Chapter Two: Alliance

Shepard paced around the comm room while sneaking glances at Eve who sat placidly playfully watching him. Already he felt like stuffing a paper bag over his mouth to calm himself.

"Who are you really?" he asked finally forcing himself to stand still, "Don't tell me you're my sister because I know that's a lie."

She looked down.

"You got me, I just said that to get into the Embassy." she said.

"I knew it," he sighed, "I was actually looking forward to catching up but like everything in the Traverse nothing can be taken lightly the first time."

"Well, don't get me wrong. You did have a sister but she died on Acuze. I think you heard about that right?"

He rubbed his temples, he knew very well about the tragedy of Acuze but he never knew she was part of it.

"So, what do you want exactly?"

"I actually admire you and I wanted to ask if I can join your crew?"

Shepard felt overwhelming anger rise within him. Was she serious? She used an excuse about his family just to ask him to join his crew? He wouldn't stand for that.

"I hope you know you're not leaving the Citadel unscathed." he said drumming his fingers over the comm console.

"Wait, before you rant and rave at me. I just want you to know something."

"And what the hell is that?"

"Your sister and I were best friends. We traveled all over after we realized you had gone into the service to look for you and after the incident at Acuze she asked me to find you."

"You're lying.." Shepard whispered. Now he felt like there wasn't a barrier of secrecy anymore. Was she telling him the truth now?

"No, Shepard. Her name was Carmela Shepard. Private of the Human Alliance sent over to Acuze from Earth. Her last transmission to me was to find you... listen."

She lifted her forearm summoning a transparent omni-tool, his eyes widened, those were only issued to the Alliance Navy. She tapped several tabs and suddenly the room echoed with static.

"Eve, I just landed on Acuze and I'm headed towards our base. It was a good idea to take separate missions to spread out our search so you do your thing in the Gamma Cluster. I'll let you know if anything happens. Oh, before I forget, I honestly think something is wrong about this place so just in case anything happens just go on and find my brother. I doubt something bad will happen since I'm really bad at these gut feeling things but just go on. Tell him I love him and I can't wait to meet him. Private out."

Shepard felt himself rush with emotions. He felt himself loosing control so he immediately turned around. That voice. He remembered. It was her. The only family he had left was gone before he could do anything about it.

"Why didn't she just report herself as Shepard? They would've brought her to me." he said clutching his fist trying to withhold himself from breaking down.

"They wouldn't have allowed her to join the service if they found out a street rat was a relative of yours."

"That's not true, I came from the same background as her."

"True, the only difference is you were drafted. The service had no choice at the time but now since they do they have more restrictions. She had to use an alias but she did it to save you from demotion."

Just then Liara and Ashley entered the room unaware of the sudden tension that was brought in their wake.

"Commander? Is everything alright?" asked Ashley.

All he could do was nod, he couldn't find it to say anything afraid that his real emotions might spill over ruining his position. He knew both her and Liara were staring at him and at Eve, he could sense the hostility already beginning to arise from the conflict.

"T'soni, Williams," he began, "we are headed for Noveria. But before anything I want you two to leave."

He pointed at Williams and Eve who nodded swiftly leaving Liara to stand at the entranceway looking unmoved by the sudden command.

"Shepard, I heard what she was telling you. Are you sure she's a reliable source?" she asked.

He exploded with rage throwing his gun onto the floor. He turned to her feeling his tears run down his face knowing very well it alarmed her to see him this way.

"Why are you asking me that? Don't you play coy with me! You don't think I know when you saw into my mind when you wanted your precious Prothean vision? I KNOW WHAT YOU SAW! You saw more than that, you saw my life and yet you said NOTHING! You knew about her didn't you? And you kept this a secret from me?" he bellowed.

Liara became nervous, his eyes reigned passion and sorrow and yet there was nothing in her power to remedy it. It was true. The moment she had gone into his mind to see that Prothean vision all those weeks ago she had also seen his life from since he was a child. She had seen it all even the memories hidden in his subconscious mind. She did see someone rather close to him, she did see someone who resembled him. Why hadn't she said anything? Was it to halt the further complications that would arise if she were to mention it? Was it because she knew the quest to stop Saren would be suspended because of misjudged priorities?

"Wait. Right before we destroyed Sovereign you told me I should save the council. You knew that would annihilate a majority of our fleet. Did you think Eve was apart of that? Huh? Did you think if she died that secret will remain hidden? What are you planning?"

"Commander! How could you make such a claim? We've been through a lot and this is what I receive? For your own knowledge you were the one who saved me! Would it make sense for someone who was conspiring against you to lay back in danger of being killed by the Geth? Why am I the one being questioned? That woman had Geth following her and yet you still fail to see that she may be the catalyst in this who conflict?!"

He stood several feet away, his gun in his hand.

"Get the hell off my ship."

"What! Commander come to your senses!"

He cocked the pistol making it glow.

"I said you're relieved. Leave."

"You cannot be serious."

He shot at her feet."

"You've gone insane! How can you take the situation so extreme without listening to me?"

He lifted his arm aiming squarely at her chest.

"I said LEAVE."

The Normandy echoed with several shots.