Chapter Managementpter
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:15
It is often said opposites attract. The statement could not have been any truer looking at the files of Jesse Shepard and Caroline Shepard. The Shepard siblings could not have been more different. Jesse, the elder by eleven years had earned a grisly reputation of being called a butcher on account of what happened on Torfan. His mother, Hannah on the other hand said that he exhibited the spirit of Kūkaʻilimoku. He did what he had to do. Jesse was a soldier through and through, despite being trained as an engineer. He followed orders without question, the Alliance needed something that needed to be, he was the one they called. Caroline Shepard, the youngest child, was eleven years her brother's junior. Born in the Alliance colony of Hestia, Caroline from the beginning was the exact opposite of her brother, where her brother was serious, strict, and stern, Caroline was happy-go-lucky, compassionate, and non-judgemental. Perhaps, other than the fact that she was a gifted child, talented in the fields of anthropology and psychology, was the reason why she was selected to join C-Sec becoming one of the youngest officers in a decade at the age of eighteen…
"Learning anything about our brother Roboute?'' The firm tone of his brother Rogal brought Roboute out of his readings. The primarch of the Ultramarines narrowed his eyes at his brother. Turning off the data-slate he looked at his brother who stood before him. It was rare to see his brother out of his armor, Rogal wearing a simple white tunic and brown trousers.
"Yes, but just the basic information, I am surprised at the level of security that this Systems Alliance has.'' A ghost of a smile appeared on Rogal's face, as Roboute handed him the date-slate to read the information that was being presented on the screen. It was indeed just basic information. Where their brother was "born'' in a city called Honolulu, Hawaii in a country called the United North American States. Raised by Systems Alliance spacers he spent much of his time bouncing from station to station. When he was eleven his adopted sister Caroline was born, she currently works at the Citadel Security Services as forensic tech. Rogal continued to look at the information presented to him, a look of concentration came across Rogal's face as he started to do something with the data slate. After getting around a few basic firewalls, and going into more advanced security levels, finally bypassing the entire firewall. There now, he could read more about his missing brother. After reading more of the classified information, mostly about how this Alliance thought Jesse was some genetic experiment gone wrong, he was immediately taken in by the Alliance, and at the age of two (though in the pictures he looked more like he was six or seven) he was formally adopted by the Shepards. Since then the Shepards made statements regarding Jesse and if he were a threat to humanity or the Alliance. A grimace came across his face, how could they think that? The latest statement about Jesse came from his mission about a colony called Eden Prime, something about a Beacon from an extinct race called the Protheans, and that was it. Nothing more about his brother at this moment. He handed the data slate back to Rouboute who looked at it in surprise.
"How did you get past the firewall brother?.'' Rogal stood up from the seat that was across his brother's desk. He swatted his brother's shoulder and a rare grin appeared on his face.
"It was simple, this System Alliance as advanced as it is, their security measures for their computers quite simple to hack into. I'm surprised you couldn't get into it little brother, are you sure that you are primarch?'' The light jest caused Roboute to land a punch onto his brother's shoulder, making the other grab from behind and pin Rogal to the wall with his arm twisted and pinned to his back.
"You're getting slow Rogal, how would it look to your sons if they saw their father like this?'' A swift kick to his legs made Roboute fall back, making him fall back onto the ground. A smile appeared on Rogal's face, extending his hand to Rouboute, taking it Roboute stood up and ran his hand through his hair.
"You put up a good fight Rob,'' Rogal said, "Tell me when do we arrive at this Citadel, I am eager to meet Jesse, and talk to this Council. We also need to make plans with the Systems Alliance to reunite them with the Imperium.'' Rouboute nodded, a scowl etched across his face, he wondered how this would go. This Earth, this Terra Secundi was everything that Father had dreamed of, becoming a successful colony and expanding to other worlds despite being cut off from the Imperium. They were quickly gaining respect among the galactic community, especially among some xenos species called turians, with whom they had a short war. But in the end, would this world join the Imperium willingly? Rouboute did not want to think about the latter. The primarch of the Imperial Fists looked at his brother, a worried look on his face.
"What is on your mind brother?'' He asked Rouboute. The Primarch of the Ultramarines sat back down at his desk.
"I keep thinking about what would happen if this world does not willingly join the Imperium. This colony is too valuable to lose. We have to be careful Rogal, especially with these other species, they too might prove valuable in the future.'' Nodding, he understood his concerns that there were one too many worlds in the Imperium that would not willingly join. Placing a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"You worry too much brother, I have a good feeling about this,'' Rogal said. A sigh escaped Roboute.
"I hope you are right brother, I certainly hope you are right.''