Prologue: From Beyond All Stars

In a room of cool blue, slightly luminous metal, far removed from all things, the fate of an unknowing galaxy was in consideration. It was a calm thing, for the most part, a grand image of a galaxy floating above a great wooden table around which three people now remained. The others, the first two's Children, had come and gone, their preparations now underway. That this would be their first serious undercover operation made those preparations all the more important.

That left the third, who looked up at a galactic map separated by several jagged borders, each box within a slightly different color from the others. "So, this is our next destination, I would presume?"

"Yes." The first one spoke, his voice one used to command and leadership, the voice of a Father. "And whatever's out there willing, I intend to make it the last one."

It was silent for a moment before Father sighed, a weary thing. "Of all the places that Ka'rava could have picked to go… they just had to come back here, didn't they?"

"That's right." Mother spoke up, her voice quiet and sad as she remembered. "During the War…"

The thought trailed off, and old memories, harsh, dark things, ran through Father's mind before he shook his head slightly. The third, silent thus far, spoke up. "Every place that Ka'rava's visited thus far has been due to some resource that they want to exploit. What would they be searching for here?" she asked quietly.

"The same thing that we were here for the last time around," Father said ruefully, his words almost murmured. "A force capable of scouring galaxies."

Father returned his gaze to the third. "Now, you're here without the kids because we need to hash some things out. First things first, your powers, just like the kids', are to be kept a secret. I'm sure Ka'rava will force our hand at some point, and there's some wiggle room due to biotics being a known factor, but for the most part, you and the kids, who will be under your command in time, are simply going to be mostly regular Systems Alliance soldiers."

"And how, exactly, are we going to integrate into this Systems Alliance military without notice?" the third asked. "We've operated independently thus far to avoid this sort of situation. What strategy are we going to have to get in and stay in?"

"The simplest one." Mother replied. "Get in the conventional way, as recruits, and trust me to get you where you all need to go. This sort of subterfuge is our specialty, after all. "

The third nodded. "And what would I have to change my name to? I'm sure Nynrya sticks out rather prominently."

"We'll get there, Nynrya. We have time enough to figure that out." Father replied. "Also, one last thing to make sure we all remember. The only thing we have to conclusively identify Ka'rava by."

"Gray eyes, with slivers of blue, green, and gold," Nynrya replied, her words laced with resignation as she shook her head slightly. "I've dealt with shapeshifters before, but none of them had so little care for what their appearance could be as this one does."

"Well, even I can't tell you how long ago they threw their gender, original defining features, or original identity out into space," Father said. "They never spoke of those times before they put so much nanotech and bio-engineering into themselves."

Nynrya was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Anything else I need to be here for?"

"If all goes as it should," Father replied, "this lovely woman, who I'm quite annoyed I will not be married to in our cover stories, will ensure you and the kids will be together on Eden Prime, as part of the 232th Brigade of the 2nd Frontier Division. You'll be their squad leader."

He paused for a meaningful moment. "Keep them safe for me, alright?" Father asked quietly.

"Of course, Daniel."

Daniel nodded. "Alright. I'll let you go and sort things out. There's still some time to do some research if you want."

"And if I want to inform the Children that I'm going to do what I'm most comfortable doing?"

Daniel smiled slightly, his eyes glittering in amusement. "That's up to you. Though if you don't, I'll be waiting to see their reactions."

Nynrya smiled in turn. "I'll go and get ready. If I don't see either of you before we go in… see you around."

With that, she turned and left the now mostly silent space, her footsteps the only audible noise before she fully exited. Then, there were only two.

Daniel leaned fully on the table as he bowed his head and sighed deeply. "Oh, Ellie. I'm…" The words were again as weary as his sigh, the action crushing any further speech.

"It's okay," Ellie replied, putting a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "You're returning to the sort of place that has too many memories. Whatever else, I don't need to be your wife to support you. You aren't alone here. I promise."

Daniel took a deep breath. "And you'll catch me if I start falling." the words weren't a question, not really, even as they sought affirmation. They were a statement of truth.

"Always."

It was silent again as they both smiled, then Daniel looked up at the galactic map again, his eyes tracing lines from one cluster to the other. "Say, dear, did you ever find out what happened to Vinis?"

"Last I recall, he escaped custody and is on the run." Ellie looked up at the galaxy herself as she paused. "How much of this is going to be for him?"

"I won't let Sur'Kesh burn," Daniel said firmly. "Not this time. Not if I can help it. For him."

"And Shepard?"

Daniel smiled softly. "The greatest mystery in all this. Who is Commander Shepard going to be?"