Mass Effect Trilogy (c) Bioware

Echo Effect

Transfer

Despite being brothers, it was maybe a little depressing that their first time speaking face-to-face in over two years came across as more a mutual debriefing more than anything else. At least initially. They'd responded to each other's queries with the clipped terse responses befitting officers of their mutual rank, but thankfully it wasn't long before they managed to drop that quirk and relax a little.

Ric explained that he'd somehow managed to get himself noticed by Admiral Ellsworth. Exactly what he did and why the Admiral herself took note? That was as big a mystery as any. She was Head of Alliance Research and Development, and before this current predicament Ric was tangled up running guard duties or escort operations for many of their extraplanetary research teams. Run-of-the-mill assignments that were honestly insultingly below the skills an N7 designation implied. There had to be more going on.

Nathan had wondered, out loud he realized, that perhaps there was some political pressure on the sly. That the Batarians were starting to cause some undue political shenanigans which they traced back to the Blitz, conveniently forgetting they were the perpetrators of those skirmishes. As was their usual routine, perhaps they were categorically deflecting blame and casting themselves as the victims while demanding retribution for the losses they sustained, and the Alliance's response was to put one of the chief targets of their outrage in insultingly backwater roles as a capitulation.

After all, the Butcher of Torfan was feared and reviled in many circles out in the traverse. Plus humans weren't particularly liked at the best of times.

Ric cast all that speculation aside, insisting the reassignment was entirely voluntary. That Admiral Ellsworth had extended a very tempting offer and he took it without hesitation. As for the specific details of that offer? When Nathan poked that hornet's nest, Ric pulled out that wonderful little word to shut down any conversation; "Classified."

Nathan let it drop. He trusted his brother knew what he was doing, and there was obviously a lot more going on in that theatre.

In turn Nathan shared a little about his experiences on aboard the SSV Tokyo. The broad strokes anyway. On the cruiser he'd been assigned to lead Fireteam Echo and often found himself butting heads with one of the other team leaders, Staff Commander Daniel Sutherland.

A regular infantryman with a decade and a half's more combat experience than Nathan, but an almost fanatical fixation with following protocol to the absolute letter. Even in situations where following the spirit of protocol would yield better results. Nathan was decidedly not as stringent in his military doctrine on the battlefield and Sutherland rode his ass about it every chance he got. Got into a habit of dressing him down like he was a raw snot-nosed recruit on his first day at Macapa boot camp. Especially when Nathan's results were a net positive, often accomplishing whatever mission they had to do and getting most of his men out unscathed.

Nathan largely ignored it even as the constant irritation boiled his blood, but Sutherland made it his personal mission to get under his skin. There were times when the Tokyo's XO Staff Commander Holliday had to intervene and chew the both of them out for their lack of professionalism. Nathan bore the rebukes stoically, but they never moved beyond verbal warnings to lock the argument down and get back to work. That pissed Sutherland off even more.

Ric grunted at that, "There's always that one of those jackasses in every deployment. Gotta admire the brass balls for trying to talk down an N7. Surprised you haven't snapped and broken a few bones."

Nathan shrugged dismissively, but privately conceded he would have if he was still fresh out of boot camp. Probably out of a lingering token of their gang days that place hadn't fully drilled out of his head. But that thuggish, self-centered horseplay was years behind him now. He couldn't afford it as a commanding officer. He had to be an example to his men. What kind of example would Nathan be if he lashed out at every bit of immature gasbagging that came out of a superior's mouth? Even if that superior officer was a colossal ass.

"I'm a professional. And if I rise to his bait, that just validates him and goads him further. But I admit to some schadenfreude when he's the one getting chewed out by Captain Anderson." He allowed himself a smirk, "Always entertaining to watch an older soldier getting schooled on the finer points of operational deployments."

"Sounds like professional and personal jealousy. My credits says its that big shiny N7 badge on your chest and the red streak down your arm. Doesn't like some ex-street rat half his age is twice as successful." Ric suggested, then allowed a crooked smirk, "Did I ever tell you about Captain Hughes?"

"A little. Let me guess: had a stick the size of a dreadnaught shoved so far up his ass its a wonder he's still walking?"

"That would've been an improvement during that deployment. No, that lazy SOB - he was a piece of work in the other direction. Gretchen, Delta and I ended up covering him on more than one occasion. Some misguided sense of loyalty or whatever. Last I heard he was up for disciplinary action."

Nathan raised an eyebrow with a wry smirk, "You still keep tabs on your old COs?"

Ric attempted a shrug, "Just a few special cases like Hughes. If only because its fun to watch a train wreck in slow motion."

"You are one twisted individual."

They would've gone on for longer but the nurse politely knocked on the door and informed them visiting hours were over. Feeling a grumble in his stomach, Nathan wondered just how long they'd been talking. It didn't feel all that long until he glanced at the clock and his eyebrows shot up in surprise when he read 1832 hours. Four hours seemingly gone in a flash.

Cursing to himself, Nathan pushed himself onto his feet reluctant to leave. Rules were rules and he wasn't about to pick a fight with the nurse for doing her job. For his part, Ric had the good grace to actually look frustrated that his only fresh-faced companion in a fortnight was leaving so soon.

"You heard the lady. Piss off." Ric ordered in good humour.

"Yeah. I know. I should get going." He declared,

"Hey, you know that bar just outside Alliance HQ. The old fashioned German tavern. What was it - Bohemian?"

"Bavarian." Nathan corrected, putting his hands in his jacket pockets.

"Yeah, that's the one. If you happen to swing by this way again, maybe sneak out a Guinness for me. They're keeping me dry in here." Ric requested,

Nathan made a disgusted face, "Guinness is vile. I have no idea how you can tolerate that swill."

Ric looked solemn, "Nate. Its okay. You're entitled to the wrong opinion."

Nathan laughed and shook his head, "Talk to you later, Ricky."

"Keep in touch."

Nathan waved a hand over his shoulder and made his way out of the hospital. For all this current predicament, he was relieved that his brother was in good spirits. Relatively speaking. He exhaled a sigh, as much as he wanted to there wasn't much he could do to help anyway. The notion of his career ending in a discharge sat poorly with him.

Still, Ric was in the best care possible. And who knew, maybe those R&D guys were working on some new gadget or gizmo that could fix him up?

Standing in the cool Vancouver air, he pondered what to do with the rest of his evening. Pay his respects at the Veteran's Walk? There were fifty souls there that he'd never forget. The thought of those men and women brought a ghostly pain to the forefront of his mind, and he rubbed his right arm and the scars hidden under his sleeve. Let old ghosts rest, he told himself.

Deciding on a much simpler course of action, Nathan took himself to the restaurant strip that bordered Alliance HQ and the spaceport. He might visit the Bavarian after all. Have a few drinks then head to the barracks, finish his paperwork and call it a night.

Two hours later, with a full belly and pleasantly buzzed from a couple tall beers Nathan decided that maybe his paperwork could wait until he slept this haze off. He was just about to call for the elevator, his bunk ready and waiting for him to crash for the evening.

"Commander." A booming voice Nathan instantly recognized as Captain Anderson caused him to turn from the elevator. Even off duty and tipsy, habit compelled him to snap to attention and give a crisp salute.

"Captain." He greeted as Anderson approached with a blue and silver data pad in hand. The Captain was the every bit the perfect picture of professionalism. He maintained a neutral expression, but there was a subtle hint of a smile.

"At ease, Shepard. Hope I'm not interrupting anything. Do you have a minute?"

Nathan relaxed and let his salute drop. "Of course not, sir. I was just about to turn in for the evening. What can I help you with?"

Anderson nodded his head towards the hall. "Walk with me."

Nathan followed as requested in silence.

"I heard about Jericho. Have you spoken to him recently?"

"Visited him a couple hours ago, Captain."

"And?"

"Irascible as ever. Frustrated. But relatively decent spirits all things considered. He's climbing the walls over there."

Anderson took this in stride with a light nod. "The Alliance takes care of it own. We'll sort him out soon enough. Even if he can't be deployed in active combat again, he's a shrewd tactical mind. The Fleet could use officers like him."

"I don't doubt it, sir. In fact Ric expressed much the same sentiment himself." Nathan responded and Anderson gave a short chuckle. "If you don't mind my asking what is this about, sir? You haven't pulled me aside in off-duty hours to ask after family."

"No I haven't. I'll inform the crew soon but I wanted you to be the first to know." Anderson explained as he opened an upcoming door and ushered Nathan into a vacant conference room. The downlights illuminated when they detected movement in the room. "I've just received word; Commander Holliday's promotion has come through. At my recommendation she's been given the Tokyo."

"You've been transferred to a new command?" Nathan asked, feeling a weight of dread in his stomach. Anderson was the glue that kept the command staff in line. Without him as a stabilizing element, Nathan could see the unit cohesion of the Tokyo taking a massive blow, and even more time to adjust. If the Captain moved on, Nathan could see the situation between himself, Sutherland and Holliday deteriorating rapidly.

Anderson took a seat and placed the data pad before him. He motioned for Nathan to sit across from him.

"Once the Tokyo's retrofits are complete we're setting a course for Arcturus station. There I'll officially hand over command to Holliday and rendezvous with my new ship. And you're coming with me." Anderson explained which caught Nathan completely off guard.

"Sir?"

Anderson leaned forward. "I've been impressed with your work, Shepard. Keeping a cool head on and off the battlefield. You've a strong grasp of strategy and an ability to see the bigger picture. Your operational performance has been exemplary. One of the best I've ever seen. I think you and I would make a great team."

"Thank you, sir." Nathan said with all sincerity he could muster. Anderson was something of a larger-than-life figure to him, he'd first met the man all those years ago when he's graduated from Villa Militar as a newly minted N7. For the past six months, Nathan had the good fortune of being assigned to the man's command. The idea of being selected to act as his XO filled him with pride. But he couldn't help feeling a measure of hesitation. And all the drinks he'd had with dinner meant he wasn't exactly hiding his reservations as well as he would have otherwise.

Anderson seemed to sense his apprehension. "Is there a problem, Commander?"

"No sir. Not a problem at all. I'm honoured." Nathan answered honestly.

"Permission to speak candidly, Shepard." Anderson prompted.

Nathan took a second to collect his thoughts as best he could, "I'm honoured, sir. Truly. And grateful for the chance. But am I really the correct candidate for this position? Respectfully, Commander Sutherland has more combat experience than I do. Wouldn't he serve you better as an Executive Officer?"

Anderson nodded slowly considering the point, "Commander Sutherland is a good soldier, there's no denying that. But he's orthodoxic to a fault. This is going to be an unconventional mission, I need an independent thinker who can tackle unconventional problems. Someone who knows when and where to bend the rules to get the job done. I also need a man who keeps cool under fire, whether on the ground or during cross-species operations. Skilled as he is, Sutherland is not that kind of man."

"I get the sense that there's more to it than that, Captain." Nathan said.

Anderson made a sound in his throat, "Let's just say he's ill suited for the special considerations attached to the position and leave it at that for now."

"Yes sir." Nathan frowned, "What will happen to my team?"

"First Lieutenant Omar is being prompted to Staff Lieutenant and will assume leadership over Fireteam Echo. I know they're good people. It'll be hard saying goodbye." Anderson answered.

Nathan considered this. Omar was a good man. A fine biotic adept. He washed out of the ICT program during the fourth round of training, giving him an N3 vocation. He was a man of faith too. Something of an oddity in this space faring age, but Nathan admired that. And he hoped Alliance Command would see fit to grant him another chance to requalify for N7 status.

"It will be. But they're a fine bunch, some of the best I've worked with."

Anderson rose from his seat and circled the table with the data pad in hand which he offered to Nathan. Transfer orders. "The transfer is effective immediately. When we return to the Tokyo, pack your gear."

"Understood sir." Nathan said taking the pad and reading the header. These orders signed by Admiral Edward Wright, one of the chief liaisons between the Alliance and its alien allies.

"The SSV Normandy?" He read out loud.

"A new class of stealth Frigate designed in a joint project with the Turian Hierarchy. I've been consulting on her construction for some time, all the test flights and checks have been completed. She's just about ready for her maiden voyage. You'll find the relevant schematics and data there on the pad, a list of crew assigned to her as well. Some names you might recognise. Familiarise yourself with the details once you've slept off your shore leave." Anderson told him then indicated the door, "Dismissed."

"Yes sir." Nathan shot a crisp salute and left, transfer orders tucked on his arm.

"And Johnathan?" Anderson called after him and Nathan turned to face him. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, Captain."

Author's Note:

Just character fluff. Some bro moments between Ric and Nathan, and between Nathan and Anderson. Sorry this is late again. Been very lazy. But I promise we'll be hitting the real action soon.

Regards,

Aurora313