SSV Normandy
She leaned against the handrail and stared. She chewed her bottom lip to keep herself from gaping openly at the sleek beautiful ship in front of her. She lifted up her Omni-tool and quickly took a few pictures, sending them to Clara. She narrowed her eyes slightly as she felt her biotics trickle across her skin.
"She's a beauty isn't she? Can't believe that the humans and the turians designed this baby." A voice quipped to her right.
Emily turned to look at the tall well built man standing behind her. Eyes still narrowed she noted the muscular built, chocolate brown eyes under long, thick eyelashes, and thick hair brushed back perfectly.
'Gorgeous...' She thought followed with 'Trouble. With a capital T. Big trouble.' A flicker of blue static manifested it self down her arms in alarm at her thoughts.
She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. Not sure what set off her reaction to the man.
He quirked his eyebrow at her scrutiny and let his biotics flare across his skin too, causing the blue static to travel down his muscled arms as a smile flickered across her lips.
She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, flicking her fingers outwards to dispel some of the energy that gathered around her hands.
"Sorry, that never happened to me before." She mumbled an apology as his energy flickered out.
"For a Biotic, you haven't interacted with other biotics have you?" He teased lightly while holding his hand out.
"Name's Kaidan. Kaidan Alenko. You must be Commander Emily Shepard."
She took his hand and noted as another blue spark traveled between their enclosed palms. Wincing slightly she withdrew her hand and smiled up at him.
"Yes, you are correct. Nice to meet you." She responded as her eyes drifted back towards the ship.
Kaidan winced slightly as she looked away from him, back to staring at the SSV Normandy.
'Smooth. Real smooth there Alenko. Already broke protocol. She outranks you and you made an ass of yourself.' He thought to himself while he shook his head ruefully at his musings.
Her Omni-tool pinged and a bright smile flashed across her lips as her fingers danced over the interface, obviously enjoying the response she got.
"Shepard, Alenko." A deep voice came from behind them as Captain Anderson walked towards them.
Both Emily and Kaidan quickly snapped to attention and saluted the Captain.
"At ease." He smiled at them both and with his hand gestured to the ship.
"Let's board and have a look around." He nodded towards the alliance guards that stood in front of the entrance.
"Decontamination in process." The synthesised voice said as the airlock sealed shut.
She winced slightly as she felt her biotics react to the decontamination and Lieutenant Alenko's biotics. She still couldn't get used to the brief flare of power that came when she came across another Biotic.
"Rose, you do know that having an implant would take care of those issues for you." Doctor Malis had said the last time he had called her to check up on her progress with training. "It would also help you control those tiny discharge problems too." He continued on.
She winced slightly at the memory as the door opened into the CIC of the Normandy. Her thoughts temporarily forgotten as she gazed in amazement at the huge interactive galaxy map that dominated the room.
"I'm glad you're impressed Shepard." Captain Anderson said with amusement tinging his voice.
"Cockpit is this way, our pilot is none other than Jeff "Joker" Moureau." Anderson continued while tilting his head towards the cockpit.
"Med bay, sleeper pods, and mess hall down that way, and on the level below us is the engineering and storage. Feel free to explore, and get yourselves situated. Dismissed." He nodded towards the two of them and headed into his office as his Omni-tool beeped.
She looked around and tossed him a quick grin over her shoulder while she headed towards the cockpit. She looked out the window over Joker's head and watched as they pulled out of the docks.
"You know, it is kinda creepy when people just stand behind me and not say anything. Not to mention downright rude." Joker quipped as he turned his head and looked at her.
Emily looked at him and quirked her eyebrow and smiled.
"So what do you think of the Normandy?" She asked him with her hands folded behind her back.
"I could turn this baby around in a full circle over the top of a pin." He boasted.
"That's good to hear Joker." She responded a smile flickered across her lips.
"Why don'tcha get out of here and explore the rest of the ship. You're kinda crowding me Commander." He teased as he turned his focus back to the controls in front of him.
She nodded and turned to catch Kaidan giving her a curious look. Her biotics flared briefly as she walked past him to head towards her private quarters to set up her belongings and send a long detailed message to Clara.
Kaidan settled his items in his bunk and looked around. He watched Shepard greet Joker then head into her room. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he brushed his fingers through his hair as his shoulders slumped.
'C'mon Alenko this isn't the time to get distracted. You have a job to do. Just focus on it and do it. Forget about how her eyes sparkled while they looked at you.' He gave himself a mental pep talk before fixing his hair again and exiting his bunk.
He found her again in the engineering, checking out the mako with a concentrated frown on her face.
She flipped him a smile and turned her attention back to the mako.
"God I hope I don't have to drive that thing. Tanks and I just do not get along. I barely passed the required test because of the mako." She continued.
He gave her a sideways smile and tried to contain a laugh.
"The great Commander Shepard can't drive? Now who would have thought of that?" He teased her lightly.
She blushed slightly and shook her head. "I didn't say I can't drive. I'm just saying it is not a good idea for ME to drive." She let out a little laugh. "But don't worry, I won't be driving us off any cliffs or anythin..." She trailed off teasingly.
Her omni-tool let out a beep and he watched as she looked at it with a soft smile on her face.
"Will you excuse me for a moment I have to take this." She said while walking to the far side of the room.
He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and watched her. The soft smile she had on her lips and the way the lighting in the room created interesting shadow contrasts on her face. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he tried to listen in on her conversation.
"No Clara, we haven't gotten to Citadel yet. And I don't have much time to talk right now, I'll be on duty in a few minutes. Did you finish your school work? I didn't see the file in my inbox."
He froze for a second as his mind jumped conclusions.
'It sounds like she's talking to a kid. Her files made no mention of her having a child. They wouldn't have separated them if she..' His gritted his teeth and tried to stop his run away thoughts.
'It's against the regs for fucks sakes.' He continued to say to himself as he gritted his teeth.
Emily ended the call and looked over at where Kaidan was standing, noting he was having some sort of internal debate with himself.
"Shift change Lieutenant time to get to work!" She called out causing him to sketch a quick salute.
"Aye, aye Sir!" He said to her with a teasing grin.
Hours later, Emily headed back into her bunk and flopped down on her bed. Who knew that there was so many things that still needed to be done on the Normandy. She also had a meeting with Captain Anderson and a turian Spectre in the morning.
Having the Spectre on board created a huge stir of curiosity amongst the crew. Most notably between Lieutenant Alenko and Corporal Jenkins. Both wondering what a Spectre would be doing on an Alliance ship. For the moment, they've only been doing quick recon pick up missions which didn't have much combat but she wasn't complaining. After everything she's done in the past few years since she joined the Alliance a few quick easy missions didn't seem so bad.
She winced slightly as she thought back to hers and Kaidan's interaction earlier. She wasn't going to deny that there was 'something' going on between them. But she knew that if she followed that feeling she'd end up in a world of trouble. She rolled onto her back and held her hands up over her head. Noting the tiny decoration of scars along her hands, and arms. She knew under her clothing she would find more scars that decorated her body from either battles or her time before the Alliance. She didn't doubt her looks, but she rarely had time for any kind of relationship. She's had a few flings here and there during shore leave but she only kept it casual. She also knew better than to go against the rules of the Alliance so she'd never accepted a 'casual' date with anyone in the Alliance.
But with Kaidan, she's never dealt with temptation directly in her face. She loved the deep timber of his voice, and the way his eyes melt while looking deep into hers. And she wondered if his hair felt as soft as it looked.
Sighing she repressed a slight shiver and rolled onto her side. Feeling the slide of her necklace against her neck. She let out another soft sigh and closed her eyes as sleep slowly overcame her.
And for once, she dreamed of chocolate brown eyes and a warm smile instead of the tears on Clara's blood splattered face.
Morning came with the announcement that they'll be hitting a Mass Relay that will take them towards Eden Prime. Quickly putting on her armor and double checking her trusty shotgun she made her way quickly towards the cockpit.
"Hitting the relay in 3...2...1." Joker said as the cockpit filled with blue light.
"All system are good and green across the board." Joker continued as Shepard stood right behind his chair.
"1500 is good. Your captain will be pleased." The turian spectre said with a soft hum.
Shepard nodded to him as he walked away.
"I hate that guy." Joker commented quietly.
"The guy gives you a compliment...and you hate him?" Kaidan asked Joker.
Emily smiled and shook her head at their conversation.
"Besides, Spectres are trouble. I don't like having him on board. Just call me paranoid." He continued.
Emily bit her lip, she kind of agreed with Joker.
"Yeah, you're right. The Council wouldn't send a Spectre on just shake down runs like we've been doing. There might be more to this. Let's just hope the captain tells us soon." She murmured quietly.
"Joker, status report!" Captain Anderson boomed.
"Just cleared the mass relay, Captain. Sleath systems engaged. Everything looks solid." Joker responded.
"Good, find us a comm buoy and link us to the network. I want mission reports relayed back to Alliance Brass before we arrive at Eden Prime." Captain Anderson replied.
"Better watch out Sir, I think Nihlus is heading your way." Joker quipped.
"He's already here. Lieutenant. Please tell Commander Shepard to meet me in the comm room for debriefing." Anderson responded with a slight bite to his voice.
"He sounds angry, something might have gone wrong with the mission." Emily replied.
"Nah, he always sounds angry when he talks to me." Joker commented as Emily turned around and headed into the comm room.
She walked briskly past the CIC hearing people gossip about having the Spectre on board. Ignoring them she walked into the comm room only to find Nihlus waiting for her.
"Ah Commander Shepard, I'm glad you got here first. It would give us a chance to talk." He drawled softly.
"About what?" She asked him curiously. Shes seen turians before but never up close. Let alone one of the spectres.
"What can you tell me about Eden Prime?" He continued while staring directly into her face.
Settling into military stance she tilted her head to the side and stared back at him.
"They say its a paradise." She responded in slight curiosity.
"Yes, I've heard that as well. Tranquil. Safe. Eden Prime has become a symbol for your people hasn't it? Proof that humanity can not only establish colonies across the galaxy, but also protect them. But how safe is it really?" He dronned on.
"Why? Is there something we should know?" Shepard asked.
"Your people are still newcomer, Shepard. The galaxy can be a very dangerous place. Is the Alliance truly ready for this?" He continued while staring at her up and down.
"I think its about time we told the commander what's really going on." Anderson commented before she could form a reply.
"Shepard. This mission is far more than a simple shakedown run." Nihlus commented.
"I figured as much." She responded dryly while turning her attention to Captain Anderson.
"We're making a convert pick-up on Eden Prime. That's why we needed the stealth systems operational." Anderson said while handing her a datapad.
"You could have told me." She responded with curiosity on her face.
"This comes from the top, Shepard. A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some kind of beacon during an excavation. It was Prothean." Anderson said while looking at Nihlus.
"I thought the Protheans vanished 50,00 years ago." She began to shift her weight as she felt something cold slither up and down her spine.
"Their legacy still remains. The mass relays, the Citadel, our ship drives - it's all based on Protean technology." Nilhus answered.
"So this beacon? We're going into pick it up?" Shepard asked.
"Yes, their research lab doesn't have anything remotely close that will be able to check this thing out so we have to pick it up and bring it to the Council. It will help solidify humanity's standing with the others." Anderson continued.
"The beacon is not the only reason why I'm here, Shepard." Nilhus said.
"I'm here to evaluate you for the Spectre program."
"The Spectres represent the Council's power and authority. If they accept a human into their ranks, it will show how far we've come. And it will make things easier for our voice to be heard. Hell even a possible chance for a seat in the Council." Anderson continued as he started point blank at Emily.
She blinked, letting the information sink in.
'A Spectre? Really? Me? Do I even have a shot of that?'
"You held off an enemy assault during the Blitz single-handed. You showed not only courage but also incredible skill." Nilus commented.
Clara's face flashed briefly in her mind, tears...with blood splatters all over her face.
"That's why I put your name forward as a candidate for the Spectres."
"I..I see. Now why would a turian want a human as a Spectre?" She asked Nihlus.
"Not all turians resent humanity. Some of us see the potential of your species. We see what you have to offer to the rest of the galaxy...and to the Spectres." Nilhus answered while he continued to stare at her.
"I assume this is good for the Alliance." Shepard asked Captain Anderson.
"Earth needs this. We're counting on you." Anderson answered while waving his hand at her.
"I need to see you in action. And Eden Prime will be the first of several missions we'll have together. You'll lead your ground team and I'll be evaluating your skills." Nilhus said.
"Take your ground team to secure the beacon and get it back on the Normandy ASAP." Anderson said.
"Nihlus will accompany you to observe the mission." He gestured towards Nihlus.
"Okay, I'm ready to go." Shepard said while double checking her gear.
"I'll grab Alenko and Jenkins and have them suit up."
"Captain we've got a problem." Joker's voice came out of the intercom.
"Sir, you've got to see this. It's from Eden Prime."
"Link us Joker." Anderson demanded.
A screen flashed showing soldiers being under attack and demanding evac. Showing some strange ship coming out of the sky before the link does.
"Take us in Joker, quick and quiet." Anderson said.
"Aye, aye Sir." Joker responded.
"Grab your gear and suit up, we'll meet you in cargo hold. I'll be going ahead of your group to recon and will feed you bits of information." Nilhus said while he strapped on his guns.
Emily nodded followed.