A Tale of Two Shepards: Saving the Galaxy is a Family Affair

by TEAM Shepard

Commander John Shepard and his sister Maggie fight through the Council, Collectors and the Reapers themselves to discover what it really means to be a family. As close to cannon as possible, through Mass Effect 1, 2 and 3 and beyond. Updates monthly.

21. Interlude 1: Messages

Interlude 1: Messages

******Cerberus Surveillance File #3518613 - Alliance Engineering Corps 4th Division - Sergeant Major Margaret Lynn Shepard, Alliance Counter-Intelligence Stealth Operations (CISO) Officer - Codename "Barbara" - personal correspondence - Horizon Terminal ******

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: August 7, 2184
Subject: Reaching me on Horizon

Hey G -

Head's up this is an unsecured message terminal. Horizon's sun throws up too much interference - puts my omni-tool out of Comm Buoy range for about 15 hours each day. I just wanted to let you know - you can still reach me through these channels during those hours - my Corps addresses are attached. If things are dicey and I don't reply here - you know how to reach me and I'll pick up the messages on the other side of the sun.

Hope you're kicking ass -

~ M

PS. Food here sucks.

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: September 15, 2184
Subject: Call your sister

Seriously - call her. She said she hadn't heard from you in 5 months. Also, I told her you were exterminating varren and I don't think she realized I was kidding.

How goes the varren hunting anyway? You realize I'm allergic to varren. Kill 'em all!

Miss you,

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: October 31, 2184
Subject: Halloween on Horizon

Hey G -

Most depressing holiday ever. Little children dressing up like my brother for candy. Some are even dressing up as Sovereign or Saren. I think I'm getting really drunk tonight...really really drunk. And maybe getting into a fist fight.

And no, that doesn't count as "getting into trouble."

Wish there were some other ways to blow off steam around here.. hint hint nudge nudge.

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: November 1, 2184
Subject: Re: Re: Halloween on Horizon

yrour sexytyis turiasn face doesngt'g get to tell me wehsat tpo pucnhy. Thwey all had it comignf ro the wauy they talk ao0but him - you wolldnt' beleve the peopiole here. good old fasweohioned bar brawl; stai9ghted that shit out. they'll think twicee next ti9me they talk about alliasnce marines and jo-jo liek that.

I miss you - you carry me homne better than anayone and have the best wauy of p[tting me epto bed. stupid gravity

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: November 1, 2184
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Halloween on Horizon

Light burns my brain. Message you tomorrow.

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: November 28, 2184
Subject: Cargo bay Varen-traps

Hey handsome -

I got your message about the cargo-bay scenario. It seems like your varren infestation is more clever than you thought. Booby trap the access panel - preferably with explosives to create a distraction - failing that - try wiring the station power source through the panel. When your varren hack themselves free, they are actually electrocuting themselves. Elegant, no?

~M

PS. Tell me more about your big guns, Romeo…

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: November 28, 2184
Subject: Re: Re: Cargo bay Varren-traps

Yum - You had me at "explosive rounds" - and no, I'm still not letting you live that down.

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: December 20, 2184
Subject: Disturbing visitors

G -

Terrorist shitheads tried to jump me again - get in touch with me ASAP when signal clears.

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: January 18, 2185
Subject: Re: Happy Birthday

I have no words… that was the best birthday message ever. I promise I won't let anyone know what a softie you are under your sexy tough-guy exterior.

When I actually do sleep, I dream about you, too.

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: February 22, 2185
Subject: Re: Happy New Year, pyjack

Someday you'll have to actually explain to me how your calendar works - I'm so glad galactic standard space time was established by the Salarians

XoXoXo

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: March 10, 2185
Subject: Fleet & Flotilla

Hey lover -

Stop whatever you're shooting and go see this vid. Seriously. Do it. Now! You're still reading and not watching. The audio-file from my favorite scene is attached to this message. I am not ashamed to admit I cried like… 3 times during this vid.

~M

PS. That song totally makes me think about you...every time.

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: April 11, 2185
Subject: Target practice

Hey coach -

Just got back from getting thoroughly chewed out by the brass. I snuck off to practice shooting with your Mantis - the shots prompted reports - the local marines investigated those reports. Long-story short, they figured out who my brother was and challenged me to prove who was the best shot.

I won.

But, for future reference - it's considered unprofessional behavior to shoot smiley faces in local monuments at 500 yards.

Hope I did ya proud.

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: May 3, 2185
Subject: Re: Credit Transfers

That's an AWFUL lot of credits…Should be no trouble to get them to Solana. I'll do what I can to help. I'll check in when I'm back on a secure line.

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: June 27, 2185
Subject: Very rough day

Hey G -

I don't know if the reports have reached you yet - but the human colony of Fehl Prime was lost. Making a lot of folks here in the outter colonies very nervous. As if the locals weren't hard enough to deal with already.

Could really use to hear your voice about now…

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: July 19, 2185
Subject: Haven't heard from you….

Getting worried… please message soon.

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: July 31, 2185
Subject: Where the hell are you?

I'm hearing lots of scary reports coming out of Omega. Let me know you're ok.

~M

To: AAAangel3564*anon-omega
From: MightyMaggie*shepnet-oracle
Date: August 7, 2185
Subject: Seriously….send a damn message

G -

You're really scaring me. Send me a damn message or I swear on my brother's memory I will take the next transport out to that shit hole station, track you down, and beat you within an inch of your life!

~M