Chapter 2: Eden Prime
Joker, Shepard, Nihlus, and Kaidan Alenko were in the cockpit going over the status of the ship after going through the mass relay. "Thrusters… check. Navigation… check. Internal emissions sink engaged. All systems online. Drift… just under 1500 K."
"1500 is good, your captain will be pleased." Nihlus stated before turning and leaving the cockpit.
"I hate that guy." Joker gave his opinion of the Turian.
"Nihlus gave you a compliment… so you hate him?" Alenko asked bewildered.
"You remember to zip up your jumpsuit on the way out of the bathroom? That's good." Joker began saying. "I just jumped us halfway across the galaxy and hit a target the size of a pinhead. So that's incredible!"
Joker paused for a moment before continuing. "Besides, Specters are trouble. I don't like having him on board. Call me paranoid."
"You're paranoid. The Council helped fund this project, they have a right to send someone to keep an eye on their investment." Kaido pointed out to the pilot.
"Yeah that is the official story, but only an idiot believes the official story." Joker said.
"Well, they don't send Spectres on shakedown runs." Shepard partially agreed with the pilot.
"So, there's more going on here than the captain's letting on." Joker said in validation of his paranoia.
As if the captain could hear him from his cabin, captain Anderson took the this time to contact him through the intercom system. "Joker! Status report."
"Just cleared the mass relay, Captain." Joker reported. "Stealth systems engaged, everything looks solid."
"Good, find a comm buoy and link us into the network. I want mission reports relayed back to Alliance brass before we reach Eden Prime." Anderson ordered.
"Aye, aye, captain, better brace yourself sir I think Nihlus is headed your way." Joker said to the captain.
"He's already here lieutenant." Anderson stated simply. "Tell Commander Shepard to meet me in the comm room for a debriefing."
"You get that, commander?' Joker asked Shepard.
"Yep, I am on my way to the comm room right now." Shepard told Joker.
Shepard walked to the comm room and saw Nihlus near the end of the room looking over a screen showing Eden Prime. "Commander Shepard, I was hoping you get here first will give us the chance to talk." He greeted getting right to the point.
"What about?"
"I'm interested in this world we are going to," Nihlus started. "I heard it is quite beautiful."
"They say it's a paradise."
"Yes, a paradise, serene, tranquil, safe, Eden Prime has become something of a symbol for your people hasn't it proof that humanity can not only establish colonies across the galaxy but also protect them, but how safe is it really?"
"Do you know something?"
"Your people are still new comers Shepard the galaxy can be a very dangerous place." Nihlus pointed out. "Is the Alliance the Alliance truly ready for this?"
Before Shepard could answer Captain Anderson came into the comm room. "I think it's about time that we told the commander what's really going on." Anderson told the specter.
"This mission is far more than a simple shakedown run." Nihlus confessed.
"I figured there was something you weren't telling us." Shepard stated.
"We're making a covert pickup on Eden Prime that's why we needed the stealth systems operational." Anderson explained to Shepard.
"There must be a reason you didn't tell me about this sir." Shepard demanded.
"This comes down from the top commander information strictly on a need to know basis," Anderson started. "A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some kind of beacon during an excavation it was Prothean."
"I thought the last Prothean died a little over 40,000 years ago." Shepard said with a hint of shock in her voice.
"Their legacy still remains, the mass relays, the citadel the ship drives, it's all based on Prothean technology." Nihlus continued from Anderson.
"This is big Shepard, the last time humanity made a discovery like this it jumped our technology forward 200 years but Eden Prime doesn't have the facilities to handle something like this we need to bring the beacon back to the Citadel for proper study."
"Obviously, this goes beyond mere human interests commander this discovery could affect every species in council space." Nihlus explained with a hint of annoyance.
"It never hurts to have a few extra hands on board." Shepard said agreeing to the help from the specter.
"The beacon's not the only reason I'm here Shepard." Nihlus told her.
"Nihlus wants to see you in action Shepard." Anderson expanded for Nihlus. "He's here to evaluate you."
"Guess that explains why I bump into him every time I turn around." She said in realization of what Nihlus is evaluating her for.
"The Alliance has been pushing for this for a long time, humanity wants a larger role in shaping interstellar policy." Anderson tells Shepard. "We want more say with the Citadel council, the specters represent the council's power and authority, if they accept a human into their ranks it shows how far the Alliance has come."
"You held off an enemy assault during the Blitz single-handed, you showed not only courage but also incredible skill that's why I put your name forward as a candidate for the specters." Nihlus explained why she was being considered.
"I assume this is good for the Alliance." Shepard stated.
"Earth needs this Shepard, were counting on you."
"I need to see your skills for myself commander, Eden Prime will be the first of several missions together." Nihlus explained the process with her.
"You will be in charge of the ground team, secure the beacon and get it onto the ship ASAP." Anderson ordered. "Nihlus will accompany you and observe the mission."
"Just give the word captain." Shepard acknowledged.
"We should be getting close to Eden Prime, you should get something to eat before we enter orbit." Anderson suggested to Shepard.
"Yes sir." Shepard responded with a salute.
She then turned to Nihlus and gave the same salute that she gave Anderson. She walked to the mess hall and grabbed some of the chow. She took a deep breath letting some of her nerves out. She ate at the table quietly doing her best to mentally prepare to be evaluated for one of the most powerful positions in the galaxy. She finished her meal and waited in the command center. "We are now entering the orbit of Eden Prime." Joker announced to the crew.
Richard Jenkins and Kato Alenko stepped behind her with Nihlus walking to her side. "Are you ready commander?" Nihlus asked her.
"As ready as I will ever be." Shepard told him.
"Good, you're more cautious than I expected of a human war hero." Nihlus condescended.
The ship landed on the landing port. The hangar door opened. Three marines arrived to greet them. "Commander Shepard, I am Sergeant Donkey of the 212, these are Private Bhatia and Gunnery Chief Williams." He indicated to each of them.
"Please to meet you Sergeant this is Lieutenant Alenko, Corporal Jenkins, and Spectre Nihlus." She introduced them to the 212.
"Spectre?" Donkey asked with a shocked voice.
"He is here to oversee the transfer of the Protean artifact to the Citadel for further study." Shepard explained simply.
"Oh." Donkey said in realization. "I take it you want that beacon on the ship right away."
"Yes sergeant." She ordered him.
"Alright people lets get a move on and get that beacon on the ship." Donkey ordered the marines moving the beacon on to the ship. "While the beacon is being boarded, is there anything that you would like to ask?"
"Yes, why isn't Gunnery Chief Williams in charge of the detail?" Shepard observed.
Donkey sighed. "Command won't say mam."
A personal or an institutional grudge. Shepard thought, she would talk with Anderson later as this could be an opportunity to recruit another member to her crew as Jenkins psych evaluations are recommending that he should be placed in light combat duty like guard or peacekeeping with the Citadel Races. "Anything that I should know about Eden Prime or the Beacon?" She asked.
"Just the local are not happy with the military presence and this was supposed to be a plot for a commercial farm and the owners want to get right to work and start planting and the other workers are scared about an alien artifact found here and the locals are farmers wanting to now more likely to support Terra Firma." He told her. "Of course it's going to be more tense as scientists from around the galaxy will be arriving to further excavate the site so the Alliance will have to compensate the land owner and the company for the land and even then the anti-alien politicians and advocates will shout about the unjust policy of sharing Prothean Artifacts with the Citadel council."
"Well the politicians will shout about anything if they think it will get them re-elected." Shepard stated.
Suddenly an alliance soldier approached the two. "Sir, the Beacon is on the Normandy ready for to be transported to Sur'Kesh."
"We will take our leave and head to Sur'Kesh." She told him.
"Yes commander." He shouted before giving her a salute.
The four then went back to the Normandy. Once they entered, she went to Anderson. "Sir is everything ready?"
"Joker is starting the ship as we speak." Anderson told her.
"Exiting atmo sir."
"Good head for the citadel." Anderson ordered.
"Aye Aye."