any of them there, I would appreciate you informing me."

"Already underway. Got word that some of them were at Eden Prime when it was attacked, but escaped successfully, I'll continue tracking them. The last one?"

"Number three: I heard I must speak to you when it comes to setting up operations on Omega. I was once part of a mercenary group on my homeworld, and I want to set it up here. I would like to set up a base for us on Omega, as well as a recruitment center."

"What kind of mercenary group we talking again? Want to make sure it's worth my while..."

"Combat. Escort. Black Ops. Various wartime activities. Also a little bit of raiding...usually pirate forces, though: I prefer to stay on the law's good side, whenever possible."

"I can see how that'd be useful: stay on the good side of the law, and you can operate anywhere. I usually take a more...pragmatic...approach, to my mercenaries, but, if that's how you work, hey: more power to you. I'd need to know what it's called, though."

"The Black Crow," the man said.

"I see...I hope you get a chance to see the map of Omega you obtained, I'll have it updated with all available locations listed. Until then...you should go see your ship." Aria then gestured to one of the Batarians. "He'll show you to it."

"Thank you, we'll be on our way," the cloaked man said, leaving with the his partner and the Batarian.

Soon, the duo reached the dock, and they could see, in the drydock, a large Turian Cruiser, being repainted with the colors requested by the male.

After the duo stood there for a moment, and after their guide departed, the female lowered her hood, revealing her elven ears and back-length neon-green hair. "Raven...are you sure we should do this?" she asked, uncertainty in her voice.

Raven lowered his hood and put his human arm around her. "We'll be alright, Rena...don't worry," he said in a comforting tone, "We'll be alright. And, we'll find the others. This Aria person holds a measure of control over these systems, and should find them quickly. Don't worry: I know what I'm doing."


So, that's chapter 4. So, I added the thing about Jane having been on the Citadel, and having helped the C-Sec Req Officer with illegal weapons mods both be a reference to the game's assignment involving the same, AND something to flesh out Jane, showing how skilled she is at infiltration...the thing about the hostage takers is just for the "combat skill" factor.

Yup, I'm doing little scenes with the other teams now, too, starting with Rena and Raven...yes, I'm having a little Raven/Rena in this...And Raven begins a branch of the Black Crows in the galaxy at large...needless to say, this WILL have ramifications in future events (like, say, the fate of a certain Turian vigilante's group ;) )...

This rewrite went quickly, I guess due to there being not much in the way of "AU" or "Particle Beam/Laser" stuff...So...that's it!