Mass Effect Chronicles: Book I: The Saren Chronicles

By FeaganofLegends

This a re-write of my old Mass Effect fanfic. Decided to give this another shot! Let me know what y'all think!

Story Legend:

Locations and Time Stamps- Bold and Underlined

Characters' Thoughts- Italics

Actions- Normal Text

"Dialogue"- Normal text in parenthesis

Communications- Bold and Italicized

Prologue: Humanity's Hope

2183.12.6- 09:00:00 GST

Human Embassy- Presidium, Citadel

It was a quiet day in the Presidium. It had been a long day for Donnel Udina. He was the human ambassador on the Citadel. He put his arms behind his back. When he had first heard of the Spectres, Donnel had to admit he was initially not a big fan of them. They were widely known as the "right hand of the Council". Udina didn't hold the Council in high regard since he felt they underestimated humanity's potential. However, he couldn't get over the idea of how it would benefit both him and humanity if a human were to become a Spectre. Spectres were essentially solo mercenaries that could complete missions at any cost. They didn't answer to the Systems Alliance, Turian Hierarchy, Asari Republics, or any other Council race for that matter. The only ones who could possibly reign them in were the representatives of the Council themselves. Donnel Udina, for his part, was an ambitious man. He had grand ambitions for expanding humanity's place amongst the other races in the galaxy. What I wouldn't give for us to have a spot on the Council. Donnel knew that idea was a farfetched one, however. The good news is that he had managed to get the Council's approval to select a potential candidate for a human Spectre.

The ambassador grinned widely to himself. Humanity would be one step ahead of the elcor, hanar, quarian, and volus races. That would help put a smile on my face. The man grinned to himself. Now to finally select a candidate.

Captain David Anderson of the Normandy SR-1 stood across from him. The veteran soldier had offered to help the human ambassador pick a candidate. He stood there with his steaming cup of coffee in hand. "So, Ambassador. What do you think of the candidates so far?"

Udina sat in his seat and began looking through all of the candidates that he had been provided.

Many of these were candidates that both he and Anderson had already gone through and vetted beforehand. Most of them were from the Alliance military. Men and women of differing rank and status. Anderson peered in on the list as well. Most of these men were military and had experience. The issue was that they were either very green or had a questionable history.

While Udina wouldn't have minded that, he knew that the Councilors would raise a fit over that. He suddenly pointed to one file. "There's one possible candidate."Udina eyed the file Anderson pointed at. It identified a man by the name of Arnold Haas. Udina then focused his eyes on the man's profile. He was a tall man of Caucasian origin. The man had hazel-colored eyes and sported a blonde crew cut. Udina then reviewed his file. "Hmm won the Medal of Freedom for saving the Theros Colony single handedly. He almost suffered a brain hemorrhage as a result of his efforts. He's also biotic. That's a plus." He then frowned as he read through the rest. "Retired to a farm on Earth after serving only the minimum on his contract" Udina let out a grunt in frustration. That isn't what I want. I need someone with years of training and experience. He rested his hands in his face. "This is proving to be far more difficult that I had imagined it would be."

Captain Anderson then put his hands on the ambassador's desk. "I have a candidate that might interest you Ambassador."

Udina then eyed the man suspiciously. "Who did you have in mind?"

The captain cleared his throat for a moment. "My commanding officer is a man by the name of Alexander Ramon Shepard."

Udina's eyebrow rose in curiosity. "What makes Alexander Shepard worthy of becoming Spectre?"

The captain then gave him a wide grin. "He has two Masters degrees in both Xenobiology and Xenolinguistics from the University of Acedonia on Earth."

Udina gave Anderson a sly smile. So he's fluent in alien languages and biology. That helps our case. "You've got my attention Captain Anderson. Do continue." The captain smirked at him back. "Gladly. He has attained the rank of N7 and is considered one of the best soldiers in the Alliance military. You might have heard of what had happened at Akuze."

The ambassador's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, I remember. Alexander Shepard was the only survivor of the thresh maw attack." "The one that decimated his whole squad."

Anderson gave him a knowing nod. "That's right." He then pulled out a file from his dress uniform. He then handed the file to Udina. "There is more."

Udina eagerly took the file from the man's hand and began going through it. He was born to spacer parents who were Alliance military. So he's used to the military lifestyle. He enlisted in the Alliance military and later moved to Earth to pursue his degrees before returning to active duty.

Udina then looked through the rest of Shepard's file. "Well, it seems we have a candidate." "His knowledge of alien languages and biology, coupled with his military experience make him perfect for the job." He handed the file back to Anderson. "We will move forward with Shepard."

The captain nodded to the ambassador. "Understood." Anderson couldn't help but grin to himself. I can't wait to inform Alex!

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