30th March 2156

Shanxi, General William's office

"Looks like we arrived late for the party. At least Shanxi is secured thanks to you general." Admiral Kastanie Drencher said to general Williams.

"Much appreciated ma'am. But still, from what I've heard, the brass still needs the fleets here.

I don't know why, but scuttlebutt says that a show of force can beat the last fight out of the council. I know I would piss my pants if I saw 200 ships looming over me, threatening to pound me into dust."

Williams humoured, earning a snort from Drencher.

"Well, at least we will look this Citadel up close. I heard the CISP infiltrated the Citadel and even their home planets. If the show of force fails, they capture their leaders and all is well." Drencher added.

"One thing that is bugging me however. How could the council be so stupid to just throw away lives like this? Didn't they think that the reports of their spies were too good to be true? Don't they even give it some thought before they act? Are they so arrogant? I just find it unbelievable."

Williams asked.

"They probably have years to fight large scale wars or they only fought against inferior opponents. Anyway, a win for us."

Drencher concluded.

"I would give my wage of the year to see their faces when they see the ACUTE looming over them. If we gonna show force, we gotta do it right."

Williams stated.

"Don't worry. If that's the case, I will find someone to record it on tape, we could use a good laugh." Drencher joked.

They both laughed at this.

Arcturus station, LOCATION REDACTED

The directors were discussing the results of the conflict and trying to figure out their next move. They found the council too arrogant to immediately make a peace offer, so they got over the data captain Shepard collected on the Citadel:

"So, from what I can understand here, the asari are the diplomats, the salarians the scientists and the turians are assholes..."

No one laughed at MacLeod's remark.

"..the main military force of the Citadel council. They also have a bunch of other client species, like the volus that are the main economic advisors. They also have elcor, hanar, drell and also our new best friends, the batarians. It also says something about krogan, vorcha and quarians here that I don't really understand." MacLeod finished.

"From what cell Ouroboros gathered, the krogan, native to Tuchanka, were once in the role of the turians. They were uplifted by the salarians about two millenia ago to fight against an insect race called the rachni. They eventually succeeded, but the krogan later revolted against their masters, who found the turians and eventually deployed a bioweapon called genophage, which sterilised them."

"Shit, some reward don't you think? But what's bugging me is why the krogan revolted." MacLeod said.

"Apparently, uplifting a warlike and culturally immature species is like giving a nuke to a child. While the krogan were successful at destroying the rachni in what is called the rachni wars, conflict was, and still is the only thing they know, so they started demanding more and more rewards for their help. The council refused and led to the krogan rebellions. With the bulk of their military against them, lo and behold they find the turians, who eventually beat the krogan, using the genophage, which affects their fertility rates. Only 0.1 percent survive birth because of it. It did stop the rebellions however and the turians got their seat on the council. Now they are the main military muscle." Director Omega explained.

"From what I understand, the rachni are the reason the Citadel banned the opening of mass relays. The reason of the AI ban however is because of the quarians."

Director DeWalt added.

"Ah yes, the quarians. A very interesting case indeed. They created a networked AI called Geth for menial tasks, then improved it to a level it became sentient. The quarians panic, they try to shut them down and the geth kill the quarians, leaving only a few million survivors.

Said survivors live in an assortment of spaceships, the migrant fleet, for about 300 years. The council refused them help, blaming them for being careless with the geth, then closed the quaria embassy and left them hanging..."

Director Espinoza huffed before continuing:

"...these conditions make the quarians skilled mechanics and engineers. But their weakened immune systems make them unable to settle other worlds except their homeworld, Rannoch. They are also dextro amino organics, like the turians. We could find allies to them if we play our cards right." Espinoza finished.

"I can arrange to terraform a moon into a quarian friendly word. Just say the word."

Director Ivanov offered:

"Only if they come to us. I find it doubtful they will come anytime soon, because of their hatred for AI's." Director DeWalt warned:

"What about the vorcha then? What is their role?" MacLeod asked.

"Short lived, aggressive, used mostly at mercenary bands. Not much known for the time being. Another issue is the terminus systems. A breeding ground for corruption and crime. Filled with the scummiest bunch. Pirates, slavers, batarians most of them, mercenaries, gangs and drug dealers. The only thing keeping them in line is Aria T'Loak, known as the pirate queen of Omega. I'll tell my boys to make a favourable deal with her."

Espinoza said.

"So, that leaves our coming negotiation with the Citadel council then, right? Because I want to see them piss their pants for what they did. I suppose the ACUTE would be most successful, don't you think?" MacLeod asked.

"Those in favour of sending the ACUTE along with admiral Drencher's fleets as a show of force for the coming negotiations

with the Citadel, raise you hands." DeWalt announced.

Everyone raised their hands.

"It is settled then. The negotiations will occur in 18th April. The ACUTE ubernoughts will make them more favourable to us. Anita Goyle will be humanity's ambassador should the negotiations succeed. Should the council try to make us a client state, we refuse.

If they refuse the peace offer, which I highly doubt they will, we close the borders and if the council tries something funny again, CISP will kidnap their leaders, both Citadel and species leadership. This meeting is adjourned."

DeWalt announced.

The directors took their leave, except Yuriko:

"Director Espinoza, a minute of your time please?" she called.

Espinoza listened and came, intrigued by what Yuriko had to say:

"Director Omega, what do you need me for?" he asked, straight to the point.

"Who was the CISP operator who captured fleet admiral Marthus and saved one of my acolytes?" Yuriko asked.

"Ah, that was captain Sebastian Shepard, one of the best. Why?" Espinoza said.

"I just want to thank him personally. Saving my acolytes, especially if a non psychic does the saving, deserves my personal gratitude. Can you call him to my office so I can talk with him?" Yuriko asked again.

Espinoza was slightly confused. This wasn't part of Yuriko's casual behavioural pattern. Espinoza always wanted to know how the others though and acted, Yuriko included. But this was something he never witnessed, the Director of science thanking a CISP operator. Maybe she wanted to get information out of him? Maybe she was truthful? What was her angle? Ultimately, Espinoza said:

"Okay, but he will wear anti MC headgear. If it comes out, I will know. Don't forget, I have eyes and ears everywhere."

Espinoza warned as he left.

Yuriko only smiled, half devilishly, half truly making Espinoza even more suspicious.

"Don't worry, nothing bad will happen to him. You have my word." Yuriko promised.

A few hours later, captain was in front of Director Yuriko's office. Still dressed in his battle gear, without his weapons except his ballistic knife and his old 8 shooter revolver. A 1987 Ruger Redhawk .357, while considered outdated and obsolete, it was family heirloom. It passed a total of 6 owners, family members including Shepard's mother and grandfather. Now, Sebastian Shepard was the proud owner of this old fashioned gun. While it looked ancient, he kept it up to date by upgrading the frame, the sights, the barrel and the ammo. Now, his gun was capable of penetrating the front plate of a tesla trooper and even some of the most advanced personal shielding devices with just one shot. Recoil was still a bitch though. Shaking his head to these old memories, Shepard knocked the door:

"Come in captain." ordered a female voice from inside.

Shepard opened the door and saw Director Yuriko Omega, hands behind her back, watching the empty space through her office's large window behind her desk.

"Director Omega, my boss said you wanted to see me." Shepard stated.

Yuriko turned to his direction and answered:

"It's true. I wanted to personally thank you for saving one of my acolytes. If you ever need some help I can provide, it's yours."

"Okay, thanks I guess, but I doubt you would call me to your office just for this."

Shepard stated again.

"Perceptive of you Shepard. And yes, I want you answer my question. What is your take to this whole alien situation?" Yuriko asked.

"To be honest, I prefer to leave the thinking to my superiors. I am just the guy who gets shit done. But, from this whole alien existence debacle, all I can expect is that we gotta make a good impression. For that, we need a poster boy or girl. Someone who gets shit done and looks good when doing so." Shepard answered, after a bit of thought.

"With one word captain Shepard, a hero. You know anyone who fits the profile?"

Yuriko asked.

Shepard was trying to remember soldiers who could fit the criteria. His name was well known in the ranks and yes he knew people. But only few names came to his mind that fit the profile and only one was alive:

"I know someone who may fit, lieutenant David Anderson. He is a promising candidate for the hunter division and one dangerous bastard, but he is also diplomatic and knows how to talk himself out of trouble. He could be the guy for the job. I don't know his current whereabouts, hunter training as you understand, but he was in Shanxi, survived against a platoon of turians alone, killing them all."

"Hmm, I see we think along in similar lines. I knew about Anderson, but I'm more focused for a future hero. As you are aware, the Reapers are coming and my estimations say they will come in about 30 years from know. Anderson will be a bit old that time, which makes him more suitable as a tutor for the hero I am thinking about." Yuriko said.

"Wait, what you needed my input for if you already know about Anderson? I'm not exactly a talent scout or whatever, I'm a CISP operator. My job is to spy, recon, sabotage, capture and eliminate. Like I said before, I prefer to keep things simple. So, will you please tell me what's going on?" Shepard asked, his patience thinning out.

Yuriko smiled at Shepard. It was a predatory smile, like she just saw a piece of fresh meat, something that made Shepard slightly nervous. His fingers started to inch towards his pistol's grip as Yuriko was walking closer to him:

"What's going on captain Shepard is that I found the perfect candidate. Someone who shares your name and military history, the tutoring that Anderson will provide and my powers. It is something you will help me provide for the fate of the galaxy." Yuriko said with an authoritative voice, slightly hovering almost a head higher than Shepard.

Shepard was a bit confused, until it hit him:

"Wait, you don't mean..." he stammered as he backed down, his eyes wide.

"Yes I do. I thought really hard about it and this is the most viable solution. Your military history and name, my powers and Anderson's tutoring will provide the galaxy with the hero we all need, not just for humanity, but the whole galaxy." Yuriko said, her voice serious.

Shepard was shocked still for a bit. Then he started laughing like this was just a joke. Seeing Yuriko's expression made him pause however:

"Oh my god you're serious." He stated as matter of fact.

Yuriko only nodded.

"Shit. I don't know what to think..." he started, just to be silenced by Yuriko pressing her index finger on lips:

"You said you prefer to leave the thinking to others. So, do your job and act."

she said. Then, Yuriko smiled again and continued:

"And who knows, you will probably enjoy it too. Am I not right captain?" Yuriko said, moving at a seductive manner.

Shepard was at loss. Almost 2 decades at the CISP, many infiltrations and assassinations, capturing a high ranking turian admiral and here he was, stuttering at the sight of a female. While beautiful, Yuriko still was about 200 years old, despite her treatments. Saying it was awkward would be understatement of the century. Finally, he relented and said:

"What the hell, we only live once. So where do we start?" he asked nonchalantly.

Yuriko smiled and pulled him with her powers on her desk, pining him down. She then kissed him like there was no tomorrow. While he resisted for some time, he just accepted it knowing there wasn't much he could do against the most powerful psychic:

"Woah, that was awesome! A bit creepy, but awesome. Little problem though, this suit takes some time to remove and..."

Shepard didn't manage to finish as Yuriko used her powers to disassemble his suit in mere seconds. The parts floated for a bit and then fell, leaving Shepard only with his underwear:

"That's practical. Can you put them back on again when we're done?" Shepard asked, his mouth formed a shit eating grin.

"Later, later, we are busy now." Yuriko stopped him.

"I can't really complain. More pleasant than dodging bullets and planting explosives. But more dangerous." Shepard quipped.

"Aww, are you afraid of me young one? Don't you want to play with me?" Yuriko teased playfully.

"Actually, I am more afraid for you dear. A trained assassin versus a pencil pusher. I must be careful not to hurt you ma'am..."

Shepard was again interrupted by Yuriko, who pushed him against the glass wall. She said with a smirk:

"Don't worry dear. This lady can handle a bit of roughness. Now, please remove my clothes." Yuriko ordered, pining him on the wall.

"Now that's just unfair. You have psychic powers, political power and persuasiveness. You managed to make me want to follow your orders without using any of your abilities." Shepard quipped.

"And what managed to make you follow my commands captain?" Yuriko asked, as playfully as ever.

"My desire to see this toned, curved body of yours of course." Shepard made his crass remark, earning him a slight slap on the cheek by Yuriko and being pinned on the ceiling this time.

"My, my, I have to teach you some manners young one." Yuriko said.

"You serious? You forgot that you ordered me to do it? You also ripped of my armor, pushed me against the floor, then the wall and now the ceiling..." Shepard smirked and continued:

"...have you no shame director?" he finished.

Yuriko cackled at that remark:

"No I don't. Now tear out my clothes slave." she ordered again.

"If you insist my lady..." Shepard remarked.

AN

And that's how my Shepard will come to life. Still don't know how to name him. Any ideas?