A/N: And the first chapter proper! I'm avoiding going into detail of the N7 training, as some of this will be brought up later, so for now I'm glossing over things and jumping around a bit to get things moving. This is a partly re-worked "teaser" chapter, some of you who recall reading that ages ago might spot some familiar scenes, though it pretty much completely re-written. Also not a spoiler to say that there's no direct combat in this chapter – the next part is going be violent, so consider this a pre-chapter warning.

Also, this one is going to be jumping around quite a bit, but will settle down a short while through the next chapter to go over some of what has taken place in the time jump and set up the arrival on Eden Prime. The events of this fan-fic are spaced out (some things mentioned around here or before will be sorted out, have no fear!), so things will (hopefully) come together in an exciting way in the future!

Penultimate thing, in reaction a PM message I received. Yes I'm messing with cannon, it is a crossover – this is going to happen! For this simple (yet complex) reason things are going to change, even some beloved characters will have to react differently; they're in a "larger" universe. Simply put: if you don't like it, then don't read further. I'm sure of the thousands of fic's on here you can find something you like. And no, I'm not reporting or naming you, you are entitled to your own view.

Right, rant over, sorry about that.

I did proof read this a few times but I've not got a beta reader, so basically, all mistakes are entirely mine!

Finally, nothing but OC's owned by me!

Chapter 1

The sea was red with blood, it was so thick that the surf bubbled and roiled with it all, leaving traces of remains behind.

Along the shore bodies were torn and rent, leaving barely any sand untouched by the violence.

Broken bunkers, shattered fighters.

Everything was ending.

Cities, planets, were falling by the dozen.

Nothing could stop them.

Nothing could harm them.

In the midst of it all, one lone figure stood defiant.

In the midst of it all…

Hope rose.

Karin Chakwas sat in the ante-chamber of a formal briefing room, one used when "foreign" dignitaries came to visit.

Or in the instance, when several high ranking Spectres – or at least, well known ones – were having a lengthy meeting about Mia. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the hybrids future.

Though Mia herself was not here yet, due a mix up with her shuttle timetable – which had caused the hybrid to swear down the line – but she was not needed yet; the Spectres were having an in depth conversion with various high ranking military and government officials.

Unlike previous meetings like this – which Mia had not been privy to – today's agenda was much simpler.

The Normandy.

Or, to be more specific, whether or not to assign the hybrid to it as a permenat crewmember.

Karin was unaware if Mia knew of the purpose of this… gathering; but like a good soldier she was obeying orders.

If she hadn't seen it Karin might've not believed it; Mia had, whilst not overcome, but reached a balance between her more dominate Zerg and more minor human sides. It had taken the massive strain of the training, the various missions (both good and bad) that she'd been through the past few years; and the pain that came with loss of friends. But she'd found it.

During the intervening years she knew that the hybrid had also managed to succeed in becoming an N7; this was a massive coup for Mia, who had by now (with a lot of hard work) gained the respect and trust of quite a few people. She was finally starting to have the life she so wanted.

Karin checked her omni-tool again, wondering when the opening statements would draw to a close and she'd be called in.

Joker was miffed. No, scratch that, he was pissed.

All his high scores and this was how they rewarded him?

Ferrying dignitaries around was not what he signed up for, even if some of them were Spectres.

Not to mention that one of his "guests" was so top-fucking-secret that he wasn't allowed to go for a piss; for the entire 6 hour journey! Not that he likely could get up and run to the john anyway, but it was the principle of the thing damn it!

Still he had an empty bottle (or three) just in case stashed under his seat.

Besides, if he got really desperate for a shit whoever was back there wouldn't stop him, would they?

Here's hoping that they weren't some Council asshole who would deny him such a privilege as to have a shit.

Thankfully he was nearing the Prospect and now had to get clearance to land. "Prospect control, this is transport shuttle SSV-1789 requesting a birth." His hands flickered over the haptic interface priming everything for landing.

"Roger that SSV-1789 this is Prospect actual, proceed to bay 22." A pause as a location was beamed to him; the coordinates were sending him right the arse of the Prospect – very secluded, very good for a clandestine hand over.

"Coordinates received actual, heading there now."

"Please be aware that the VIP has been delayed, you will be waiting for a while, sorry." The woman on the other end at least sounded sorry.

Bugger it. "Roger actual, good thing I bought a book to read." It was a poor joke but it got a small chuckle.

"Roger that, actual out." The line clicked out leaving Joker in silence as he guided the shuttle to arse-end bay.

From the cameras he saw that bay 22 was fairly small, just enough room to park the shuttle and have small cargo access. Swinging the shuttle around, he backed it in carefully.

Shutting down the engines and some major systems, he shifted (carefully) in his seat so his legs were perched on the empty co-pilot chair; bringing up his omni-tool he started to read his favourite website – Theory or Real? – seeing that he had a notification on the Zerg/human-hybrid story.

According to this, the hybrid was confirmed and heading to, or on, the Prospect right fucking now.

"Dr T'Soni, are you sure about this? You will be alone, on a planet with humans, and if you do get into trouble – and if they do come to help you – the mining colony as a fair distance away…"

Liara smiled her cousin Elare's concern. "I'll be fine. No Zerg. Just humans." She hadn't told anyone but she still had nightmares of her encounter with Kerrigan. "Besides, my offer to you still stands cousin."

The older asari smirked, though Liara could not see her through the dividing screen. "As much is I would like to spend a few months with you Li-Li, watching you did through rock and dirt is not my idea of a good time."

Liara could not help the laugh. "Oh yes, spending time with your legs in the air is such a better use of time."

Elare punched her lightly with her biotics. "Oh shut it you! Just because I was a stripper for a decade does not mean that I whored myself out! Goddess, I cannot stand to look at other races – as terrible as that sounds. Eurgh!"

Elare was a fair bit older than her, nearing 400 years in fact, but she was still – as humans said – young at heart; or as asari said "eloping with their past years".

"Humans look a bit like us…"

"Really Li'Li? They have pink skin and that, what was called, hape?"

"Hair."

"Hair is it? Looks too strange to me."

Liara smiled. "Quarians have hair."

"Yes, but under an environment-suit. It's not in your face, or near your azure when you…"

Liara blushed. "Elare! Please!"

"Oh Li'Li, don't be such a prude! It's only sex and it's not like you haven't had pleasures before!" Though hidden from her cousin's view, she went even purpler.

"Only with other asari, I dread to think what other races look like… naked."

A choking laugh came from the other side of the screen. "Goddess, you need to get out more! Head to the Citadel or to one of the holiday planets; relax!"

Liara shook her head as Elare came out from behind the screen. "Not yet, I really to finish my term and get my grade; then I can start thinking about either teaching or…"

She was interrupted by the door chime echoing in the nearly empty house.

Frowning Elare signalled for her to stay put, since it was her house after all, and went to answer the door. Voices could be heard, and then Elare came back a moment later with a two huntresses, one of which had two sweeping face markings going down the centre of her face.

This one spoke. "Dr. Liara T'Soni?"

Liara could not help the gulp. "Yes?"

"You reported a few years ago an encounter with the Zerg that… that was odd." She nodded. "Well, to be honest…" The huntress looked nervous, of all things. "We have seen likely the same figure on our travels, former human with red-hair."

The other spoke now. "We reported it of course, and much like you, we were told that we probably hadn't seen it…" She scowled before continuing. "We're both experienced have fought Zerg multiple times and to be told…" She cut herself off before she insulted whichever Matriarch they'd spoken to.

Liara shook her head, disbelief had to have been on her face; it was one thing for them to deny a maiden as young as her, but to do the same to huntresses with centuries experience was unfathomable! "Who did you speak to?"

"Err… Your mother, plus Matriarchs Eoni and Juhe."

Surprise was now on Liara's face; her mother was now getting involved in this?

She didn't realise she'd spoken aloud until Elare spoke. "The Matriarch probably only wants to see this dealt with carefully, imagine the reaction if it came out that there's a talking Zerg-virus-infected human." She shook her head. "It would be an outcry like… like I don't what! Just think of what else people – like the humans – would think that the Zerg are capable of doing; you know what other species are like!"

Liara could not help but agree, though the commando with sweeping face-markings sighed. "It would make them think that these poor people could be saved, after all, they do seem to want to fix things that simply cannot be fixed."

"What of the rumours of the Alliance sheltering a hybrid?" Elare looked slightly ashamed to be mentioning this, which was certainly just a rumour Liara thought.

"If that were true, and that is a big if, then they might be able to see if it can talk to the Zerg; see what it is they actually want." She spoke up, shrugging. "Of course that is all supposition, there is no real evidence that this hybrid even exists."

"True, but even so, we need to figure out why the Matriarchs aren't doing anything." Elare crossed her arms and looked to the commandos. "Any ideas?"

"It's unlikely that the Matriarchs are unprepared for this." The second one spoke – it was a shame that Liara didn't know there names, though it might be for the best. "It is likely that they are just simply keeping it quiet, dealing with it in the background."

Liara had been following sightings of this… infested… woman, not that there were that many all told. After she'd reported the sighting to the military, who didn't exactly believe her, the Matriarchs got involved – though not her mother at the time. They told her basically the same as the huntresses she had gone to; that she was likely hallucinating due to the stress of the situation. She was terrified during the encounter yes, but to imagine the whole thing? She was an asari, not a Turian!

This had made her track the sightings herself, with her own money when she needed to talk to information brokers, as she didn't want to use estate money – which could be traced very easily and might get her in trouble. The sightings themselves had occurred – with the same description as she'd given – more than enough times to be hallucinations. Though they had petered out to nothing last year; the last sighting on the border of Zerg space which might account for this.

"I hope you are right, Goddess, that poor woman." Liara could not help the sorrow in her voice when she finally spoke. "I cannot imagine what she must have gone through."

The other three nodded solemnly.

Mia Sal Shepard was currently trying to avoid getting noticed.

She was sitting in the corner of the shuttle that was meant to be leaving for Arcturus in a few minutes.

With a crazy ass male pilot muttering to himself over the PA.

And about needing the loo, of all things.

He didn't seem to realise that he was broadcasting still after greeting her.

And he didn't know about her, with made this very... awkward.

To say that she was slightly nervous was a very large understatement; though most likely he wouldn't bother looking in her direction, and she was wearing armour and a hood over her tendrils so it wasn't that obvious.

Either way, she was worried; if he did freak out she did know how to pilot the shuttle – she now had the tiny implants that would allow her to use the haptic interface, she didn't really want to explain it away to Admiral Hackett.

Of course people would find out about her eventually. In fact, she knew that some civilian websites had articles on her potential existence. Mia had started to think about the reactions that people might have both good and bad. If need be, hopefully this flight lieutenant would be in the good portion. Though after quite a bit of reading she now wouldn't hold it against him; she now understood that all humans reacted quite differently, they were all individuals. To humans she knew that this was obvious, but to her it just wasn't, her Zerg nature (which was the stronger of her two sides by far) just had trouble coping with that. Since the Zerg were (and still are) a hive mind society, this – like humour – was something that it took her a long time to grasp.

Understanding this and going through it were two very separate things however.

The pilot seemed to finally realise that she could hear him and apologised before clicking off the intercom, she rolled her eyes and decided to go for it; calling up her omni-tool which was connected to the shuttle automatically.

"You know if you are that desperate, why don't you just go?" She hoped her tone was friendly. "I mean we're not due for departure for another ten minutes."

"Well, okay… but I'm not meant to, well you know, see you or talk to you beyond updates and stuff."

"Simple, don't look in my direction!" Mia chuckled slightly. "I'm sitting out of direct view from the cockpit, so it shouldn't be a problem."

"Actually, it… I'm going to be a bit slow, been sitting alone for hours so quite stiff." A cough, it seemed that he was embarrassed but she wasn't really sure.

"Bloody hell lieutenant, just go!" She laughed and knew that her tone was light – this time.

There was a slightly muffled okay then she heard the door sliding open a few moments later, the man shuffled noisily into the tiny room as she pulled her feet up and practically sat on them; just to get them out of the way.

And he wasn't kidding, it took him quite a while, he was cutting it close for their departure time when he – finally – flushed and left the room; calling a thanks in her general direction.

Once again she was thankful that this was a larger shuttle.

Maybe she should calm down; her thoughts were getting away with from her again.

They left a few minutes later than planned, she didn't know if it was the toilet break or not that caused this, but she was finally able to message Karin to let her know that she was on her way.

Now she just had to survive the flight, and the crazy pilot's ramblings, as he seemed to have left the intercom on again!

The shuttle journey didn't take as long as Mia feared, for she managed to fall asleep for at least some of it. Thankfully that damn pilot seemed to have remembered to turn off the intercom, only clicking it on again once to say that they were on approach to Arcturus. She wanted to look out and see the station, but with no windows in the passenger compartment she was just going to have to wait.

They landed about 10 minutes later, the bay itself was larger than she was expecting – maybe 50 feet in all directions – but was a stale grey and blue, with a stencilled lettering on each wall "VIP-43". Once the door opened she was greeted by Major Kalin and 3 others, all armed and armoured as if they were expecting trouble.

Not that she planned anything… unless something else had been going on that she was unaware of? This was possible, she was an N7 but not human; they didn't tell her everything already, she knew, this was unlikely to change for quite a while.

If ever.

Still at least she might find out what all the damn fuss was about now.

Kalin signalled for her to stay silent and follow her, one of the marines grabbing her bags. "He'll take them to your quarters; we're to take you right to there as the meeting doesn't need you yet." A small smile as Mia frowned. "It's alright; just the shuttle fuck-up has put the conclusion of the meeting back several hours. And grumpy politicians make bad house-guests." Her voice was a whisper. "And your pilot likes to spy on people, so we should move."

The run to the meeting space was empty, the corridors either restricted or they were just lucky. It didn't really matter to her since she was being led straight to her quarters for her stay – which where only a short hop away from the meeting rooms.

This was a bonus for her as (obviously) it meant less chance of discovery by accident.

Unless of course that was what was being "designed" to happen…

"Fuck it. Just being paranoid." Mia grumped to herself as she settled in.

It was a much nicer room than the one in The Prospect; this was in fact an entire apartment complete with living area, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom all separate! All a stale blue with red highlights around the door frames but, still, it was hers for now.

Major Kalin had not come with her as she was off to make sure some on the other guests had all the security that was required. Who these guests actually were Mia had no clue, nor was the marine that escorted her (and unceremoniously dumped her stuff on the sofa) forthcoming about anything – not that really expected anything more.

Mia had yet to also hear from Karin, this did not worry her, since she knew that (for some reason) she was part of whatever the fuck – sorry, hell – was going on here.

She just wondered how long it would take until she found out what was truly going on.

Karin now had a rather sore posterior from sitting down for so long, maybe 4 hours so far. The level of questioning had started simple; how was Mia progressing? Had there been any signs of her Zerg side becoming more aggressive? All rather standard questions that she had to answer each month anyway due to the fact that they're keeping a close eye on the hybrid.

Other questions were just odd… Did she feel attracted to anyone? What was her favourite food? She believed that there was a point to this type of questioning, though was it actually was she had no clue whatsoever.

It was also revealed that the shuttle mix-up was also a test by these Spectres; on to see how she would react. When she let them know Mia had sworn a few times but didn't seem that bothered they'd relaxed slightly (one Asari even laughed).

It was all very odd.

Now she was just waiting for the talk with Mia to end. She'd not heard any shouting, or any fighting so she – so far – considered the meeting to be somewhat a success. Karin had caught of glimpse of Mia as she entered; unsurprisingly the hybrid had looked worried. Not soon after she'd past by a group of very high level Alliance brass (including Admiral Hackett) had also entered the room.

Whilst Karin was not privy to what was happening the amount of security meant that she couldn't even leave the area to rest – not that she really wanted to with Mia in the spot-light.

Also to her confusion, and great surprise, a marine suddenly burst into the room, looking around clearly distressed he charged by her, skidding to halt by the door to the meeting room, his omni-tool pinging the door repeatedly until it slid open. The man was greeted by an Asari, who gestured at him to enter a moment later, the door sliding shut just as quickly – something was happening that much was very clear.

The question she now had was simple: what was going on?

She didn't have to wait long, as not even a minute had passed when two of the Alliance Officers charged out of the room – lead by the marine – and left the area so rapidly that the only thing she caught was something along the lines of "How'd he get access to the Normandy?"

This got her ear – had Cerberus attacked again? Why would the hit the…

Oh god! It was the only vessel with stealth technology!

Which she wasn't meant to know, granted, but Anderson had let slip about it…

Unsure what to do, she stood and moved the between the entryway for the lift and the meeting room. Hopefully Mia wasn't freaking out…

20 minutes earlier…

Okay, now Joker was quite a bit happier.

As it turned out he was in the running to get posted to a top secret vessel, like so secret he wasn't even being told the name of the ship, he just had to win over the Brass and make his case.

In the tiny bit of verbal information he'd been given he was told that the crew was being hand-picked, and that all crewmembers would only meet when the formal briefing had been arranged for 2 days time.

Maybe this crap assignment was crap for a reason, he mused, to see how I'd react and all that… Nah, even the Alliance wouldn't be that sneaky when Spectres were about.

He hoped.

Right now though, he had 2 days to kill paid for by the Alliance "within reason" of course; so he couldn't go out and send thousands of credits on his hotel for one. Not that he needed to since he'd been allocated one the few hundred berths the Alliance Military kept free for stopping over personnel.

At this moment Joker was sitting comfortably in a plush leather armchair in the Irish Bar themed restaurant. He had a beer (Guinness of course, since they were playing on the stereotype) and a burger in easy reach. Normally he'd be content to sit here and not move for hours, wait no, he still was.

A haptic screen was showing a news programme featuring an entire 15 minutes on recent Zerg activity – making them seem like they were gaining strength and becoming a threat to the Alliance; a threat that only the brave men and women of the various branches of the Alliance Military could counter.

"Gotta love the sign-up now theme of this." Joker muttered to himself, taking a swig of his beer – which he doubted actually was real Guinness shipped from Earth, but it tasted alright.

"Ha! Always looking on the Brightside Flight Lieutenant?" His companion, a hardy biotic LT named Kaiden Alenko chuckled next to him.

They'd known each other for a few years now, after Alenko backed Joker up when some mid-level Brass tried to stop him entering the Alliance in the first place – Alenko had convinced them to let him try out for the pilots' course. According the front-line marine he'd seen something of himself in Joker (which he thought was bullshit) and they'd hung out together when they could ever since, becoming quite fast friends in the intervening years.

It had been pure luck that the biotic had spotted Joker hobbling along and moved to catch up with him.

"You know me LT; always looking on the bright side of life!" Joker snorted in laughter when Alenko started to whistle the century's old Monty Python song. "And there was me thinking only I know Monty Python on this entire station!"

"No, they're classic but you know what kids are like these days…"

"Asari blue, Turian Heavy Metal and Galaxy of Fantasy?"

"Do Turians even like Metal?"

"Not the point LT!"

"Ha, you're right there." Alenko shook his hand gestured at the news, now featuring a report on the better relations with the Turians. "You hear that Captain Anderson here?"

"Of course! You I love to keep up with rumours and conspiracies!" Joker laughed again at Alenko roll of his eyes. "Also, I saw him when I dropped him off at the VIP shuttle bays."

"You saw him?"

"Yeah, and that chump related to Admiral Henning." Joker had to hold back from sounding too annoyed.

"Major Josef Henning? You know the guy who has been touted as the best soldier in the Alliance?" Alenko sounded incredulous that Joker didn't seem to know who this guy was.

"Oh, I know him. Not personally thankfully, what with my mouth. But I just don't trust him; his daddy has too much faith in him when he's barely done six combat missions." Joker chugged down the rest of his beer, as Alenko shook his head.

"They wouldn't say such things about him if he wasn't very good at his job."

"Yes, but you've been on what 40 ground missions? If anyone needs praise for being good at their job it's you!"

Alenko blinked in surprise. "Well, thanks. But he's been selected for N-level training at the youngest age of anyone, so he must be doing something right."

"Or daddy is pulling strings for him."

"What, that's ridiculous! There's no way…" The biotic paused and smiled. "Your baiting me again, aren't you?"

Joker laughed. "Maybe a little. I don't like the guy, he comes across as arrogant and entitled in the interviews I've seen."

"Speaking of things you've seen, I hear that the Brass complained to you about your extranet usage the other day."

"Oh yeah…" Joker grumped. "They complained that I spend too much time on my conspiracy sites…"

"Well, you do!"

"But that's not the point! Why are they checking up on me when I'm not on duty?" He grumped even more now. "It borders on spying!"

"It's not spying, not really. They just want to make sure that everyone in uniform gives out the right… impression." Kaiden didn't sound that convinced but before the matter could be continued…

"Stupid bloody Turian!"

They both turned on saw the object of the their little conversation – Major Josef Henning – shouting at an unfortunate Turian that appeared to have accidentally nudged him.

"Oh, this isn't good…" Alenko muttered.

As it turned out, Kaiden was indeed correct at his prediction of it not being good. A drunken Major ended up shouting at the Turian for a moment, only forgetting a moment later when his friend got his attention – not even noticing that there might've been trouble. They only really stopped shouting and singing when security arrived, not doubt a noise complaint had been issued.

This would not look good on the Major's resume, was all he could muse.

As one, several omni-tools beeped within the area – all of them clearly military.

Checking his omni-tool, and half-glancing at Joker to see his reaction; it was an emergency briefing due to take place in 2 hours.

Something had happened – but what?

Liara was awoken by her alarm as was the norm, only today was a big day. Even though she still worried about what she'd seen and the possible implications of it, today was a massive day.

It made her smile as she practically jumped out of bed and across the room to the shower.

Today she left for her first archaeological dig as the lead onsite!

It would take a few days to reach Therum and the group would slowly arrive over a few days, but… she was the lead!

3 and half hours later…

Mia Sal Shepard was nervous.

No, scratch that, she was terrified.

Soon she would be meeting the crew of her new Alliance assignment. Soon she would find out if she could cope with the stares and comments from normal Alliance personnel.

Her breathing was hard and fast, unable to calm down she ran a hand through her hair; which made her pause and groan in horror. She didn't have hair per se. more a series of bony-looking dreadlocks and this she knew would be one of first things commented on.

"Fuck me, fuck me, and fuck me." Being unable to calm down would also mean her eyes would be glowing a deep purple. "Why is this so hard?"

A female kind laugh came from beside her. "Because you don't know how people are going to react to you; yet, unlike a few years ago, you now care what people think." It was Karin, the wonderful, helpful, and completely human doctor that had become a de facto mother.

"Why is this hard?" Mia looked around the room, a separate antechamber to a briefing room to the left. She is currently sitting on a bench down one side of the room.

"You don't know what to expect from the crew. All the times before this it's been small groups, a few squads at most; not an entire frigate of people!" Karin smiles warmly. "You are so used to people fearing you because they don't understand you, or know you."

"Of course people fear me; I'm not human!" Mia interrupts, though her tone is not fearful, more anxious. "I… I don't know why I agreed to this." She gestures at the dress uniform she is wearing, followed by the door. "Though anything is better then a lab. Or sitting around doing nothing but stare at walls."

"Don't worry so much. This is a trial run, you know that."' Karin sits beside her and puts an arm around her. "If things become too much then we can always put a stop to it. But we both know that you're getting used to the way people react to you now." The arm squeezes Mia tightly. "You're not an experiment Mia, you are a person. Don't let them get to you; they simply don't know you."

Though not the most eloquent speech, it was what Mia needed to hear. "Thank you so much, Karin; for everything. I don't know where I would be without you." She returns the squeeze with an arm of her own. "You, David and Hannah have been there for me. I still don't understand a lot of things but I'm getting there."

"You have grown so much as person Mia, all you need is someone to help you when you want it." Karin smiled again. "I need to get into the briefing; Admiral Hackett will be here shortly, you'll enter with him, or just after."

"How do you think they will react to me?"

"I honestly don't know, hopefully they will be kind; though they are marines."

Mia gave snort of laughter. "Kind hearts in tough exteriors?"

"You know it!" Karin laughed as well.

"Wish me luck; I'm going to need it."

"Good luck Mia; you'll be fine."

Mia could hear the briefing going on in the background but was only half-listening. She was awaiting her "cue", as Admiral Hackett had called it.

She'd been briefed before – which is why briefing had been delayed slightly – and knew the two current objectives; escort a science team from the Citadel to Eden Prime to pick something up, and provide protection both there and on the way back to the Citadel.

The hybrid was amazed that she was being given a place onboard the top-secret, top-of-the-line frigate – The Normandy – but was not questioning it. Everyone, including herself, seemed to feel that now was time to bring her out to wider world.

The room itself was large, square and had a high ceiling. All greys and blues, the tiered seating gave everyone a view of the display screen. It was a formal briefing room, rarely used these days; apart from meetings between the "higher ups" as Karin had called them.

Right now, Mia was standing by the edge of doorframe, waiting to be called in. Hackett was explaining that the Asari Spectre; whose name she couldn't recall – Tsair, Taser, something like that, was here as an observer from The Council. She was to keep an eye on their investments.

Her role and part of her past to the Normandy crew was next. Her heritage gained a few gasps from the crew; a few disbelieved the statements that much was clear.

Until Hackett turned and called her name.

Swallowing and taking a deep breath, she strode into the room. Her pace was quick so she didn't have to make eye contact with anyone other than Hackett. Mia could feel her hair tendrils brushing against her neck; which meant that her pace would also make the inhuman nature, and look, very clear.

Throwing a sharp salute and snapping of a "Sir!" she stood at attention, though she was so stiff her neck needed to crack.

Voices could be heard murmuring behind her. Though low enough she couldn't hear what was being said.

Hackett nodded to her, and then turned back to the crew. "Mia will be the temporary XO and secondary marine group commander for this mission. This is a trail run. She has all the training required and I know she can do the job. It is all about how she interacts with larger groups' people." He moved past her and she could see a close up pass-by of her face on the projection screen. Several gasps were loud enough to hear clearly. "As I have explained she had no choice in her heritage; any slurs against her are an insult not just to her but against the hurdles she has had to cross to get here."

Mia felt a surge of pride at Hackett's words; she hadn't really expected such a defence of her character.

"Everyone will get a chance to meet and speak with her personally before the mission starts." Another voice called out. It was Captain Anderson, her CO for the mission – which felt odd. "A roster will be sent out within the day." He paused and took a breath. "Until then you have the rest of the time to yourselves, Mia please wait here."

"The rest of you, dismissed!" Hackett called out.

After a short conversation with Admiral Hackett and Captain Anderson about her duties, and mentions of plans for a later "coming out party", she headed right to the med-bay; taking a few short-cuts she had figured out (by talking to Anderson) to avoid a few of the main corridors. Entering the medical area she could hear Karin's voice coming from her office and headed in that direction.

Only to stop short as she entered the office.

Karin had her back to the door, a bare-chested man sat on the edge of the desk, sitting sideways on.

"Oh shit." The man saw her and started.

She took a few steps forwards, whereas a few years ago she might have fled. She averted her eyes from the bare chest as she moved. "I'm sorry; I thought Doctor Chakwas was alone." She could feel her eyes flaring as tried her best to hide her grin at the bare chest.

"Calm down Mia, sit over there and gods sake, stop trying not to stare!" Karin laughed as she turned around, pointing to a chair off to the right, behind the unknown male. "Oh, where are my manners? Lieutenant Alenko, this is Commander Shepard. Mia this is your marine group leader, Alenko."

The man was a little flustered, blinking rapidly, his eyes following Mia clearly unsure how to respond to her. "Err… nice to meet, um, nice to meet you Commander."

"Please call me Mia or Shepard when the brass aren't around; I don't feel I have earned my rank yet." Mia sat down; actually enjoying making the man squirm slightly.

"Right, well, I feel better calling you Shepard." Alenko looked at Karin, looking for a way out.

"Oh, put your shirt on Alenko, if it makes you feel better." Karin laughed again complete with a wide smile. "She's not going to bite you!"

"What! What do you mean I don't bite?" Mia frowned looking at them each in turn, they both smiled at her confusion. "Really, I don't understand what you mean!" Her hands started to clench and unclench, nerves getting the better of her again.

"Oh, Mia, it's just a phrase! I don't mean that you will actually bite him!" Karin put a hand to forehead and shook her head.

Mia couldn't help but look sheepish. "Oh, right! It was just another idiom I have yet to learn…"

Alenko pulled his shirt on much to Mia's disappointment – his muscles had nice shapes. "Still got stuff to learn then?"

She laughed at the question. "Too much I think." Mia brushed some hair tendrils back that had fallen forward. "I find it hard to follow all the various phrases, idioms and jargon that I hear." She shrugged. 'Probably due to my upbringing, or lack thereof, I should say. Don't worry, I'll get used to it."

Karin tensed slightly as Alenko frowned and spoke. "Hackett explained some things. That you were… well… I mean…"

"I was grown in a lab Alenko; I'm not going to hide it." Mia looked at him, eyes flared slightly, which made him flinch. "I… my past… it isn't that private; even though I don't like talking about some of it." She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "You can ask, though I might not answer every question."

"I see, well, that's generous of you." Alenko glanced at Karin, who was smiling – she seemed to think Mia was handling this well. "I do have question right away." She nodded for him continue. "What does your hair feel like?"

She laughed and leaned back, a wide smile coming to her face. "It's not really hair, at least not like yours or Karin's." Mia stood and moved to stand next to him, tilting her head to one side so some of the tendrils draped down. "It is bone, like normal hair, but it is more… chitinous. You can touch it if you want, I can feel things through it, though it doesn't hurt or anything. Unless you yank it; then it will hurt. Maybe more so than if I was to do the same to you; it's sunk into my skull, some are even connected to my brain. They act as a kind of… receiver."

Alenko reached over slowly, pausing at her word "receiver". "What do you mean?"

"It's part of the alien, the Zerg, part of me. If I was wanted to I could "talk" them through them; think of it as a radio antennae." Mia leaned over and ran her hair over his hand. He started, surprised, and then twisted his fingers into it slightly.

"Huh, it's softer than I expected." Was all he could say; causing Mia to shake as she chuckled.

"Ha! That's the oddest response I've ever had to someone feeling my hair for the first time!" She stood up straight again.

Alenko smiled at her. "Oddly, I felt that our first meeting would be more hostile than this."

She tilted her head at him. "I know what you mean. Most people don't know what to make of me; the feeling tends to mutual." She looks down at the floor. "If I'm honest, I understand and, even if part of doesn't like it, I accept it now."

"I wouldn't dream of it judging you too much. I'm biotic, I get some persecution." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Though I'm not foolish enough to compare my status to yours; you have certainly had a worse time of it then me."

"I may have had it bad Lieutenant, but I'm far from fragile. Being mostly Zerg allows me to avoid feeling the effects of the bad memories, I still feel it, but it's just not… not as intense as people think it would be." Mia scratched her chin as she continued. "I mean, Zerg do feel but not like humans, I have a mix of both." She paused. "This is hard to explain…"

"No, I think I get what you mean." Alenko nodded and stood himself. "Well, I should get going. Nice meeting and speaking with you Shepard."

"And you Lieutenant, and you."

A/N1: Right, well it's (almost) time for Eden Prime! I think that this might be split into two chapters due to the fact that I've got a few things to set up before they get there. Like the whole Spectre thing (which is going to be mentioned soon), as well as a mention of a rather important StarCraft character we haven't seen yet…

For those of you wondering about Kerrigan since that little tease, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a bit longer – but not too long!

A/N2: Secondly, I know that my updates have slowed right down a pace. Whilst I am sorry for this, unfortunately this has been unavoidable due to holidays, work and illness. I'm hoping that once I'm rid of this stomach bug (which is becoming a cold now, the damn thing), and get past this week, I can (finally) sit down and spend most of the weekend working on this!

A/N3: And finally, I have no real timescale to offer for the next chapter. I'm hoping that I can get most of it done by the end of the month though, if I work on it more than just weekends I might be able to get it done sooner – I'll have to see how tired out work gets me.

For those of you following this (thank you!), I'm not going to abandon this but it will take time to get things done I'm afraid!