Chapter 3.
"How many here are familiar with the Andromeda Initiative?" Diana Allers question hung in the air over a silent audience. It was a rhetorical question as everyone in the room knew about the initiative to some extent. Members of the audience looked around at each other with questioning expressions. The Initiative was not a secret, at least not anymore. It had been jokingly referred to as the best known secrete of the galaxy for years. Still, when directly asked, governments would avoid the question and even the launch was done in relative secrecy and without the media. Then the Reaper war happened, and the Initiative had been forgotten. When the dust settled and the scientific communities resumed work, the public had lost interest. It was a mission that would not impact anyone for hundreds of years. The majority of those alive today, and several of the next generations would live and die before anything remotely useful came of that mission. Only some of the Asari and Krogan would live long enough to see it come to fruition.
"I take it by your silence that I have your attention at the very least." Diana resumed. "In a quick recap, the Andromeda Initiative left our galaxy in 2185 with ships called Arks containing members from all the council home worlds to chart a course, and settle in the Andromeda Galaxy, our closest neighbor, universally speaking. Why is this important today, is, I'm sure, the question you are all wanting answered? I will explain.
In 2183, Saren and the Reaper Sovereign attacked the Citadel to usher in the Reapers to begin a cycle of extermination. They were defeated. While to the public, the Council denied the existence of the Reapers, privately, many governments heeded then Commander Shepard's warnings. One of their reactions was to alter the Andromeda Initiative's goals. They feared that the galaxy could be on the verge of an extinction. Knowledge of the Reapers was still sketchy in those days, but what they could agree on, and all that really mattered, was that the Reapers had wiped out the Protheans before us. If they were coming back, they could wipe us out as well. Therefore, they sent with the Initiative precautions to ensure that the species of this galaxy would survive, if not here than elsewhere.
Thanks to a Quarian exploration team, they discovered that the Geth had constructed an observation array at the edge of the Perseus Veil to monitor dark space. The array was old when the Quarians found it, but functional. The Initiative used it to help obtain better scans of the Andromeda galaxy, in time, we would use it to scan and monitor dark space. After the Reaper war was over and people had time to catch their breath, a big question was asked by many. If Reapers lived in dark space, what else was out there and is it a threat?
It would take another two years before a Salarian scientist who had helped on the Initiative remembered the Geth array. With the Geth and Quarians now at peace, the Salarians approached them and inquired about using it to scan dark space. He explained that the Andromeda Initiative was to leave beacons, scanning devices that would also act as sensor relays to help expand our knowledge of dark space, potentially acting as a warning device and with some luck, provide a way to communicate with our future settlers. Using the array as a base of operations could enhance our abilities to utilize the beacons. An agreement was reached, and the array was restored and brought back into active service. The beacons were found, and active scans began to take place.
During the restoration, the discovery as to why the Geth built the station was revealed. Old logs told that the Geth had suspected traffic in dark space due to unexplained sightings of alien ships occasionally being recorded. They built the array and had managed to record a few instances of ship movement foreign to know vessels. The frequencies of these sightings had increased leading up to the War and subsequently declined after. For several years, nothing new was found. The beacons continued to operate, and data collected, but they did not discover anything new. A few years ago, new sightings appeared.
The vessels were not any of ours nor were they Reapers. They bore similar characteristics to past sightings, though they were a more advanced design. A couple had actively scanned our beacons and were found to be on trajectories that, while carrying them out of our effective monitoring zones, would still bring them within the galaxy. There is likely one or more alien species observing us for reasons we do not yet know. That is, however, not what concerns us the most.
A year ago, we received an automated message from the Quarian Ark that it had encountered an alien species that had attempted communications and even tried to board. As the crew is in stasis, the ship activated its automated defenses and there was a brief battle. The Ark escaped but was off course. We do not know anything more about the Quarian Ark and for now, they are out of reach. We do however know a bit more about the ship that it encountered. Not long after that message was received, we received another. This time it was from the alien ship. They had discovered one of the beacons and used it to send a message, though admittedly, we do not fully understand it as we are having a difficult time translating the language.
Since then we have been working towards deciding how best to respond. The beacons were designed to transmit simple data, not video or audio communications. The plan to make a true communications relay between us and the Andromeda galaxy was thought to be a problem to be worked out later with the beacons acting as a base for future developments. After all, the journey itself would take four-hundred years. In theory, technology could easily evolve to that point by then. In addition to our technological limitations, there is also the language barrier. We cannot understand each other at this point.
Therefore, knowing that direct communications would be difficult, the decision was made to fly out and meet them which is why you are all here today. No one single race, government or agency had all the elements needed to make this possible. Travelling dark space is essentially going into the unknown. We have only basic understanding of what is there, so we need the best our galaxy has to offer. Fortunately, we had already done something similar with the Andromeda mission, unfortunately, that information was also largely classified.
At that point, most of the work had been handled by the Salarians who oversaw the array. Captain Verel is the commanding officer and he reported the findings to the Council as well as our request for the Andromeda data. Our new Council is far more proactive than previous ones had been and after listening to his presentation and confirming what they had been told, they appropriate steps.
Captain Verel was given permission and the backing of the Council to contact who he needed to put together a plan to intercept this vessel, learn who and what they are, and ascertain if they posed a threat or if they are a potential ally. The Captain acted immediately. He contacted Admiral Samantha Thibodaux with the Shepard Academy Experimental Department. The mission would require a ship capable of making the journey and an entirely new communications system that could reach back to the array as well as translate a new language. It would need weapons and defensive capabilities, a fast drive core and be able to support a full crew for years. Estimates on the distance varied, but based on where the message originated from, and accounting for a reasonable expectation of delays, most of the team estimated a round trip of at least two years.
It has taken many months of planning, made difficult by the necessity to keep it secret, but we are now ready. In three weeks, our ship will depart to intercept this alien ship and attempt to make contact. Commanding the mission is Captain Verel and Admiral Samantha Thibodaux handling both the military and scientific segments of the mission respectively. I, and the Asari ambassador Neela Voln will handle the diplomatic side. Joining us will be a small team picked for their various specialties as well as a full crew to maintain the ship and its operations.
While some of you may already know all or part of what I have said, many others are probably wondering why you are here. It is simple. Everyone who will be actively involved on this mission is in this room. Some of you will be going with us, most of you will remain here in various support roles. These will be explained by your commanding officers after this briefing. Right now, you will all be receiving your orders by omni tool. In a minute we will adjourn, and you will report to the assigned rooms for further information."
Vala, seeing that her own omni tool was blinking indicating that she had a message, opened it and saw that she was to report to conference room 105 - command. She looked at Nelis who shook her head in response and showed Vala her own message; conference room 112 – combat and security. They hugged and separated each headed towards their respective rooms promising to meet up afterwards. Vala didn't have far to go to reach conference room 105 and she wanted a moment to clear her head and let the new information settle. Strolling to a window, she leaned against the handrail and let her gaze roam over the presidium grounds.
In the twenty plus years since the Citadel's destruction, vast changes had taken place. She constantly heard people who had seen it prior discussing those changes in design, décor and function. The council had decided that it was time to make the Citadel a true reflection of the galaxy and its citizens. As a result, when they rebuilt, they used architectural styles and elements from all the races. Soaring Asari spires towered over squat, utilitarian Turian complexes that sat next to extravagant Volus banks and deep warehouses. Water fountains dotted the landscape with their basins draining into interconnected waterways that flowed through manicured terraces covered in grasses, trees and flowers from all corners of the galaxy creating a myriad of colors and shapes. Vala was used to seeing beautiful gardens in her parent's backyard on Rannoch, but she had to admit, the presidium put them to shame. She enjoyed the view for another minute before turning to proceed to the conference room. Putting on the military bearing she had been trained to present, Vala walked with purpose across the hall, through the doors, to find out what her orders would be.
"Vala, welcome!" Greeted Admiral Samantha Thibodaux as the young Quarian entered the room. Vala quickly snapped to attention and saluted the senior officer. The Admiral smiled and returned the salute in kind. "At ease Vala. We are rather informal when it is just us." Samantha smiled and Vala visibly relaxed. With her parents having so many friends as high ranking officers in multiple militaries, Vala had quickly learned that the easy-going friendships and family familiarity that she had grown up with would require suspension now that she herself was an officer. At least in public. Private life was different and keeping those distinct personalities separate was the key to success and not being accused of nepotism. Vala wanted to be known for her own accomplishments. She wanted to earn her own awards and recognition. She had spent her entire childhood as the daughter of the famous John and Tali Shepard. Now it was time to be simply Vala.
"Good to see you again Admiral. I must admit, I was not expecting to be summoned to this room. I figured I would be down with the combat units as a field medic." As she spoke, Vala began to take notice of the others in the room. Aside from Samantha and the expected Captain Verel, she noted a few more familiar faces. Diana Allers was not a surprise as she had already announced that she was going and standing next to her was the afore mentioned Asari Ambassador Voln of whom Vala had met once before if only briefly.
Voln, an Asari matriarch, had been one of the few Asari to serve on C-Sec prior to the Reaper War. She was as passionate about helping people as she was maintaining law and order and had considered becoming a Justicar for some time before deciding that she wanted to work with more than just her own people. At the young age of seventy-five, by Asari standards, she applied and was accepted to C-Sec academy. A rising star early on in her career, she was highly respected by both her superiors and the citizens she worked among establishing a reputation as someone both strict and fair. She was welcomed in the district and often could stop a dispute simply by entering the room. Of course, she was also a powerful biotic which she had been forced to demonstrate on a few occasions.
The turning point in her career had come a little over one-hundred years after signing on. She had been investigating rumors of a corrupt Volus banker and his ties to a red sand operation when she found herself caught up in the middle of a robbery of the very bank, she was in. For years, C-Sec had been chasing a well-armed and skillful group that had been robbing banks, museums, anything that could yield high end monetary amounts, to no avail, but while the group's luck had run out that day, Voln's was in full swing. Over the course of three hours, she managed to talk the group down and force a surrender without anyone getting hurt. She kept her calm throughout the entire ordeal and even the criminals admitted that she had dealt with them fairly and kept her word.
Form that day onward, Voln became C-Sec's hostage negotiator and crisis management lead. She still worked daily on the streets, maintaining the relationships she had cultivated with the citizens and the results showed as Voln had the safest ward on the citadel. Of course, many challenged her position, both criminally and from within C-Sec, but she dealt with them in much the same ways. She would offer chances to cease, correct themselves and improve or simply leave. When they refused to cooperate or when they reneged, she put an end to it by non-lethal means as often as she could, but she was not above killing when required.
When the citadel had been invaded by the Reapers in 2187, Voln had rescued many civilians and led them to escape shuttles and safety. She had just turned eight hundred. After the war, the Asari matriarch who was the most senior surviving C-Sec officer still alive, worked with the other Captains and Commanders willing to return to reestablish the decimated security force. In addition to helping to rebuild and restructure C-Sec, she spent a considerable amount of time travelling off station to find new recruits. She had developed a knack for convincing people to go to the Citadel that she gained the nick name, "Ambassador." When Captain Verel realized that he may very well need an ambassador to the new aliens, he could think of no one better. After all, three of his family members worked for her.
Vala had met the Asari woman at a rather surprising event, her marriage. Voln had never married in her eight hundred plus years. Dedicating her life to C-Sec and the people she protected had been good enough. After the Reaper War and becoming a matriarch she began to examine her life and realized that she may have made a mistake in foregoing her own happiness. There had been relationships in the past, she wasn't a rock, but nothing that had lasted. There had been one person though recently who had sparked her interest and had even asked her out once. They had gone to a bar and had a few drinks, a good evening and a better night followed by a pleasant morning before work, but like most of her past relationships, she let it slide so it would not come between her and her work. Deciding it was time to correct this, she had marched into his office one day and asked him if he was still interested and would like to get dinner. A few years later when Vala was twelve, she and Hanna were the flower girls at their father's friend Bailey and Voln's wedding.
Vala's gaze left Voln and passed by Captains Jeff and EDI Moreau who were in deep conversation with a Salarian she did not recognize. She smiled at seeing them and felt a little more relieved at additional friendly faces. Next to them was a Turian officer known only to her by reputation, Commander Reilus Lexandrius.
Lexandrius had been a child in the Reaper War, however he had taken up arms and defended the bunker where nearly two-hundred other Turian children had hidden on Palaven after their guardians were killed. He and the six other senior children fought off the Reaper forces for two weeks before a rescue team could reach them. Seeing how well the youths had handled themselves, and being desperately short on soldiers, the Turians gave them better arms and armor and ordered them to guard the new safehouse. For the remainder of the war Lexandrius led his small team, reinforced by more of the senior youth as they were brought to the bunker, and no reaper breached his lines. The Turian military began to refer to them as Parva Mortem, which meant small deaths.
After the war, Lexandrius officially joined the Turian military, as did many of those who fought beside him and the Parva Mortem was officially established as a special operations team used to claim and hold colonies till full forces could arrive. Over the years, they were responsible for reclaiming over a dozen colonies from mercenary factions and not just for the Turians. As the different races slowly looked again to expansion and resettling lost colonies, the need for a group that could hold it long enough to establish a full-strength security force was rapidly growing and Lexandrius' squad was at the top of that list. When it came to people who knew how to defend something, there was nobody better than the Turian Vala now watched.
"Hey Vala!" The sound of her name from a familiar source interrupted the Quarian's thoughts from the Turian Commander. Turning she came face to face with an old friend, Angela Thibodaux. Angela was Sam and Kris' eldest child. Their son Kyle was a couple of years younger and back on Earth working as a sous chef in a restaurant in New Orleans as he wanted nothing to do with military life. Angela had been Vala's best friend through childhood and being born only months apart, they were in the same schools and classes together. Both were quiet, introverted children, preferring to keep within their isolated comfort zones rather than amidst their classmates and could often be found sequestered in corners or out of the way locations during free times.
Like her mother Samantha, Angela was an incredibly smart woman, who excelled at creative thinking. She had won every science fair their schools had organized and had followed her mother's footsteps into communications improving upon many of the system her mother had designed and eventually partnering with her mother to create the latest in long range communications which was now being deployed on their mission into dark space. Her intelligence however was not the only gift her parents gave her.
Kris Thibodaux was unquestionably the most powerful biotic alive and possibly one the most powerful to have existed. That achievement was a mixed bag of emotion for Kris due to it being a contamination by her own parents, augmented by terrible experimentation by Cerberus and refined through lifelong experiences of anger, pain and torment, then perfected by love. Kris' power was a part of her genetic makeup and as such, passed on to her children. Angela and her brother Kyle had both been trained by Kris to control their power since they were infants. The immense power that the kids could generate was as terrifying as it was awe inspiring. When they were babies, it was not uncommon for Kris or Sam to find them hovering in a blue bubble of biotic energy inches above their crib mattress. Growing up Kris had enlisted the help of their friend Samara to teach them control. Neither Kris nor Samantha wanted to stifle their abilities, they just didn't want the kids accidentally hurting themselves, others or blowing up the house during a temper tantrum.
As Angela grew up, so to her power increased. She listened to her parents and Samara and didn't flaunt it or use it in front of the other kids at school. It was dangerous and not something to be played with she was repeatedly told. As a dutiful daughter she listened, mostly. It was not however unusual to find two nine year old girls, a Quarian-Human hybrid throwing rocks over the ocean in a well-hidden cove while a human with long brown hair tied back in a pony tail, in tattered jeans and an old t-shirt featuring her favorite game Kepesh-Yakshi blasting them out of the air with bolts of biotic power.
When Vala and her siblings' power was awakened within them during the attack on Earth, Angela now had something even more in common with her best friend. It had taken her only a few hours to crack Vala's secret after the Shepard's recovery. She remembered it well as she was there on Earth when it happened. Granted, she was in the hotel safe with the other children at the time of the attack, but she had seen the videos, after all her parents had been first onsite, and she knew something was wrong with her friend. Cracking Vala's secret had been an easy enough thing to do. They were on the ship headed back to Rannoch when she saw Vala returning to her room after talking to John and Tali. She ran up to her and grabbing the girl by the arm she pulled her into a storage compartment, sat her down and got her to talk. Vala had been reluctant at first, but also desperate to talk to someone who would listen and understand. They talked through the night and from then on, they would secretly experiment with Vala's power.
Their teenage years went as most do, changes good and bad compounded with powers that threatened to overwhelm them at times and of course, sex. Nothing like raging hormones to add to the stress of trying to remain calm in order to keep cataclysmic powers in check to build a friendship stronger than the very bedrock of the planet upon which they stood. The girls became nearly inseparable and through that they thrived. Studying together, playing together, they were each other's strength. When one had a rough day, the other was there with a hug and an ear. When a lesson at school was beyond grasping, the other found a way to make it reachable. When the time came for dating, they were there to ease pre-date worries, whisper and giggle about kissing and who was cute and provide that shoulder to cry on when the relationship broke up. Above all though, they kept each other's secrets, and none were more important to the two girls as when they snuck off to their hidden beach and let loose with their power. They had learned that they could shield themselves from the other to allow that person to cut loose with everything they had in an outflow of raw energy. It was dangerous to do, though they took precautions and always directed the energy to disperse harmlessly over the ocean waters. Still, had they been caught, or had an accident happened and someone gotten hurt, they would have been in serious trouble.
Eventually, as always, time moved on. The girls grew up to become young women. Smart, beautiful and still best of friends. They walked together at their graduation on Rannoch, enlisted in the Alliance military and went through Officer Candidate School to graduate as new Ensigns in the Alliance Navy before shipping off to their specialized training. For the first time in her life, Angela would not have Vala at her side. Her Quarian friend was off to become a medic while she was headed to the Advanced Science Labs on Sur'Kesh. The various council races now had many joint training commands within their militaries and the Salarian's science division was one of them. This was an elite school of only the top one percent of candidates in any given year across the entire galaxy. The classes averaged around thirty people per year for a four-year period under the training of the Salarian Tasks Group.
Angela had blossomed under the tutelage of the Salarians, learning new concepts and sharing ideas with some of the smartest minds in the galaxy. As with most things the Salarians do, the classes were fast paced, intense yet thorough. Long days followed by long nights repeated over and over, yet Angela never faltered. Oh, she was tired and stressed, worried about failing, but every morning she dragged herself out of bed, grabbed her coffee and resumed her studies. Her senior year was mixed with field time on STG missions exposing her to the results of their work in the labs. Not all these missions were the feel-good sort. Many revealed the darker sides of what their work could do. Failures often meant death. Sometimes to themselves or to another, sometimes at genocidal levels. She learned that poisons could be cures while some cures are poisons. Even in an unsuspecting field as communications, failures had the potential for devastating consequences. If someone needed an emergency call and the device failed or the signal transmitted improperly, how many deaths would take place before it was corrected? If a diplomatic transmission was intercepted because encryption failed, how many wars would that start? They taught her that all actions have real world consequences and even the best intentions can be devastating.
After the requisite four-year training period, she had been assigned as a junior communications officer to a joint Alliance, STG recon team deployed to investigate remote areas of various systems for signs of illegal activities. They often operated with no direct contact to command, running dark and in stealth mode so as not to send those they were looking for into hiding. These types of searches had become mandatory as there was simply still too much unpatrolled space where former colonies existed. These deserted colonies, outposts and space stations had become perfect breeding grounds for the criminal underground. Angela's most challenging duty during this time was finding ways to not only encrypt their reports, but to completely hide or disguise the signal to go undetected. Not only was Angela's work a success, many of their messages were the leads that The Retrievers were assigned to investigate.
Through all of this, Angela and Vala had remained close friends. The two young women continuously exchanged vid messages and met up whenever they were able which proved to be often as their ships made port in many of the same colonies. Angela had been proud of the improvements Vala had made with herself, gaining confidence and becoming more open. Hearing about her friend's successes with the Retrievers brought her a happiness for the woman she could not describe. For too many years she had been by Vala's side watching her suffer unfairly by both her siblings, but more importantly, by her own self.
"Hey Vala!" Angela called out as she saw her friend enter the room. Finally, after these past several years apart, they were reunited and assigned to the same ship. Angela felt as though the universe had corrected a wrong and she was whole again.
Vala too was extremely happy to see her childhood friend and as Angela walked up, Vala pulled her in for a deep hug. "Hey you! It's been a while. I didn't see you in the audience. Have you been assigned to the mission?"
"I was there, but I was sitting beside a couple of Krogan and well, as you know I'm not that big and those guys are huge!" Angela and Vala both let out a small laugh at that. Angela was indeed rather small. Even in her military boots, she was just over the five-foot mark in height, with an athletic build from countless hours of swimming in the pools and rivers of Sur'Kesh. Inheriting her mother Kris' temperament along with the biotics had caused many to give her the nickname Chaotic Pixie. Angela had lovingly accepted the name with a tattoo on her upper shoulder of the fairy creature in a rather provocative set of clothes, wielding a gun in one hand, a margarita in the other while her eyes glowed with biotic light and her face bore a smile that made one wonder if she was going to kiss you or eat you. It had been a courtesy of "uncle" James Vega one night right after graduating boot camp. Admittedly, the girls had been drunk, and James had given them plenty of chances to back out. "Aunt" Kasumi had not stopped laughing the next morning when they all sobered up and Angela realized what she had done. She embraced it though and lived up to the image inked into her skin.
"Do you know why we are here in command?" Vala asked as they pulled apart from their hug. "Has your mom said anything?"
"No. Mom has always been good about separating herself between family and work. While I'm sure she knows, if told to keep it quiet, neither her nor momma Kris will speak. It has always been one of the things that frustrated me to no end as a child, and something I respect them immensely for now."
The sound of someone tapping on a table cut off conversations throughout the room. The girls, along with the others in attendance turned to look at Admiral Thibodaux who was standing at the center of the room. "We are all here now so let us begin." She took a pause and a breath then began. "I want to welcome you all to the crew of the New Horizons. Some of you here are career veterans and for others, this will be your first command assignment, but none of you are here by accident. When Captain Verel and I started to assemble a team to lead this expedition, we knew we needed the best and that does not always mean the oldest or most experienced. Sometimes age slows us down. Sometimes experience traps us in our way of thinking. A few months ago, we began asking around for who was the best in their fields. We listened carefully to the responses and we soon knew who we wanted on board.
As you already know Captain Lin Verel and I, command the mission. The Asari Ambassador, Neela Voln will act as our diplomatic liaison between us and the aliens. Diana Allers will be our documentarian. Captains Jeff and EDI Moreau will be our pilots and control cyber warfare while Commander Reilus Lexandrius will oversee security and combat. Lieutenant Commander Vala Shepard is our Chief Medical Officer." At this Vala's eyes went wide. "Lieutenant Commander Angela Thibodaux our Communications Officer and Lieutenant Sel Vedra is our Chief Engineer." Samantha concluded putting a name to the unknown Salarian.
"Welcome aboard all of you." Samantha resumed. "We have mission briefing packets ready for you to study later. For now, I will give a quick summary and let you go. We have a lot to do in a short period of time.
In three weeks, we will depart Rannoch aboard a new ship designed specifically for dark space exploration, the New Horizons. The ship, designed in the experimental division at the Shepard Academy is equipped not just with the latest in available technology, but with custom systems designed specifically for this mission. Engines, weapons, life support, communications, stealth drive and more built for this ship alone. That is one of the major reasons we needed people who are not entrenched in tradition. We need people who can adapt to the unknown instantly. We are about to take a new ship, with new technology into a largely unknown area of space to intercept an unknown alien species to determine if they are hostile and pose a threat, the vanguard of something larger, an ally or any combination of. We do not know how to communicate with them let alone if they can even breath the same atmosphere, yet we are still going.
When we leave, we do not for certain know when we will return. Our best estimates based on where the signal originated combined with guesses as to the speed of the alien vessel have this at a two-year round trip. The objective is simple. We intercept the vessel, determine status of aliens, return with or without them depending on how events develop. Ultimately, we hope to return with a new ally, but if they prove to be hostile, our orders are to capture if possible and if not to eliminate them and recover any usable data.
Including us in this room, we will have fifty souls onboard, you have rosters of who is under your charge with your briefings. Our ship can support two-hundred fifty comfortably and double that if we must. We also have cryogenic chambers if needed for us or the aliens. Hopefully we will not, but as I've said, we do not know how long this will take, how many aliens we will be meeting or if they are hostile. We must be prepared for anything.
I only want to say one more thing before I dismiss you to meet your crews. I am honored to have you all on my team and to be a part of this historic moment in history. The events that will transpire over the next couple of years will affect this galaxy in many ways. To be at the forefront of it will test us all in ways we can only guess at. We will need each other and know that I will do all within my power to ensure the safety and success of my crew and the mission. Know that my door is always open. Please come to me with anything. I will be on the Citadel for two more days then I will be back on Rannoch till we depart. Does anyone have any questions at this time?" Samantha looked at each officer in turn and seeing no response continued. "Very well. Dismissed."
The officers exchanged salutes with the admiral, turned and exited the conference room to meet their crews. Vala hugged Angela one more time and promised to meet up later and to introduce her to Nelis. They agreed on dinner and Vala promised to send the location once she secured reservations. The girls separated and Vala stayed back to talk with Samantha. Walking back towards her new commanding officer, she made eye contact with the woman and saw Samantha smiling. "Admiral." Vala began.
"Vala. Please, Sam is fine when we are alone. You know this."
"I know, but you are more than that now. You are my commanding officer and I have an Alliance question for you." Vala was about to speak her question, but Samantha interrupted.
"You want to know why you are Chief Medical Officer at your age and experience. Even your rank, while considerable is still typically more of junior position not a senior one. You want to know if the decision is made because of our relationship and who your parents are or based on your own merit. Does that about sum it up?" Sam waited while Vala nodded her agreement. "Then let me put you at ease. I did not pick you for the position. Don't misunderstand, I am overjoyed at having you with me, and I can think of no one better or that I would trust more than you. When we began our selection process, we let the community decide who was to go. We interviewed many people in all the fields we were needing and asked them to recommend someone for the position. Basically, we let the people you served with do a blind vote and they recommended you."
"What did you ask them?"
"For your position? One question. If stranded without support who would you want in charge of your medical team? Everyone who had ever served with or been treated by you unanimously said your name. I can think of no higher recommendation than that. Does that put you at ease?"
Vala shook her head a let out a little laugh. "I'm not sure if that gives me relief or more anxiety to live up to people's expectations, but I thank you for telling me. I'm assuming it was the same for Angela too?" Sam looked at Vala for a minute before responding. Vala's eyes showed their normal white glow, the blue specks calmly swirling within their depth, but anxiety was still etched on the young Quarian's face. Sam nodded in understanding.
"Angela is worried that I chose her out of nepotism, and you are worried for her as well. She is too scared to ask me and so you are asking for her correct? You two have always been close, I thank you for that Vala."
"You don't need to thank me for being her friend Sam. Angela has been there for me more than I for her. I'm the true freak in this family remember. She could have walked away; I had nowhere to go." Sam's face went angry as Vala spoke those words.
"Do not ever let me hear you talk like that again, Lieutenant Commander." She spoke the words with a force and authority that Vala knew would allow no argument. "You are not a freak and you are not without a place in this life. You are a brilliant, talented and beautiful woman. You have earned everything you have. Yes, your childhood was unfairly rough on you, I understand well as if you recall, I was there. That has only made you into the powerful woman you have become and believe me as a mother when I tell you that you have done as much if not more for my Angela than you realize." Samantha fell silent and watched the emotions flitter across Vala's face. She could tell that the Quarian wanted to say more. There was an internal conflict within the woman, but Sam was not going to push. She had a feeling that whatever the issue was, it was something that at least for now, Vala would need to deal with on her own.
"To answer your question, Angela was selected in the same way you were. You will tell her that for me?" Vala nodded. "Good. Then it is time you go meet your medical staff. They are waiting for their Chief to give them their orders." Vala again saluted the Admiral and turned to leave but before she could fully turn around Samantha wrapped her in a hug. No words were said as Vala let herself sag into the warm embrace. Then it was over, and the new Chief Medical Officer of the New Horizons marched out of the room and into her first command.
Bright light dimmed her vision as the Rannoch sun beat down upon the desert plateau. The gentle breeze that was typical atop the high, desert plains brought with it the scents of the many fragrant flowers that dotted the landscape and were in full bloom this time of year. The rocky dirt that prevailed across most of the land was held at bay here by the lush lawns surrounding her parent's house. The green grasses normally only found in the lower valleys, tickled her bare feet as she slowly crossed the yard. Wearing just a simple, light dress, white except for a lilac trim at the hems, perfect for the hot Rannoch temperatures, and with her long hair loose, billowing behind her like streamers in the breeze, she presented a picture of carefree happiness to any who would have happened by.
Vala was far from carefree, but today, she was truly relaxed and happy. Carrying a tray with lemonade, she took in the grounds around her. The familiar sights and smells of her childhood home, trying her best to capture and remember every detail before she deployed in the morning. Ahead past the fountain spilling water into the clear, blue swimming pool, two figures sat on a bench looking out over the garden grounds that gradually fell away to the ocean below. John Shepard, now sixty-one could easily be mistaken for twenty years younger. If not for the ever-present cane by his side, he would be the picture of an ideal soldier looking much as he did during his days of active duty except for the smile on his face, something the military life rarely let him show.
Beside him holding his hand was his wife, Vala's mother, Tali Shepard. Despite being fifty-four years old, one could easily mistake Tali as Vala's sister instead of mother. Admiral Shala'Raan had more than once remarked that Vala was the very image of Tali as a child and being one of the few people to have ever seen Tali outside of her suit when she was a child, Raan would know. The only remarkable difference between the two women lay in the eyes. Where Vala's were a glowing white with an ever-moving array of blue sparks, Tali's were a solid blue glow that identically matched her husband's. Tali too wore a radiant smile as on her face which, if possible, seemed to glow brighter still as Vala laid the tray of drinks on a small table before taking her own seat on a bench across from her mom and dad.
John took the pitcher of lemonade and poured three drinks, handing one to Tali and Vala as he finished. "Too the Lieutenant Commander on her first posting of Chief Medical Officer."
"We love you sweetheart and are very proud of all you have done." Tali followed as the three people raised their glasses in salute. Tali truly was proud of all that Vala had done with her life. She was pained and frustrated with her children and the way they treated each other due to the choices she and John had made and hated what it had done to them, but she was proud that Vala had started to embrace it rather than let it hold her back. The last few years had seen her daughter excel in many ways and this assignment was proof that it wasn't just a mother's eyes that saw how great Vala was.
John too was proud of his daughter and his thoughts were on much the same track as Tali's. He had often felt helpless during her childhood, especially during her teenage years, as she had suffered with learning to control a power, he knew little enough about himself to able to teach someone else. Later, when she had told them just how much it had affected her, especially after their brief death, far beyond what either he or Tali knew, he was furious with himself for putting that on his children. He remembered raging at the night, cursing fate, god, anyone who would listen before Tali had calmed him down. The thought that he had caused undo harm to his children was not something he could easily forgive.
In the years since, he had worried endlessly for Vala. The day Kris had told him about the fight she had had with Vala on the Citadel in the Retrievers training room had sent him pacing the room until with a combined effort from Kris and Tali, they managed to settle him back into his chair so that Kris could continue her story ending that Vala had been accepted by all her teammates and appeared to be thriving when Kris had departed and couple of weeks later. Over the following years, John kept a close watch on Vala, if from afar and through proxies, and became convinced that she was indeed thriving and doing far better than ever before. His pride and happiness for his daughter grew and today he had a present for her to show her just how much.
On the grass beside his bench sat a military footlocker. Low and long in size with just enough room for proper storage of clothing, armor, weapons, and a few personal items. Just the necessities a good marine requires. Setting down his glass, John slid the container over to his daughter. "In honor of your promotion and new assignment, your mother and I got something for you."
Vala quickly set her own glass aside as she picked up the footlocker. Setting it on the table between them, she released the locks and lifted the lid. Her breath caught in her throat and her eyes teared up as the contents came into view. Within lay a beautiful set of armor that she knew instantly was a custom order. She recognized the components immediately as she had seen them in development in her mother's labs during her last visit home.
The body was made of a flexible material more akin to a jumpsuit than traditional armor. Gone were the rigid plates that covered body and arms that her father had worn. The suit's material was made of a synthetic blend of metals and fiber that defied Vala's understanding beyond knowing it would stop most rounds, was fire resistant and insulated against the cold. It would cover her entire body, legs and arms from her ankles to her head, stopping just under her jaw line. A durable pair of boots specially designed for the Quarian peoples three claw-toed feet buckled over the legs to form seal against the lower leg. Likewise, gloves would cover her hands and seal against the arms, the helmet would finish the assembly and when complete, form a fully functioning environmental suit.
As Vala continued to examine the suit, details emerged. She could see the plates on the bottom of the boots for mag-lock function as well as tiny booster for jump assistance. The palms and underside of the fingers were lined with a tougher fabric for better grip while the backs had a slight rise just behind the knuckles for lighting and scanning. Over the body of the suit was a tactical webbing containing the combat shield emitters, weapon holsters, thermal clip pouches and clips for any combination of accessories that the mission may require. While all of this was amazing, what made Vala tear up was the coloring. The fabric had been designed with an intricate pattern of purple and silver lines, swirling across the surface of the arms in an exact replica of the pattern on her mother's suit. The torso, while black overall, had two bands of the pattern running from the back of the shoulders, around the sides to cross one over the other at waist level where they returned to the back only to wrap around and terminate on the thighs. The final touch was on the helmet itself which had been made in the traditional Quarian fashion and bore a cowl again in matching design to the one Tali had worn.
John and Tali watched as Vala ran her fingers over the material, feeling and examining her gift. The tears that fell from their daughter's eyes were matched in kind by her parents. After some time Vala placed the suit back in the footlocker and stood up. Quickly moving around the table, she embraced both her mom and dad, hugging them tightly and stuttering out her thanks. The three family members stayed like that for several long minutes reveling in the comfort of a family's love.
"Mom, dad, this is incredible! Thank you, so much." Vala managed to say as they pulled apart.
"We wanted to do something special for you as this is a big moment in your life." John replied to his daughter. "Practicality aside, we wanted it to be something that would remind you of home and those who love you. Your mom remembered how you loved the fabric patterns on her old environmental suit so much that we had a dress made of the same pattern when you were a little girl."
"I pulled that old suit out of storage just for this reason." Tali chimed in. "I brought it to the Academy and displayed it so the students sewing the fabrics would know exactly what I wanted, and they came through brilliantly."
"It is perfect mom. I can't wait to wear it tomorrow." Vala's comm chirped. "Crap! I must run. I promised Krios I would have dinner with him tonight. Mom, dad, thank you again for the wonderful gift. I love you both, very much."
"We love you too sweetheart." Tali replied. "We will be there in the morning to see you off." Vala closed the footlocker after stowing suit and she embraced both of her parents one more time then set off to meet her brother.
A short shuttle ride later followed by the usual greetings, her and Krios were sitting at his table enjoying a meal. It had been a couple of years since the two had sat down together. While Krios did not harbor the same resentments, Hanna did about Vala and her powers, he had remained aloof from his older sister. As a child, he had looked up to Hanna more than Vala. Vala had scared him. Not in a mean way nor of anything specifically that she had done, more of simply who she was and what she could do. Vala's power would randomly explode from her, usually when she was upset or stressed. As a result, Krios had learned to walk as though on eggshells or avoid her altogether. That behavior, combined with Vala's reclusive nature, caused him to become closer with Hanna and naturally, developed similar ideas.
Now that he was a full adult and, having spent many years living on his own and becoming exposed to new ideas and attitudes along with becoming better educated, he had begun to regret his strained relationship with Vala. Change had started slow and was still on unsteady footing, but after the last year of increasing communications, they had agreed to have dinner together. The idea had been Krios'. Vala had sent him a message informing him of her promotion and assignment. Krios, while happy for his sister's success, was worried that her leaving on this mission may end his chances of making amends. He did not want his sister to leave without seeing her again.
He invited her over to his apartment for dinner. Cooking a meal himself, one of their favorites from childhood, he now sat across from his older sister while they made small talk. It was nice. They had caught each other up on their achievements both at work and personally. Krios had been nominated for an award in architectural design by the Quarian Historical Society for his design of a new town center for Rannoch's newest city whose founding was scheduled to start in a few months. He was also engaged now. A fellow Quarian architect in the firm he had been hired into. They had been together for almost two years and a week ago he had taken her out to the site of the new city they had designed and proposed. She had said yes. They did not have a date planned yet but, would likely be married before Vala returned. She had congratulated him and made him promise to send pictures if they are able.
After the meal, Vala had helped him clean up and he made them a couple of drinks before they moved to the couch. Krios had been dreading this part of the night, but knew he had to do. He took another sip of his whiskey to steady himself before starting. "Val, I need to say something." He paused and looked at his sister who had quickly gone into a stiff, stone faced expression. "I need to say that I am sorry. I'm sorry for the way I acted towards you when we were kids. Always taking Hana's side and not sticking up for you. The truth is, I feared you, the power, all of it. When we were attacked that day in the park, I saw what could happen, what power and fame can bring. I didn't understand it all then but, I knew I didn't like it. I tried to distance myself from it and Hanna did the same. I felt lost and I was confused. Hanna gave me, what I thought was clarity. She simplified it for me into good and bad. For a long time that was enough for me.
Eventually though, I started to see things that didn't align with what Hanna was saying. The older I became, the more I began to question. When mom and dad died, I admit I reverted to simpler beliefs. It was my way of grieving and I could assign blame. I placed that blame on the power. Had it not been there, mom and dad would be alive. They would be safe at home and we would still be a family. I was angry and that anger blinded me to you. You who carried that same power that had destroyed our family and left us orphans. When you had that episode at the memorial, I was disgusted, and the anger flared anew. When mom and dad returned, I went to a dark place for a time, at least when it came to the power. About a year later I finally worked up the nerve to talk to them about it, what it had done, what it could do and how I felt.
While the talk was a good one, I was still torn. I took a vacation during the school recess and on the advice of Kris, I travelled to the monastery on Lesuss and there I spent time alone in meditation as well as talking to Samara and listening to her advice. On that remote planet I watched Asari Ardat-Yakshi struggling to control their own inner power and learning to live in a world that feared them. I used these strangers as avatars for you, mom and dad and slowly I began to understand and see things from a new perspective. I felt like shit. I realized what I had done to you, my sister. I hated myself for it and when I left to return to school, I understood more but, I felt worse.
I tried to talk to Hanna about what I had learned, to try to convince her to stop vilifying you and the power. I admit, even up to today I have had little luck with her on that topic. I will keep trying though. I still do not fully trust the power and I am far from willing to embrace it, even if it is a part of me. I have however, accepted it as part of who we are, especially you and I know that you are not evil. I know that you are not to be feared, at least by me and those you love. I would hate to be your enemy if the reports of your missions are true, but I am proud to be your brother. I know I do not deserve an easy forgiveness though I hope you can one day."
Vala was in tears listening to the words Krios spoke to her. They had angered her, frustrated her and saddened her. She knew it would take more than a few minutes to fully come to terms with what was said but, to hear that finally, her brother understood and accepted her, loved her and wanted her around was more than she had expected. Through a ragged breath, Vala responded, "Thank you. I can't right now Krios. It's too much but, I will. Give me some time to sort through this. Knowing that you are with me is enough for now. I love you little brother, always have, always will."
"I love you too sis." The two siblings embraced, and both felt a rush of relief run through their bodies. Krios for the first time since he was a child lowered his defenses against the power and let his connection to Vala flow freely. Both gasped at the sensation and smiled as an empty pit within them felt like it was at last filling. Krios let the power flow for a minute longer before slamming his defenses back in place. "I guess there are somethings I still need some more time to adjust to as well." He said slightly embarrassed.
Pulling apart Vala smiled at her brother. "We both do Krios. I have my own issues I need to work through, you are not alone in that. You will stay in contact with me while I'm away?"
"Of course. I will be sure to send those pictures also. Maybe I will even convince Hanna to write." Vala's smile faltered for a minute at the mention of her twin sister but, it returned in full a second later. They talked for a while longer as they finished their drinks and it was a far later hour than Vala had planned that she walked into her room at the academy where her team was staying the night before the launch. Setting her parents gift down in front of her bed, she kicked off her shoes and walked out on the small balcony overlooking the airfield. In the distance, illuminated by floodlights, rested the New Horizons, her home for the next couple of years and the start of an adventure filled with unknowns. She wondered if this is how her parents had felt at the start of their missions. She sighed at the unanswered question, turned around and went to bed.
Miranda Hannigan nee' Lawson stood on the ceremonial platform in front of a sea of cadets. To her left, the fully assembled crew of the New Horizons waited to be officially ordered to go aboard and start their mission. To her right were the council members, Shepard Academy senior staff and visiting dignitaries that had come to Rannoch to witness the start of this historic mission. She was already done with the typical introduction formalities, the history and purpose of the mission and now it was time to give the orders to the commanding officers and send them on their way.
Miranda's anxiety was high for this mission. She was about to order fifty people into the unknown. That part she was fine with. What caused her stress were six specific people in that group. They were her friends, family. People she loved and cared for. Some she had known since the Reaper War, others she had held as babies, watched grow up to become excellent young adults, far better than she had been at that age. She had told her wife Felicia that she was selfishly happy that their own kids were too young to have enlisted much less been assigned to this task. Their oldest child Michael was seventeen and still in high school. The daughter Kelley, named for her mother before she changed it to Felicia to hide from Cerberus, was thirteen and both were safely back on the Citadel with Felicia. Miranda couldn't wait to be back home and in Felicia's arms. She may have a reputation for being a tough bitch, but in private or at least among family and friends, Miranda loved nothing more than to simply be held by her wife.
"Admiral Samantha Thibodaux, Captain Lin Verel, approach." Miranda's command brought all eyes back to her and the two individuals named marched forward and stood at attention. "I Admiral Miranda Lawson, on behalf of the Galactic Council and the Shepard Academy charge you both with the following orders.
You will assume command of the newest ship of the Shepard Experimental Division, New Horizons and with it, lead your crew into the unknown, passing beyond the borders of our galaxy into dark space where you will trace the path of the Andromeda Initiative to locate the alien ship that has attempted to contact us. Upon finding said ship, you will attempt to communicate with them and determine if they are friend or foe. You have been given all diplomatic rights and Ambassador Neela Voln speaks for the council.
If these new aliens prove to be friendly, we encourage you to establish a diplomatic relationship and invite them to the Citadel. If foe, then you are to use what judgement you feel is necessary with focus on removing yourself and crew from harm and returning to us with as much information as possible. We do not wish a war with these beings, but if that is their desire, we need all the information we can to defend ourselves.
Along the way, we have tasked you with modifying the relay beacons the Andromeda Initiative placed. These upgrades will enable us to collect better data of dark space as well as increase our communications capabilities with the long-term goal of hopefully one day being able to reconnect with the Initiative and learn what their new lives are like in the Andromeda Galaxy.
Above all, serve and protect your crew. That is a commanding officer's number one goal. Do you accept this command as given?"
"I do." Came the simultaneous reply from both Thibodaux and Verel.
"Very Well. Complete your mission and return to us. We will be here awaiting your arrival in anticipation of your success. Good luck to you all. Dismissed." Miranda fell silent and returned the salutes by the two figures in front of her. She took a step back as Admiral Thibodaux turned to face her crew.
"Crew of the New Horizons Attention!" Her voice carried loud and clear above the gathered audience. Pride and confidence shone in her eyes, body rigid straight in military bearing, the gold of her admiral's rank on her shoulders gleaming in the sunlight while the left side of her chest jingled faintly as breeze rattle the dozens of medals showing both achievements earned and sacrifices given in service to the Alliance. "We have our orders and the mission is clear. Report to your assigned stations. Captain Moreau prepare the ship for departure. Captain Verel the crew is yours. We leave in fifteen minutes."
"Yes ma'am!" Captain Verel replied firing off a salute to the Admiral before turning to lead the crew towards the waiting ship. Admiral Thibodaux was the last to leave the stage following her small command. She stopped at the top of the ship's cargo ramp, turned and gave one final salute to the council. As the doors slowly closed, Sam's eyes contacted Kris' across the tarmac. She gave a small smile in acknowledgement and saw a tear drop from her wife's eye though the smile below those eyes mirrored Sam's own.
Sam made her way through the ship to the bridge. She watched as the crew made ready for take-off, securing loose items, starting systems, and strapping into their seats at various controls. She passed engineering where the engines were coming online with a soft hum of power, while the control boards lit up with a myriad of indicator lights showing systems online and ready. Reaching the crew deck, she found it mostly deserted as all personnel were on duty. Only the hospitality crew were present, securing the lounge, mess hall and galley. Just past them was the crew berth and medical bay. Inside she saw Vala and her two assistants finalizing their preparations, jump seats already out and ready to secure their persons for take-off.
"Attention ship. Departure in five minutes. All personnel secure themselves in preparation. Admiral Thibodaux please report to the C.i.C." The disembodied voice of Captain Verel came over the ship's comm system. Sam finished her journey one level above the crew deck in a room that was very familiar to her, not just because her department had designed it, but because it closely resembled the C.i.C. of the Normandy SR2. A large oval shaped space, the center of which was taken up with an interactive galaxy map with stations surrounding it for ship functions. Communications, engineering, weapons and combat, navigation and at the head, command at which Captain Verel stood confirming ship's readiness with his officers. Where on the old Normandy the stations faced the outer walls, on New Horizon's, the stations all faced the center so that the map, or any other projection that needed to be displayed was easily visible for all officers.
Samantha walked past the Captain and entered the bridge where Jeff and EDI were waiting on the command to lift off. Approaching the pilot's chair, she placed her hand on Jeff's shoulder while looking out the cockpit window. The way the ship was placed, her view showed only the vast ocean waters stretching out to the horizon. Jeff looked up from his console, bringing his gaze to the Admiral's face. He could read her body language well after over two decades of serving with her. He knew she was anxious, sad and excited but above all, he saw her confidence and determination. "All systems are ready Admiral. Waiting your command."
Samantha broke her gaze away from the waters of her home and looked down at the pilot. "We never get those fabled "routine" missions do we Joker?"
"Ah, well, if we were given those missions, we wouldn't get to have all these cool new toys, now would we? Besides, the last time I was assigned to a "routine" mission, it ended up being the beginning of the Reaper War. If I never get one of those again, it will be too soon."
"So once more into the unknown my friend?"
"Aye, Aye, ma'am."
"EDI, are you ready?" Sam turned to the synthetic woman sitting in the co-pilot chair. If one was not familiar with EDI, they would likely not recognize her as a synthetic being. Over the decades since EDI inhabited her artificial body, she had grown and evolved in ways no synth had before. Developing complex organic traits such as wants and desires beyond basic hardware and software upgrades and most importantly, and still bewildering, emotional states. Even her body itself had been upgraded with a synthetic polymer wrap simulating skin, along with new sensory devices woven throughout her body that gave her the true ability to feel things. Throughout the organic galaxy, EDI was considered the perfect organic infiltrator. In the synthetic community, she the apex of their being, practically a god to them. To Sam, she was simply a very good friend.
"All ship systems are online and ready Admiral. Captain Verel has confirmed status with all department heads and signified they stand ready for your command. On a quick personal note, thank you Sam."
"For what EDI?"
"For including us on this mission and for relaxing Jeff just now. He was becoming tense and punchy with the controls which can cause malfunctions and missteps. I still remember how his rough handling of a ships systems can feel."
"Hey, I thought you appreciated my rough hands" Jeff spoke up trying to defend himself.
"At home Jeff, or in the shuttle, and maybe later in our quarters but not while on duty. Maybe you should take a lesson from Sam, I remember quite well that her hands know how to treat a hardware system." Sam blushed fiercely at the reference. When she had first met EDI, back when EDI was a disembodied voice and the Normandy's A.I., she had developed a crush on her. It was a secret fantasy she carried that Kris and EDI still gave her shit over. She glared at EDI who smiled and laughed in turn. That laughter spread quickly to both Jeff and Sam and the tension drained from the Admiral's shoulders.
"New Horizons prepare for lift-off. Take us out of here Captain Moreau." With those words, Jeff's fingers flew across the controls and with a slight vibration, the ship lifted off the tarmac and rapidly rose into Rannoch's Sky.
On the ground below, a small group of people stood clustered together, many holding hands, some with tears in their eyes and all of them with thoughts and prayers for their friends and family aboard the ship. Tali stood side-by-side with John while he held one arm around her waist and another around the shoulders of Kris who was openly crying. Miranda next to them with Liara beside her. James and Kasumi, Garrus and Ashley just behind. Silently they gave each other strength as they watched their loved ones disappear.