Chapter 1: The Shakedown

1330

SSV Normandy

Cmdr. Dominikk Shepard

I walked up the stairs to the Normandy's bridge and still could not believe it; Me on the Normandy. The ship was a prototype frigate constructed of human-turian design. It was to show the first step in both species showing trust in one another. Neither viewed each other very well and it was a shame. Pity that the design was kept secret.

First time being an XO of a ship... I don't intend on screwing up.

Captain Anderson had made me the ship's XO forty-eight hours before the ships shakedown run that was about to take place. I told him however that I wouldn't go without my two squad mates in The Hellions. He allowed me to no questions asked. Anderson was always upfront with me, and he was a loyal friend when it counted. The man had been my mentor ever since he found me on Elysium. To this day, we still hold a mentor and student bond. On his frigate, the Agincourt, I was the head of his ground team. So he knew exactly what I could do on the field.

"The Arcturus Prime relay is in range. Initiating transmission sequence." Joker had announced over the comm. relay. I moved passed every soldier and nodded acknowledging each and every one as I passed them by. "We are connected," He announced as I was almost to the cockpit of the ship. "Calculating transit mass and destination. The relay is hot, acquiring approach vector. All stations secure for transit" He reported as we reached the mass relay.

I looked through the cockpit window as we reached the relay. "Board is green. Approach run has begun."

I nodded at Nihlus, the turian Spectre sent to see how the ships stealth test went. He seemed respectable, but when he nodded he gave this expression like he was expecting something from me. I decided to shake it off thinking it was just me as we made the jump through the relay.

1345

"Thrusters… check. Navigation… check. Internal emissions sink engaged." Our pilot, Joker addressed as he touched the holographic keyboards in front of him. "All systems online. Drift… just under fifteen hundred K." He smirked proudly.

"Fifteen hundred is good, Lieutenant. Your Captain will be pleased." Nihlus addressed back to him, deflating Joker's already over clogged ego as he walked away.

"Y'know I wasn't gonna say anything before," Joker said as Nihlus was gone. "But I really hate that ass."

The acting co-pilot, Staff Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko just rolled his eyes at Joker's response. "Nihlus gives you a compliment. And so you… hate him?" He arched a brow questioningly at the pilot.

"REMEMBER TO ZIP UP YOUR JUMPSUIT AS YOU GET OUT THE BATHROOM? THAT IS GOOD!I JUST JUMPED US HALFWAY ACROSS THE GALAXY AND HIT A TARGET THE SIZE OF A GODDAMN PINHEAD, OKAY?! SO WHAT I JUST DID, THAT" He showed him the readings. "IS INCREDIBLE!"

I just shook my head smiling. This wasn't the first time Flight Lieutenant Jeff "Joker" Moreau had blown up with another rant. First time I met him on the Agincourt all those years ago, he was as obnoxious and irritable as he was now, not to mention the egotism he brought. All I did was ask him about his life getting into the Alliance Navy and he blew up on me saying that he was not good, hell that he was not even great, he was the, quote unquote, "BEST DAMN PILOT IN THE NAVY!" saying he graduated at top of his class even with his disease.

I had explained that his dossier hadn't explained much about his disease and that I wasn't trying to offend him. He then realized I was serious and felt bad afterwards.

He then told me that he suffers from a bone marrow disease that has left his leg bones very weak to the point of shattering. I was stupid enough to ask why he had the callsign "Joker", with a very negative response because apparently it wasn't a name of his choice. He hadn't smiled a lot while in the flight academy and worked his ass off to be what he is now. And I had seen the results; he definitely lived up to his moniker as the best pilot five years later. He slightly irritated people when he decided to call ownership of the Normandy, though it wasn't really his. Besides that, Joker was a good man, albeit how irritating.

"Besides I don't like having a turian onboard, especially Spectre. Call me paranoid." He explained getting back to work.

"Okay then. You are paranoid." Kaidan said wide eyed at him. "The Council helped fund this project Joker. It only makes sense that they would send somebody to keep an eye on their investment.

I turned to Kaidan as he spoke. I had known him a lot longer than Joker and saw Kaidan for who he was: a very practical and professional soldier, who believed in order and the reality of sacrifice. He had served with me in the Hellions the same time I joined, and became my official second-in-command on the team after the Blitz. He was also a Sentinel biotic able to work tech as well as he did his biotics. Although he'd be quick to say that his tech skills are not like mine since I am a rare case as a Soldier with a side of Infiltrator. He told me he was a rare case biotic in the fact that he was born with Elemantal Zero, or eezo for short, in his mothers womb, it allowed his biotics to be born with him. I have also seen him use biotics in combat, and a single punch would seem like it would hurt.

Biotics were people who could create a mass effect field using eezo inside their body tissue. It reacted much like how the 21st century saw telepathy. The known races that had and could control biotics are the female race the asari, humans, sometimes krogan and, on an even rare occasion, turians. Most use the latest biotic amps to intensify their power, but Kaidan was different in the fact that, although he uses an old amp, can snap a person in half with the sheer force. The only thing he suffered was minor headaches if his biotics are used for too long.

And so, for as long as I've known him, Kaidan has always had my back and I've had his.

"That's the "official story" Alenko," Joker commented rolling his eyes. "And only idiots believe the official story."

I decided to break in, chuckling at the response. "Joker, you've always assumed the worst." I argued and Kaidan nodded in agreement.

"Well it comes with the job, Commander. And the three of us are never on the same assignment unless its something big, so again I ask," He looked at both of us. "What exactly are we doing here?" He asked.

On that, I couldn't argue because Joker led a valid point. Whenever me, him and Kaidan were teamed together on the same ship, it meant that the Alliance wanted us for a specific matter. For what though, I didn't know.

"Joker, status report." Anderson's voice ringed through the speakers. "Just cleared the mass relays, sir. Stealth systems engaged… everything looks solid." Joker responded at the controls.

"Good. Find a comm. buoy and link us into the network. I want the mission report relayed back to Alliance brass before we reach Eden Prime." He instructed.

"Aye aye Captain. Better brace yourself sir, think Nihlus is headed your way." Joker smirked.

"He is already here, LIEUTENANT." Anderson said to Joker in an irritable tone, earning a stare from me and Kaidan. Joker just shook his head and silently muttered to himself. I think it was something about calling himself stupid.

"Tell Commander Shepard to meet me in the comm. room for a debriefing."

"Sir," He nodded breaking the transmission. "Get that Commander?"

"He sounded mad. Either something has gone wrong with the mission, or you pissed him off." I smiled at him as I began to walk out.

"Hey don't blame me! Captain always talks to me like that." He said in defense. Kaidan just sarcastically said he can't imagine why.

I then walked up to the bridge and overheard a conversation between our Navigator, Pressly and our Chief Engineer Adams over a comm. transmission.

"Something wrong Pressly?" I asked walking up behind him.

"Commander." He saluted turning instantly. "Sorry, just having a conversation with Adams about the Normandy's routine assignment." He said.

"I take it you don't see it that way," I said crossing my arms.

"With all due respect sir, if all we're suppose to take this ship out on a shakedown run to test the stealth systems, why do we have people like you and Anderson on board? And then there's Nihlus," He commented with a look of disdain. "Spectres are elite operatives. Top covert agents for the Council. Why send a Spectre, a turian spectre on a shakedown run? I'm sorry sir, but the details we are getting doesn't add up."

I noticed how he said turian and gave a puzzled look. "Sounds like you don't think much of our guest."

"Well I don't like turians in general, sir. Kinda runs in the family." He explained. "My father and I fought against them in the First Contact War and, suffice to say, we are not on best of terms."

I frowned at the Navigator's obvious xenophobia. "Pressly that was thirty years ago. You can't blame Nihlus for that, he'd have only been a child."

He sighed knowing he had been wrong to accuse. "No, I guess not… but sir you have to admit that the mission is strange. The whole crew feels it since Anderson is on edge."

"You have something to say about the Captain?" I asked.

"No sir," He said instantly. "It's just odd to have him onboard, Commander. As you know –probably better than I do- Captain Anderson is one of the most decorated Special Forces officers in the Fleet. You don't send someone like that on a do nothing mission. That's all I'd like to say."

I nodded as he voiced his opinion. "Thanks for the insight Pressly."

"Anytime sir," He said getting back to his duties.

Turned out he wasn't the only one voicing his opinions, because in front of the comm. room entrance, our Medical Officer, Dr. Chakwas was talking to Corporal Richard Jenkins. Jenkins was the other member of Hellions I brought. Brash, bold, reckless, but full of heart, he was a good choice for joining the team.

"Commander, I can't wait to Eden Prime. I'm itchin' for some action." He grinned at me.

"Keep your head in the game, Corporal. It never ends well for those who are eager to run to a bullet." I smirked.

"Don't worry sir, not gonna screw this up." He smiled.

Me and the Doc laughed. "Aren't you from Eden Prime, Corporal?" I asked.

"Oh yeah sir. I was born on the outskirts of the main colony. When I was little I used to sneak out to the hills to feel the pristine wind and warm air in the night. It was gorgeous… practically paradise," He said and looked like he was taken aback. "But when I got older, I found the colony a little too quiet for my tastes. So I joined the military."

"Huh… did you know if there was anything there worth checking for this shakedown." I asked curiously.

"Well Eden Prime is one of our most productive colonies and is usually quiet. Guess it would be a good place to go to for a test run." He said and shook his head. "But there has gotta be a bigger reason. I mean we have a Spectre on board! That's why I am so wound up, cant wait for the real mission to start." He grinned wide-eyed.

"Hmm…" I looked at Chakwas. "What do we know exactly about the Spectres?"

"Not much really," She said. "They are the weapon of the Citadel Council, with a mandate to protect the galaxy-"

"Protect it at any cost!" Jenkins interrupted. "Spectres uphold the law."

I arched a brow. "Isnt that sort of unsafe to allow an agent to run free with unlimited power."

"Well there are protocols to dealing with a rogue agent. The Council are allowed to disconnect a rogue if he is dangerous enough."

"Then it would have to be another Spectre or those stupid C-Sec grunts that take them down." Jenkins grinned. Chakwas rolled her eyes not believing half of what he said.

"Strange that I don't hear any humans in their ranks." I said curious on that matter.

"Well we have been trying to get someone into their ranks for years. To this day, it hasn't happened." She said shaking her head. Jenkins smiled like he had an epiphany.

"Hey Commander, how about you?" He said catching me off guard. "Me?"

"Yeah, you're a War Hero right?" He pointed out. "Held off the enemy during the Blitz single-handed? That's the kind of soldier the Spectres need."

"I'm honored Jenkins, but I don't think I deserve that much praise." I smirked. "Anyways I gotta get by you guys. Later." I said as I walked into the room.

Walking in, the only person besides me inside was Nihlus. "Ah, Commander. I was hoping you'd get here first. Gives us time to talk."

Talk?

"What about..? The captain said he wanted to meet me here." I looked around. "I know, he is on his way now," He said looking at the monitor. "Commander, what do you know of the colony Eden Prime?"

"Eden Prime?" I asked. "From what Jenkins tells me, it's almost paradise."

"Yes. Eden Prime has been a symbol for your race. Proof that you could not only build colonies but also protect the environment and its settlers. Prosperous, tranquil… safe. But how safe is it really..?" He asked like he foresaw its doom or something. "Is there something you know, Nihlus?" I asked suspicious.

"Your people are still newcomers, Shepard. The galaxy is a very dangerous place," He said walking towards me. "Is the Alliance truly ready for this?" He asked crossing his arms.

"Ready for what?" I asked him as Captain Anderson came in. I turned and saluted to him. "Captain,"

"At ease Commander." He nodded and I did as he said. He then directed his attention to Nihlus. "I think it is about time we told the Commander what is really going on, Nihlus."

I looked puzzled and turned to Nihlus as Anderson walked up beside him. "This mission is far bigger than just another shakedown run, Commander."

Just like Pressly said…

"Some of the crew figured it wasn't as simple as you led them and me to believe, Captain." I told him.

"I apologize for the secrecy Commander, but you'll understand it was necessary after what we tell you." He said, earning an arched brow from me. "Sir?"

"We're making a covert pick-up on Eden Prime. That's why we needed the stealth systems operational." He explained.

"There must be a reason you didn't tell me this, sir." I said knowing Anderson would if he could. "I'm guessing that it has to do with the Alliance brass?" I asked him.

He nodded signifying I was right. "This comes from the top, Dominic. Information is on a strict need-to-know basis. A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some kind of… beacon below the surface." His face went grim. "It was Prothean, Dominikk."

I went wide-eyed, shocked by the news. The Protheans were the ones the galaxy had long believed had created the tech we used today. "I thought the Protheans vanished 50,000 years ago?" I asked.

"Their legacy remains. The mass relays, the Citadel, our ship drives – it is all based on Prothean technology." Nihlus explained.

"This is big, Dominikk. The last time humanity made a discovery like this, it jumped our technology forward two hundred years." Anderson explained. "But Eden Prime doesn't have the facilities to handle something like this. We will need to bring the beacon back to the Citadel for further tests and proper study."

"Obviously this goes beyond human interests, Commander. This discovery could affect every species in council space." Nihlus said.

"Which is why a Spectre is on the ship," I concluded putting the obvious piece in place. Nihlus nodded at that. "Well then I'm glad we have support."

"But the beacon is not the only reason I am here, Commander." He said making me raise a brow. "Its not?"

"Nihlus wants to see you in action, Dominic. He's here to evaluate you and see if you can join the Spectres." Anderson smirked. That was an instant off-guard catch.

He wants to evaluate ME into the Spectres?

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense of how he was staring at me. The man was trying to read me like a book.

"Whats going on Captain?" I asked Anderson.

"The Alliance has been pushing for this for a very long time, Commander. Humanity wants a larger role in shaping interstellar policy." I must've had a "dumb it down." look because he just smiled and made it simpler. "We want more say with the Citadel Council. The Spectres represent the Council's power and their authority. If they accept a human within their ranks, it shows how far the Alliance has come."

I looked as Nihlus walked closer to me and Anderson. "Shepard, you had held off an enemy assault, by yourself, during the Skyllian Blitz. You showed not only great courage but also incredible skill." He smirked. I actually felt proud of myself, receiving a respectful comment from a Spectre. "That's why I put your name forward as a candidate for the Spectres."

"Isn't it strange for a turian to want a human in the Specters?" I asked crossing my arms.

"Well not all turians resent humanity; some of us see the potential of your species. We see what you have to offer to the rest of the galaxy and to the Spectres." Nihlus explained defensively. "We are an elite group, its rare to find an individual with the skills we seek. So basically Shepard, I don't care that you're human. I only care that you can do the job a way that makes the Spectres and humanity proud to have you as the first human Spectre."

I stared and nodded, glad that Nihlus was honest and upfront with me. I think my respect for the turian had grown. I turned my attention back at Anderson. "I assume that this is good for the Alliance?"

"Earth needs this, Dominic. We're counting on you." Anderson nodded. "I'll need to see you skills for myself, Commander. Eden Prime will be the first of many missions we will be taking part in together." Nihlus explained.

"You'll be in charge of the ground team, Dominic. Secure the beacon and get it on the ship ASAP."

I weighed down everything they mentioned, processed it all and nodded. "Just give me the word, Captain." I nodded.

"Good, we should be getting close to Eden-"

"Captain, we got a problem." Said into the room through comms.

"What's wrong Joker?" Anderson asked looking up at the speakers.

"Transmission from Eden Prime, sir. Think you might wanna look at this." Joker said in a nervous tone. I noted that if his tone was nervous, then the situation was bad and nodded at Anderson when he gave me the same expression I had.

"Patch it through on screen." He instructed Joker. The moment he did, I went wide eyed at the feed.

It was chaotic with the sounds of bullets all over the place. A woman in white and red armor fired at what looked like a drone running to the soldier who was giving the feed.

"GET DOWN PRIVATE!" She shouted at him and shoved him to the ground as gunfire flew over his head.

"Thanks Chief!" He shouted and fired at the enemy. Another soldier ran up and I guessed he was their CO. "We are under attack! Taking heavy casualties! I repeat, HEAVY CASUALTIES! We can't-" He didn't finish as an explosion was heard. "We need evac! They came out of nowhere, we need-" The soldier didn't finish as a bolt of what looked like a small disk-like bullet went through his face, exploding out the back of his head.

"SHIT!" He looked around frantically at the woman. "Chief! El-tee is down!"

"Everyone fall back and keep shooting!" She ordered and looked around as the gunfire stopped. The Private looked at a fellow soldier and the companion's face was looking at the sky with a wide eyes and a pale face. He looked up as a loud vibrating roar broke through the feed.

"Oh God…" He said at the object in the sky right before the video was cut off by an explosion that sent the Private and his most likely mangled up body flying off a cliff edge.

"Everything cuts out after that sir. No comm. traffic at all. It… just goes dead." Joker said as shocked as we were.

"Lieutenant, reverse back and hold at 38.5 seconds. I wanna see what this soldier was looking at." Anderson instructed and Joker did as he said.

What the hell..?

What the object looked like… it looked like a two-kilometer long cuttlefish, only robotized. My guess was it had to be a ship of some kind. "Status report," he asked.

"We're seventeen minutes out, Captain. There is no other Alliance ships in the area."

After a good three seconds, a determined expression rose on the Captains face. I cant say that no one in the room didn't have the same thought; move in and save those soldiers and the colonists. "Take us in Joker. Fast and quiet." Anderson ordered.

"Aye sir," Joker said to us and broke the transmission. "Captain…" I looked at him with face of grim determination and he nodded.

"I know, Commander. This mission just got a lot more complicated." He said returning the expression. Nihlus glance at us with a nod before turning his attention back to the screen and leaned on the railing.

"A small strike team could move quickly without drawing attention. It's our best chance to secure the beacon." He said with a very strategic analysis. I nodded agreeing with him, and thankfully I was in charge of the best damned small ground team in the Alliance Fleet.

"Grab your gear and meet us in the Cargo Hold, Nihlus." Anderson instructed. Nihlus nodded and left the room.

"Dominikk, tell Alenko and Jenkins to get their armor on. Grab your gear and get ready, Commander." He told me and I nodded leaving the room.

"Kaidan, get Jenkins and meet me down in the Cargo Hold. We are saving Eden Prime." I said and went down the steps to the elevator.