The Beginning of the End

A Mass Effect / Battlestar Galactica (RDM) fanfic

Spoilers: Mass Effect ending, BSG S4E10 Revelations

Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or Battlestar Galactica Those are owned by the fine folks at bioware and the Motherfrakkin' genius that is Ron Moore, I have no intentions or ability to make any money from this.

Chapter 1: The Ceremony

Commander Hank Sheppard stood in the hallway leading to the auditorium of the Arcturus station at the edge of the Sol system, he was nervously fidgeting with his dress uniform, the marine NCO at his side was making her best effort to make her Commanding officer appear presentable, "Okay Williams you've straightened my collar three times now I think its fine" said Sheppard getting more agitated "Its fine until you mess it up again Sir, what's up with you?" asked Ashley "You're starting to sound like my mother Ash, I don't like ceremonies very much that's all" replied Sheppard, "Come on you mean to tell me that the man who just stopped a rogue specter and his army of killer robots is afraid of a little award ceremony" she laughed "All you have to do is let Admiral Hackett pin a shiny medal on your chest and smile for the cameras" she reassured him "All right, but no speeches, and when this is done I'm going to take two weeks off and go to this dig site Liara wanted to take me to" said Hank with a tone of finality. "Good" said Ashley "Dr. T'soni gets to take you to a boring hole in the ground, and I get two weeks with the boss nowhere in sight." She joked, "It's not a boring hole" he said "It's a radioactive hole, and its got robots in it" Ashley led Sheppard towards the doors to the auditorium "You can go visit the ancient junkyard with your girlfriend if you be a good boy and be nice for the Admiral and all the reporters" said Ashley grinning from ear to ear "I'm just glad I'm not you right now"

As Sheppard stepped through the double doors leading to the elaborately decorated auditorium, Admiral Hackett stretched out his arm in Sheppard's general direction "Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, Commander Hank Sheppard" announced the admiral in his gruff voice there was a round of applause as Sheppard walked across the stage and saluted the admiral "At ease commander" said the admiral "We are here today to honor Commander Sheppard's courage in the face of the greatest threat that humanity and the galactic community have ever faced, I am honored to present Commander Sheppard with the Alliance Cross this award is granted in recognition of bravery above and beyond the call of duty." "Commander" said Hackett as he pinned the medal to Sheppard's uniform, "Thank you Sir" replied Sheppard "I'm not done yet Hank" Hackett said away from the microphone noticing that Sheppard was ready to leave the stage "In light of Commander Sheppard's recent actions during the battle of the Citadel, I believe he has shown skill and responsibility beyond the rank of Commander, therefore effective immediately I am promoting Commander Sheppard to the rank of Captain, congratulations Captain Sheppard" said Hackett shaking Sheppard's Hand. "I'm honored sir" said Hank as he saluted the admiral, Hackett returned the salute and said "Dismissed Captain" "Sir" answered Sheppard before exiting the stage. Liara was waiting for him with Williams and Garrus in the hallway "congratulations commander" said Garrus before correcting himself "I mean Captain" "Thanks Garrus" said Sheppard as he walked over to Laira "Good to see you Captain" said Liara embracing Sheppard. Admiral Hackett had came walking down the hall towards the small group, they had gathered something was wrong when they saw the tense look on the old man's face. "Hank I hate to ruin your travel plans, but there's been an emergency, we should talk on the Normandy, he said in a frightened tone, "Dr. T'soni should hear this too, something terrible has happened on P3X-6844"

Next Chapter: Monsters are Real

Author's Comments

Next chapter I'm going to show the Normandy and possibly get into the aftermath of the battle of the citadel, I really hope to give you the first glimpse of Galactica and her rag-tag fugitive fleet in the next chapter, I don't want to take too long before getting into the Colonial's side of the story.