Eight entire months have passed since Shepard was in the presence of fellow N7 and Andromeda Initiative representative Alec Ryder. Eight months since Shepard had cut a deal. A deal that was at the mercy of a simple yes or no answer from each valued crew member of the SSV Normandy.
It was a time of camaraderie, friendship, and peace. Shepard still hadn't bothered to figure out where exactly he was, but it didn't matter so much anyway. There were construction workers that needed an extra set of hands, volunteers needed at the hospital and a call for anyone who had a remote idea of how to fly a shuttle to fly supplies across town. It was life as Shepard the human being, not Commander Shepard the immortal hero. Almost a trial run of civilian life. It was also a life that he could see himself getting used to when the time came. That time was not now, however.
He wasn't going to make an effort to convince the crew that joining up with the Initiative was a good idea. That would do nothing but bring lies or false hope. He vowed to be a straightforward as possible as to not elicit a skewed response. If not, regret was soon to follow. It was to be simply a question of 'If I go, will you be there by my side?' Plain and simple. Shepard tells himself this, yet it still doesn't make it any easier to break it to the crew. Each and every one of them had at least one logical reason to say 'no' and Shepard could respect that. If they played that card, that was that, he wasn't going to leave. End of story. The war with the Reapers already claimed too many that he considered friends. He couldn't do anything about that now, but he could do something about the ones that made it to the other side. Leaving them behind voluntarily was about as far down the list as putting a gun to their head.
Stomaching the thought of letting down the Initiative was never going to be easy though. They were counting on him to guarantee a bright future in the new galaxy. Staying behind would almost certainly result in endless 'what if' scenarios coursing through his mind. What if they run into hostiles? It's a civilian exploration mission, they'll be defenseless. What if they lose hope? They'll tear themselves apart from the inside out. Would their failure be blamed on him? Shepard would tear himself up from the inside out.
On the contrary, they might be entirely successful, but there's only one way to guarantee that.
It seems ridiculous to focus all protective energy on a mere hundred thousand people as opposed to the trillions that inhabit the Milky Way. Anyone would be right to assume that it is. The thing for Shepard is that he just fought a galactic war to make sure the Milky Way can have its fresh start free of the extinction cycle. He's done everything he can for them and serves as nothing more than a trophy for the Council and Alliance to show off now. Accepting Ryders offer would effectively be providing a fresh start for those about to go through a different type of war. A war against fear, doubt, and an unfamiliar galaxy. Hopefully, one that trades guns and tanks for microscopes and scanners.
He just needs one guarantee to push him over the fence. Or a few…
Shepard sat contemplatively at his desk, mulling over the memories of the last couple months in his head. Was it so senseless to think that every soul aboard his ship wouldn't follow straight to the depths of hell? Probably not. So why should a distant galaxy be any different? The way the crew interacted was a testament to what they all have been through. A bond forged from laughing in the face of death, making tremendous sacrifices, overcoming all odds, and still being able to crack a joke about the whole thing in the end. Some were there to defeat Saren, some went through the Omega 4 relay, and some helped defend the Milky Way. Some went through all. All followed him no matter the odds.
What kept unsettling Shepard was the difference between 'not being there' and 'not being there.' The first one was straightforward. Death. It was the easier of the two to tolerate. Saren, Omega 4, and the Reapers all had one thing in common: no expectation to come out the other end. There was a certain satisfaction this, knowing that you will go out giving it your all to make a difference. When fate finally caught up, that was it, nothing more to worry about, nothing more to care about, just sweet blissful nothingness. Then there was the other kind of 'not being there.' The kind that creeps up when you go into hiding, change identities or get mixed up in the wrong organization. Or buy a one-way ticket to a new galaxy. It's the one where you're still alive, but not at the same time. You yourself are still there, heart beating, lungs breathing, but everything you know and love will see you as an empty grave. It leaves you crippled by distress, consternation, and anxiety. You desperately want to know, want to help, but it simply won't and can't happen. Complete an utter disconnect.
Shepard could never force that on anyone, especially not himself. The battle to rationalize all outcomes continued to rage inside his mind still. He was completely torn, unable to commit one way of the other. One half of his body is grounding him to Earth while the other tries to exit at escape velocity.
He forced himself to stop before he went further down the rabbit hole. It was either stay here and try and find a place as a civilian and settle down. Maybe even get a much-deserved promotion. All in all, not a terrible way to spend the later years of his life. The other option is to shoot off into the stars with the whole Normandy in tow and become something even more. Make new discoveries, build a new foundation for life, and help a dream be realized. A decidedly more exciting way to spend the later years of his life.
Shepard finally broke from his reverie. He had been absentmindedly twirling around one of the mini Normandy SR1's engines around in his hand. Returning the plastic fleet back to full strength had been one of the more useful distractions until now. He stuck the engine ever so gently into its place on the end of the wing then sat further back to admire his own work. It had taken some long hours and a prodigious amount of glue, but all the mini ships had been brought back to their former glory. He smiled at the thought of spending a couple assault rifles worth of money on model ships during a war. Some of them were pointy enough or large enough to be used as weapons in a pinch.
The distractions couldn't last forever though. Only so long he can put it off.
He peered over at his terminal. The green light incessantly blinking to remind him that there is an unread correspondence.
Sender: A. Ryder.
Subject: We're waiting
Many messages concerning the Andromeda Initiative have shown up in his inbox over time. One announcing the arrival of the arks within the system, a few updates on the timeline, some requests to help procure supplies, and then this one. There was no need to open it. He still had his end of a bargain to hold up. Still, part of him wanted to will the message out of existence and retire to a sunny beach. The other part told him he would go crazy within a week. One side argues to forget about the Andromeda colonists. The other calls him heartless for thinking of such a thing. Shepard shut both sides up by making a sudden movement toward his terminal.
In reality, it probably wasn't the best idea to connect directly to a superior officer without first going through an intermediary. Especially with no prior warnings. These would have been useful thoughts had they occurred before he sent the request through. Now, Shepard had to scramble to find the best way to word 'Hey, I want to steal your experimental warship away forever and never return it. Is that okay?'
Shepard was caught like a deer caught in the headlights when an alliance admiral suddenly took over his miniaturized fleet of ships.
"Commander, something you wanted to discuss?" The flat tone of the admiral was practically a relief. Of course, no outward show of displeasure didn't indicate a complete lack of it.
Shepard's professional conduct clicked on instantly. "Apologies, Admiral, but there's something I need to ask of you," he asked earnestly.
"While we will never be able to repay you for what you've done, you can only play the 'hero' card so many times. Sooner or later you might want to take a look at the number of bars on your uniform. This isn't wartime anymore, I and the dozen other people trying to contact me would appreciate a heads up next time."
Okay, so he didn't completely escape admonishment.
Shepard covered his embarrassment under a flippant reply. "You might not have that problem any longer, sir."
Hackett brought a hand under his chin in a thoughtful pose. "Well I'll be. I take it you fancy a retirement to another galaxy?"
"Something like that. I haven't committed yet and was hoping that you could help me out."
Hackett returned to a rigid parade rest. "What do you need?"
"The Normandy, sir." Pause for dramatic effect. "I want to take the Normandy to Andromeda."
"Of course you do," Hackett mumbled. "Can't say I'm surprised, it's something I've put some thought into after learning about the Andromeda Initiative's intent to recruit you. While it's obvious how important that ship and its crew are to you, there's one thing you have to keep in mind. That ship and almost and the entire operating crew still belong to the Alliance. That includes Lieutenant Commander Williams, Lieutenant Vega, Doctor Chakwas, and the engineers as well. Not to mention an entire marine detachment."
"You can have your marines, Admiral. I believe I'll need the rest to be successful in this mission." Shepard's words were sincere, a testament to the fact that he truly believed them.
"And I plan on letting you be successful." Surprise flashed across Shepard's face at the of this. Hackett didn't notice and continued speaking. "The Normandy's design has proven to be more than effective in an impressive array of extreme situations, so its officially exiting the prototype phase and entering mainstream production. Under normal circumstances, your Normandy would likely end up in a museum dedicated to interspecies cooperation upon completion of the first production model. However, you've proven that there is another option."
"The Normandy would make for an exceptional addition to the Initiative," Shepard voiced in agreement.
Hackett waved away Shepard's statement. "Don't bother, Commander. The Normandy is a warship, not a research vessel. No, the way I see it, there's no downside to letting you take it. It'd be a waste to retire a ship that is still as capable as yours. I'd sleep better at night knowing that you're still putting her to good use."
"Can I count that as a 'yes,' sir?" Shepard asked cautiously.
"To put it plainly, yes, no consequences will come should you decide to take the Normandy. I'm extending that to your Alliance crew members as well, but you'll have to gain their permission first. The press would have a field day if I forcibly discharged any of the Alliance's best soldiers."
"I'll do that immediately."
"Good. If your intent is to head to Andromeda, the least I can do is give you the best possible starting point. Just make sure I don't regret this." Hackett's voice indicated the wrath he would face if he did, in fact, make him regret it. "I'm already going to take a hit for letting the hero of the galaxy go."
"No, sir."
"That'll be all, Commander. Hackett out."
Shepard stood where he was for some time after the admiral cut the connection. A sense of shock had set in with the approval of his bid to take not only the Alliance's most advanced ship, but a few officers as well (not to mention one being a Spectre and the other a potential N7). Perhaps serendipity really did exist. Nevertheless, what Shepard thought of as the hardest part was out of the way. Now it comes down to no less than ten people and the myriad of circumstances they inhabit. Okay, maybe that was the hard part.
'No time like the present.'
Taking the confidence he gained from Hackett's approval, Shepard leaned over his personal terminal and hit the button to broadcast his voice all over the ship. "I need everyone to report to the War Room. Mandatory crew meeting in five minutes."
With laser-like focus, he summoned the lift and marched off in the direction of the War Room when it opened up on the correct deck. He so desperately wanted that stupid biometrics scanner would go just a little faster before any doubt managed to worm into his head. Eventually, he was cleared and he took his spot at one end of the central command console to wait for everyone else. They streamed in one or two at a time and grouped up at the opposite end of the console. As more and more eyes laid themselves upon him in anticipation, he grew increasingly uneasy and started to pace back and forth. Highly unusual for the seasoned commander. Almost a physical rendition of the indecisive battle raging in his own mind.
The sudden disturbance at the entrance was not unwelcome.
James was the last to walk in. He strode triumphantly holding a bottle in each hand above his head, clearing misreading the memo. "Don't worry guys! I got the..." he suddenly looked very awkward upon realizing the nature of the gathering. "Oh…we're not…damn, Garrus, you got my hopes up!"
'Mandatory crew meeting' apparently translated to 'Shepard is finally going to let loose.' Smiles and snickers quickly spread through the Normandy crew, including Shepard. Leave it to these guys to make light of a serious situation when it mattered.
The ground to Earth weakened a bit.
With the tension now thoroughly broken, he planted his hands on the console and looked up to address his family.
"So, who here knows about the Andromeda Initiative?"
o-o
The conversation was very one-sided. The crew listened in silence while Shepard presented everything he was told. Sometimes directly quoting Ryder himself. No beating around the bush, no deception. Also highlighted was the news from Hackett. Honorable discharges for Alliance personnel and none other than the Normandy itself to boot. He was careful with his words though, putting excessive emphasis on things like 'might,' 'could,' and 'if.'
When Shepard finished his oration, an uneasy silence settled on the room. Contrary to his prediction, the crowd did not express disbelief or dismiss the offer outright. Their gazes meandered around the room and weight shifted from one foot to the other. It was an air deep thought as Shepard's question boiled away in their minds.
Shepard's own mind went into overdrive on its own. What if the crew felt obligated to accept simply because it was him that asked? Maybe if Ryder had come to them individually, the answers would be completely different. While Shepard certainly felt privileged to have the loyalty of the Normandy's crew, he didn't want to stand as the reason they abandoned anything or anyone they cared about outside the walls of the ship. He began cursing his close relationship with everyone just as much as he praised it, but just as regret started to manifest, the tension broke with the sound of someone clearing their throat.
Garrus was the first to voice his answer.
"Why the hell not?" he told Shepard. "That wouldn't be the craziest thing you've asked me to do, and I'm pretty sure I lost my job when you send all the Reapers to their graves. Not sure I'd have a place in this galaxy now without the Normandy. So, assuming you really do go through with this, count me in."
When Shepard brought up family, it was much the same.
"Honestly, I'm not sure my father will ever see me in the same way after everything I've done. We never saw eye to eye in the first place. Now? Let's just say a reunion wouldn't be the most…pleasant experience." He looked away and shifted his weight to his other foot. "And my sister…well." He brought his gaze back up. "She's settling down with some hot shot officer that survived the war. I would just…complicate things. Just another reminder of the war."
One down, many to go.
Tali spoke up next.
"You're not going to believe this, but the other admirals know about the Initiative. They actually came to me and asked if I would represent the quarian colonists in Andromeda. I told them they were crazy at first. Now that you might go…I don't know." She started fidgeting around as she did while nervous. After a small pause, she formulated her answer and regained confidence. "You made me realize my importance as an admiral, Shepard. To be able to lead my people down a prosperous path would be the greatest thing I could hope for. Here, I'm not sure I would have enough influence to be heard over the other admirals. I'm too young and I didn't even earn the title in the first place. Going to Andromeda and representing my race as an admiral could be my chance to make a big difference. Knowing that you could be there with me, I can see that coming true. If you go, I think I might actually do it." The rise in her voice indicated a sudden revelation within herself. It was like she wasn't expecting the answer herself.
Not necessarily a hard yes, but pretty darn close. Shepard counted it as one at least.
The spotlight moved to Ashley.
"You know, Shepard? I may be a big bad Spectre and have places to go in the Alliance, but I'm not sure it's going to be for me anymore. I mean, look at what we did. Everyone in the whole galaxy are best buds with each other now. There's not much for a soldier like me to do, so what's the point in having all these resources with nothing to use them on, you know?" a smile etched itself across her face. "If I keep at this, I'll probably end up sitting behind a desk filling out requisition orders for the rest of my life. Probably go crazy within a year. If you're going to give me the chance to fly to another galaxy and keep kicking ass, I'm taking it. You've got my word." She crossed her arms and put her weight on her back foot to affirm the point. A final nod was given was a silent promise.
She knew what Shepard was going to ask before the words could leave his mouth. Her hand was up to interrupt him just as his mouth opened.
"Don't worry about my sisters, Shepard. They're all big girls now, they can take care of themselves. I'm as used to not seeing them at this point as they are to me. I know that sounds cold, but that's just life when you're born into a career military family I guess. Thing is, I can live knowing that they'll live out the rest of their lives without a hitch. Probably settle down with a man and raise a family, all that good stuff. I don't need to be there to hold their hands. Yeah, it'll probably suck not being there, but I'm alright with it. I'll make it."
That's three.
"James?" prompted Shepard.
He was leaning his side against the console and staring off into space. "I've been a soldier as long as I remember. Been the only thing I'm good at. I've been thinking though…maybe I can still change things up, you know? Give something else a try." He expressed chuckle that must have been forced. "I'd probably fail out of the first year of any school, but this Initiative thing? Hell, that's something I can get on board with. That stuff those scientists do still blows my mind, but at least it doesn't involve losing everything you care about."
James started nodding his head, seemingly agreeing with his internal voice. The dark cloud looming over him vanished as enthusiasm took hold.
"Yeah, get down in the dirt and map out some weird alien planet, or dig up some ancient piece of history. That's the type of stuff I can do." He drew a hand across the back of his neck. "It's just…being a soldier does nothing but remind of all the shit I've been through. I want to try something different and get away from that stuff. Going to another galaxy sounds nuts, but if it means a career change, I'll take it. Not like I'm leaving much behind either. N7 sure ain't happening when the villa isn't left standing." James and Shepard finally met eyes. "Tell you what, Loco. You want to take the Normandy to Andromeda without me, you're going to have to pry me off the deck first. Otherwise, sign me up."
Four.
Javik unwillingly made his way to the front.
"I'm surprised your still here, Javik," Shepard asked.
"Yes, Your Liara asari has…" he paused, considering a word that would do less harm to his dignity. "Given me a conceivable reason to remain here. She wishes to write a book with me and says that I should use my knowledge to benefit others. I told her I have nothing more to give. However, I have reflected on my time spent on this ship and how you spoke of your friends." His voice became grimmer and his eyes narrowed. "For my entire life I had no home to come back to, no friends I could count on to be there in the coming days. The Reapers burned everything in their path." The grim countenance was replaced with what Shepard dared think was positivity. "Now that the Reapers are no more, I have experienced what it is like to live in a world free of conflict. It is one of the few things I have been able to enjoy in my life. When I join my brothers in the afterlife, I wish to bring with me stories of a time and place where there are no Reapers so that they may experience the same feeling it brings me. If you would allow me the opportunity to do this by letting me accompany you on a trip to another galaxy, I would be in your debt."
Liara's delighted smile was impossible to miss. Her planned book probably just gained a couple hundred pages. Perhaps deep down, Javik also looked forward to writing a book.
Make it five.
Joker was next.
"Yeah, sorry, Commander. I'm not going to let you take my ship without me, so I guess you're stuck with me."
Shepard wasn't ready to believe that quickly and fixed on him with an inquisitive look. "That easy, huh?"
"Oh, come on, it's not like the Alliance is going to lament the loss of one pilot. I don't know about you, but I sure wouldn't trust any run of the mill pilot the Initiative may have picked up to fly this beauty. Doesn't matter how good of a ship it is, if you don't have the right guy behind the controls it may as well be a hunk of scrap metal with an engine strapped to it. Trust me, you're going to want this guy at Normandy's helm." He opened his mouth to continue gloating but nothing came out. Instead, he dragged a hand over his face and his initial light-hearted demeanor was replaced with a somber expression. "Look, that time you were being brought back by Cerberus? That sucked, a lot. Alliance didn't give a damn about what I did, so I spent two years flying around in shuttles or cargo freighters." He threw his hands out in disgust "Can you believe it? "Best pilot in the galaxy and they waste him on shuttles. I am not going back to that! So yes, Commander. You take the Normandy, you get me as a bonus."
This day keeps getting more interesting. That's six.
Judging by the look on his face, Cortez seemed to take mild offense from Jokers remark about flying shuttles being a waste. He just couldn't resist taking a jab at joker pride and joy.
"But the Normandy can only go so many places. Sometimes you need something smaller and more nimble to make it to the drop zone." Joker kept his riposte to an eye roll. Cortez laid off Normandy's pilot and turned to Shepard next. "It's been an honor to serve as your shuttle pilot, Commander. You gave me strength when I couldn't let go of the past and introduced me to some of the greatest people I know. It changed my life, really. My time on the Normandy is probably the reason I made it through the war, not just physically, but emotionally." He took a deep breath to steel himself against dark memory. "With my husband gone, I haven't got much left to look forward to anymore except being with these guys." He waved a hand to encompass the room and smiled brightly. "Honestly, I'm not sure how long I'd last without this group to keep me up, so I might be willing to jump through a few hoops to keep my place."
Shepard couldn't help but smile suspiciously at the shuttle pilot. "Heh, Just a few hoops. You sure, Cortez?"
"I'm there, Commander. One hundred percent " came the firm reply.
Shepard could see Earth fading in the distance now.
"Well, since it seems you don't plan on retiring just yet, I suppose I'll be coming along as well."
Doctor Chakwas' calm voice was unmistakable.
"You don't sound so sure, doctor," Shepard asked.
"Oh please, commander, don't act like this is a hard decision on my part. Do you know how long it would take to educate even the most experienced medical professional on the Normandy's crew? Months. The medical database of a multispecies crew like that on the Normandy is more complicated than it would be for an all human crew of a larger ship. You'll be glad to know that I can recall every little detail from it by heart. And besides, I get the feeling you don't have the time to sit around while I try to certify someone in multispecies medical practices."
"I appreciate the dedication, but we're talking about never coming back to Earth here. You sure you wouldn't rather stay?" Shepard pushed further.
The doctor's voice softened but remained firm, something honed over years of reassuring injured soldiers. "I understand your concern, but there's no need to worry. My place is here on the Normandy, not a lab, not even a private practice. If dealing with a different view out the window is what I have to put up with to keep my med bay and regular patients, I'm afraid you're going to need a very good reason to make me leave."
Engineer Adams took the spotlight next.
"You know, the crew isn't the only thing that needs a good doctor, Commander." Shepard held a blank stare of confusion. Adams took notice and continued. "I'm talking about the Normandy. Just because she's a ship doesn't mean she can't be under the weather like any of us. It would be my honor to make sure Normandy stays at one hundred percent as long as you're in the captain's chair."
Shepard still can't take any answer at face value. "The Normandy is your post, Adams. Don't answer out of obligation to your duty."
"Trust me, I'm not. While it's definitely a motivation, it's not the only reason I would like to stay aboard. Think of it as making up for not joining your fight against the Collectors."
Shepard wasn't about to accept self-pity as an answer either. "You've already done more than that. The last thing I want you to do is sacrifice your standing in the Alliance."
Adams held his hand outward in front of him to placate his commander. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, Commander, but I know where I stand." This time his voice was sure, intent on solidifying his point. "Leaving behind the Normandy was a mistake on my part, even if it did fly Cerberus colors at the time. It's a remarkable combination of technology and diversity that can't be found on any other Alliance vessel. Even without EDI, this ship feels like something special. I just wouldn't feel right if I did the same thing I did two years ago. Sure, working on a dreadnaught would bring a bigger paycheck, but that's no substitute for the enjoyment I get from here. As the old saying goes, if love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life."
"Glad to hear it. I'm sure Tali will appreciate the company." Shepard looked to Tali for acknowledgment.
"You have no idea how creepy it gets down there by yourself," she said, voice harboring memories of jumping at the slightest noise.
Adams had a laugh at that, indirectly confirming Tali's assertion. "I'll talk to Donnelly and Daniels afterward and see what they think. I have a feeling that they'll want to come as well."
The counter in Shepard's mind has since stopped. Everything was just bonus points for him at this point.
After hiding in the back the entire time, Specialist Traynor stepped through the crowd.
"Okay, so…" A moment's hesitation. "I know I'm technically still a lab technician and I should probably go back there…I don't think I want to do that. Well, assuming there are any left standing, there's probably going to be loads of that Reaper scrap getting thrown at us. I suppose now that they're all dead we need to find out all their secrets. It's all interesting stuff, really, but not so much when standing by it is liable to make you go crazy. I remember hearing about your story of a dead one driving the scientists studying it out of their minds. Can you forgive me for not wanting that?"
"Nobody's forcing you off the ship, Traynor, but this seems like taking 'running away from your problems' a little far."
"Oh, I'm well aware that I could find another job. The thing about those is, I don't get to walk among living legends all day. I also wouldn't have the satisfaction of managing the communications of those legends to keep them informed at all times. On top of that, I have top of the line quantum entanglement communication and the world's largest info network at my disposal." She snuck a glance at Liara who's proud expression couldn't be missed. "It's a dream for someone like me. If this is what I get to live with on a ship, I'll happily forgo a more traditional setup."
"Willing to leave everything else you know to keep that dream?"
"Absolutely. I'd like to keep challenging myself without being brainwashed in the process." Her face suddenly lit up with glee. "Think of all the things that need to be done when setting up a colony! Calibrating receivers, tuning output signals, integrating a coherent GUI. I'm getting excited just thinking about it!"
Finally, there was Liara who faced Shepard with a knowing look.
"You already know my answer, Shepard." That was all she needed to say.
Any doubts about joining the Initiative were clinging on desperately before this point. The last remnants of their pathetic grip were crushed under the strength of numbers. That number now stood at eleven.
This uniform backing of Shepard was a pattern that had repeated itself more than a few times. Despite how expected it may seem, the feeling it induced was always invigorating. Confidence goes through the roof and the impossible becomes possible. It can also make decisiveness arise out of the most uncertain individual. The relief of having the turmoil is his mind finally come to an end after months upon months of back and forth was unspeakably liberating. So much that for the first time, Shepard moved an inch which quickly confirmed that most of his limbs had in fact gone stiff. Not the most professional thing, tripping over yourself in front of everyone.
o-o
Not long after the crew meeting, Shepard retreated back to his cabin and finally opened the message from earlier. Attached was a comm code, presumably one that connected directly to Ryder. This suspicion was confirmed when a rough voice emanated from his omni-tool.
"Commander, nice to see I wasn't being ignored. What's the news?"
"I heard there's an out of galaxy expedition that's hiring. Know about them?"
"I just so happen to be in need of an accomplished military commander with a ship. I've got plenty of seats open and an empty dock, the question is, can you fill them?"
The call was audio only, but Shepard could imagine Ryder's expectant visage on the other end. It hadn't taken long for the two men to get down to business. Shepard needed space, Ryder needed Shepard. With Ryder making true on his word it was up to Shepard to seal the deal.
Ryder was certainly crossing his fingers like the apocalypse was just on the horizon. All his higher-ups were probably listening in on the conversation too, although they didn't seem keen on making their presence known if they were. The answer they were about to get would spread like wildfire the moment the first syllable was pronounced. Shepard felt like he had the fate of the Initiative in his hands. Almost as if the hopes and dreams of every colonist could be made or crushed with the next sentence he uttered. His role would be pivotal in securing a foothold in Andromeda and he found gratification in knowing he would be there to fulfill that role. The small army at his back was a nice bonus.
'If the crew goes, I go.' Was Shepard's parting thought after meeting Ryder for the first time.
Just like every crazy, out of this world, and monumental mission that had come before, there they were, ready to charge headlong into the unknown with him. Admittedly, he was skeptical at first. There was no reason to believe that they would all be willing to leave the Milky Way behind for an unfamiliar world. The evidence of habitable environments put up by the Initiative could be seen as nothing more than cursory scans and optimistic predictions. Back that up with enough science terms and suddenly it seems believable. Make enough promises, now the imagination runs wild. Motivation to join would feed off emotions more than it did logic.
The Normandy crew was different though. Perhaps the reasoning to stand behind their commander stemmed from the fact that they wouldn't be leaving familiarity behind at all. The walls of the ship would still be the same no matter what galaxy it was in. If things went south, there would always be a familiar hand to reach out and get you back in the game. It's all about having that solid foundation to start on. It is from that solid foundation that each and every one of them would build their new future.
Regardless, there they were, by his side.
"You'll have them, Ryder. Ship and all."
There was a pause as Ryder let what he just heard sink in. "I'm not even going to ask how you did it, you just made a whole lot of people happy, Shepard. I'm sending coordinates for ark Hyperion. We'll meet there to go over last-minute details before setting off." Another pause in the audio. "You're sure you still want this, Commander? Last chance to back out."
Shepard's voice exuded confidence. "I have my ship and I have my crew. There isn't a doubt left in my mind."
Ryder proceeded to review all the details that had been discussed during their first time face to face. The premise was still the same. Shepard spearheads the exploration of all known habitable planets, potential to start a new life, get stuff named after him, all that good stuff. However, a new detail managed to slip into the arrangement, one that Shepard could not ignore.
"Here's the deal, some of your crew members will have to be separated and placed on different arks," Ryder told him. "Each ark is tailored to work with the different physiology of each species. There's different pre stasis injections, life support, and post stasis practices among other things. It's in everyone's best interest for the Normandy's crew be matched with the correct ark."
Shepard wasn't particularly enthused with the idea, but there was no use arguing against biology. He begrudgingly accepted the last-minute addendum. "Do what you have to. I need to be sure everyone will make it to the other side."
Ryder caught the reservation in Shepard's voice. "I know you don't like it, but we have to play it safe for now. With something this big, nothing can be left to chance."
"Just make sure they stay safe," Shepard quickly added.
"Let us handle the trip to Andromeda, Shepard," Ryder replied smoothly. "You only need to worry about what happens when we get there."
If that statement was intended to ease Shepard's nerves, it failed miserably. No amount of experience could dampen the gravity of the decision he just made. If anything, the trip to Andromeda was going to be the easy part. Just take a nice long nap while the ships pilot themselves to the destination. Securing an entire planet for colonization? Well, nobody said it was going to be busy, but that's okay. Easy is boring.
The feeling permeating Shepard's body inhabited the grey area between exciting and terrifying, but his mouth never betrayed his mind. He would not be swept away in the current of the moment, there was no doubt in where he stood. He would see to it that every single one of the brave souls that risked everything to start anew would not regret it.
"Right, so, Ark Hyperion?"
"That's it. There's an open bay ready to accept the Normandy when it gets here. Once docked, we'll give everyone the brief, tie everything down for transit, then it's off to sleep for the next six hundred years." They way Ryder nonchalantly mentioned six hundred years was slightly off-putting to think about. It would be the same as a few hours snapping by while sleeping, except with six centuries. Still weird to think about.
"We'll be there," he confirmed.
"Alright, departure is scheduled a week out. The question and answer session closes the day before, so I'd start saying any goodbyes now if you want to know anymore. Welcome to the Andromeda Initiative, Shepard."
Alec Ryder signed off and left Shepard with the weight of the situation on his shoulders. Few things made him Shepard question his motives like this was. A few days into boot camp Private Shepard thought 'Why am I putting myself through this hell?' After a single day of N1 training, Lieutenant Shepard thought 'Why am I still putting myself through this hell?' After staring up at a Reaper on Earth for a single second, Commander Shepard thought 'I don't want to go through this hell, but I'm going to anyway.'
Now, Hero of the Galaxy Shepard is thinking. 'This might be leading me to hell, if so, bring it on.'
A/N: Yes, an entire chapter dedicated to the crew saying "yes." Why? because saying the whole crew said "yes" is too easy. The least I can do is give them a reason to stay by Shepard.
At first, I planned to end this chapter on docking with the ark and having next chapter be the arrival in Andromeda. When I looked at my word count and how much stuff I still wanted to cover that plan went out the window. Given this, there will be one more chapter bumming around the Milky Way before we get into the meat of the story. Also, I'm about to get crusher my midterms so yay! I won't have a lot of time to spend on this story of the time being! All I can do is ask for patience from you guys and gals out there.
Finally, thanks to all who have invested time into reading this so far. Your support is one heck of a motivator!