Aboard the SSV Seattle, Orbiting the Planet Elysium.

Year: 2185. Same day.

-/\/7-

Ward, Jason and Abigail sat around the cluster of couches, across from the new trio of guests. Mifune moved to stand next to Admiral Hackett. The whole group remained quiet for a brief moment before Hackett began to talk.

"I'm sure all of you are wondering why this was kept so quiet. I understand your normal reports are straightforward and to the point." The Admiral stroked his beard solemnly, giving off the air of a Lion in his stature. "As I'm sure you have deduced by now, this briefing is far from orthodox, and for good reason. Officers, war is on the horizon."

Mifune shifted stances quietly, while the unnamed N7 straightened his pose ever so slightly. The matronly woman was quietly hanging onto every word out of the Admiral's mouth.

As for the N7's, they knew how to hide their shock. Being among the best in one's army meant that revelations of that magnitude were meant to be received with caution and inquiry, not awe or protest.

"Report brought to us from our agents in the Kite's Nest report the Hegemony stockpiling Tier three weapons of mass destruction. We've received reports of Batarian colonies throughout the Terminus building all manner of military appliances and resources. Alliance agents on Omega returned to their respective fleets reporting of mass exoduses of Batarians from the station en route to the Kite's Nest system. Our best analysts have run the numbers: The Batarians are preparing for war."

"Bastards think they are being clever, using propaganda to reassure their civvies that they are merely strengthening the infrastructure. If that were the case they'd be building goddamned farms and reorganizing cities. Instead we've gotten over hundreds of testimonies from intelligence sources that state that the Hegemony is moving towards war." The unnamed N7 snorted derisively from his seat.

Hackett's face remained unreadable. "Officers, allow me to introduce Captain Jackson Lee Woolf, N7 Officer and handler of the Omega Cell."

Ward recognized the name: Woolf was a cannonball amongst the otherwise reputable N7 Divisions. The man was reckless and described as a complete wild man. He was also within the first class of N7 recruits brought on after the First Contact war. Thirty years of service, enlisted in the program when he was 18, Woolf was something of a folk legend amongst the Systems Marine Corps. Despite his age, he was still a tenacious fighter whose exploits were nothing short of legendary.

Ward picked up on Jason's sudden intake of breath next to him. Woolf was the personal hero of Pitcairn, who had grown up hearing tall tales of the man who had clashed with Krogan on Tuchanka, warred with Criminal Empires in the Terminus, and had personally dueled with Eclipse leader Jona Sedaris before her flight. Ward restrained the urge to roll his eyes at his burly comrade's attitude.

"I would also like to introduce the esteemed Doctor Helena Augustine X, current Headmistress of the Jon Grissom Academy."

HAX. That was a name he hadn't heard for a long time, but much like Woolf, Dr. Augustine's reputation preceded her by light years. The Augustine's were old money from earth, a long line of noted scientists, politicians, artists, warriors, philosophers and civil servants. The family was apparently descended from ancient French gentry, and had amassed a fortune through their large singular families. The family was rumored to be cursed by some, as only one or two children per generation proved to be fertile. Because of such, the Augustine's devoted their fortunes into a singular fund, instead of distributing them along the varying branches. Helena was the tenth of her name, and had received a plethora of doctorates from prestigious Universities on all over Earth. A maverick in educational systems and discipline, Helena was asked foremost among a hundred conceivable candidates to oversee the construction and administration of a private military academy following the Blitz.

Helena accepted, with the sole caveat that the academy be constructed and located over Elysium. While she has never admitted her reasoning towards this action, Ward remembered reading that her father had been among the slain resistance during the Siege of Elysia.

Ward had not the faintest idea why she was invited to this summit: Mifune and Woolf were among the top N7 Handlers in the whole Division, and among the best soldiers in the entire Systems Navy. HAX however was a wildcard. There was only one real reason why she was here, and he be damned if Hackett didn't give them a logical explanation.

"Upon consultation with Alliance High Command over the Batarian situation, a number of our strategists have been running various plans and maneuvers to deal with the Batarians. We've got over a hundred different think tanks and R&D companies planning logistics of a full scale war with the Hegemony. As you are aware, none of this is real news. These countermeasures have been in effect for decades. What has the game changed and intelligence reports from The Council: The Salarian Union is experiencing a rift between the Special Tasks Group and the Dalatrasses that run the government; The Asari Republics have and will remain neutral until the day comes wherein their territories come under attack; The Hierarchy, never a true ally of the Alliance has shown their colors by strengthening their borders within the Apien Crest. Reports of Krogan warlords rising to power within the DMZ are gaining by the day. We've come to a conclusion on what all of this means: The Galaxy is preparing for another Skyllian Verge by shuttering their windows and locking their doors. They know that a storm is coming, and it's headed straight towards Earth."

Hackett paused for a moment before continuing. "We are on our own for the time being, and once the first shots are fired, I want every pair of hands, every battalion and every human resource snapping to the cause. This is where the three of you come in."

Mifune handed the Admiral a data pad.

"Jason Pitcairn, aged 23. Enrolled at 18, selected for N7 commendations by 21, two years spent in the Attican Theatre. Abigail Callais, aged 23. Enrolled at 18, selected for N7 Commendations by 21, two years spent in the Attican theatre. Ward Thompson, aged 23. Enrolled at 18, selected for N7 commendations at 21 years of age. You three are all from the same graduating class, correct?"

The three Marines shook their heads in affirmation of the Admiral. Despite their different ages and backgrounds, the three N7's had been enrolled in the same class of applicants to the N7 program.

Hackett glanced back towards the data pad in his hand meanwhile using his free hand to scroll.

"Since your graduation from Fort Charles, the three of you have undertaken…" Hackett scrolls down further. "Ah there it is. One hundred and thirty seven missions. You three have undertaken one hundred and thirty seven missions. Can you tell me your success rate Second Lieutenant Callais?"

"Sir, 98% success rate, sir!" Abigail belted out in response.

"Ninety-eight percent. Over a hundred plus missions and you kids have perhaps failed what two, three missions at the most? While we tend to expect the best from our soldiers it would be graven of me to say they are always able to perform to standards. You three aren't the best in the Systems Alliance. No, you three are not the best in the Alliance Marine Corps, N7 or otherwise. What you are however, are unique in your backgrounds, your psychological evaluations and the observations we've conducted during your time aboard the Seattle. You may not be the best, but you are the best in what we need you to do, and what we want you to do, is to teach."

Ward could feel the confusion rolling off of his comrades, which was about even with his own level of discomfort towards the situation.

"Sir, permission to speak?" Jason was the first to ask.

"Lieutenant?" Hackett's unchanging eyes bored into Pitcairn's skull, challenging him to say something trite about the subject.

"Right, well I don't mean any disrespect sir, but… teaching? We're good at blowing up s-stuff and shooting the enemy but I don't think Ward is going to be too much help teaching differential Calculus or Abby helping kids with Turian dialects or myself educating students on the cosmos. It's not in our job title. We're the "blow stuff up and kill bad guys" people, not the "Teach prep students about English" people." Jason finished, trying to inject humor into a long and drawn out question for the Admiral.

HAX looked disappointed in Jason already, Woolf was openly grinning, Mifune looked about ready to enact naval discipline on Lieutenant Pitcairn. The Admiral himself remained quiet, save for the small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"No Lieutenant, allow me to reassure you that your mission won't be reliant upon academic teaching. I'll allow the honorable doctor a chance to speak."

HAX- Doctor Augustine stood up and began to pace back and forth in the space in front of the N7's. Despite her age (Well into her 60's if Ward remembered correctly) Dr. Augustine was a trim, energetic figure. This was not a woman who allowed her sedentary job to weigh her down. Ward estimated she did at least twenty hours of calisthenics and cardio exercises a week.

"N7's of the Alliance, allow me to move past the smoke and mirrors and get straight to the heart of the matter." Her voice was crisp and clear, an English diction so correct in sound that it could have passed for such if Ward hadn't have known better. "During the Skyllian Blitz our Resources were scattered and disorganized. The Hegemony forged a band of Terminus Criminals together in record speed and then set them upon the Verge, giving them the framework for a multiyear conflict that left our blundering fleets incapable of instantly pursuing them and bringing them to a heel. Our forces, in a state of discord could not assist. Our people, on Earth and abroad were ambivalent about the attacks. Our resources were displaced and poorly utilized in the efforts of aid and military action. Should the Batarians strike yet again, we will not make the same mistake. We will not allow our people to sit back and not help with the war effort, not when so much is at stake in this war."

Dr. Augustine paused for a moment to allow her words to sink in properly before continuing. She wanted to make a point that the Alliance had failed once, and its inadequacy would not be forgotten.

"In war, the culmination of talent, discipline and strategy are what separates the victors from the vanquished. Asari Commandos repelled forces hundreds of times larger than their own units with nothing more than their training and small arms. Salarian saboteurs were among the greatest assets to the Council during the Krogan rebellions, initially eliminating defense grids and supply lines while later helping to implement the Genophage. Human strategists, politicians and veterans have advocated these same tactics over millennia, their cries echoing throughout continent and civilization as verses of the same song. If we are to be prepared for the Hegemony, then we will require nothing but the best of the best."

Ward glanced over to his comrades. Jason was focusing on Helena as if she were the last thing in the whole world, which made very little sense given Jason's priorities: Jason didn't care about history or strategy. He was a frontline soldier with a hawk's eye and a bear's arm. If Woolf were talking, Jason might be that genuinely transfixed. Since it was Augustine, he suspected Jason was willing himself to remain awake and focused through Dr. Augustine's not straightforward and not clear lecture.

Abby was patiently watching Dr. Augustine, as if analyzing every aspect of the noted administrator. That, Ward thought, was not at all surprising. Abby had always been one to map out a situation first before making a decision as opposed to Jason who was nothing but gut reactions and reflexes.

Dr. Augustine prattled on about the merits of military training and past victories for what seemed like ten minutes before finally ambling onto her point. "… Which is why I need the three of you to travel to the Jon Grissom Academy. Questions?"

Abby's hand shot up instinctively, and was rewarded with a curt nod from Dr. Augustine. "May I recap your words to create a coherent picture for my teammates?" Woolf's grin consumed his face, while Augustine eyed Abby coolly. "Certainly my dear."

Abby turned her head to face Ward and Jason. "Dr. Augustine has proposed that we travel to Grissom Academy to teach their students basic military education while evaluating their top students."

Ward wheeled around to face the Doctor immediately. "When was that postulated Doctor?! Did I miss a memo? Because the Alliance is not the Sons of Anhur. We do not raise child soldiers to fight our wars! A historian such as yourself should understand as much!"

Dr. Augustine gave him that condescending look that transmitted how she clearly felt about his moral views on the subject. "The average age of the students at Grissom is 16. The senior students vary from late teens to mid-twenties depending on age enrolled and course of study taken. Even if you discount age from the matter, these aren't Congolese Child Conscripts Lieutenant; Grissom is a Military school, first and foremost. It may be the preeminent college prepatory institution in the Systems Alliance, but it has and always will remain a fixture of the Alliance Navy. All students are required to serve a four year term prior to graduation, a soft substitute to the hundreds of thousands of credit they would pay for nearly a decade's worth of education and living expenses. Most of the students are put either in leadership positions in safe zones or are sent to minor details around the Sol system. Only the handful that request frontline or dangerous missions are granted such. The academy has served its base function admirably, and now we shall see if it has served its higher purpose: Has our net caught the prized catches we seek?"

The solider in Ward knew that Augustine was perfectly correct, and that he had undergone a similar ordeal for his training into the N7 division. The human in Ward wanted to punch this woman, who treated children as pawns across a board game. They were disposable, so long as they got the job done. Mifune had never spoken of their dispensability, and had always been adamant about extracting them from hot zones or getting them out of hot zones at the cost of missions.

"The Academy has a population of roughly 8,000 students. You will not focus on all of them. You will not focus on the top 10% of the student body. You will focus on less that 1% of the student body, around thirty to forty students that have been analyzed for proficiency at arms, biotic potential and technological aptitude. You will do more than be their teachers: You will blend in with them, become their friends and confidants. You will become more than simply instructors to these students: You will become trusted allies. Those that pass military aptitude tests will be passed as students and sent to group training with you three. That will begin their military service with the Systems Alliance. You will train until the Hegemony attacks, in which you will be redeployed as your own unit."

"Thank you Doctor Augustine, you are dismissed. My marines will escort you back to Grissom academy while I give the debriefing." Hackett's voice cut through HAX's grand gesturing.

She gave a small bow to the Admiral and walked towards the exit, smirking at the Marines as she left.

As the door closed, Lieutenant-Colonel Mifune moved to the sideboard and poured herself a drink. "Whisky Sour, Lee?"

"Good memory Kora. Care for a drink, Admiral? I'm not the only one who needs to have a bitter taste washed from my mouth." The Captain drawled from his seat on the couch.

"I'm fine Kora." Admiral Hackett moved towards the Marines and addressed them. "Mifune will address you on this detail. If you will excuse me, I need to return to Arcturus to brief the Prime Minister on our situation. Good Day N7's."

The Admiral quietly left for his shuttle on the upper docking arms of the Cruiser where his transport ship was not doubt docked. When he was gone Mifune slammed her fist into the console in fury.

"That two faced snake comes onto my ship and orders my men about then forms a retrograde plan involving adolescent soldiers? Un-fucking-believable!" Mifune raged as she brought the Captain's drink over to him."

Woolf snorted. "Augustine has always been a pit viper in society clothes. She's a cold hearted devil yes, but that doesn't mean she is wrong about this situation. We need to be putting our resources to better usage, stopping this nonsense about independent ownership and non-involvement. Still, I thought it best you kids should know that this was the revised plan. Augustine's original documents were pretty brutal by contrast."

"How exactly does one get more brutal than recruiting minors into frontline special forces units, sir?" Abby asked.

"By launching a preemptive strike on the Kite's Nest with four of our fleets and mandatory Systems wide military conscription. Augustine tore a page out from Salarian engagement and wanted to decimate the Hegemony before they even had a chance to pull their passive aggressive bullshit." Woolf took a long slurp of his drink before setting it down on the coffee table in front of him. "There was a whole think tank on this on Luna. Hackett, Singh, Lindholm, Anderson and over two dozen other military heavyweights were there. Augustine was brought in as a "Strategy Consultant" and began to espouse some hard line tactics that I'm pretty sure the Hegemony considered years before us. We formulated some less offensive measures, but she was fairly insistent on throwing her Academy into the fire."

"Why would she want to put her students in that kind of situation? Isn't that a little…?

"Contrary? Not to a woman like Augustine. She cares about her students, to the end that they provide for her family's legacy, which ends with herself. She's gambling upon your lives to make her look better."

"So why haven't you scrapped her yet and gone with more conventional methods?" Abby was on a roll.

"Well it's a double edged sword. We've looked at some of these profiles, and if we just let them go they will vanish into the woodwork. Either they are under the care of the Academy itself, or they have benefactors on Earth or other safe havens that will take them when the war starts. If we don't condition these kids, we will never get them back. L4 and L5 potential Biotics, Hackers with Salarian levels of intelligence, every prospect there would be perfect for the kinds of combat this war will be built on. Since Grissom falls under her jurisdiction, and with her connections in Parliament, on Elysium, and in the Navy we can't just snap her fingers and make her bare her neck."

"Pitcairn, Thompson, Callais would any of you like something to drink?" Mifune offered.

Mifune never offered drinks; Ward felt like he knew what the next step in this was. "I'll have a glass of the 18 year Scotch."

Abby shot him a glance. "I'll have a gin and tonic."

Jason shot both a glance, still not getting the picture. "Well, when do we ship out? When does this go into effect?"

Mifune turned back to him slowly. "After we are finished here, you will go to your rooms and each pack your footlockers worth of gear. You will collect dossiers on the students and then depart for the hanger bay, where you shuttle will be waiting. Now, what will you be having?"

Jason nodded slowly, but not thickly. "We have any Molson's left?"

Mifune grabbed a bottle and tossed it to Jason, which he caught deftly. "Drink up, the clock's winding down, and it's a long flight."

Now we are getting the ball rolling! I know there is a lot of exposition here, so bear with me. The whole point is to try and fill in any canon I have changed from the game without making it a slog. Basically put, everything you love small detail wise about Mass Effect is still there. The bigger story elements have been changed to accomodate this particular scenario, but for now just sit back and let me try to fill in some of the blanks.

Now, for everyone who thinks this isn't very fun or is too heavy so far, just wait for the next chapter. These first two bits were merely to set the stage for the rest of the story, which is a bit of a high school AU trope but subverted because why not? There are no major characters from the Mass Effect games here. Jack isn't a teacher, Kahlee Sanders isn't here, there are no references to anything like that. You might get some down the road, but for the moment have fun with the idea of nothing but OC's, well rounded and with pros and cons, all around.

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments please feel free to drop me a line or write a quick review. I will always try to reply if you post a review or send a PM.

Also, if you haven't you should be reading IBayne's terrific Galaxy at War: N7 fiction, which is what inspired this. That cat can write something fierce, so go read his sprawling, action packed fiction. :D

Until next time readers. Blue-Jaye, out.