Author's Notes.

1

This one is for those wondering what kind of AU this is. Mainly the changes are in human biology, they are much tougher and stronger than in reality, and live much, much longer. Think of them as "humans made of sterner stuff'. They are same size and look the same, but muscles are denser, bones, stronger, senses sharper, skin tougher. They are still a lot weaker and less tough then krogan but tougher than other races.

Earth is also a much deadlier place, not inconducive to life there is still plenty of it, but dangerous. Imagine a tuchanka lite before it got nuked, plenty of life but all dangerous. Rampant disease and much more extreme weather events, which are also much more common. Much more dangerous animals.

2

I always like the idea of a protagonist who has seen it all and done it all. An old grizzled warrior/super badass, not some up and coming guy. In my mind someone like Shepard but with the life experience of Wrex. I also needed someone who is can keep up with the best and exceed them physically. In order to have a protagonist who has done it all and still be as fit as possible during the story. I felt the best thing was to give humans a much longer lifespan and a form of negligible senescence for most of that lifespan. Kind of like lobsters who don't get weaker or less fertile with age. Humans still mature at the same rate.

I've always wanted to write a mass effect fanfiction, but I wanted to do something different not just a rehash. With the release of mass effect legendary edition, I felt it's the best time to do so.

3

Also, some of the events may not make much sense if you didn't read the first contact story I posted. You still will be able to follow along it's just some things will seem strange.

Arcturus Station, Admiral Hackett's Office.

Admiral Hackett.

Admiral Hackett, head of the alliance military sat behind his mahogany desk. He had placed a call to the citadel. On the line was ambassador Udina, and they were waiting for the third member to join. Agribus Epodus was the officer in charge of spectre candidate testing. The turians job was to sift through the many recommendations he received from governments and spectres and pick out the few names that would undergo testing to become official spectre candidates.

Hackett had met him once before when Anderson was recommended. The council had given the green light for the alliance to nominate one spectre candidate. Anderson was chosen, he lad a long track record of successes. He led the suicide mission on Shanxi and was Shepard's commanding officer for that mission and others. He was seen as a natural choice, the longest serving N7.

Anderson had been accepted by Epodus and passed most of the testing phase. However, he 'failed' the final test of active service with a spectre. Hackett was still somewhat upset by it. He was certain that the council did not order Saren to ensure that Anderson didn't qualify. However, he was just as certain the council placed Anderson with Saren knowing of the latter's hatred towards humans and expecting Saren would ensure the 'correct' result. Anderson was a victim of politics. The council didn't want a human spectre but didn't want to flatly not allow any recommendations.

Now it was judged that the council would be willing to give a fair shot to a human, so another attempt was made. Again, the council gave the green light for humanity to recommend a candidate. This time the man selected was Shepard. Shepard was an enigma; Hackett met the man several times and found him the model soldier. If one looked deeper, they would also find a razor intellect honed for over a millennium. The man first appeared in history in 1950's America but by his own admission that was just the latest in a long series of names he had gone by. That was not unusual for a man of Shepard's age. If Epodus has any qualms about Shepard it is most likely that. The Alliance couldn't give an accurate accounting of nearly a millennium of the man's life. This was drastically different than Anderson who while not being young himself had a verifiable past.

The man was still in his physical prime, an advantage of having the longest known sapient lifespan in the galaxy. However, a human Shepard's age was stupendously rare, with sickness, war, starvation, or plain old animals killing the vast majority long before they got to that point. The man was straight out of the medieval era. He was undoubtedly the best the Alliance had. His biotics were the second strongest of any human, the only person beating him was a madwoman out in the terminus systems. His combat abilities were second to none.

Shepard joining the alliance was a minor news story. People that age generally don't join. People of Shepard's wealth certainly didn't join. The alliance has very strict rules. No matter how much, who, where, or in what capacity you served, you start at the same point as any 18-year-old. This was done because it was impossible to verify many claims of service and because modern warfare was vastly different than the warfare the older humans are used to. The world of biotics, space battles and virtual intelligences is vastly different from the world of pike and shot warfare popular 7 centuries ago. Hell, it was vastly different than the combat of WW2 as well. Because of this rule the older people don't join that often. But if they do and they prove their skills then they are promoted quickly.

Shepard had done just that. He was selected for N school almost right out of basic. He set records at the school still standing to this day. The only reason he didn't have his own command was because he refused to be taken out of the field. Honestly Hackett would be somewhat sad to see the man go. He was extremely useful. If the Alliance needed something done, then Shepard was the one usually sent out to do it. However, if humanity was to get one of their own into the spectres then Shepard was the one with the best chances.

The console beeped as Epodus finally joined the call. The turian nodded and spoke.

"Hello again Admiral, and good to meet you ambassador. Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to answer some questions about your proposed spectre candidate John Shepard."

Udina spoke before Hacket could, "Of course we're happy to clarify any questions you may have; however, I think that Shepard's qualifications are more than satisfactory. If a turian of Asari could boast of such skills than they would be fast tracked into spectre testing."

Hackett was slightly perturbed; Udina was certainly someone who looked out for humanities best interests. Something that Hackett admired about the man. He was one of those who got Humanity such a favorable peace after the first contact war. However, he was a hard man to like. Despite Hackett's personal feelings he would not trade that man in for anyone else. Humanities spectacular rise into galactic prominence was in no small part due to Udina.

Epodus replied in a calm and collected tone. "Commander Shepard's recent accomplishments are not in question. It is his background that is concerning. No one can give an accurate account of his life whose ultimate source isn't his own words. We have no documentation of when he was born, where he was born or what he did for a thousand years. All that we have are his own words. For all we know he could be an unrepentant war criminal."

Hackett decided to step in before Udina did. "Commander Shepard's past is not what's is being discussed. It only matters if it affects his suitability for the spectres. I hold that the fact that he has personally seen the worst sapient life has to offer only enhances his eligibility. He knows how thin the veneer of civilization is and how fast it can go wrong. He will move heaven and earth to keep the galaxy stable, because he has seen what happens when stability is lost."

Udina nodded along and added "Shepard is just the kind of man you need for the job. Someone who knows personally what happens when it is not done properly. I would also like to point out that the very first spectre was provably an unrepentant war criminal"

Epodus nodded then continued. "Commander shepard has espoused some political views that some might view as overly concerned with humanity. Why should the council induct someone who doesn't have the whole galaxy in mind?"

Udina immediately jumped on this one. "Is loving your people an earnestly wishing the best for them a moral failing? Commander Shepard's view is that The Human systems Alliance's actions should be dictated by what's best for humanity. Just as the actions of the Turian Hierarchy, the Salarian Union and the Asari Republics are dictated by what's best for the turians, salarians, and asari. This is in no way a radical view. He also has not been much less vocal about these mild views than certain spectres are about much more extreme positions." Hackett knew to who Udian was referring. Saren Arterius had been extremely vocal about his opposition to human's expansion. Spectres were expected to stay out of politics but the man continuously made his voice heard.

After taking in Udina's words for a few moments Epodus spoke again. "I have another question about John Shepard's financial situation. According to your report Shepard was in the business world for over a century before joining the alliance. While no longer maintaining an official role in the conglomerate he founded he is still the majority shareholder, and often communicates with the current CEO to discuss the firm's projects and future. How can we trust galactic security to someone who has such a potential for a conflict of interest? How can we be sure he won't use his authority to do what's best for his firm?"

Hackett let Udina take this one. This was a political question and thus it was best to let the politician answer it. "The fact that Shepard is wealthy should not in any way affect your decision. He has not compromised any mission the alliance has set him on by being more concerned about his wealth than the mission. If he was simply concerned with making money, he would have never left the business world. If you want to be concerned about anyone's financial dealings, I could point you to several spectres that have become fabulously wealthy over the course of their careers."

Again, Hackett knew that Udina was mentioning Saren Arterius. It was impossible to get an accurate reading of his net worth since his financial dealings along with everything else about him is classified, but estimates put it at several billion. All of which was acquired after he became a spectre. The salary the Council paid their spectres was generous, but it wasn't nearly enough to account for such an increase in wealth. Hackett didn't think Saren was selling his services, but he was sure that the turian did some less than legal things to get his wealth.

Nodding Epodus continued "Well you have answered my questions is there anything you would like to add before a decision is reached?"

Thinking about it for a moment Hackett replied. "Shepard has been the operative that the alliance goes to when they need something done. He proved his own personal prowess many times, especially on Elysium. On Torfan he proved he was willing to do whatever is necessary to finish the job. His military record is beyond reproach, and he would be a credit to the spectre corps."

"Thank you, gentleman, for your time. I shall render the decision on whether Commander Shepard is suitable to be tested as a possible spectre candidate within the day." And with that Epodus cut the line.

"I should get going as well, there are many things to do, goodbye admiral." And with that Udina left the call as well.

Hackett leaned back in the chair. He was cautiously optimistic. The fact that the decision would be rendered within the day meant that Epodus was leaning one way. Hackett didn't get the sense that the turian was hostile to Shepard in the call. If he was, he probably would have asked many more questions. However, even if Epodus gave the green light there was still a long way to go. Shepard would have to be tested to see if he qualifies.

The only tests Hackett was unsure of are those without a clear grading scale. The psychological exams that are used to determine whether a person is capable of handling such power. Or the exams were the agent is sent to arrest a paid actor in a public space. These exams are harder to fail since there is no absolute grading scale. However, if one was committed to failing the examinee that was where it could be done.

Despite that Hacket felt confident the council were actually ready to induct a human spectre. Well at least Tevos and Valern seemed ready and that's all that is required. This wasn't the case for Anderson. The council didn't want to induct him but allowed the process to continue so as to be seen as giving the man a fair chance. The council was also very serious is the testing of possible spectres, no amount of bias could be allowed in the process as it would corrupt the entire system. If the council themselves told the shrink to fail the candidate then they could never trust the shrink to be truly unbiased again. No if the council wanted Shepard gone, they would simply do what they did last time. Place him next to a spectre that would fail him in the final step, giving them a great excuse to say no.

Spectre Office Complex, citadel, presidium, Agribus Epodus' office.

Agribus Epodus

Closing the call to the Human admiral and the ambassador. Epodus considered for a while. He was leaning towards approving Shepard. He certainly had the skills necessary, and if he was otherwise unfit then the testing would weed him out. The issue with his past was concerning but not an overriding concern. The Ambassador and admiral had been correct in many of their points. The first spectre had in fact been an unrepentant war criminal who would have been executed had the decision to found the spectres had not been made. The other issues the political views and financial dealings where also not enough to dismiss him from consideration.

Edopus typed on his terminal connecting to another call he had scheduled. This time to the two other people who recommended Shepard as a spectre candidate. It was largely on the recommendation from these two that the council allowed the process to proceed. The council kept a light leash on the spectres and often allowed them to run themselves in many cases and that included making recommendations. If an existing spectre recommended someone for spectre status, then the council took it very seriously.

These recommendations were the other reasons Epodus was leaning towards giving Shepard the chance. He had not one but two recommendations from spectres. He had received a recommendation shortly after the relay 314 incident. Udina was correct that if Shepard was an asari then the first recommendation would have been enough to get him into testing. However, the council didn't want a human spectre so soon. So, the recommendation was ignored. Then when the council relented the Alliance chose Anderson, and so again the recommendation was ignored. The council still didn't want a human spectre. However now that the alliance chose Shepard. These recommendations mattered.

Soon the images of Nihlus Kryik and Tela Vasir appeared side by side. Both looked surprised at the others presence.

Nihlus spoke first. "Hello Vasir, how have you been? I didn't expect you to be part of this conversation."

Vasir responded "I've been fine. Didn't expect to see you either." Then she turned to Epodus. "Is this what I think it is? Because if it is then it's been quite a delay."

Epodus spoke "You both are here because both of you have recommended John Shepard as a possible spectre candidate. Vasir, you made the recommendation a long time ago to my predecessor. Do you still stand by that recommendation?" Nihlus' mandibles flared out in surprise at the mention that Vasir had recommended Shepard a log time ago.

"Of course, if anything I think he has become more qualified. His biotics have improved drastically since I first met him."

Epodus continued. "Nihlus I assume you stand by your much more recent recommendation. I would like to ask you both some questions about Shepard before I make the final decision."

"Sure" said Vasir.

"Of course," answered Nihlus.

"Nihlus are you aware of Shepard's political views? Are you in any way concerned about them?"

"Yes I am aware of them, but they were surprisingly difficult to discern. The man doesn't keep interviews and generally keeps his politics to himself. That being said I'm not concerned at all, they won't even be close to the more extreme views some spectres hold."

Turning to vasir Epodus asked "Vasir?"

"I think I know a bit more about his views than Nihlus does. We've been friends for a while now. The core of his politics is that the various governments of the galaxy will do what's best for their people and the Alliance must do what's best for theirs. Like Nihlus said that's not extreme. I view it as a statement of fact. The asari, turian, salarians don't go around helping other races out of the kindness of our hearts. I'm with Nihlus it isn't any sort of extreme view. He doesn't go around saying humanity is better, or that they need to subjugate the other races or any of that xenophobic bullshit. The man is simply a patriot."

Epodus contemplated this, again he agreed but there was one nagging worry. At least the fact that Vasir was friends with the man answered one of his questions.

"Vasi you said you're friends with Shepard, does that fact play into your recommendation?"

Vasir looked offended. "I am not some nepotistic idiot; I am friends with the man because he is capable and would make a good spectre not the other way around. This is not all that uncommon, Nihlus was friends with Saren before the other recommended him."

Nodding Epodus spoke again. "True but since this will be the first human spectre, he will be under much more scrutiny by both council and public. I think that if Shepard advances thought testing the final test should be conducted by Nihlus. I want to avoid any semblance of impropriety."

Vasir merely shrugged "Sure, I never liked teaching newbies anyways."

Edpous continued "My only fear is that though Shepard's politics aren't extreme they will be seen as conforming to the stereotype of the arrogant, selfish, human the galaxy holds. This might cause the council to reconsider his addition. They don't want to be seen as encouraging that sort of behavior."

Nihlus scoffed "Then they shouldn't have allowed the process to get this far. Your job it to determine whether the commander has the ability and temperament to make a good spectre, he clearly does. The council has to worry about political ramifications."

Silently Edopus agreed. The council gave the green light for Shepard's consideration. It wasn't his job to consider political ramifications. However, a thought struck him. "Vasir as his friend can you shed some light on his past?"

Vasir shook her head, "Everything I know comes from his mouth. I don't think he lied to me, but it is unverifiable. I assume you want something you can verify. I can say that considering the amount of brutality that man has seen he is surprisingly normal. If I saw a pile of 20,000 skulls it might be more than a story about the worst vacation I ever took."

That got both Epodus and Nihlus to expand their mandibles in surprise. "You're going to have to explain that."

Vasir chuckled "Yeah I had the same reaction. Apparently, he went on some religious pilgrimage to mark 1400 years after some human prophets' death or something like that. Well there was some fighting in the region and a warlord ordered the construction of a tower of 20,000 skulls after capturing a city."

"Sounds like something out of a horror story, or something krogan would do." Choked out Epodus.

Nihlus thought about it for a moment before replying "Very true but you must realize that no species in the galaxy has never done something like that. The batarians and krogan continue to do things like that now. The only thing separating humans from the rest of the civilized races in this respect is the fact that they are a young species and the horrors are still in living memory." Turning to Vasir he said, "I assume that Shepard never admitted to doing something like that himself?"

"Nope, but not as if we could prove it either way." Replied Vasir.

Epodus couldn't argue turian history wasn't exactly horror free even after they made it to the stars. still it was a sobering thought that a lot of the older humans might be so desensitized to violence and death. Perhaps it's a good thing that old humans are so rare.

Resuming his questions Epodus asked "Do either of you have any concerns regarding Shepard's financial situation?"

Predictably Vasir responded bluntly. "No, if he wasn't rich yet he would become rich shortly after becoming a spectre. There isn't a spectre alive who can be classified as poor, or even middle class."

Nihlus took on a more conciliatory tone. "I have to agree. Unless the person's financial situation poses a clear danger to his ability to perform then it shouldn't matter. Since Shepard doesn't have any unpayable gambling debts, I don't think it matters. His wealth will in fact make his first few missions as a spectre considerably easier. As we all know the council doesn't offer financial support until after your first few missions."

Taking it all in and mulling it over for a moment Epodus spoke. "Thank you for your time spectres."

Vasir and Nihlus said their goodbyes and closed the call. The spectres largely backed the Alliance's views on the matter. Shepard was definitely capable enough. Epodus could always reject Shepard and force the alliance to come up with another nominee. However, the spectre corps needed the best. Epodus personally hoped that the first human spectre would do something spectacular which would force open the council to admit more humans into the corps. They were too well suited to the role to be ignored.

The spectre corps was generally (with a few very notable exceptions) much more concerned with merit than politics. They are very few individuals with both the abilities and temperament to make a good spectre. Many the corps saw humanity as an untapped potential of capable recruits. To force the door open, the first human spectre would have to be the best and Shepard was that person.

Pressing a few keys on his terminal Epodus approved Shepard to undergo testing to determine his suitability to the role. Soon the man would undergo the most extensive testing regimen in the galaxy. If he passed the exams, he would be placed with an active spectre for a final test. If the spectre gives the green light, then the human would become a candidate.

Still not a spectre there were always more candidates than spots open. Some candidates go years without getting the chance to actually become spectres. The council likes to have a pool of candidates ready so at any point a new spectre can be chosen. However, since Shepard's nomination was largely political Epodus was sure that if Shepard passed the tests than he would be inducted immediately. The alliance was pushing to hard for this to just let the man wallow in limbo.

Author's Notes 2

4

A lot of these authors notes will be a rehash of things already said in the First contact story. First off Shepard is a biotic and humanity in general are semi natural biotics. What I mean by that and why is that so was explained in chapter 3 AN on the first contact story. If you don't want to go there to find out, you'll just have to wait until the story gets to a certain point.

As I see it there are 2 main baddass races in ME universe Asari and Krogan. Krogan because they're krogan not much to say about that. Asari because biotics, which are straight up physics defying cheats. If an asari doesn't practice biotics, then well she's not all that impressive other than the long-life span. However, krogans live longer. Both live over a thousand years, so they got plenty of time to be scary good at a whole bunch of things.

Well humans are the third in this story. They are much tougher than asari but not as tough as the krogan. They have a much higher average biotic potential than krogan but not as high as the asari. They however can live longer than either.

5

I changed the timelines a bit and changed the placement of the characters. In this story Humanity was space bound for 5 years before first contact and the story takes place 50 years after first contact. Still takes place in 2183 but I thought it made sense to give humanity a bit more time to develop. I think it makes more sense since in the game people are talking about humans getting a council seat and yet they've only been on the galactic stage 26 and spaceborne for a total of 35 years. Don't expect humanity to be treated like a superpower. They are a regional power on the rise, but still far, far behind the big 3. This is a fact the alliance and aliens are acutely aware of.

Hackett is in charge of the entire Alliance military in the game he was commander of the fifth fleet.

6

Tela Vasir is in the story, she won't a major part, but I always found it annoying that you only meet 4 spectres and at the minimum 3 die, maybe all 4. You don't get to know any of them. So, I thought it'd be interesting to include a spectre you get to know better. Chose Vasir because she can live long enough to be spectre both during first contact and the games and because it offers intriguing opportunities for later.

7

Unfortunately, I am not planning to include major historical figures. I don't think I'm a good enough writer to convincingly write a story about how Washington or Suvorov opens a can of whoop ass on the turians (as awesome as such a story would be). Also, this is Shepard's story and I don't want it to just end up being a series of cameos were one cool dude after another from human history is showcased. Human history happened pretty much the same as it did in real life. Basically no one lived long enough to die of old age. Big killer being disease, but war, famine, animals, weather also killed a bunch. I imagine whole lot of people got cut, got an infection, turned septic and died. A cut or bite was very dangerous before antibiotics.

I will however endeavor to make references to human history especially since Shepard has seen and been in tons of it.

20,000 skulls are a reference to the siege of Damascus in 1400. Tamerlane (Timur) captured the city and did that.

Apologies for long notes but I wanted to front end them.