Chapter5

New beginnings

It had been ten years since the Reapers were defeated and Shepard had become Humanity's representative. John and Ashley Shepard had married and resigned their commissions shortly after the Battle for Earth, with Shepard replacing Udina as Humanity's councilor. After retirement, Commodore John Shepard was promoted to rear admiral and Captain Ashley Madeline Shepard was promoted to commodore. Ashley looked at the awards in the cabinet. Every time she did so, she beamed with pride. It was the vindication that her family had deserved for so long. John kept his awards in a foot locker. Their daughter had never seen them. He was not ashamed of them, but he never acknowledged them or discussed them. To him, they were simply very nice thank-yous from the military and the council for doing the jobs that they swore to do when they took their oath of service. He never talked about the war with anyone but a select few; Garrus, Miranda, Liara, Wrex, Bakara, and of course, Ashley.

But he never discussed the war or his service in front of Jan. Jan knew that he had united the galaxy, but so far she knew, it was because he was the human councilor. He did everything he could to emphasize the united efforts of all who fought. Jan knew that he had served in the Navy and had served during the war, but not the pivotal role that he played. He never wanted her to feel like she lived in his shadow. And the name 'Shepard' was common enough that her schoolmates had not yet made the connection.

Those days felt like another lifetime. While her husband still served as the human councilor, he also kept his skills sharp. He held the high score in the Armax combat simulator and he regularly took time off to train with N-7 marines. Last year, he'd even insinuated himself into a military operation because Vega had called him up and said the men would appreciate it. She saw the vids from the mission. He was still every inch the man she had married. But at the same time, he was more. The council had gotten more responsive since he had taken over Udina's spot and Shepard had made sure that the council attended the needs of each species equally, something that had not been the case during Udina's and Anderson's terms.

But Ashley had put down her rifle and shed her tactical gear to be a mom. It was her choice, one that people thought odd, but one that she knew was right for her. Miranda Lawson had become the third human Spectre with the endorsements of both John and Ashley, and Captain Riley became the fourth. Girl power, she thought with a smile. Garrus had been inducted into the Spectres almost immediately, but he always found an excuse to visit the Shepard home. She looked at her reflection in the glass. Her once chiseled jaw and sculpted physique had softened with age and childbearing, but more importantly, the face that looked back at her was always aglow, always satisfied, always happy. She had nothing to prove to anyone any longer. She was a war hero, a former Spectre, a retired Alliance Commodore, and a Star of Terra recipient. And a mom. Garrus and John had made good on their promise to get rich off of the vids, and Ashley had done so as well. The Shepard family was set for several lifetimes. She loved to join her husband at the Armax Arena simulator, but only for the fun of being with him, and only on the sidelines. She knew that she no longer had the hard, combative edge that she had had during the war. But she did not need those things anymore. John had encouraged her to follow a dream she had long held. She finally found her own words and began writing poetry and novels. As a best-selling author, she always had one project or another going. She had recently taken up painting.

Ashley saw another reflection join her in the glass. It was their daughter, Jan. She looked like the Williams women, but she looked up at Ashley through John Shepard's eyes. Those deep, intense eyes. Her eyes were green, unlike John's blue, but Jan had the same fire in her eyes that her father had, and had had it from the day she was born. Her face was framed by deep red hair that with her eyes, gave her a very striking appearance. Jan took her hand and kind of hugged it.

"How come you don't fight in the Alliance anymore?"

The question was surprising. Ashley thought the answer obvious, so it caught her a little off guard.

"Because, honey," she replied. "If I did that, then I couldn't be with you. Or write my books."

"How come Daddy doesn't?" Ashley wondered why their daughter was asking this.

"He is the human councilor, Jan," replied Ashley. "He fought in the war against the Reapers. Now, he represents Humanity, including you and me, on the Citadel council. I've seen the political world, and believe me, those fights are tough too. More importantly," Ashley scooped up her daughter, "he loves you and wants to be home with you as much as possible. Besides, your Grandma Shepard is still an Alliance Admiral. Why are you asking?"

"Because I see you looking at your medals and you look like you miss it," replied Jan, astutely.

"I miss some of the friendships," said Ashley in a wistful tone. "A lot of good friends died. Kaidan Alenko, Admiral Anderson, Nirali Bhatia, and many others died in the war. You're aunt Liara lost her mom because of Saren and the Reapers. I wouldn't trade what I have now with you and your dad for anything in the universe, but I wish some of those people had lived to enjoy this day."

"I want to be an Alliance soldier too," blurted out Jan with a smile. "Then I want to be a Spectre like Uncle Garrus!"

"Thanks to your dad," said Ashley, "you'll have an easier time of it than I did."

Their conversation was interrupted by the doorbell. Ashley went to the front door to see who it was.

"Mom," Jan chided, "you don't have to go all the way to the door. You can talk to them from anywhere in the apartment!"

Ashley would never get used to that. This apartment was more home than they needed, but eschewing the use of some of its conveniences provided Ashley with exercise. She got to the door and cued up the intercom.

"Hello?" She wasn't expecting company.

"Greetings, Ashley," came the contralto voice of a female Krogan. It was Urdnot Bakara. The Shepards had both entertained and been entertained by Bakara and Wrex and Grunt, as well as new Krogan friends, many times since moving to the Citadel, in addition to seeing them at formal occasions, but this unannounced visit was a first. Ashley opened the door to reveal Urdnot Bakara. She stood seven feet tall, towering over Ashley. She dwarfed even Vega, who was the most robust human she knew. Bakara wore her colorful traditional Krogan dress, which covered most all of her except her eyes and hands. It was a beautiful garment. It always amazed Ashley how the combination of body movement, dress, and vocal inflection made Bakara seem more girlish than Ashley herself, even though Bakara could handle a gun just as well and could easily lift the grand piano in one hand. And to think, John has fought larger, male Krogan hand to hand. And won! The prospect was both breathtaking and terrifying. Ashley would never consider going at it unarmed with a Krogan. She liked living in one piece. Thankfully, the only physical contact she ever had with the species since the war was handshaking and hugs. And Bakara graced her with a hug. Ashley hugged her back.

"Come on in!" She smiled at Bakara, though she was puzzled as to the nature of the visit.

"Aunt Bakara!" Jan ran up and jumped into Bakara's arms. Bakara caught the little girl in one hand and hugged her.

"Hello Jan," she said softly. "You have grown so much! One day, you'll be strong like your mom. You already have her manner."

"I need to grow more," said Jan with a laugh as Bakara put her down. The sight still amazed Ashley. When she'd first met Krogan, they were lumbering brutes who threatened and intimidated everyone everywhere they went. They were feared. A single Krogan battle master could take down a platoon of human infantry. Now, Krogan friends played gently with human children and the Krogan had an embassy on the Citadel and engaged in political and philosophical discourse. Time have changed.

"Ashley," said Bakara as she entered, "you know, you would make a fine Krogan." Ashley was already leading Bakara to the living room.

"That is a high compliment," said Ashley, flattered, but glad to be human. Life on Tuchanka was too rough, even by Ashley's old military standards. She made her way to the kitchen and poured coffee and rejoined Jan and Bakara, serving them before seating herself.

Bakara removed her veil and inhaled the aroma of the dark liquid before sipping it. Her Krogan face was fierce and reptilian by nature, but her eyes were soft. Watching her daintily sip her coffee was almost comical. Ashley had grown used to coffee in the military. Tea was a soft civilian drink in her mind, and even after leaving the service, she still held to this preference. Krogan found tea to be too tepid for their taste and preferred the strong coffee that Ashley and her old infantry squad mates drank. Of course Krogan liked ryncol, which was flammable and, as Grunt put it, hit humans like ground glass.

"So what's up?" Ashley was dying to know.

"As you know, the Krogan have experienced a renaissance thanks to your husband," she said. "Tuchanka's flora is beginning to return and our atmosphere has been healed. We've even had some success with growing crops."

"You've also had two very successful colony worlds," added Ashley.

"Yes, and one very successful settlement on a human colony world as well," Bakara continued. "Even our relations with the Turians have improved. Fighting side by side against the Reapers has allowed our soldiers to bond with one another. The Asari have always been more diplomatic with us, and humanity is held in high regard by our people thanks to your husband. Only our relations with the Salarian Union have remained strained."

"If you want my honest opinion," said Ashley, "the Salarian conduct during the war just left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm afraid I have difficulty being objective about it after they threw Earth and Tuchanka under the bus, let the Turians and Asari bleed, and then came out comparatively unscathed."

"I understand your frustration," reflected Bakara. "Krogan have had a very hard time forgetting the genophage, and the Salarians didn't fight alongside us against the Reapers the way the Humans and Turians did. But it wasn't your thoughts on the Salarian Union that I came to discuss."

"Oh?" Ashley was still not sure what Bakara had come to discuss.

"No," Bakara continued. "I want your opinion on the Krogan. You're not political, and I suspect that you're feelings are probably more representative of your species than are those of your husband's."

"What do you mean?" Ashley was reserved in her tone. She always felt defensive whenever anyone speculated about John's motivations.

"What I mean is that John Shepard is probably the most progressively thinking being in existence," replied Bakara with a gentle laugh.

"Wrex is very progressive," countered Ashley, but Bakara shook her head.

"Wrex is politically progressive," she replied. "Wrex did what he did because the old ways were killing us. And as Krogan go, he is very forward thinking. But John Shepard is something more. He really sees the galactic community as a collective whole, while Wrex still sees it as a collection of communities; Krogan, Turian, Human, etc. John Shepard's way of thinking is wonderful, but he is also extremely rare."

"You don't think I'm like him, do you?" Ashley was glad for the compliment to her husband, but it reminded her that she was more reserved in her thoughts on inter-species relations.

"You're more like him than you know," laughed Bakara, sensing Ashley's reservations. "But I also feel that you have greater insight into how and why humans think and feel as they do. John Shepard was born an idealist. You were forged into one. And that gives you some insights that differ from his. And you're a woman. I love working with your husband, but I relate more to you." She paused as Ashley absorbed what she said, and then continued. "You know, Krogan women don't think like Krogan men. We don't view things in terms of clan rivalry, as our men instinctively do, and we are a spiritual people. Most humans that I know, even your husband, lack your spiritual depth, though I think he is very spiritual in proactive and doing sense."

Ashley pondered Bakara's words for a few moments. In the Alliance, her spirituality had been something to hide, something that she had at times been made to feel ashamed of. Here was Bakara affirming that part of her. Shepard accepted it, and affirmed it in his own way. But he was no philosopher. Bakara was a shaman, and spirituality was her very life.

"No one has ever said anything like that to me before," Ashley said quietly.

"Which is sad," observed Bakara. "Humanity has gone down a similar path to that of the Salarian Union. Technology and science hold the answers while spirituality and philosophy are considered out of date. I have read much of human spirituality. Your race has rich spiritual and philosophical traditions. Perhaps your people will embrace them again when they can do so without them causing division."

Ashley nodded as she sipped her coffee. Jan sat quietly and listened. Finally, Bakara shared the reason for her visit.

"Ashley, there is considerable pressure from Wrex and the clan leaders to press the council to give the Krogan a seat on the council," she explained. "Your husband has expressed his support of a Krogan Spectre, but the idea of a council seat has not yet been shared widely off of Tuchanka. I wanted to know your feelings on the matter."

Talk about dropping a bomb, thought Ashley.

"Well," she began, "the Krogan did provide the aid needed that enabled the Turians to provide fleets that safeguarded the Crucible." She paused for a moment, sipping her coffee as she gathered her thoughts. "This is in addition to essentially winning the Rachni wars." Another sip of coffee. At this rate, I'm going to need another cup, she thought. "There are now Krogan in C-Sec and they seem to work well with officers of other races, and I see more Krogan merchants. You're no longer demilitarized and the Krogan have starships, so you are in a position to provide aid to council worlds." More of a case than I thought I could make, thought Ashley. "As for how humanity sees the Krogan, I think a lot of the perception initially came entirely from Krogan mercs. A decade of very friendly relations with the Krogan, along with a bad taste of the Council blowing us off, I think most humans have a fairly balanced view of the Krogan. You being the ambassador and Wrex's style as a leader have really helped humanity to see the Krogan at their best."

With one final sip of her coffee, she delivered the remainder of her answer.

"If the councilor were someone like Wrex or yourself, I think it would be a good thing," she said. "If it were someone like Wrex' late half-brother, then it would be disastrous."

Bakara had to laugh at that.

"Indeed," she said. "Wreav embodied the worst qualities of our species combined with a keen political mind. I shudder to think what would happen to our people if one like him rose to power. And just as with other species, that is always a possibility." Bakara finished her coffee. "Excellent brew, Ashley," she declared. "And thank you for your answer. I still have some things to weigh, but you have helped me a great deal."

Commander Miranda Lawson stood at the helm of the Normandy as she flew to Gei Hinnom in the Sheol system of the Hades Nexus. Grunt was her understudy on this mission. It was their fifth mission together, and if it were anything like the previous four, it would be a cakewalk. Grunt was the first Krogan Spectre candidate. He had the very best of Krogan genetics due to being genetically engineered and was greatly respected as the leader of Arlahk company. He had the distinction of having fought alongside herself and then-Commander Shepard on the mission to take down the Collector base and had fought on both Palaven and Earth during the Reaper Invasion, winning him the respect of both Turian and Human soldiers. Now she was the Spectre evaluating him for inclusion into their ranks. Miranda was not overly fond of Krogan and Grunt generally bristled at being under the command of a female, but having worked together on the Collector mission, they had developed professional respect for each other. On the last four missions, they had made a formidable team. She knew that Grunt was hoping for more action on this mission, as the last four had been tame compared to fighting Rachni and Reaper forces. Miranda was hoping for a nice, easy finale to her evaluation so that she could send her approval off to Shepard and resume working solo, which she preferred.

Unless Shepard were working with her. She really wished he'd come out of retirement. But she could hardly complain. He had pushed to put her in command of the Normandy, something that rubbed a lot of the Alliance brass the wrong way. Admiral Hackett, however, held Shepard's opinion in very high regard, and so here she was. She also had to admit that as Humanity's councilor, Shepard had far outshone any of his predecessors and was arguably far more valuable in that capacity than he ever was as a soldier or a Spectre. And he was, without question, the very best to ever serve in the Alliance and likely the greatest Spectre since the inception of the order. She felt a twinge of jealousy as she thought of him with Ashley, but she couldn't help but be happy for them both. If only . . .

Her thoughts trailed off and she pulled her mind back to the mission at hand. Wishful thinking and fantasizing had to wait. The Normandy came through the Hekate relay and headed for the Sheol system. Once there, would soon be in orbit around Gei Hinnom.

She sent for Grunt and Lt. Vega, instructing them to meet her in the conference room. She kept her fingers crossed that things would continue smoothly, but she had a gut feeling that this mission would be different.

Grunt and Vega arrived in the conference room, Commander Lawson waiting patiently. Vega saluted and Grunt simply nodded. He wasn't a part of the human crew and did not partake in their military greeting rituals. Lawson saluted them back.

"Gentlemen," she said, "our mission is to investigate an Eldfell-Ashland Mining facility that has gone dark. Crews have come to investigate and haven't been heard from since."

She got right to business. Grunt liked that about her.

"Their communications array seems to be functioning," she continued. "Diagnostics indicate that the channel is open but nobody is responding."

"My money's on Batarian pirates," offered Vega. "Ever since the Reapers hit, their governments for shit and all they've been doing is hitting remote locations for slaves and loot. And Ker is a pirates' and slavers' haven in the nearby system of Hekate."

"Loot makes the most sense," observed Grunt.

"Normally, I'd agree with you, Vega," said Lawson, "But there have been no sightings of Batarian vessels. In fact, aside from the ships sent to investigate, there is no indication that any ship has entered the system. And if Batarian pirates have stealth systems like the Normandy, then this is going to be a huge problem."

Grunt acknowledged her comment with a grunt. Vega nodded in agreement. They went over the schematics of the facility and they opted to land the shuttle on the main platform. Lawson instructed Lieutenant Traynor to transmit a message that a council Spectre and her entourage were landing. That's when the pulse hit the ship.

Councilor Shepard sat in his office in the Presidium going over the various reports that had been submitted to him on the subject of the potential for a Krogan bid for a council seat, including Miranda's report on Spectre candidate, Urdnot Grunt. Grunt had matured a lot since he'd served with Shepard based on Miranda's report, and if anything, she was being conservative in her analysis. He'd spent the previous evening talking about Bakara's visit with Ashley and took that into account as he mulled over the situation. Shepard was open to the idea of a Krogan on the council. He personally had expressed a desire to see the Volus included as well, though unfortunately, Din Korlak's betrayal of the council and the Alliance to Cerberus had badly hurt the Volus bid. Tevos and Sparatus were vehemently opposed to giving the Volus a seat, while Valern was more or less neutral. But the Krogan were another matter. Tevos was neutral, though hesitant, and Sparatus was more enthusiastic than Shepard. Valern, on the other hand, would not budge. The Salarian Union would not stand for it, he said. Shepard remembered that he had been the one to tip the scales against Earth when Shepard initially met with the Council about the Reaper attack and that Valern owed Shepard his life. Trump cards for Shepard to be sure, but he hated the idea of having to use leverage when the bid should simply be accepted or denied based on its own merit, of which there was plenty. Politicians are the weeds of the galaxy, he thought, and he was neck deep in them.

His thoughts were interrupted when his com chimed.

"Councilor Shepard," came the voice of Toby Marcus, his secretary, "I have an urgent message coming in from Admiral Hackett of Alliance Command coming through on the vid com."

"Put it through," said Shepard emphatically. "Admiral Hackett," said Shepard, standing and saluting as the Admiral's image materialized. Hackett saluted him back.

"Shepard," he said, "We have a serious matter. Normally, I wouldn't bother you with this, but this is not an ordinary circumstance."

"What's the situation?" Shepard was back in soldier's mode again. While a message of this nature from Admiral Hackett couldn't be anything good, he felt like he was himself again. He hated politics.

"Shepard, we've lost contact with the Normandy," explained Hackett. "She was on a mission to Gei Hinnom in the Sheol system, Hades Nexus. Lawson was investigating a mining operation that went dark while evaluating Grunt. They sent a transmission announcing their arrival and were cut off in midsentence. Shepard, I know you're no longer military, but the Normandy crew is your family. I thought you should know."

"Thank you sir," replied Shepard. "I'll see what I can do with my resources here at the Citadel."

"Good idea. I'll keep you in the loop. Hackett out."

Shepard pondered for a few moments. The sudden loss of contact was far too vague to link to anything specific, but generally, such a sudden loss indicated that something catastrophic had occurred. No opportunity to even indicate that anything was wrong in a live communication was very problematic. He was interrupted by another chime from his intercom.

"Sir," said Toby in a concerned tone, "I have an urgent communiqué from a Captain Lee Riley."

"Patch it through, Toby."

Captain Riley's image materialized as Toby patched it through. The last time he had seen her in person, he was congratulating her on her admission to the Spectres. In fact, her candidacy had been put forth by Shepard himself. She reminded him of Ashley when Ashley had still been in active service, though she lacked Ashley's long locks, favoring a close corn rows pulled back to a short ponytail. She looked very concerned.

"Councilor Shepard," she said, "I have a matter of great urgency to report to the council. I came to you directly because we've worked together before and because I think you may actually know something about this."

"Captain Riley," said Shepard, "good to hear from you. Give me a moment to patch in my colleagues."

Shepard then called on his fellow council members. Their images materialized one by one on the vid com.

"Councilor Shepard," said Valern, the Salarian councilor, "this is highly irregular. You do realize that we each have duties of our own. I sincerely hope that this is not about the Krogan bid for greater political influence."

"I suggest you change your tone," spat Shepard. "If you want to haggle with me over that, we'll do it in private. But when a Council Spectre contacts us with an urgent matter, we owe it to her to hear her out."

"Indeed," said Sparatus. "Second guessing our own Spectres turned out to be counterproductive. I'm with Shepard."

Sparatus had been particularly caustic to Shepard before the Reaper invasion. But Shepard's efforts to bring Krogan aid to Palaven coupled with the Council being very wrong about the Reapers changed his relationship with Shepard radically. The two had since become good friends.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Councilors," said Captain Riley formally.

"I was investigating what appeared to be a smuggling operation, but my investigation led me to an Altai Mineral Works mining operation in the Paymat system on Dobrovolski, Hades Nexus. Once I got there, I found that the entire staff was like zombies. They all spoke in a monotone voice and they all seemed determined to get me to leave. As I investigated further, I found myself under attack by the miners and the office staff. I managed to get away and stayed hidden for the duration of my investigation. I found that the staff was going to a shaft in the mines where they had found this." Riley activated the projector in her omni tool and it showed faintly glowing sphere with swirling energy contained inside. Tevos, Valern, and Sparatus looked puzzled by it. Shepard knew exactly what it was.

"Destroy it," he said without hesitation.

"Shepard, we don't even know what it is," admonished Tevos. "This could be . . ." but Shepard cut her off before she could continue.

"I know exactly what it is," he asserted. "When I investigated the Leviathan of Dis, I discovered that they were using these artifacts to take control of the minds of 'thrall races,' which as far as they were concerned, is everyone other than themselves. The Leviathan codex contains more detailed information on it, but I am telling, right now, that these things are dangerous beyond belief. It also may explain the disappearance of the Normandy and another Spectre and Spectre candidate. They were also investigating irregularities at a mining facility in another system."

"By the Goddess," gasped Tevos. Shepard didn't need to elaborate. They all knew the implications of this news. Though they didn't know the actual name of the species, it undoubtedly has a name for itself, and had in fact, called itself, "the apex race." Without a formal name, the rest of the galaxy knew them collectively as, "Leviathan," which was the description given to a Reaper corpse, killed by the real Leviathan, found in orbit around the Batarian world of Dis. This was the race that had created the Reapers. The artifacts were their way of controlling 'lesser species,' and with Captain Riley's report and the sudden disappearance of the Normandy SR-2, along with a number of other seemingly unrelated reports suddenly made sense and formed a pattern.

"Unfortunately Sir, we had to withdraw to the ship," Riley clarified. "That was an image from earlier."

"Understood," said Shepard. Then he addressed his fellow councilors. "Share everything, no matter how insignificant, with me on this," Shepard said emphatically. "Anything that your governments have on anything that might be related, share it. We must be of one mind on this."

"So far," said Sparatus, "these incidents with Captain Riley and the Normandy are all we have. But I will contact Primarch Victus and Garrus Vakarian and see if they've got anything."

"Tell Garrus that this is a perfect time for him to accept my invitation," laughed Shepard. "Ash and Jan would love to see him. I'll see what my other contacts can turn up."

Tevos and Valern agreed to share information, but gave no details beyond that. But Shepard knew one Asari who could doubtless be of aid. Dr. Liara T'Soni, the Shadow Broker.

"Don't hide your heads in the sand on this one like you did with the Reapers," he said. "We meet this with a united front, we can win this before it becomes a galaxy wide crisis."

Admiral Hackett answered the call on the vid-com. It was a conference call initiated by the human councilor, John Shepard. Prime Minister Dominic Osoba was the other party that Shepard had brought in. The call was on a top priority secure channel.

"Hackett here," the Admiral said in his gruff voice.

"Councilor Shepard," said the Prime Minister in a cheerful, but serious tone. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Captain Riley just reported directly to the Council," explained Shepard. "She was investigating a smuggling operation that led her to a mining facility. The facility had gone dark, just like the one Lawson was investigating when we lost contact with the Normandy. Gentlemen, Riley found one of those spheres Leviathan used to control people. The miners were walking around like zombies, just like the ones I encountered in the Aysur system."

"Commodore Shepard, you know what needs to be done." Admiral Hackett's statement met with knowing acknowledgement from Shepard, but the Prime Minister seemed puzzled.

"I don't understand," he said. "What must be done?"

"Prime Minister Osoba, you need to appoint a new councilor to represent us," explained the Admiral. "Shepard just got reactivated." He then addressed Shepard. "Normally, I'd put you in command of the Normandy SR-2, but that isn't an option. Meet me at Arcturus Station, Shepard. I'll brief you when you arrive."

"Yes sir," said Shepard as he saluted.

"Reactivated?" Ashley was in shock. "John, you've done enough, no you've done everything for the Alliance, for the galaxy. How can they do that? You have a daughter!"

"I know Ash," he said. He pulled her close and held her. "But they're out there, Ash. And if they're on the move, my daughter and the love of my life . . . that's you . . . are in danger. And I'll do anything and everything in my power to keep you both from harm."

Ashley gripped him tightly, tears streaming down her face.

"God, I wish I could go with you, John." Ashley sobbed softly as she held onto him. He knew that she couldn't. And he knew that she did too. Ashley had been one of the finest soldiers in the Alliance and was the second human Spectre. She was a war hero and had been with him on the final push against Harbinger and the Reapers. But Ash had blossomed into much more than a soldier in the decade following the war and she no longer had it in her to fight on the front lines. And even if she did, Jan still needed one of her parents to guard the home front.

"Come with me Ash," he said with a smile. "Come with me to Arcturus. We'll bring Jan. She's never seen the station. You haven't seen it since they've rebuilt it."

"I'll go anywhere you ask, John," she said, smiling through the tears. "I'll start packing now." The door chimed, interrupting their moment. Shepard took her hand and walked her to the door with him. Jan was racing to beat them to the door. She touched it and looked up at them triumphantly.

"I win!" She beamed with pride, but also was out of breath. She had run all the way from upstairs on the other side of the apartment to get there first.

Shepard knew who it was, so he said, "Why don't you answer it? You won the race, so you get to greet our guest." She beamed at this and opened the door.

"Uncle Garrus!" Jan was delighted. She had no idea of the gravity of the situation.

Garrus Vakarian stood tall and rigid in the doorway.

"Shepard, Ashley, Jan." Garrus' greeting would have seemed curt to any other human, but Shepard, Ash and Jan knew the battle scarred Turian well enough to see the smile on his face, something most humans could not pick up on. "Garrus!" Shepard shook his hand and ushered him in.

Ashley gave him a quick hug. "Are you with John on this one? Please say you are."

"This is big. I came as soon as Shepard called. I couldn't let your husband have all the fun."

"Thank God," Ashley said, breathing a sigh of relief. Shepard laughed and shook his head. Garrus, like Dr. Chakwas, never called him by his first name. Even though technically, both Ash and Jan were also 'Shepard.'

That was when Jan noticed that her mom's face was tear streaked.

"What's wrong? Where's Daddy going?"

Ashley knelt down and put her hands on Jan's shoulders.

"Your dad has been . . . reactivated."

"Reactivated?" Jan didn't understand at first, but then she asked, "You mean in the Navy?"

"Yes," confirmed Shepard as he knelt down to join Ashley, putting one arm around each of them. "I'll be Commodore Shepard again for a mission."

"A big mission," said Garrus excitedly, not quite on the same page as the now family minded Shepards. "One that needs your dad in charge and me backing him up."

"Yeah, one Spectre, one Spectre candidate, and the Normandy all missing, coupled with a Spectre's report about unusual activity at another mining facility and the uncovering of a Leviathan device. Big is an understatement. Admiral Hackett reinstated me. Thankfully, my 'retired' rank of Admiral reverted back to my last active duty rank."

"Commodore Shepard," Garrus said amused. "It does roll off the tongue rather nicely. I'm joining you on your trip to Arcturus, Shepard. Hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. You know Jan is joining us on the trip." Shepard smiled as Garrus' brow plates raised. Jan would spend the entire trip asking him crazy questions about his life as a Turian solder, C-Sec officer, and as her dad's best friend.

"Charming," Garrus said, resigning himself to a trip filled with a child's questions. Ashley laughed, but Jan looked very worried.

"But Daddy," she protested, "why are they making you lead the mission? You're a politician, not a soldier like Garrus."

Before Shepard could respond, Garrus answered.

"He's not a soldier like me. I'm good, but he's the best damn soldier that ever lived."

"Really?" Jan knew in her head that her dad had fought against the Reapers, but all her life, he'd been the human councilor and the war was never discussed in her presence.

"Really," said Garrus. "The first Human Spectre, the hero of the Skylian Blitz, and the man who took down the Reapers? Oh yeah; really. Your dad never talks about it, but in his day, he took down Krogan with his bare hands and personally sent more than one Reaper to Hell. Your dad is a living legend."

Jan's eyes widened as Garrus spoke, but his reassurance calmed her down for the moment. Though she began to wonder just what kind of man her father had been. She knew that her mom was highly decorated and had always thought of her as the warrior of the family. Even her father referred to her as a lioness. But if Garrus' words were true, then her father must have been a lion of a man.

Ashley took Jan to the den while Shepard took Garrus to the kitchen and began brewing coffee.

"They've reinstated my Spectre status," Shepard stated. "My mom was handed the position of human councilor. I told them to be nice to her or they'd answer to me."

"Back in the field together, Shepard. It'll be just like old times."

"Yeah." Shepard reflected on that. Before the final push of the Battle for Earth, Garrus had said it would probably be the last time they would be able to say, 'it'll be just like old times,' but here they were saying it again. The fact was, it was not just like old times. Shepard and Garrus were both married, and Shepard had a family now.

"How's Aeliana doing? How's she taking this?"

"I've been active as a Spectre for our entire marriage," Garrus explained. "It's been helpful. I don't have to explain why I'm off doing my job. By the way, she said she'd stop in and spend time with Ash and Jan. She wants to have a girls' night. Funny, Shepard, you married a soldier who could probably flatten any Blue Suns merc and I married a gal from the diplomatic core. Then you go and become the diplomat. I meant what I said to Jan, but it's been a decade, Shepard. Do you think you've still got it?"

While Shepard knew that Garrus was just engaging in friendly banter, the question was legitimate. He had kept his skills very sharp, trained with N7 marines and held the high score in the Armax Arsenal Arena. But training and combat simulations weren't the same as being in the field.

"My aim's still good and I can still fight. I've recovered from my injuries, but I definitely haven't been in the field." He poured Garrus a glass of Turian brandy and himself a cup of the now brewed coffee. "But it doesn't matter. I've got to deal with this." He took a sip of his coffee as he and Garrus joined Ash and Jan. Good, he thought. "I'm afraid that some of Mordin may have rubbed off on me. It has to be me. Someone else would get it wrong."

"Mordin died," Garrus observed. Ash and Jan exchanged glances then looked at Shepard.

"Yeah, that part didn't rub off." His response calmed Jan, but Ash was still nervous, he could tell. Not much to be done. Shepard was a soldier deep down. He also had to admit that part of him relished the idea of getting out of politics and back into the field. He hated politics.

The conversation went on into the evening until Ash and Jan went off to bed. Shepard and Garrus drifted to the kitchen for more drinks.

"I know you never talk about the war or your part in it with Jan," observed Garrus, "but when you step onto that ship tomorrow, she's going to see you in a whole new light. You prepared for that?"

"I've always been prepared for it," replied Shepard. "But I wanted better for her than growing up with me in the military. And I wanted her to look up to a peacemaker, not a warrior."

"Well there is that," said Garrus. "You know Shepard, it's a good thing Ashley is sitting this one out."

Shepard agreed, but Garrus' comment seemed an odd one to volunteer.

"Yeah. She's been through enough," Shepard observed.

"Well, there is that," Garrus noted. "But that isn't what I was thinking of."

"Oh?"

"No. Ashley is a wonderful mom, an artist, and a writer. She's become the very thing that we fight for. Shepard, you and I are blessed beyond measure. Ashley was a soldier, but the edge that she had, her physical ability, her conditioning, that's all gone. She's soft. She's nurturing. She's loving. But because she was a soldier, she understands you. Aeliana wasn't military, but she's Turian. She knows what it's about with us, but she also has those qualities that make Ash so special. Shepard, we won the big one, but this may be the more terrifying one. Let's come out on top. Let's make this count. Just like old times."

"Just like old times." The two Spectres hoisted their glasses and drank deeply. Once more into the breach.

Commodore Shepard, Ashley and Jan, and Garrus Vakarian left aboard the Alliance cruiser Agincourt, Navigator Pressley's old ship, the following afternoon. It was the first time Jan had ever seen her dad in uniform. He looked almost like a prince from the vids she watched. Bur more than that, his entire demeanor had changed. The formerly easygoing 'dad' was suddenly the image of military discipline and his eyes had a look that she had never seen.

As soon as Shepard's feet hit the deck, a chief shouted, "Ten hut!" The sound of stamping feet as the entire crew snapped to attention was jarring for Jan. As soon as he returned their salute and said, 'At ease,' they clapped loudly. The crew was ecstatic to have the Shepards and Garrus aboard. A voice came from one of the marines shouting, "Who's like us?"

"Damn few," barked Shepard with a smile, "and their all dead."

The marines roared their approval. Jan was overwhelmed by the adulation that the crew had for her parents, especially her politician dad. Shepard could see why. The crew was excited beyond measure that Commander Shepard, now Commodore Shepard had returned to active service. He saw Jan do a double take when she heard an ensign say,

"Shepard's back! Someone's getting serious ass kicking!"

Other crew members were agreeing, some shouting, "Oorah!" Jan had only known her father in the capacity of a diplomat. She knew few details of his career and had never seen him in a military capacity. Shepard and Ashley wore their dress blues for the first time in ages. Ashley had had to pick up a new uniform at the Alliance docks on the Citadel because she no longer fit into her old uniform. Shepard estimated that she'd gone from a size eight to a size twelve or fourteen since her soldiering days. She definitely had more curves, he thought with a smile.

Jan Shepard watched her mom and dad move through the crew shaking hands and greeting old acquaintances. Some of the officers had served with one, the other, or both of them at one time or another. Her mom was beautiful in blue, she thought, but her dad was a different man entirely. Garrus was always military, always a soldier. Her dad, while disciplined, also was laid back. Suddenly, he was the soldier that Garrus had described, the best soldier that had ever lived. His normally soft and welcoming expression was replaced by an expression of supreme confidence. She realized that the crew was a tough, seasoned crew, but she could see in their eyes that her dad was in another league. At first, she thought that it was because he was the councilor, but it soon became apparent from the talk among the crew that their admiration for him had nothing to do with his diplomatic skills. Even her mom was looked at as being a serious soldier. Some of the female crew was telling Ashley how she had inspired them. Others were looking at her dad the way princesses in the vids look at princes. Jan didn't like that, but he seemed to ignore it.

Arcturus Station was an impressive structure. Not as large as the Citadel, but stations the size of towns were still impressive to behold. The seat of the Alliance government, it was also politically the most important location in the Alliance itself. As they disembarked, Shepard saw a familiar face. Kelly Chambers. Her strawberry blonde hair was now more auburn and shot through with gray and her face was lined more than it had been a decade ago. But the haunted look in her eyes was gone. Kelly had finally moved on. That made him very happy.

"Commodores Shepard," she said with a smile. As Ashley hadn't been reinstated, she retained her retirement rank, making her the same rank as him. "Garrus, good to see you again!"

"Hello Kelly," said Garrus.

"Jan," said Shepard leaning down to his daughter's level, "This is Kelly Chambers. She was my yeoman on the Normandy when we went after the Collectors and took down their base." Jan extended her hand to Kelly, who shook it firmly.

"How do you do," said Jan politely.

"Kelly, this is my daughter, Jan." Shepard patted her on the shoulder as he introduced her.

"You're as beautiful as your mom." Kelly looked at Jan and then at Ashley admiringly for a moment.

"Kelly, I didn't know you were assigned to Arcturus," said Ashley, hugging Kelly.

"I'm not. But I was told that the Normandy went missing and that you were mounting a rescue mission. The lady I love is on that ship, Commodore. I want to serve under your command one more time, sir. I want to rescue Samantha Traynor." Kelly began walking them to meet Admiral Hackett.

"I was given the honor of meeting you and escorting you to the briefing. I'm an actual communications officer now. I have everything I need, sir. The ship is a beauty, but I'll let Admiral Hackett tell you about that."

"Permission granted, Kelly. Get your things aboard after you take us to Hackett."

"Aye, sir!" Kelly then turned to Ashley and Jan. "Since you're here as guests, how would the two of you like to see the ship?"

"Mommy could we?" Jan was excited, jumping up and down.

"Of course," said Ashley. "I need to inspect the ship that's going to carry your dad."

Kelly took Shepard and Garrus to Admiral Hackett and then left with Ashley and Jan. The two Spectres then went in. Admiral Hackett stood to greet them.

"Commodore Shepard," he said shaking Shepard's hand, "it's good to have you back in action. And by all accounts, this is just as big a threat as the Reapers." He turned to Garrus and continued. "Thank you for joining us, Vakarian. Having you along on this mission is a huge bonus for us. And I mean all of us, not just the Alliance. Not just Humanity."

"Wouldn't miss this for all the brandy on Palaven." Garrus' response made Hackett laugh.

"Vakarian, you two solve this, and I'll send you a year's supply. Personally." Hackett then turned to Shepard.

"Shepard, we've just put a brand new Normandy Class Frigate into service. She's the SSV Yorktown SR-3, and this will be her maiden voyage."

"SR-3?" Shepard and Garrus said in unison as they exchanged excited glances.

"SR-3." The Admiral said this with pride, then expounded. "She's the Normandy SR-2 with all of the improvements that you and your crew made in the battle against the Collectors and the war against the Reapers. Extended fuel capacity, double the probe capacity, the thermal conduit and duct reworking and Thanix cannons. Also, upgraded armor plating and shields beyond what you had had done, and of course and even bigger Tantilus Drive core. We've also upgraded the stealth systems and made the bridge layout more in line with human design preferences. Also, I think you'll be pleased with the crew. Commander Jacob Taylor is your XO, Lt. Edi Moreau is your helmsman, and Lt. Kelly Chambers is your com officer. Also, Dr. Ann Bryson will be accompanying you on this mission."

"That is good news," Shepard said approvingly. Garrus nodded approval as well. He'd always liked Jacob and he was glad to see Edi doing well in the navy. Of course, he was all too aware of the fact that her husband, Joker, was on the missing Normandy. Then a thought came to him. "Sir, why isn't Edi on the Normandy?"

"Edi's person is now contained entirely in her physical body," explained Admiral Hackett. "As a free willed AI with an android body, and as an Alliance officer, she can be assigned as any other officer. With the new SR-3, we really wanted both she and Lt. Moreau, but the Normandy needed him. Edi was really excited about the new ship. She had significant input into her design."

"So what else can you tell me about my new ship?"

"She's a fine one, Commodore." Hackett beamed with pride. He obviously had had a lot of input on this one. "Most pertinent to your mission, Edi recorded the frequency of the pulse that hit your shuttle and the incoming Reaper back on Despoina. Her shielding and hull are designed to resist pulses of this nature, as well as ion pulse weapons. In fact, the personal shields for you and your crew are all designed to shield you from those spheres, Reaper indoctrination, and any similar such attacks as well. Her new stealth systems are absolutely state of the art, and her new reflective plating is designed to make her virtually invisible when activated. They won't even see you if they look out the window. Edi indicated that was a big concern of Lt. Moreau."

"Long story," replied Shepard.

"The ship is designed more efficiently and can handle in low atmosphere as well as the SR-1 while maintaining the size of the SR-2. This ship is the pride of the fleet, Shepard. In fact, I had wanted it named after you, but your mother said you'd be mortified."

"Yeah," laughed Shepard. "And she'd be right."

"Well, I thought it would only be fitting that you be the first to command her," said Admiral Hackett. "Originally, I had intended for you to command her on a victory cruise to show her off. Now, she's in your command for the long haul."

"I'm looking forward to it sir," Shepard said approvingly. "It will be nice to be at the helm after crashing into the weeds ten years ago."

Garrus laughed at the direct reference to the Council, diplomats and politicians of the Citadel. Shepard had been made human councilor, but he was never a politician at heart. Some felt that that was what made him good, though it hadn't been much a benefit for Shepard's mentor, Admiral Anderson.

"Commodore," said Hackett seriously, "bring them back alive and find out what the situation is with those artifacts. If the Leviathan race is on the move, we need to know. The Yorktown's shielding was designed with input from EDI who had analyzed the pulse weapon you encountered when hunting for Leviathan. You have your orders. Now make it happen."

"Yes sir!" Shepard saluted him.

With the briefing over, Shepard, Garrus, and Admiral Hackett made their way to the Yorktown's docking bay. The ship was beautiful. Shepard was overcome with emotion when he laid eyes on her. He loved the Normandy SR-2, but she was built by Cerberus. He'd handed her over to the Alliance after he defeated the Collectors, at which point she became an Alliance ship, but she was Miranda's ship now. This ship was Shepard's. Her engines were fixed to the wings, the skin stretched over them making them integral to the wing rather than attachments to it. Instead of four engines, she had two, one in each wing, and one massive engine in the tail, easily twice the size of the two outboard engines. Her nose came to a graceful point instead of a blunt nose as the SR-1 and SR-2 designs did, and her belly was shaped for better reentry. This ship could fly without mass effect fields, he realized. That would have come in handy at the collector base, he thought.

"She's all yours, Commodore," said Hackett. "I know you'll make us proud."

"I won't let you down, sir."

Shepard saluted the Admiral one last time and then boarded the Yorktown.

She was just as beautiful on the inside as well. Brighter than the SR-1 and SR-2, her bridge was moved to the forward section of the fuselage, overlooking the helm. The Galaxy map was smaller and when not in use, disappeared completely. And a chair! Shepard finally had a captain's chair! And sitting in his chair was his wife with his daughter in her lap. As soon as Shepard and Garrus were on board, the entire crew snapped to attention. His XO, Commander Taylor, called out, "Ten hut!" Ashley and Jan stood, both of them saluting with the crew. Jan was rigid. She looked almost terrified. He could not help but notice that Edi looked like she belonged in the Alliance uniform, the blue a natural complement to her silvery skin.

"At ease," Shepard barked, returning their salute. The crew shifted to 'at ease' in perfect unison. "You're a fine crew," he said proudly. "I look forward to working with each and every one of you. Edi, how soon can we put out?"

"As soon as you give the order sir," she said. He noticed that her electronically modulated voice sounded much more natural than it had when she had served on the Normandy. He walked over to her and greeted her with a warm embrace, one which she returned. He noticed that her hugs felt more natural now. She really had become human, he thought.

"Thank you, Edi." He turned to Jacob. "Damn good to see you again!" The two men shook hands.

"Shepard!" Jacob smiled broadly. He still looked to be in top shape, though he had gained a little gray at the temples. Come to think of it, so have I, thought Shepard. The atmosphere on the bridge took on an abrupt change. Seeing Shepard reunite with Edi and Jacob talking as old comrades relaxed the crew. Shepard smiled at this. He hated commanders who intimidated their crew and kept them on pins and needles.

"Everyone back to your stations. We'll put out in one hour."

Ashley and Jan joined Jacob, Garrus and Shepard.

"Garrus, I've been keeping up with your exploits as best as I can," Jacob said shaking Garrus' hand. "You're kicking ass out there."

"Good to see you too, Jacob. Damn good to be working with you again."

High praise coming from Garrus, thought Shepard. Shepard gave both ladies a big hug and kiss.

"How do the two most beautiful women in the galaxy like the Yorktown?"

"Beautiful ship," replied Ashley. Jan flashed a big smile and put out her fists with her thumbs up. "Oorah!" Jan gave it as much gusto as she could.

"Jan, this is Jacob Taylor. He helped me stop the Collectors and was with us in the final push against the Reapers. He's a hell of a soldier." Jan smiled and shook his hand.

"Good to see you again, Commodore Shepard." Jacob made sure to acknowledge Ashley's retired rank.

"Good to see you too, Jacob." Ashley gave him a nice, warm hug. Jacob then knelt down to Jan's level.

"Jan Shepard," he said warmly. "Your dad does nothing but brag about you in his e-mails. Great to finally meet you."

"Dad says you and your wife are really smart and helped build the Crucible too!" She shook Jacob's hand, clearly impressed with her dad's old squad mate.

"That was more my wife," he laughed. "I'm smart, but I'm not that smart. They put me to work though, and when the time came, your mom and dad, Garrus, Edi, and the rest of us were all together against the Reapers." Jacob stood back up and faced Shepard again. He was nearly as tall as Shepard was, and had always been a strong hand to hand combatant. More importantly, he was a biotic.

"Jacob, did they assign the people I requested?"

"I picked them up myself, Shepard. Prangley and Rodriguez are down below. I hand-picked the rest, as you had requested. And Urdnot Bakara sent you a bonus."

"Oh?"

"Urdnot Dagg," said Jacob proudly. "He's a battlemaster from Arlakh Company.

"What's so special about these people?" Ashley was curious.

"They're biotic," Shepard explained. "You remember those people at TEGS Mineral Works; they were complete under the control of Leviathan. After the artifact was destroyed, they didn't remember the past ten years of their lives. I don't want to hurt anyone in that position if I can avoid it. I wanted biotics with stasis, as well as the ability to gently relocate them out of harm's way. I don't want anyone to get hurt if it can be avoided."

"We've got an N7 trained search and rescue unit aboard as well," offered Jacob. "We're ready to find the Normandy crew and get them home safely." He turned to Ashley and Jan. "And don't worry. Garrus and I'll keep Shepard out of trouble."

Ashley laughed a bit nervously.

"John climbed into a modified Atlas mech that we found lying around and dove to the bottom of the ocean to confront Leviathan. Vega couldn't believe it, and he's crazy. I doubt anyone can keep John out of trouble if he's determined to find it." She turned to Shepard and looked deeply into his eyes. "Unless he keeps himself safe."

"Don't worry Ash," he said. "Nothing can keep me from you and Jan. Not Saren, not the Collectors, not the Reapers. Not Cerberus, and not Leviathan. Nothing."

It was then that the alerts started blaring.

"Shepard!" Hackett's voice came over the com. "We've got a situation here. We'll handle it, but you need to get out now." The docking clamps disengaged. The ship was free.

"Yes sir," Shepard said. "Shepard out." He then looked up at the helm. "Edi, take us out of here, now!"

"Please specify a destination."

"Illium."

"Illium?" Edi was puzzled, but she began getting the ship in motion. "Why Illium, sir?"

"Because there's someone there that I need."

The Yorktown pulled away from Arcturus station and sped towards the mass relay.