2186 CE / One Year After the Reaper War

Four figures stood in the soft light of the afternoon sun on a small clearing. The leaves of the trees rustled gently in the wind, and somewhere in the distance, a bird sang – a rare sound after the chaos of the past years.

Three humans and one asari were gathered in front of a simple grave. The earth was freshly disturbed, and a plain stone bore the name of the deceased. No one spoke.

One of the women stepped forward, placing a hand on the gravestone as she took a trembling breath. "We're finally home," she said softly. Her voice cracked, and she began to cry.

The others remained silent. The asari laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, while a second woman stared at the sky with glassy eyes, as if searching for answers.

The third woman said nothing. Her hands were clenched into fists, her face a mask of stoic resolve. But her eyes – her eyes were red.

The silence lingered until the sun disappeared behind the trees, and dusk began to fall.

Five Years Earlier / 2181 CE

Ellen Webber glanced around her room one last time, taking in the posters on the walls, the unmade bed, and the desk lamp that had broken years ago but still sat there. Was this all she was leaving behind?

Her eyes fell on the small travel bag resting on the floor. Shirts, socks, a model Alliance ship her father had given her, and a digital picture frame filled with photos of friends and family – that was everything she would take with her.

She hoisted the bag over her shoulder and stepped out of the room. It was time to go.

In the kitchen, her mother was waiting, leaning against the counter. Maya Webber had always been imposing in her Alliance uniform, but now she just looked like a mother trying to let her daughter go.

"So, it's time," Maya said quietly.

"Yes," Ellen replied, slipping on her jacket.

A faint smile appeared on Maya's face, only to vanish quickly. "You've grown up so much. When did that happen?"

Ellen laughed softly. "Today, I guess. But I've heard basic training will get rid of any last traces of my youthfulness."

Maya pulled her into a short hug. "Take care of yourself. Don't cause trouble. And check in regularly."

Ellen stepped back and saluted playfully, grinning. "Yes, ma'am."


On the other side of town, Norah slammed the door of her parents' house so hard the frame rattled. The argument with her father had reached its peak, and she had had enough.

"You're useless," he had yelled after her. "You'll fail out there just like you failed here!"

Her hands trembled with anger as she walked down the street, her jaw clenched tight. He would never understand her. He had never understood her. But that didn't matter. She would prove him wrong.

Without looking back, Norah boarded the bus to the spaceport. This was the beginning of a new chapter – one where she would finally be free of her past and her home.


Olivia stood in the doorway of her house, gripping the handle of her travel bag tightly. Her parents were gone, and the home felt empty, but she wasn't alone. She had her friends, and they were everything to her now.

With one last glance at the pictures on the walls, she closed the door behind her.


Lauren knelt down and hugged her siblings one last time. The three small whirlwinds clung to her as if they never wanted to let go.

"Bring us something when you come back!" Lyra, the eldest of the triplets, said.

"I promise," Lauren replied with a laugh, though her heart felt heavy.


Alex Zhao got off her brother's motorbike and pushed up her visor. "You could've driven a little faster!" she said with a grin.

"I'd rather not. Mom would kill me," Ben replied, removing his helmet and taking hers.

It was old-fashioned to ride a motorbike these days, but Ben had always been obsessed with his bike and spent most of his leave tinkering with it.

Alex hesitated for a moment. "Do you think she'll ever forgive me for this?" she asked quietly.

Ben shrugged. "Eventually. You're her only daughter, so she probably imagined you'd be the perfect wife, settle down, and give her a bunch of grandkids. But she'll come around."

Alex's jaw tightened at the word perfect. Growing up, she was supposed to be perfect at everything – the perfect ballerina, the perfect violinist, the perfect student. Meanwhile, Ben and Steve had enjoyed their childhood to the fullest.

She slung her bag over her shoulder. "Maybe I'll just marry a krogan. They're the only ones in the galaxy more stubborn than Mom."

Ben laughed. "That might even outdo your Alliance enlistment. Or maybe you'll find a nice asari and bring home blue babies."

"Are you two teasing your mother again?" Ellen called out as she approached them with a grin.

"Hey, El! We just picked me a spouse," Alex replied.

Ellen thought for a moment, then smirked. "Definitely a vorcha." She nudged Alex playfully in the ribs, and the two of them laughed.

Soon after, Olivia, Norah, and Lauren arrived.

Alex felt a nervous, restless energy in her stomach. This was it – the next, and perhaps the biggest, chapter of her life was about to begin. The others seemed to feel the same way, their usual banter subdued. Even Ben was unusually quiet as he said goodbye.

"If I'm ever in the area, I'll stop by," he promised before riding off on his bike.

"Anyone having second thoughts?" Norah asked, looking around at the group. She had always been the unofficial leader of their little circle, so it wasn't surprising that the question came from her.

"Only if you go first," Ellen said with a grin.

Lauren shook her head. "If I want to become a doctor, I don't have a choice."

Olivia and Alex both answered with a firm no.

In the distance, a gray and blue shuttle approached rapidly and landed in front of them. A soldier stepped out.

"Webber, Eli, Schulze, Krieger, Zhao?" he asked, his eyes scanning them.

They all nodded.

"Alright, get on board. Let's not waste time," he said briskly, motioning them inside.

Once seated and strapped in, the soldier signaled the pilot to take off.

For better or worse, their journey had begun.