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Chapter I: Attack on Eden Prime

Normandy SR-1

2183.12.7- 04:00:00 GST

Meanwhile, Alex was with Joker and Kaidan at the pilot's seat. Joker grunted to himself. "I'm just telling you Lieutenant. I don't trust the reasoning the captain gave us. Why is there a Turian Spectre on the ship? It smells fishy."

\Kaidan Alenko, who was in the seat alongside Joker, rolled his eyes at the man. "I'm pretty sure that the Nihlus is on the ship for a good reason Joker. The Normandy was built in conjunction with the Turian Hierarchy. They have a right to be here as much as we do. I'm sure it is to make sure the discovery goes well.."

Joker scoffed at the man beside him. "Ok then what about the fact that we have traveled all the way out here in the middle of nowhere. We're apparently out here to test the stealth system. I don't buy that. Seems like something is up."

Kaidan let out an exasperated sigh. "You are always so suspicious Joker. I trust the captain is being honest with us."

Joker then eyed Alex with a suspicious look. "What do you think of all this Commander?"

Alex sighed to himself and rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. Classic Joker. Alex then eyed the bearded man with an annoyed look. "What I think…is that you two should focus on your duties. The Normandy is not going to pilot itself.""

Joker felt his blood run cold. Shivers went down his spine. Yup. That was a stupid move. Nice going there Jeff. "U-Understood sir! On it!" He then got back to surveying the pilot's panel. Kaidan also stiffened and gave a salute while sitting in his chair. "Y-Yes sir!" Alex then put his hands behind his back with a cold nod. "Good. I want updates on any anomalies or issues up here." He then turned his back to the two men. He then closed his eyes trying to reign in his temper. In and out. In and out. Damn it all. Much as Joker's constant comments irritate me…he does have a point. A turian Spectre on board. Anderson has definitely been more tight lipped than usual. I can tell when he is hiding things from me.

Just then, Anderson's voice came out of Shepard's communicator. Shepard, I need you in the comm room immediately!

Shepard let out a relieved sigh. Finally, a distraction. Maybe I'll get some answers. I'll be right down Captain! With that, Shepard walked off towards the communication room.

As he did…he came face to face with Corporal Richard L. Jenkins. and Dr. Karin Chakwas. Richard was excitedly recounting to Karin about his desire for combat. "I'm just saying Dr. Chakwas. It's been so dull. I'm looking for some real action you know?" The brunette doctor just slightly smirked, "With all do respect Corporal. Your "real action" ends up in more work for me. Do you know how many soldiers I've had to patch up?" Jenkins just stared on and groaned, "Oh come on Doctor. I want to get a medal. Be a war hero." She then sighed and put a hand on his shoulder, "You're young Jenkins. You have a long life ahead of you. Don't throw it away." Alexander then turned to Corporal Jenkins with a hard yet sad look, "She's right Corporal. Best you go into the situation level-headed. No need to be reckless." Corporal Jenkins then scoffed as he narrowed his blue eyes at the older man. "Says the man who earned a Medal of Bravery for defending the Akuze Colony from the thresher maw attack. You've already had your moment." Dr. Chakwas turned to Shepard with a worried look. Alexander Shepard was a remarkably kind and open hearted man…and an even better friend once he let you into his world. The problem was that he hid away from anyone that desired to get close to him. The man was a career military man..same as his family. He always believed in staying alone. She then turned to Cpl. Jenkins. "Richard…Don't…just…" Alexander's face then suddenly went cold as he marched up to his subordinate. Richard suddenly felt all his false bravado leave his body as he began to shiver under his dress uniform "Do you want to know how I earned that medal?" Richard said nothing as sweat rolled down his chin, "The men under my command died! One of my best friends died! The only reason I survived…was because I was lucky! I didn't fight some big thresher maw! I just survived!" He then walked off without another word.

Richard just stood there stunned as he turned to Dr. Chakwas.

She just rested a hand against her face. "I warned you."

Communication Room- Normandy SR-1

2183.12.7- 04:00:00 GST

As Alex Shepard walked into the comm room, he saw no sight of Captain Anderson. Alex raised an eyebrow in confusion. "That is strange." "I thought he'd be here by now." Then he caught sight of Nihlus.

The Turian Spectre turned towards him for a moment. His mandibles twitched in surprise. "Ah Shepard! Glad you are here! We have some things to discuss."

Alex raised an eyebrow at the Turian Spectre, his voice suspicious "What do you mean?" The mandibles in Nihlus's face went cold. "What do you know about Eden Prime Commander?"

Alex gave the turian a confused look. "The colony of Eden Prime?" He shook his head for a moment. "All I know is that it's a small human colony on the edge of the Terminus Systems. It's a very peaceful place. It's supposed to be a paradise."

Nihlus gave the human soldier a nod. Nihlus nodded, "Yes. Paradise. Proof humanity can establish colonies into the far reaches of space and protect them." He then shook his head, "I hope your people know what they are doing Shepard. The galaxy is a dangerous place and your people are still newcomers to galactic politics."

Alex glared as was about to respond when Captain Anderson then walked into the room. "I think it's time we told the Commander what is really going on."

Alex's eyes darted between both Nihlus and Anderson. There was a tinge of frustration in his tone. " I knew it. Something is amiss. What is going on here Captain?" "This seems to be a lot more that just a mission to test the stealth system." \

Captain Anderson gave Shepard an affirmative nod. "You are right Commander."

Nihlus then spoke, "We are on a mission to Eden received intel that the colonists there have unearthed a Prothean beacon."

Alex Shepard's eyes widened in awe. "The Protheans." His hands started to shake and shiver. " I know were a machinist race that existed 50 thousand years ago. It is said in the history books they had one of the largest galactic empires in the they just disappeared. "

Nihlus stared at Alex in awe. "I didn't expect you to know of them."

Alex crossed his arms at the turian and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm more than just a special forces operative." "I earned two degrees in xenobiology and xenolinguistics while I joined up with the Alliance military." He let out a frustrated sigh. "The class I had on Prothean history wasn't a long one."

Captain Anderson gave Nihlus a wide grin. "I told you he's the real deal!" "He'll make an excellent Spectre if he's given the right training." Alex shot Captain Anderson a surprised look. "Spectre? What's going on Captain?"

Captain Anderson turned towards Alex and put a hand on his shoulder. "Alex, there is another reason Nihlus is here."

\Nihlus crossed his arms and continued, "Commander Shepard, you have been selected by both Ambassador Udina and the Council as a candidate for becoming the first human Spectre."

Alex looked at both wide-eyed. "You're selecting me to be the first Human Spectre?" "When was all this planned?" Alex could feel his hands begin to tremble. Me. A Spectre? Captain Anderson smiled warmly at Alex and continued, "Alex listen to me. Humanity has been gunning for more recognition from the Council for years now. Think of this as an opportunity to serve both humankind and the galaxy as a whole. Your candidacy in the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance Branch has the potential to show the other races that humanity can be trusted to do its part to defend the galaxy. You've always been asking for a higher calling in life. Now is the time."

Alex stared at Captain Anderson for a moment. This is big. I don't know if I can do this. But I have to try. For humankind. For my family. I know Mom wouldn't pass up an opportunity like this. Neither would Dad if he were still here. Alex eyed Captain Anderson for a moment and gave him a hard nod. "If this is what humanity needs right now….then I accept. For the Alliance." David Anderson stared at his protégé for a moment. Then the two shook hands. "Good man."

Nihlus then outstretched his forceps towards Shepard. "Well, it is going to be quite interesting seeing you in action Commander. I'm to oversee your progress. I'll be accompanying you on your missions to determine if you are ready."

Alex nodded and grasped the turian's forceps. "Looking forward to it Nihlus."

Alex then said what was on his mind. "So, I take it the reason the crew was never told this was because of secrecy." Anderson nodded at him. "Yes. The Alliance brass wanted to keep the mission hush hush."

Nihlus's mandible began to twitch. "And the Council took interest because of the beacon's location in the colony. This discovery doesn't just affect humankind. All of Citadel space is affected."

Alex nodded thoughtfully at both. I understand. Suddenly, Joker's voice came over the comm.

Captain Anderson you need to see this. It's a distress signal from Eden Prime.

Captain Anderson, along with Shepard and Nihlus both turned to one of the holoscreens. Anderson barked out, "Put it on screen."

The holoscreen started up with a whizzing sound. Then an image popped up. It showed several Alliance soldiers fighting off what seemed to be a large force of geth troops. A giant geth armature was also in the fight. It looked as if the Alliance soldiers were being overwhelmed by force. One of the soldiers, wearing white and pink armor, was trying to speak through the carnage. This is Gunnery Sergeant Ashley Williams of the 232. We are being engaged by hostile forces. We need backup! I repeat we need-. A large ball of light suddenly hit the area and the transmission was suddenly cut off.

Joker's voice came over the comm. And that's the last of the message Captain.

Captain Anderson nodded. He turned towards Shepard. "Commander, I want you to grab Corporal Jenkins and Lieutenant Alenko. Tell them to suit up. You will lead a strike team down there. Find out why the geth are attacking the colony and if possible, retrieve the beacon."

Shepard gave Anderson a salute and stated worriedly, "What about survivors sir?"

Captain Anderson sadly shook his head and stated, "Secondary objective Shepard. Save them if you can but remember we are here for that beacon."

Alex Shepherd then turned to Nihlus and asked, "What about you?"

The turian spectre chuckled under his breath and stated, "I move faster on my own. I'll scout ahead and catch up with you."

Shepard nodded back at the turian. "Noted."

Eden Prime Colony, Terminus Systems

2183.12.7- 05:00:00 GST

Alex Shepard and his squad had been combing around the colony for some time. Things were peaceful now. There were not any geth around. Shepard let out a grunt. He turned towards Jenkins and Alenko. "Don't let your guard down." "The geth could be anywhere."

Nihlus then contacted him through comms. Shepard. Looks like the geth are coming in full force. Stay alert. I'll scout ahead.

Shepard nodded and activated comms. Understood Nihlus! Be careful! They continued to walk through the colony until they spotted a group of geth troopers.

Shepard acted quickly. He ordered Jenkins and Alenko to take cover behind two large rocks. Shepard then unlocked a grenade and threw it into the group of geth.

The grenade exploded with a loud boom and scattered the geth troopers who ran off to different positions to find cover.

. Soon, Shepard and his squad found themselves pinned down by the geth troopers.

Shepard shouted to his men, "We pick them off one by one. Mind your cover."

The three men then returned fire.

Jenkins grit his teeth as an explosion came dangerously to his face. Finally some action. Time to finish this. He stood up for a moment.

Alex barked at him through his comms, "Corporal Jenkins, what do you think you are doing? Don't be a fool!"

Jenkins only laughed and shook his head. "Sorry Commander. My turn to play a hero!" He unlocked a grenade from his gear and dashed towards the scattered group of geth. He managed to throw the grenade before a bullet struck him in the head. His body slowly crumpled to the ground.

Alex's eyes opened wide in horror. "No!" "Jenkins!"

Kaidan's eyes went wide in shock. The grenade had managed to land right in the middle of the scattered geth. It exploded and massacred every single one of the troopers. The steady noise of gunfire suddenly died down.

Alex and Kaidan quickly ran to Jenkins's body.

Alex performed a medical scan using his omni-tool. Kaidan eyed Jenkins worriedly. "Commander, is he alive?" Shepard deactivated his omni-tool and shook his head. "No, the shot to his head killed him instantly."

Kaidan looked back at Jenkins's corpse and sighed, "Damn it!"

Alex then gave him a serious look. "Listen to me closely Lieutenant! I want no more heroics understood?"

Kaidan leveled eyes with Alex and nodded affirmatively, "Yes sir!"

Alexander then gazed at Jenkins's corpse one last time. "We will give him a proper funeral later." "We have our mission." Kaidan nodded at him, "Yes sir!"

Eden Prime Colony, Terminus Systems

2183.12.7- 05:15:00 GST

As Shepard and Lieutenant Alenko walked through the colony, they spotted a young soldier running from a couple geth platforms and some geth troopers. They were firing at her like crazy and she was running for her life. She managed to find some cover behind a large rock.

Alex gave Kaidan a quick nod. "Lieutenant, you go down here and draw their attention. Use your biotics. Then, find some cover. 'll pick them off with my sniper rifle." Alex unlocked the Avenger I sniper rifle from his back.

Kaidan gave the Commander an affirmative nod. "Yes sir."

Kaidan unlocked his Kessler I pistol and quickly ran to cover behind one of the large rocks. He then lifted one of the geth troopers in the air.

Alex took precise aim with his sniper rifle and blasted the trooper clear in the head. It fell to the ground with a careening thud.

Ashley then turned around from her cover and began firing at the oncoming geth. She hit one of them. The trooper's headlight went out and he fell backwards.

Alex then took out the two mobile platforms from his vantage point. The sounds of battle soon died down. Alex placed his sniper on his back where it locked in place. He quickly ran down to where Kaidan and Ashley were.

Ashley locked her Lancer I assault rifle into place.

Kaidan did the same with his Kessler I pistol.

Ashley approached the Commander and saluted. "Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams of the 232 sir. Are you the one in charge here?"

Alexander eyed her for a moment. "Are you wounded Chief?"

Ashley shook her head. "Only a few scrapes and bruises. The rest of my squad wasn't so lucky. We were trying to regroup when the geth attacked. They caught us off guard." Her voice faltered off a bit. "I-I think I'm the only one left."

Alex merely nodded at her. I had that same face when I lost my comrades at Akuze. Poor woman.

Kaidan spoke up beside him. "The geth haven't been seen outside the veil for a long time. I wonder why they are on Eden Prime."

Alex let out a grunt. "They must be here for the beacon." He then eyed Ashley for a moment. "Do you know where the scientists have the beacon? Whoever is attacking the colony is probably searching for it."

Ashley nodded, "Yes sir. It should be over the hill."

Alex gave her a nod. "I'm down one man Williams. I could use your help."

Ashley unlocked her Lancer I and gave the Commander a deadpan look. "Aye sir! It's time for payback."

Prothean Dig Site, Eden Prime Colony, Terminus Systems

2183.12.7- 06:00:00 GST

Commander Shepherd, Lieutenant Alenko, and Gunnery Sergeant Williams made their way to the dig site. However, the Prothean beacon seemed to be nowhere in sight.

Ashley let out a grunt in frustration. "Damn it!" "It was right here! The scientists must have moved it!"

Suddenly, Nihlus again contacted Shepherd through comms. Shepherd. I see a spaceport ahead. I'm going to go check it out. We'll rendezvous there.

Shepherd nodded. Understood Nihlus!

Spaceport, Eden Prime Colony, Terminus Systems

2183.12.7- 06:06:00 GST

Nihlus slowly approached the spaceport with his HWMP X at the ready. The spaceport seemed to be in flames. There seemed to be nobody in sight. Nihlus's mandibles twitched nervously. This doesn't look good. He then spotted a figure in the distance. It wasn't geth. It was a turian. Moreover, it was a turian he was awfully familiar with. Nihlus ducked out of cover and pointed the pistol at him. "Saren, is that you?"

Saren turned around and his mandibles twitched in awe. "Nihlus my friend! I was hoping to find you here!"

Nihlus shook his head at his longtime friend and comrade. He set his pistol down and let it lock in its holster. "What are you doing here Saren? This isn't your mission."

The other Spectre rested his forceps on his shoulder. "The Council thought you might need some help on this one."

Nihlus's mandibles twitched nervously. "I see." He then turned his back to Saren. "This isn't good. The geth are here. We need to warn the Council!"

Saren turned around with a pistol aimed at Nihlus's head. "Don't worry old friend! I have it under control!"

Saren then shot him in the head.

Nihlus fell to the ground in an instant. Saren looked over his friend's corpse. "I'm sorry old friend. But I can't leave witnesses."

Two geth troopers approached him. He turned to them. "We must move towards the ruin."

He then got on the subway train with the two geth troopers. Little did Saren know that a deck worker had been watching him from afar.

Spaceport, Eden Prime Colony, Terminus Systems

2183.12.7- 07:00:00 GST

Shepard and his squad had finally made it to the spaceport after freeing a scientist and her assistant who were hiding from the geth.

Kaidan was the first to spot Nihlus's dead body. "Commander! It's Nihlus!"

Alex ran to where Nihlus had been killed. He quickly perfomed a med-scan. Damn it! He's dead! How the hell did this happen? He then saw Kaidan's eyes were on him. "How is he sir?"

Alexander let out a frustrated sigh. "He's dead Lieutenant. Someone shot him in the head."

Kaidan's face suddenly went white. No. The three of them were then alerted to the dock worker's presence. They each pointed their guns at him.

The dock worker raised his hands in surrender. "W-Wait! Please don't kill me! I-I know what happened."

The three of them then holstered their pistols and locked them.

Alexander spoke with a serious tone, "You almost died sneaking up on us like that."

The Alliance dockworker nodded ruefully. "Y-Yes I know."

Kaidan let out a sigh and stated, "What happened to Nihlus?"

The dockworker stammered out, "T-The one named Saren. He greeted your turian friend as if they were old pals. He called himself a fellow Spectre. When your friend turned his back on him, he shot Nihlus in the back of the head."

Alexander's eyes widened in horror. Nihlus was killed by a fellow Spectre named Saren. That means he's working with the geth! He's gone rogue! He then shot the dockworker a serious look. "Where did this Saren go after he shot Nihlus?"

The Alliance dockworker continued, "He and some of those geth took a trip on the subway system. "He said he wanted to find the beacon and blow the colony to pieces! You can follow him by taking the tram!"

Alexander nodded at the traumatized man. "Thank you! Get out of here while you still can!"

The man then ran off.

Alexander turned to Ashley and Kaidan. "On the double! Let's go!"

The two merely nodded at him and followed him to the tram system.

Prothean Ruin Site, Eden Prime Colony, Terminus Systems

2183.12.7- 07:10:00 GST

Saren had just gotten done obtaining the information from the Prothean beacon. He then turned to the geth behind him. "Set the charges and blow this place sky-high. We can't leave evidence that we were here." The two geth troopers nodded at him.

Prothean Ruin Site, Eden Prime Colony, Terminus Systems

2183.12.7- 08:00:00 GST

Using his years of experience, Alexander Shepherd led his squad through the army of geth that tried to stop them from defusing the bombs they had planted in order to destroy the colony. Shepherd was aiming through his Avenger I and finally sniped the last trooper. It made a dying noise and fell to the ground.

Ashley and Kaidan came up from behind him.

She spoke up with alarm. "We got the last of them Commander. But we need to deal with the bombs."

Shepard gave both a curt nod. "You two go through bomb defusal training?"

Both Ashley and Kaidan nodded affirmatively at him.

Alex then disengaged the seals on his N7 helmet and took it off, shaking his wavy hair from side to side. He then stared at both of them, "Let's fan out and defuse them. On the double!"

They saluted back, "Yes sir!"

Prothean Beacon Site, Eden Prime Colony, Terminus Systems

2183.12.7- 08:30:00 AM GST

Commander Shepard, Lieutenant Alenko and Gunnery Sergeant Williams managed to find all the bombs in time and defuse them. Ashley and Kaidan both disengaged the locks on their helmet and took in a deep breath. Kaidan spoke up. "We saved the colony! Thank God!"

Alexander and Ashley only nodded at him. Alex cast a downcast look on the ground. We lost Nihlus and Jenkins. This is going to be one hell of a political shitstorm.

Ashley, meanwhile, had her eyes drawn towards the tall Prothean beacon on the site. As she continued to walk towards it, a faint green energy began to lift her into the air.

Alexander realized what was happening and practically forced her out of the way.

Kaidan then helped Ashley regain her footing. They watched as the green energy field enveloped Shepard's whole body.

Ashley tried to run out to save him. "Shepard!"

Kaidan held her back. "Don't! It's too dangerous!"

In an instant, the beacon imprinted all its remaining information into Shepard's mind. Then the beacon exploded in a mass of green flames.

Alex then collapsed to the ground.

Both Ashley and Kaidan's eyes widened in horror. They rushed over to him. Ashley kept trying to rouse him. "Shepard!" "Can you hear me?" "Shepard!"

Alexander wasn't responding to her attempts. Kaidan stared at Shepard's seemingly lifeless body and activated his comms. Normandy. This is Lt. Alenko. We require evacuation immediately. Cmdr. Shepard is non-responsive! I repeat. Cmdr. Shepard is non-responsive!

Chapter III coming soon!

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