Chapter 2: Welcome to the Normandy

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SSV Normandy SR-1

En route to Eden Prime

Commander Shepard was sitting in the mess, reflecting on his Alliance career thus far.

The last (almost) 11 years had been good for him, to the point that he didn't even recognize the scrawny 18 year old that had joined up all those years ago. He also had the build to match. He now stood at an imposing 6'4 , 225 pounds. All of it lean muscle. He could match up with Anderson if he had to, and he had. During Shepard's N7 training in 2179, Anderson often came to The Villa to see how Shepard's training was going. More than a few times the two ended up sparring, with Shepard even winning a few times.

Speaking of Anderson, he also thought that the time in the Alliance had done wonders for Shepard. In his words, Shepard had gone from "An arrogant and cocky teenager, to a humble and frighteningly stoic soldier that just wanted to protect innocents. No matter the cost." Shepard couldn't put it any better himself. He was glad he had Anderson in his corner. The man had become a close friend and mentor to Shepard.

Which is how he found himself here. Aboard the SSV Normandy SR-1. As the ship's XO, no less. The Normandy was a prototype Frigate built in collaboration with The Systems Alliance and The Turian Hierarchy. It was specced out to be the most advanced ship in the Alliance fleet and Admiral Hackett wanted Captain Anderson to command it. In fact, the crew was handpicked by the Captain and Admiral, which is how Shepard ended up here. He was Anderson's first recommendation for the position.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming into the mess.

He looked up and saw Lieutenant Kaiden Alenko walk by from the CIC. He had decided early on that he liked the Lieutenant. He was a good marine, and on top of that, a biotic. He hadn't worked with any biotics before so he was excited to be working with him. Alenko looked at him and greeted. "Hey, Commander. Didn't see you there." He smiled and sat down across from him.

The Commander shrugged harmlessly. "Eh. I'm good at being quiet when I want to." He laughed silently as he continued. "So, you excited for this mission?"

"I think the whole crew is excited for this mission." He responded while gesturing his hands at the various crew members at work or just conversing with one another. "We were due to report in at 0745. Everyone, including you and Captain Anderson, were on board by 0655. We've got a good crew, I'll say that much." He thought for a moment before he was reminded of an earlier event on the ship. "Speaking of the crew, you know Joker? You seemed pretty friendly earlier when we were talking to Nihlus."

Shepard nodded in affirmation. "Yeah. Me and Joker go way back. We had the same shipboard posting out of basic. Him coming from flight school on Arcturus and me from Macapá. We were both rookies so we had to stick together. Then I got transferred to work under Hackett, but we stayed in contact. He was one of the first people to check on me after Akuze. But yeah, Captain Anderson Asked me if I knew any good pilots to fly this thing and I showed him Joker's file."

"It's always good to have friends in high places, I guess." Kaiden said with a laugh.

Shepard couldn't help but chuckle a little. "I guess not." His face suddenly looked a lot more contemplative. "Though, I have to agree with Joker and Pressley on the fact that this can't just be a 'Shakedown Run'. I mean, we have top talent on this vessel. Why would they send one of the greatest examples of what an Alliance soldier should be in Anderson, the best pilot, the most highly regarded medical professional, one of the best biotics in the Alliance," He said that part pointing at Kaiden. "And an N7. Not to mention one of The Council's top Spectres, On a 'Shakedown Run'? Something about this seems suspect to me."

Before Kaiden could reply, Joker's voice came over the comm. "Commander, the Captain wants you to meet him in the Comm room. I'd watch out if I were you, he sounds pissed."

"Only when he talks to you, Joker." Shepard retorted while getting up to leave, which caused Kaiden to break out in full laughter and Joker to scoff over the comm.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

When Shepard walked into the Comm room, he was surprised not to see Captain Anderson. Instead, standing in the room, looking at pictures of Eden Prime, was the Turian Spectre, Nihlus.

Nihlus saw Shepard and began. "Ahh, Commander Shepard. I was hoping you got here first. It'll give us a chance to talk." He looked at Shepard (who looked confused) for a moment and continued. "This world we're going to, Eden Prime. I've heard it's quite beautiful."

"They say it's a paradise. Never been there myself so I wouldn't know." He responded quickly.

"Yes, a paradise. Serene, tranquil, safe. Eden Prime has become something of a symbol for your people, hasn't it? Proof that Humanity can not only establish colonies across the galaxy, but protect them. But how safe is it really?" Nihlus asked, turning back to the pictures.

"Is that a threat, Spectre?" Shepard returned, slightly annoyed.

Nihlus started, turning back to Shepard. "Your people are still newcomers, Shepard. The galaxy can be a very dangerous place." He paused, crossing his arms. "Is the Alliance really ready for this?"

Shepard was about to answer when the door opened. "I think it's about time we told the Commander what's really going on." Captain Anderson said as he walked into the room.

"This mission is far more than a shakedown run." Nihlus began.

"Well that was obvious. The whole crew's been talking about it." Shepard stated curtly.

Anderson turned to Shepard and spoke. "We're making a covert pickup on Eden Prime. That's why we needed the stealth systems operational."

"There must be a reason you didn't tell me about this, sir." Shepard said respectfully.

Anderson nodded. "This one comes down from the top, Commander. Information strictly on a need-to-know basis. A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some sort of beacon during an excavation. It was Prothean."

Shepard was confused by this and it showed when he spoke. "Didn't the Protheans disappear 50,000 years ago?"

Nihlus saw fit to chime in at this point. "Their legacy still remains. The Mass Relays, The Citadel, our ship drives. It's all based on Prothan technology."

The Captain waited for Nihlus to finish and joined in again. "This is big, Shepard. The last time humanity made a discovery like this, it jumped our technology forward 200 years." He paused for a moment before switching to a more serious tone. "But Eden Prime doesn't have the facilities to handle something like this. We need to bring the beacon back to the Citadel for proper study."

"Obviously, this goes beyond mere 'human interests', Commander. This could affect every species in Council Space." Nihlus felt the need to add.

The Commander didn't like the way Nihlus used the term "Human Interests", but decided to play nice. "Then it's a good thing you're here to help us." He said, trying to hide his disdain for the Spectres' presence.

Nihlus seemed pleased by the comment as he started again. "The beacon isn't the only reason I'm here, Shepard."

Captain Anderson jumped in before Shepard had a chance to actually hear Nilhus' last statement. "Nihlus wants to see you in action, Commander. He's here to evaluate you."

Shepard was even more confused at this point. "Evaluate me? Evaluate me for what? I'm not getting transferred to the Turian Military in one of those cross-species training programs, am I?"

Anderson shook his head. "No, nothing like that. This is bigger. The Alliance has been pushing for this for a long time. Humanity wants a larger role in shaping interstellar policy. We want more say with the Citadel Council. The Spectres represent the Council's power and authority and if they accept a human into their ranks, it shows how far the Alliance has come."

The Spectre jumped back in. "Not many could've survived what you went through on Akuze. You showed a remarkable will to live, a particularly useful talent. That's why I put your name forward as a candidate for the Spectres."

The Commander knew that if this happened, the Alliance would be better for it. So he replied simply. "Just tell me what I have to do."

Nihlus took to telling Shepard. "I need to see your skills for myself, Commander. Eden Prime will be the first of several missions together."

"You will be in charge of the ground team." Anderson had injected himself back into the discussion. "Secure the beacon and get it onto the ship ASAP. Nihlus will accompany you to observe the mission."

Shepard nodded. "Just give the word, Captain."

"We should be getting close to Eden P-" Before Anderson could finish, Joker's voice blared through the comm.

"Captain! We've got a problem."

The three of them all turned towards the comm as Anderson spoke. "What's wrong, Joker?"

"Transmission from Eden Prime, Sir. You better see this!"

Joker put up the transmission on the screen and what they saw was utter chaos.

Gunshots.

Explosions.

"Get down!" A soldier in white armor yelled.

More gunfire and explosions. Another soldier ran up and started shouting. "We are under attack! Taking heavy casualties! I repeat: heavy casualties! We can't…- argh!..- eed evac! They came out of nowhere. We need-" The soldier was cut off by multiple shots to his back.

The camera was shaky and it was hard to see clearly but Shepard was able to make out a couple other soldiers trying to hold off the unknown assailants. The camera then panned up to the sky and it looked like the claw of the devil himself was reaching down to kill them.

And then the feed cuts out.

Anderson had Joker rewind to look at a frame with the claw in the sky. "Status report."

"Seventeen minutes out, Captain. No other Alliance ships in the area." Joker spoke through the comm.

"Take us in, Joker. Fast and quiet." The Captain said, not taking his eyes off the picture. "This mission just got a lot more complicated."

He looked at the Spectre in the room as he spoke. "A small strike team can move quickly without drawing attention. It's our best chance to secure the beacon."

Shepard was still looking at the picture but he faintly heard the Captain tell the Turian to meet them in the cargo hold. "Tell Alenko and Jenkins to suit up, Commander. You're going in."

Anderson watched as Shepard's face went from confusion at the picture, to pure determination. "Yes, sir." He said, as he nodded once and quickly, but confidently jogged out of the room.

He's in Commander mode now. Anderson thought to himself.