Shepard sat on the edge of his bed, dressed in a brand new black tux, his jacket laying on his bed next to him. His eyes were glancing over the dossiers of the skeleton crew – the individuals Anderson had assigned to the Normandy while his crew went on leave. Each and every one of them was clean, Anderson had assured him, but Shepard wasn't going to take any risks. As he flipped the pages of each report, the more and more he became uncomfortable with the idea of leaving the Normandy in the hands of complete strangers – but he knew it was something he had to do.

'Come on, Shepard,' he thought to himself, 'You know how important this night is. Just suck it up – and accept it. You'll be back soon enough to keep an eye on the crew yourself.'

Letting out a sigh, he snapped the reports closed – tossing them across the way onto his coffee table. He brought is hands up to his face, rubbing the drowsiness away from his eyes.

"Commander," Joker's voice echoed through his chambers.

"Joker?" Shepard responded, letting his hands fall between his legs and a curious expression to appear on his face, "I thought I ordered everyone to take a two week vacation. Do you mind explaining to me what you are still doing here?"

"Yeah, well… EDI and I were having this contest on who- ah, forget it. Those replacement crew members have arrived, Shepard, just as you requested. Permission to be blunt, sir?"

"Has me giving my permission ever stopped you before?" Shepard laughed.

"Well, no," Shepard could tell by the subtle change in Joker's tone that he was smirking, "But these guys look like a bunch of crazies, to be honest."

"We? As in EDI and you?"

"Hey.. EDIs a real person… no need to go and hurt her feelings, Shepard."

"I assure you, Jeff, "EDI began, "I am an AI – I have no physic-"

"Sssh!"

Laughing again, Shepard responded, "Alright, alright. Direct them to the CIC and I'll be up shortly."

"Understood, Joker out."

The comm. channel clicked shut. Shepard stood up from his bed, picked up the tux jacket laying next to him, and made his way to the elevator. He brushed himself off as the elevator doors hissed close, recomposing himself before he came before the skeleton crew.

He had a slight feeling that Joker was right – something felt off about this crew, something Shepard couldn't place. His fears of letting this strangers be in the Normandy became even more firm – and if it wasn't for Anderson's approval, he would've told them off immediately.

But, he had to trust Anderson – and had to believe that this feeling only stemmed from the fact that he hadn't worked with anyone new for quite some time.

He smirked, shaking his head slightly, 'I don't even believe that excuse.'

As the doors to the elevator hummed open, someone called out, "Officer on deck!"

Immediately, the sound of heels clicking and the sharp intakes of breath echoed through the CIC. The replacements had lined up right in front of the galaxy map – six of them in total. One for each area of the ship.

Shepard stepped out of the elevator and returned the salute, "At ease."

The replacements immediately shifted to parade rest – their gazes fixed perfectly ahead.

'Military,' Shepard thought, nodding in approval. His fears were slightly alleviated, though they were still present, 'This should make things a lot smoother then.'

"You have your orders, I presume?" He voiced, staring each of them over.

"Sir, yes, sir!" They responded in unison.

Shepard took the stance of parade rest, and even though he knew each and every one of their files by heart, he still ordered, "Well, present yourself then."

The furthest soldier to the left stepped forward. He was short asian man – but built and toned, "Service Chief Sidarc, Ethan, sir! Maintenance Replacement!

The next stepped forward - She was medium-sized black woman, toned, with her hair tied into a bun, "Servicewoman Second Class Johnson, Alicia, sir! Engineering replacement!"

Shepard nodded, watching the next man step forward. A short, tan fellow, built similar to Chief Sidarc, "Gunnery Chief Billicks, Phil, sir! Weapons Maintenance – Armory!"

A caucasian man stepped forward next, "Serviceman Second Class Morgan, Chris, sir! Medical Research and Care!"

The final replacement stepped forward, a tall caucasian female, who's dark hair was cut just short of the collar line, "Corporal Smith, Elaine, sir! Scientific Research and Development!"

Shepard nodded in approval, "Good, good – and I believe it's safe to assume that you all know who I am?"

"Sir, yes, sir!"

"Very well. You all know your mission – but I'm going to relay it to you one more time. This in the SR2 Normandy – its current crew is on an ordered leave – its last mission having caused a lot of emotional and physical stress. Your duty is to take care and maintain the ship for the next two weeks – in their absence. Is that understood?"

"Sir, yes, sir!"

"Good – I expect nothing but the best from my normal crew and I will expect nothing different from you. I want this place spot clean and running perfect," Shepard nodded slightly, "That is your mission – good luck. Dismissed!"

The replacements snapped to attention and rushed off to their posts. Crossing his arms, Shepard watched them scatter in each direction. A smile came to his face as he was reminded of his days in the enlisted ranks – before he earned his commission.

The hum of the doors opening up behind up broke him from nostalgia.