The Commanders Shepard

Ch. 4 – Getting Their Hands Dirty

Author's Note: I noticed when reading over the first three chapters that I had referred to Anderson as Admiral. I had just finished playing through ME3 (again) when I first put that out, and given how long its been since I uploaded to this story, I can't edit it. It's fixed from here on.

It took no time at all for the crew of the Normandy to dig in and acclimate to their new ride. The Shepard Triplets went about making alterations to the ship's layout to make command run at least a bit smoother.

Nihlus Kryik was a Citadel Council Spectre, and his mere presence commanded respect. The Disasters could only imagine the things he had seen and what the Turian soldier may have been through. They each knew that this guest being aboard meant that the Normandy's maiden mission carried significant weight. Jane, James, and John were all eager to take part in whatever it was, considering the presence of such an elite trooper among them.

"These are the candidates, Captain Anderson?" Nihlus asked as he gave the trio a discerning eye. Anderson nodded. "I've heard a great deal about their exploits." Nihlus approached the triplets, and with a look of anticipation said, "The three of you have racked up quite the resume' for yourselves."

Jane stepped forward to respond. "I see our reputations precede us," she said, allowing but a quick second of pride. "We've been through and done a lot separately, but our first tour together doesn't exactly merit the presence of a Spectre."

Captain Anderson stepped between the Shepards and Nihlus. "I think its about time we told the Commanders what's really going on."

The veteran Spectre nodded in agreement. With a stern resolve, he looked into John's eyes and said, "This mission is far more than a mere shakedown run."

James pushed his glasses back up to his face and replied, "I knew there was something you weren't telling us."

The Captain took a seat in one of the chairs in the conference room. "We're making a covert pick up on Eden Prime. That's why we needed the stealth systems operational."

The mountain that was John chose then to say his piece. "We are your XO team. There must be some reason you didn't tell us about this, sir."

Folding his arms as he spoke, the Captain said, "This comes from the top. Strictly need to know basis. An excavation crew unearthed some kind of beacon during their research dig. It was Prothean."

That last part caught their attention. Inquisitive eye brow firmly in the "up" position, Jane said, "Prothean? Didn't that civilization disappear 50,000 years ago?"

Nihlus twitched a mandible before saying, "Maybe so, but their impact is still felt today. The mass relays, the Citadel, our ships' drive cores. Prothean tech was the basis for all of them."

"This is big," Anderson interjected. "The last time Humanity made a discovery like this, it propelled our technology at least two centuries. Eden Prime doesn't have the means to handle something like this."

"And that's where we come in," John said.

James continued his brother's thought. "Our mission is to pick up the artifact and provide covert transport to the Citadel for proper study."

The veteran Spectre spoke up again. "This obviously goes beyond mere human interests, Commanders. Eden Prime's discovery could effect every species in Citadel space."

Jane put a hand on her chin and said, "I for one, am glad our leaders decided to play ball, but I can bet there are some who wouldn't want to give this kind of thing up to the Council."

"You humans don't have the best reputation," Nihlus said bluntly. "Some species see you as unpredictable. Selfish. Too independent. Some even fear you."

Captain Anderson picked up where the Turian left off. "Sharing this discovery will help improve our relations with the Council. Besides, they know more about the Protheans than we do. We would need their expertise to best utilize whatever could be gained from the beacon."

Nihlus took another step toward the Shepards. "The beacon isn't the only reason I'm here. I look forward to seeing you in action."

In unison, all three of them rose an eye brow. Jane was the first one to say what all three of them were thinking. "In action?" She turned to Anderson. "What's that about, Captain?"

"Oh well. No sense in keeping that cat in the bag any longer," the Captain said as he stood and unfolded his arms. "The Disaster squad has been put forward to the Citadel Council by Nihlus, Admiral Hackett, Ambassador Udina, and myself for consideration as Council Spectres."

Minds. Were. Blown.

John threw a fist into the air and howled excitedly. Jane's whole body began to glow and she started floating away. James, seemingly unaffected at first, cleared his throat as he adjusted his glasses and spoke up. "I believe what the Commanders meant to say was, 'That is pretty outstanding', sir." he said dryly.

Nihlus was a bit taken aback by their display but forgave it given the weight of their situation. "Pipe down, you animals," he said. "In any event, I want you all to understand the broader implications of this scenario. The Spectres represent the Council's authority. If you make it, your recruitment will be a major boon for your entire species." His words were like helium, pumping up their excitement even more. Nihlus continued. "I've been assigned to observe you three and give the Council my assessment of your worthiness to join our ranks. Eden Prime will be the first of several missions we will all be on together."

Captain Anderson piped in to continue Nihlus' thought. "The Alliance has been pushing for this a long while. After the Normandy's initial shakedown, Nihlus will be attached to the Disasters squad to observe your operations. Being a long time veteran and trusted hand, his word carries a lot of weight with the big dogs."

"Akuze. Elysium. Torfan." Nihlus began. "Not many could function properly after the things you've all seen and been through. I don't care that you are human. I see potential. I see forward to the great things you can do for the galaxy and for the Spectres. Eden Prime will serve as the first of several missions we will all be on together."

Before any of them could say anything in response, Joker jumped in on the intercom. "Captain! There's a situation!"

Instantly converting to CO mode, Captain Anderson, "Talk to me! What's going on Joker?"

"Distress signal from Eden Prime, sir. The colony is under attack!" Joker patched in the distress call to the monitor of the conference room. Battle raged on in the video message that played. None of them could discern any viable information from anything the soldiers were saying. They couldn't even see what was attacking the colony. Then suddenly, the feed dropped. "The connection is dead, sir. I'm getting nothing."

With a look of unbridled concern on his face, Captain Anderson said, "Joker, reverse the feed and hold at 38.5." The video paused to show a massive battleship, the like of which none of them had ever seen. After a moment taking it in, the Captain said, "Status report!"

Joker replied, "We can jump there in 17 minutes. No other Alliance ships anywhere near the area."

After another brief moment of contemplation, Anderson said, "Take us in, Joker. Fast and quiet." He turned toward the Disasters and said, "This mission just got ALOT more complicated."

Ever the combat veteran, Nihlus added, "Small strike teams are out best bet. And with the Normandy, we can get in and assess the situation without calling attention to ourselves."

The Captain nodded. He got on the intercom and ordered, "Alenko! Jenkins! Suit up! Meet us in the cargo hold for mission briefing." He turned back to the Shepards and said, "The Disasters get to prove themselves a bit earlier than we'd thought. Looks like 'trial by fire'. You ready for this?"

All three of them snapped into their height line formation and saluted Captain Anderson. In perfect unison, they all said, "Sir! Yes, sir!"

"That's what I like to hear. Grab your gear and get to the cargo hold. Dismissed!"