Tumblr Prompt: Caskett in the Mass Effect universe

In the year 2148, explorers on Mars discovered the remains of an ancient space-faring civilization. In the decades that followed, these mysterious artifacts revealed startling new technologies, enabling travel to the furthest stars. The basis for this incredible technology was a force that controlled the very fabric of space and time. They called it the greatest discovery in human history.

The civilizations of the galaxy call it... MASS EFFECT.

Jump Zero
20 November 2183
Alliance Ambassador
William Bracken's Office

"Well, what about Beckett?" Ambassador Bracken asked, "She's Earth-born, raised on the streets, no record of her family though."

"She doesn't have one, her mother was a civil rights attorney, killed, in professional hit," Captain Roy Montgomery said, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice, "father drank himself to death. She learned how to look after herself at age nineteen."

"She proved herself during the blitz," Admiral Hackett said coolly. "Held off enemy forces on the ground until reinforcements arrived."

Montgomery nodded in agreement, "She's the only reason Elysium is still standing."

"We can't question her courage." Bracken agreed, though her name sounded vaguely familiar.

"Humanity needs a hero, and Beckett's the best we've got." Montgomery said, his chest puffed out with pride at his protege.

"I'll make the call." Bracken said.

Alliance Colony
Eden Prime
25 November 2183
21:00 hours

It had started off as a routine patrol. Gunnery Chief Richard Castle had been itching to get off base for days, consumed by curiosity about the Prothean dig site. He'd peppered the scientists with questions almost daily, his enthusiasm for the project had become infectious among the men and women of his squad.

That was before they got jumped. It was the Geth! Why the hell would the Geth be all the way out here?

The first two salvos of heavy weapons fire took out their MACO and and the troop transport, the battle soon degenerated into a running gunfight to hold them off so the civilians could evacuate. He'd split his unit into two groups one on the camp and his own on the outer perimeter.

His comm officer had just gotten the extranet gear set up when the Geth hit them again.

"Get down!" He shouted to Private Bhatia, but an incoming round splattered her brains across his armor, so he patched his own helmet mic into the system.

"Gunnery Chief Richard Castle 4th of the 212! We are under attack! Taking heavy casualties, I repeat, heavy casualties!"

He grunted as explosive rounds went off nearby and continued as he returned fire, "we can't hold them! ...need evac ! They came from out of nowhere! We need..."

He was cut off when a noise like screaming metal screamed in his head, but he was the first to recover, noting the comm gear was smashed. He couldn't be sure if the transmission got out, the rest of his squad was dead, so he took off on a run.

He had a job to do, last member of his shattered command or not, he had to know what happened to Bravo squad and the civilians, so he doubled back. Even if it killed him, he had to know the rest of the story.

That same moment
SSV Normandy Comm room

"Get down!"

"...We are under attack... Taking heavy casualties, I repeat, Heavy Casualties!"

"... can't hold them... aragh... need evac! They came from out of nowhere! We need..."

Lt. Commander Kate Beckett stared intently at the monitor, watched the C.O. of the shattered squad give his report under fire, even as his squad-mates fell around him, his chest plate coated with blood spatter and brain matter before the transmission cut out.

"Reverse and hold at 38.5." Capt. Montgomery ordered.

While her captain and Nihlus stared at the screen, Kate's thoughts went back to the man she had seen, it was likely his last stand. She had remembered scattered moments much like that at Elysium dueing the Skyllian Blittz, that hardened determination to hold the line.

"Status report." Capt. Montgomery ordered.

"Seventeen Minutes out, Captain." Came Ryan's voice over the intercom, "No other Alliance ships in the area."

"Take us in, Ryan, fast and quiet, " Montgomery said, "This mission just got a lot more complicated."

A small strike team can move quickly, without drawing attention." Nihlus said, "It's our best chance to secure the beacon."

"Cold blooded bastard." Kate thought to herself, "People are dying down there."

"Grab your gear and meet us in the cargo hold." Montgomery agreed, the turian was on his way out the door before the words were out of the captain's mouth, so he turned to Beckett,

"Tell Esposito and Jenkins to suit up, Commander, you're going in."

Kate stared up at the screen at the strange, hand shaped ship, then turned away to carry out her orders. She would get the job done, but the broad shouldered, blue eyed man she'd seen just moments ago would not leave her thoughts. She would complete her mission as best she could, she knew that. It's why Nihlus had put her forward as a candidate for the Specters after all. She had a job to do.

But if there was a chance in hell of bringing that man back alive, mission or not, she would do it.

She would find a way.

**Author's Note** This prompt came up anonymously on Tumblr. It got into my head and and refused to come out. So here you go. Maybe I'll do something about it, and maybe I won't, I have not decided.