Anderson sat down at his desk. The light on his messenger unit was blinking, and he touched the screen. He was scanning the messages when the two alerts from his VI caught his attention. The first informed him that it was John Shepard's eighteenth birthday. And the second informed him that John Shepard had just sent in his application to join the Alliance military. A smile came to his face when he realised the two messages were three minutes and forty two seconds apart.
It had been six years since that day on Mindoir and John had just finished basic training and had already been promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. He was now stationed on Elysium and he had been there for no less than a week when a huge band of pirates, slavers, and batarian warlords attacked.
John was right now shooting at said a huge band of pirates, slavers, and batarian warlords from behind cover.
"How's the Captain doing?" he yelled.
"He's dead, Sir," said a medic. He then looked at John. "Graduations lieutenant, you've just inherited his responsibilities."
"Wonderful," said John as he shot a batarian marksman.
"What are we gonna do now?" said a private. "This just too many of them!"
"For starters we're not going to panic!" said John.
"Was it as bad as this on Mindoir, sir?" a corporal asked.
John remain quiet for a few minutes before answering. "It was worse."
"How is this not worse?" said the private.
"One, Mindoir was just a small farming colony and second they didn't have any marines protecting the civilians," said John forcibly. "Now, we joined the Alliance to protect people, not hide away and let them be slaughtered. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir," said the Marines.
"What are your orders, sir," the corporal asked.
"We have to hold this entry point, if they get inside the city centre they'll have full control," said John. He then began to gesture to the housing structures. "I want our best shots up there taking vantage points and take out the leaders. That should give them a moment of pause and I want someone to get in contact with the Alliance we can't win this without them."
"You heard the man, let's move," said the corporal.
It was a miracle, but they were able to hold the line against the outlaw army. However, John knew that they would attack again the next day. He had managed get the military organised and most of the civilians in underground bunkers, but that would mean very little if they got overrun.
He soon entered into the city hall which they were using at their headquarters. He could already see medics tends the wounded and marines checking the inventory.
"How'd we look, Chief," said John as he approached the gunnery chief.
"We're low on meds, sir," said the gunnery chief. "By my calculations we'll run out next afternoon."
"Hopefully will get help before then," said John.
Then the communication officer rush over towards him. "Sir, I've managed to make contact with the Alliance."
"Excellent," said John.
He made his way to the comm buoy and already found the holographic image of Admiral Hackett. John knew him by reputation, he was the commander of the Fifth Fleet and one of the most decorated commanders in the Alliance.
"Lieutenant John Shepard reporting in, sir," John said saluting.
The Admiral saluted back. "Lieutenant, I was under the impression that Captain Jones was in command of the forces in Elysium."
"He was, sir, but he was killed in the first raid," said John.
"I see," said Hackett. "What your situation lieutenant?"
"We have managed to hold the line for now, but were desperately low on medi-gel."
"I see, we're hoping to enter into the system in a few hours lieutenant and will try and drops in supply ships your way, but all will be lost if you're not able to hold the city," said Hackett.
"Don't worry sir, I won't let this city fall," John assured.
Hackett looked at him grimly. "To be honest lieutenant I don't fancy your chances, you're up against thousands of batarians, who are much better equipped than you are."
"We won't let that stop us, sir," said John.
"Then I wish you the best of luck, lieutenant," said Hackett.
The hologram then faded and the indications officer looked at him.
"What do we do now, lieutenant?" he asked.
"We hold the line," said John. "See if there are any volunteers among the civilians, we're going to need all the help we can get, but make sure that the dispatched where the fighting is low."
"Yes, sir," said the convocation officer saluting.
The corporal he spoke to earlier approached him. "There's a chance that none of us are going to survive this."
John nodded. "Just don't spread it around."
"I won't, sir," said the corporal.
"What your name, corporal?" John asked.
"Rick, Rick Ryder," said the corporal.
"Well Rick, with got one heck of a fight on our hands," said John.
"Twenty-four hours." Anderson looked down at the report, then back up at the man on the screen. "He held the position for six hours? By himself?"
"Damn good thing too." Hackett nodded. "Had any of the pirates managed to get past, they'd have been able to turn the ground guns against our ships."
"Already there for a week and managed to gain his men's trust, we certainly need more men like him," said Anderson.
"He's getting a promotion out of this." Hackett nodded. "And word just came down. He's also been recommending tit for a candidate for N7."
Anderson folded his arms. "I want him on my ship."
Hackett nodded. "I'll make it happen."
Shepard looked up from the man in the hospital bed to see a familiar face at the door. Immediately, he saluted. "Captain."
"At ease." Anderson nodded. He then noted the corporal on the bed. "How is he?"
He glanced down at the wounded Rick. "The Doc says he'll make a full recovery."
"I'd be dead one for you, sir," said Rick.
Anderson gestured for him to accompany him, and he followed him to a quieter location. "Been a long time, Shepard."
"Six years, sir." He nodded. "You haven't changed."
"I've been following your career. I thought to delivered this news to you in person. Congratulations, Lieutenant Commander. You've just received your N7."
"Thank you si…" He blinked. "Lieutenant Commander?"
"And a promotion." He smiled. "As well as a transfer."
"A transfer, sir?"
He nodded. "You work for me now."
Anderson tried not to hold his breath when the ambassador picked up the dossier from the top of the pile. Udina looked it over. "Well, what about Shepard? He grew up in the colonies."
"He knows how tough life can be out there. His parents were killed when slavers attacked Mindoir."
Hackett spoke up. "He proved himself during the Blitz. Held off enemy forces on the ground until reinforcements arrived."
"He's the only reason Elysium is still standing." Anderson kept his voice steady. If he pushed too hard for his protégé, Udina might balk. He might have failed, but if anyone could do this, it was Shepard.
Udina nodded as he scrolled through the list of accomplishments. "We can't question his courage."
"Humanity needs a hero. And Shepard's the best we've got."
The ambassador set the dossier back down. "I'll make the call."