Mass Effect: Black Ops
Udina was playing Tali's recording to the Council as Anderson and I approached. When the recording was done, all three Councilors were looking grim. Udina was looking smug. ôYou wanted proof of Saren's treachery? There it is.ö
The Councilors were looking unsettled by what Tali's recording revealed, the turian Councilor especially so. ôIndeed it is, Ambassador. The evidence is irrefutable. Saren will be stripped of his Spectre status and all efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes.ö
ôAnd I recognize the other voice with Saren, Matriarch Benezia. A powerful and influential leader among my people. A formidable ally for Saren.ö
ôI am more interested in these Reapers. What do you know about them?ö
ôOnly what was extracted from the geth's memory core. An ancient race of machines that wiped out the Protheans. Then they vanished.ö
ôThe geth believe the Reapers to be gods,ö I continued after Anderson. ôAnd Saren is their prophet. This Conduit seems to be the key to bring them back. Saren is searching for it, and is why he attacked Eden Prime.ö
ôDo you have any idea what the Conduit is?ö
ôIts function is irrelevant. The fact that Saren wants it is enough to keep it out of his hands.ö
ôWhat nonsense,ö the turian Councilor snorted. ôJust listen to yourself. Saren Arterius, one of our most celebrated Spectres is on a quest to bring back a race of mythical machines that wiped out all life fifty thousand years ago? Impossible. Where did they go, why did they go? Why have we never found a single trace of their existence? If they were real, we would have found some evidence before now.ö
Udina was starting to look angry, and it was clear to me that Captain Anderson had been expecting this, but I was not ready to give up. ôI tried to warn you about Arterius' treachery. You ignored me and look where we are now. Don't make the same mistake twice,ö I warned them.
ôThis is a different matter, Commander. You have solid, physical proof that Arterius has betrayed us. No one disputes that he is using the geth to find the Conduit, even if we don't know why. It is clear that the Reapers are a fiction that Arterius has concocted to bend the geth to his will.ö
ôSomething happened fifty thousand years ago to wipe the Protheans out. And if Arterius finds the Conduit, it will happen again, to us,ö I protested again.
ôSaren is a rogue on the run. He no longer has the rights or resources of a Spectre. He has lost that which made him dangerous.ö Once again, as usual, the turian was the first to argue.
ôThat is not good enough,ö Udina argued. ôWe know he is hiding out somewhere in the Traverse. Send your fleets in.ö
ôA fleet cannot track down a single man,ö the salarian disagreed calmly.
Udina was getting worked up now. ôA Citadel fleet could secure the whole region, prevent any further attacks on our colonies!ö
ôOr trigger a war with the Terminus Systems. We cannot afford to be drawn into a galactic conflict over a few colonies on the edge of our authority.ö
ôEvery time humanity asks for the Council's help you turn away! You complain when we provoke conflict with other species, but we only do so because you refuse to assist us when we need it!ö It was getting hard to restrain my building anger towards the Council, and it was clear that Udina was suffering the same problem. He stepped up past me to the edge of the petitioners platform and leaned forward, thrusting a fist in their direction.
ôShepard is right,ö Udina shouted. ôIt was only on the Council's suggestion that we have colonized the Traverse in the first place. If you wish us to colonize dangerous areas, it is only right that you help when asked!ö
ôAmbassador! Please calm down. There is another solution, one that does not require the risk of open conflict.ö
ôNo! It is too soon,ö the turian Councilor immediately objected. ôHumanity is not ready for the responsibilities of Spectre membership!ö I glanced at Anderson and was surprised to see anger starting to burn through his stoic facade.
Despite the anger I could see bubbling under his expression, Anderson's voice was remarkably controlled. ôIt is a solution that solves all problems: the Ambassador gets his human Spectre and you don't have to send a fleet into the Traverse. It solves both military and political problems in one shot.ö The three councilors exchanged glances and seemed to come to a consensus.
ôCommander Shepard, you will report to Ambassador Udina's office tomorrow morning for instatement. We will have the paperwork forwarded to your office, Ambassador. This meeting of the Citadel Councils is adjourned.ö The only thing missing from the asari's imperious demeanor was a gavel to pound on her podium to emphasize the point. The turian Councilor looked to be almost physically ill, and I could not restrain a small grin, somewhat startled when Udina sported a smile as well.
OoOoO
When I arrived in the ambassador's office the next morning, the the three councilors were standing before a small wooden table, Anderson to one side and Udina to the other. On the the table was a rosette. The rosette was carved from some sort of green stone, the insignia of the Spectres in raised relief.
ôCommander Shepard, thank you for appearing this morning.ö
ôMy pleasure Councilor.ö
ôI imagine it is,ö the turian said dryly. ôNow, if everyone is here, we can begin.ö
ôWe are ready, Councilors.ö
The asari Councilor spoke first, her words clearly rehearsed, probably part of the same speech that was given to all new Spectres. ôGood. Commander Michelle Shepard, step forward please. It is the decision of this Council that you be granted all powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel Armed Forces.ö
ôSpectres are not trained, they are chosen,ö the salarian continued. ôIndividuals forged in the fire of service and battle; those who actions have elevated them above the rank and file.ö
ôSpectres are an ideal, a symbol. The embodiment of courage, determination and self-reliance. The avatars of Justice, Law, and the Greater Good. They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will.ö
It was now the turian's turn to pick up where the asari had left off. ôSpectres bear a burden greater than anyone else. They are the ultimate protectors and enforcers of galactic peace, our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold.ö
ôStep forward and take your rosette. It is your symbol of our authority, proof of your Spectre status.ö The asari paused, at the end of her speech, now speaking for herself. ôYou are the first human Spectre, Operative Shepard. This is a great accomplishment for you and your entire species.ö
ôYour first mission shall be to apprehend the former Spectre Saren Arterius. He was last reported to be somewhere in the Attican Traverse, beyond the bounds of our authority. You are authorized to use any means necessary to bring him to justice. We will forward any relevant files to Ambassador Udina's office.ö The Council adjourned then.
ôCongratulations, Commander,ö Anderson said, shaking my hand. AndersonÆs face was set in a mask of restrained pride, but I could see regret behind that as well. On the other hand, Udina was practically dancing in place. ôThis is a big step forward for you, one that I know that you will handle easily. Hell, your clearance probably outstrips either of ours now.ö
ôProbably,ö I agreed, returning his smile.
ôCome with me Anderson. Shepard is going to need a ship, crew, supplies. I will need your help to set it up.ö He clapped his hands once and began rubbing his hands together. His gaze was unfocused, doubtlessly concentrating on formulating plans on how to capitalize on my promotion and use it to improve his standing within the Alliance and humanity's within the Council.
ôThe ambassador is right. You will get access to all sorts of special equipment now. Your Spectre seal does a couple of things but the main function, other than to identify you as a Spectre, is to serve as an omni-key, enabling you to encrypt and decrypt messages at any classification under Council-level and override just about any lock. As for the rest, I am sure that someone in C-Sec requisitions could help with the rest.ö
ôYou going to be okay with him?ö I asked Anderson. ôAll that is missing to complete the 'evil genius' image is a white cat to pet.ö
Anderson chuckled. ôI will be fine. He is a politician. We have been trying to get someone into the Spectres for decades. Being the one that actually accomplished it will be a huge boost to his career.ö Nevertheless, I could see him preparing himself for the paperwork he was doubtlessly going to be subjected to as the cheer over my promotion started to fade. He had always told me that one of the best things about command was the ability to push most of his paperwork off on his XO. As his most recent direct underling, the humor had been mostly lost on me.
I watched as the Ambassador and captain departed together and I held the green stone seal up for closer examination. It was circular and slightly bigger around than my palm. It was thick, my fingertips gripping the top edge and possessing considerable mass. It wasn't heavy, maybe three or four pounds, but still more than I expected. Upon closer inspection, I realized that my initial impression that the seal was made of stone was incorrect. Pulling off a glove I felt the rosette and could not identify the material through touch. It looked like stone and felt like metal, but slicker. After a moment, the rosette began to hum slightly, the vibrations felt more than heard. A detailed green wireframe leaped up, forming an image of my head and shoulders, slowly rotating in place. An artificial voice said ôOperative Michelle Shepard, Council Spectre, Alliance service number 5923-AC-2826.ö Well, that was interesting.
The next thing I was left wondering about was what to do with it. I was in armor, and had no pockets to carry the thing in and it did not seem to have any sort of hooks or loops with which to attach it to anything. My belt did not have any loops or pouches on it in any case. I dropped my hand, looking around to try to figure out a way to jerry-rig something to carry it with when I felt it tug in my hand. Lifting it back up to examine it again, I felt it tug again as it passed over my belt. Waving the rosette over my belt a third time it jerked again. Apparently the thing was magnetic, as it stuck to my belt quite firmly. Convenient.
Problem solved, I departed the Ambassador's quarters and headed to C-Sec. It took a few minutes to reach the C-Sec requisitions office, including one seemingly endless elevator ride. One would think that with all the advanced technology, they could speed up the elevators a bit.
When I entered the requisitions office, there was a turian seated behind the desk in the requisitions office. ôName and branch of service please,ö he asked mechanically as I approached.
ôCommander Michelle Shepard, Spectre.ö
That caught his attention. ôSpectre?ö It was clear he did not believe me. ôPlace your seal in the scanner there,ö gesturing to a slight depression on my side of the desk. I detached the rosette from my belt and placed it face-down, something in the desk locking it in place. ôI am sorry, Operative Shepard. I had not heard that the Council had accepted a human member. Let me see, there. You should have access to the 'special' stocks.ö
The 'special' stocks were indeed impressive, including items that were clearly designed to be Spectre-only gear. The guy quickly explained that I would have to use personal funds to buy equipment, as Spectres don't answer to the taxpayers, Spectres don't spend tax money.
I did not have anything else to do on the Citadel, so I left the requisitions office and entered the elevator to the docks. Ambassador Udina and Captain Anderson were both waiting for me outside the Normandy when I arrived, as well as a grey-bearded man in flag officer's uniform standing a ways off. Whatever Udina had had to do to to prepare my entrance into the Spectres had not taken long.
Apparently the elation over getting me into the Spectres had not faded yet as Udina was still grinning like a loon. ôI have big news for you Shepard. Captain Anderson is stepping down as commanding officer of the Normandy. The ship is yours.ö
ôShe is fastest and stealthiest ship in the Alliance Navy and you know crew. Perfect ship for a Spectre. I know you will treat her well Commander.ö The captain's voice was carefully neutral, a small smile curving his lips.
I scowled and folded my arms over my chest. ôI don't like this, Captain. The Normandy belongs to you.ö
ôNot anymore,ö Anderson answered. ôYou need your own ship. A Spectre cannot answer to anyone but the Council. And it is time for me to step down. I don't mind as long as I know that she is in good hands.ö
ôI will do my best to take care of her.ö
ôI know.ö
ôSo what leads do we have on Saren?ö
ôSaren is gone. Don't even try to find him. But we know he is after the Conduit. Find that and you find him. He has his geth scattered across the whole of the Traverse and Terminus Systems.ö
ôWe have reports of geth in the Feros system shortly before our colony there dropped out of contact. There have also been sighting around Noveria, a planet mostly used form scientific experiments.ö
ôIf you can find out why Saren is interested in Feros and Noveria, you might be able to figure out where the Conduit is before he does.ö
ôSaren is a pawn. It's the Reapers that are the true threat, Captain.ö
ôI'm with the Council on this one Shepard. Even if what you say is true, foiling Saren will defeat whatever the Reapers have planned.ö
ôUdina is right. At this point, it does not matter whether or not Saren is working on his own or on behalf of someone else. As you said earlier, just the fact that Saren wants the Conduit is enough to want to keep it, whatever it is, out of his hands.ö
ôDon't worry, I will make sure that he doesn't get it.ö
ôOne last thing. Matriarch Benezia, the other voice on the quarian's recording? She has a daughter, a scientist specializing in the Protheans. We don't know whether she is involved or not, but she could provide valuable intelligence either way. Doctor Liara T'Soni was last reported to be exploring Prothean ruins somewhere in the Artemis Tau cluster. There are only two worlds with Prothean ruins: Therum in the Knossos system and Sharjila in the Macedon system.ö
ôSounds like the Artemis Tau cluster should be my first stop.ö
ôIt is your decision, Commander. You are a Spectre now. You don't answer to either to us anymore, or anyone else in the Alliance. Technically, you are no longer an Alliance Navy commander either.ö
ôBe that as it may, your actions still reflect on humanity as a whole. You make a mess and I get stuck cleaning it up.ö
ôI will do what it takes to take Saren down, but I will try to keep the collateral damage to a minimum.ö
ôNot exactly the answer I was hoping for, but probably the best I should expect, considering. One last thing Shepard: keep in mind that you were a human long before you were a Spectre.ö Nodding to Anderson and myself, the ambassador departed.
As Udina left, the officer I had noted from before approached. ôShepard, this is Rear Admiral Kahoku.ö I immediately saluted.
ôAt ease Commander,ö Kahoku said returning my salute. ôFirst of all, allow me to offer my congratulations on being accepted into the Spectres.ö
ôThank you, sir. It has been a long time in coming.ö
ôIndeed it has,ö he replied with a slight smile. ôBut that is not why I am here. I have been told that you are going after Saren Arterius in the Traverse. I know that you are no longer a part of the Alliance's chain-of-command, but I would like to ask a favor.ö
ôGo ahead, sir. I may answer to the Council now, but I am still an Alliance Marine first and foremost.ö
His smile widened at that. He would not have been the first to doubt my loyalty to the Alliance and it was more than clear that he had harbored suspicions of switched loyalties. Getting a human into the Spectres was all well and good up until they lost control of me. I am sure that they all worried that I would 'go native,' switch my primary loyalties from the Alliance to the Citadel. Any fear along those lines was completely unfounded, not that any assurance I could make would alleviate it. But the admiral was speaking. ôThat is good to hear. You are exactly the person we need at a time like this. A recon team has gone missing investigating reports of strange activity in the Attican Traverse. They have been dark for three days, and I cannot get clearance to investigate. The Traverse has been declared a restricted area. Of course, that doesnÆt apply to you.ö
ôAny idea what happened to them?ö
The admiral shook his head. ôNo. They were investigating reports of missing civilians in the Artemis Tau cluster, but other than that, we have no idea.ö
I looked to Anderson. ôInteresting. I happen to be heading to the Artemis Tau cluster myself, looking for someone. Not Alliance,ö I said, putting up a hand to forestall Kahoku's question. ôProbably unrelated, but given the circumstances...ö
Kahoku frowned. ôYes, I can see what you mean. It is very odd that my men and your target would end up in the same cluster. And one pretty far off the beaten path. I looked into the cluster and there are no registered colonies, by any race, Citadel or otherwise. As far as I have been able to find out, the only thing of any note about the cluster are the Prothean ruins on Sharjila and Therum.ö
I glanced at Anderson, but he seemed as puzzled as I was. I carefully smoothed my expression and turned back to Kahoku. ôDo not worry, sir, I will find out what happened to your men, one way or another.ö
ôI appreciate that, Commander. I have begun running out of options.ö
ôNo need to thank me. Alliance Marines are missing, and I am the only one who help them. Simple as that.ö
ôIf only everything was as simple. Nevertheless, thank you. I will have my team's last known coordinates uploaded to your ship. Meanwhile I will remain here and see if I can find out anything else. I will let you know if I do, but I am not holding my breath. Good luck, Commander.ö Kahoku offered his hand and I took it, receiving one last nod as he left in the elevator.
ôWell, you know what you have to do. I have been transferred to Udina's office as a Navy liaison, so you know where to find me should you need to.ö Finally he left as well and it time to board the Normandy as her commander for the first time. It felt a little surreal, hearing the VI announce ôstand by, shore party,ö as I waited to enter the ship. The crew had been briefed on the change of command before I had because a crewman shouted ôOfficer on Deck!ö as I stepped through the airlock. Virtually as one, everyone came to attention, even Joker, as best as he was able.
I paused for two or three seconds before I ordered them back to their duties. I changed out of my armor into my dress blues and headed up to Joker. ôI heard what happened to the captain. Survives a hundred battles, only to be taken down by backroom politics. Just watch your back, Commander. Things go bad on this mission, you're next on the chopping block.ö
ôI don't like it any more than you do. Captain Anderson is the one who should be in charge. Feels like I am stealing his ship.ö
ôNobody blames you, ma'am. Nothing you could have done. Everyone here is behind you. One hundred percent. The intercom is open if you want to say anything to the crew.ö
I nodded to Joker and paused to collect my thoughts. ôCrew of the Normandy, this is Commander Shepard speaking. We have our orders: find Saren before he finds the Conduit. I will not lie to you. This is going to be the most difficult mission any of us have ever had. This all began with an attack on a human settlement in the Traverse. Saren Arterius was the architect of that attack. He will not stop with a single human colony. His armies will not stay on the far fringes of Citadel space. Despite the threat he poses, the Council wants to ignore this. That is no surprise. Humanity has never received the help we needed from the Council in the past, and it is unlikely that we will in the near future. Because off that, our species has often stood apart from the others. Now it is time for us to step up and show them what it means to be a Citadel race. Now it is time for us to show them what humans are made of!
ôOur enemy knows we are coming. When we enter the Traverse, his followers will be waiting for us. But we will be ready for them as well. Saren searches for the Conduit. Wherever he goes, we will be there, waiting for him. We will hunt him down, to the very ends of the galaxy and bring him to justice. The fate of trillions of lives depend on us. The fate of the entire galaxy is at stake. We will stop Saren, no matter what. And when we do, the whole galaxy will know the value of the human race.ö I stepped back and glanced over my shoulder towards the CIC. Every crewman was on his or her feet and looking determined. I stepped back to the intercom and spoke again.
ôWe are the best the Alliance Navy has to offer. Our ship is small, but we are fast, quiet and deadly. We cannot fail. We will not fail. I know that each and every one of you will do your jobs to the best of your abilities, as will I. Shepard out.ö
ôWell said, Commander. The captain would be proud.ö
I closed my eyes and took a breath to settle my nerves. ôThe captain gave up his last command so I could get this chance. We can't afford to fail. Now let's get this bird in the air.ö
ôAye aye, ma'am.ö
--------------------------
First of all, short chapter is short, but it seemed like a good place to cut it off. Anyways, I recently finished playing Mass Effect 2 and was dissatisfied with some of the choices I was forced to make, especially concerning Cerberus. So I started writing a ME2 fic, got 20k words in and realized that I needed to write a ME1 fic first so that the second would make sense.
Michelle Shepard is an Earth-born, Sole survivor Infiltrator, mostly renegade, with some background in intelligence work, hence the title. Black Ops is going to follow canon, more rather than less, but I do not want to write a rehash of the game. I hope to change enough here to provide an interesting tale.
I am hoping to get some criticism on some of the conversation here, as it feels stilted and mechanical at points. I think I may have slipped from first person somewhere, but I am not sure.
Edit: Added a bit of dialogue and some descriptions. Again, not much to really change here, but I hope that the next chapter will be more different. Will be picking Liara up next and looking into the missing marines.
Udina was playing Tali's recording to the Council as Anderson and I approached. When the recording was done, all three Councilors were looking grim. Udina was looking smug. ôYou wanted proof of Saren's treachery? There it is.ö
The Councilors were looking unsettled by what Tali's recording revealed, the turian Councilor especially so. ôIndeed it is, Ambassador. The evidence is irrefutable. Saren will be stripped of his Spectre status and all efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes.ö
ôAnd I recognize the other voice with Saren, Matriarch Benezia. A powerful and influential leader among my people. A formidable ally for Saren.ö
ôI am more interested in these Reapers. What do you know about them?ö
ôOnly what was extracted from the geth's memory core. An ancient race of machines that wiped out the Protheans. Then they vanished.ö
ôThe geth believe the Reapers to be gods,ö I continued after Anderson. ôAnd Saren is their prophet. This Conduit seems to be the key to bring them back. Saren is searching for it, and is why he attacked Eden Prime.ö
ôDo you have any idea what the Conduit is?ö
ôIts function is irrelevant. The fact that Saren wants it is enough to keep it out of his hands.ö
ôWhat nonsense,ö the turian Councilor snorted. ôJust listen to yourself. Saren Arterius, one of our most celebrated Spectres is on a quest to bring back a race of mythical machines that wiped out all life fifty thousand years ago? Impossible. Where did they go, why did they go? Why have we never found a single trace of their existence? If they were real, we would have found some evidence before now.ö
Udina was starting to look angry, and it was clear to me that Captain Anderson had been expecting this, but I was not ready to give up. ôI tried to warn you about Arterius' treachery. You ignored me and look where we are now. Don't make the same mistake twice,ö I warned them.
ôThis is a different matter, Commander. You have solid, physical proof that Arterius has betrayed us. No one disputes that he is using the geth to find the Conduit, even if we don't know why. It is clear that the Reapers are a fiction that Arterius has concocted to bend the geth to his will.ö
ôSomething happened fifty thousand years ago to wipe the Protheans out. And if Arterius finds the Conduit, it will happen again, to us,ö I protested again.
ôSaren is a rogue on the run. He no longer has the rights or resources of a Spectre. He has lost that which made him dangerous.ö Once again, as usual, the turian was the first to argue.
ôThat is not good enough,ö Udina argued. ôWe know he is hiding out somewhere in the Traverse. Send your fleets in.ö
ôA fleet cannot track down a single man,ö the salarian disagreed calmly.
Udina was getting worked up now. ôA Citadel fleet could secure the whole region, prevent any further attacks on our colonies!ö
ôOr trigger a war with the Terminus Systems. We cannot afford to be drawn into a galactic conflict over a few colonies on the edge of our authority.ö
ôEvery time humanity asks for the Council's help you turn away! You complain when we provoke conflict with other species, but we only do so because you refuse to assist us when we need it!ö It was getting hard to restrain my building anger towards the Council, and it was clear that Udina was suffering the same problem. He stepped up past me to the edge of the petitioners platform and leaned forward, thrusting a fist in their direction.
ôShepard is right,ö Udina shouted. ôIt was only on the Council's suggestion that we have colonized the Traverse in the first place. If you wish us to colonize dangerous areas, it is only right that you help when asked!ö
ôAmbassador! Please calm down. There is another solution, one that does not require the risk of open conflict.ö
ôNo! It is too soon,ö the turian Councilor immediately objected. ôHumanity is not ready for the responsibilities of Spectre membership!ö I glanced at Anderson and was surprised to see anger starting to burn through his stoic facade.
Despite the anger I could see bubbling under his expression, Anderson's voice was remarkably controlled. ôIt is a solution that solves all problems: the Ambassador gets his human Spectre and you don't have to send a fleet into the Traverse. It solves both military and political problems in one shot.ö The three councilors exchanged glances and seemed to come to a consensus.
ôCommander Shepard, you will report to Ambassador Udina's office tomorrow morning for instatement. We will have the paperwork forwarded to your office, Ambassador. This meeting of the Citadel Councils is adjourned.ö The only thing missing from the asari's imperious demeanor was a gavel to pound on her podium to emphasize the point. The turian Councilor looked to be almost physically ill, and I could not restrain a small grin, somewhat startled when Udina sported a smile as well.
OoOoO
When I arrived in the ambassador's office the next morning, the the three councilors were standing before a small wooden table, Anderson to one side and Udina to the other. On the the table was a rosette. The rosette was carved from some sort of green stone, the insignia of the Spectres in raised relief.
ôCommander Shepard, thank you for appearing this morning.ö
ôMy pleasure Councilor.ö
ôI imagine it is,ö the turian said dryly. ôNow, if everyone is here, we can begin.ö
ôWe are ready, Councilors.ö
The asari Councilor spoke first, her words clearly rehearsed, probably part of the same speech that was given to all new Spectres. ôGood. Commander Michelle Shepard, step forward please. It is the decision of this Council that you be granted all powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel Armed Forces.ö
ôSpectres are not trained, they are chosen,ö the salarian continued. ôIndividuals forged in the fire of service and battle; those who actions have elevated them above the rank and file.ö
ôSpectres are an ideal, a symbol. The embodiment of courage, determination and self-reliance. The avatars of Justice, Law, and the Greater Good. They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will.ö
It was now the turian's turn to pick up where the asari had left off. ôSpectres bear a burden greater than anyone else. They are the ultimate protectors and enforcers of galactic peace, our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold.ö
ôStep forward and take your rosette. It is your symbol of our authority, proof of your Spectre status.ö The asari paused, at the end of her speech, now speaking for herself. ôYou are the first human Spectre, Operative Shepard. This is a great accomplishment for you and your entire species.ö
ôYour first mission shall be to apprehend the former Spectre Saren Arterius. He was last reported to be somewhere in the Attican Traverse, beyond the bounds of our authority. You are authorized to use any means necessary to bring him to justice. We will forward any relevant files to Ambassador Udina's office.ö The Council adjourned then.
ôCongratulations, Commander,ö Anderson said, shaking my hand. AndersonÆs face was set in a mask of restrained pride, but I could see regret behind that as well. On the other hand, Udina was practically dancing in place. ôThis is a big step forward for you, one that I know that you will handle easily. Hell, your clearance probably outstrips either of ours now.ö
ôProbably,ö I agreed, returning his smile.
ôCome with me Anderson. Shepard is going to need a ship, crew, supplies. I will need your help to set it up.ö He clapped his hands once and began rubbing his hands together. His gaze was unfocused, doubtlessly concentrating on formulating plans on how to capitalize on my promotion and use it to improve his standing within the Alliance and humanity's within the Council.
ôThe ambassador is right. You will get access to all sorts of special equipment now. Your Spectre seal does a couple of things but the main function, other than to identify you as a Spectre, is to serve as an omni-key, enabling you to encrypt and decrypt messages at any classification under Council-level and override just about any lock. As for the rest, I am sure that someone in C-Sec requisitions could help with the rest.ö
ôYou going to be okay with him?ö I asked Anderson. ôAll that is missing to complete the 'evil genius' image is a white cat to pet.ö
Anderson chuckled. ôI will be fine. He is a politician. We have been trying to get someone into the Spectres for decades. Being the one that actually accomplished it will be a huge boost to his career.ö Nevertheless, I could see him preparing himself for the paperwork he was doubtlessly going to be subjected to as the cheer over my promotion started to fade. He had always told me that one of the best things about command was the ability to push most of his paperwork off on his XO. As his most recent direct underling, the humor had been mostly lost on me.
I watched as the Ambassador and captain departed together and I held the green stone seal up for closer examination. It was circular and slightly bigger around than my palm. It was thick, my fingertips gripping the top edge and possessing considerable mass. It wasn't heavy, maybe three or four pounds, but still more than I expected. Upon closer inspection, I realized that my initial impression that the seal was made of stone was incorrect. Pulling off a glove I felt the rosette and could not identify the material through touch. It looked like stone and felt like metal, but slicker. After a moment, the rosette began to hum slightly, the vibrations felt more than heard. A detailed green wireframe leaped up, forming an image of my head and shoulders, slowly rotating in place. An artificial voice said ôOperative Michelle Shepard, Council Spectre, Alliance service number 5923-AC-2826.ö Well, that was interesting.
The next thing I was left wondering about was what to do with it. I was in armor, and had no pockets to carry the thing in and it did not seem to have any sort of hooks or loops with which to attach it to anything. My belt did not have any loops or pouches on it in any case. I dropped my hand, looking around to try to figure out a way to jerry-rig something to carry it with when I felt it tug in my hand. Lifting it back up to examine it again, I felt it tug again as it passed over my belt. Waving the rosette over my belt a third time it jerked again. Apparently the thing was magnetic, as it stuck to my belt quite firmly. Convenient.
Problem solved, I departed the Ambassador's quarters and headed to C-Sec. It took a few minutes to reach the C-Sec requisitions office, including one seemingly endless elevator ride. One would think that with all the advanced technology, they could speed up the elevators a bit.
When I entered the requisitions office, there was a turian seated behind the desk in the requisitions office. ôName and branch of service please,ö he asked mechanically as I approached.
ôCommander Michelle Shepard, Spectre.ö
That caught his attention. ôSpectre?ö It was clear he did not believe me. ôPlace your seal in the scanner there,ö gesturing to a slight depression on my side of the desk. I detached the rosette from my belt and placed it face-down, something in the desk locking it in place. ôI am sorry, Operative Shepard. I had not heard that the Council had accepted a human member. Let me see, there. You should have access to the 'special' stocks.ö
The 'special' stocks were indeed impressive, including items that were clearly designed to be Spectre-only gear. The guy quickly explained that I would have to use personal funds to buy equipment, as Spectres don't answer to the taxpayers, Spectres don't spend tax money.
I did not have anything else to do on the Citadel, so I left the requisitions office and entered the elevator to the docks. Ambassador Udina and Captain Anderson were both waiting for me outside the Normandy when I arrived, as well as a grey-bearded man in flag officer's uniform standing a ways off. Whatever Udina had had to do to to prepare my entrance into the Spectres had not taken long.
Apparently the elation over getting me into the Spectres had not faded yet as Udina was still grinning like a loon. ôI have big news for you Shepard. Captain Anderson is stepping down as commanding officer of the Normandy. The ship is yours.ö
ôShe is fastest and stealthiest ship in the Alliance Navy and you know crew. Perfect ship for a Spectre. I know you will treat her well Commander.ö The captain's voice was carefully neutral, a small smile curving his lips.
I scowled and folded my arms over my chest. ôI don't like this, Captain. The Normandy belongs to you.ö
ôNot anymore,ö Anderson answered. ôYou need your own ship. A Spectre cannot answer to anyone but the Council. And it is time for me to step down. I don't mind as long as I know that she is in good hands.ö
ôI will do my best to take care of her.ö
ôI know.ö
ôSo what leads do we have on Saren?ö
ôSaren is gone. Don't even try to find him. But we know he is after the Conduit. Find that and you find him. He has his geth scattered across the whole of the Traverse and Terminus Systems.ö
ôWe have reports of geth in the Feros system shortly before our colony there dropped out of contact. There have also been sighting around Noveria, a planet mostly used form scientific experiments.ö
ôIf you can find out why Saren is interested in Feros and Noveria, you might be able to figure out where the Conduit is before he does.ö
ôSaren is a pawn. It's the Reapers that are the true threat, Captain.ö
ôI'm with the Council on this one Shepard. Even if what you say is true, foiling Saren will defeat whatever the Reapers have planned.ö
ôUdina is right. At this point, it does not matter whether or not Saren is working on his own or on behalf of someone else. As you said earlier, just the fact that Saren wants the Conduit is enough to want to keep it, whatever it is, out of his hands.ö
ôDon't worry, I will make sure that he doesn't get it.ö
ôOne last thing. Matriarch Benezia, the other voice on the quarian's recording? She has a daughter, a scientist specializing in the Protheans. We don't know whether she is involved or not, but she could provide valuable intelligence either way. Doctor Liara T'Soni was last reported to be exploring Prothean ruins somewhere in the Artemis Tau cluster. There are only two worlds with Prothean ruins: Therum in the Knossos system and Sharjila in the Macedon system.ö
ôSounds like the Artemis Tau cluster should be my first stop.ö
ôIt is your decision, Commander. You are a Spectre now. You don't answer to either to us anymore, or anyone else in the Alliance. Technically, you are no longer an Alliance Navy commander either.ö
ôBe that as it may, your actions still reflect on humanity as a whole. You make a mess and I get stuck cleaning it up.ö
ôI will do what it takes to take Saren down, but I will try to keep the collateral damage to a minimum.ö
ôNot exactly the answer I was hoping for, but probably the best I should expect, considering. One last thing Shepard: keep in mind that you were a human long before you were a Spectre.ö Nodding to Anderson and myself, the ambassador departed.
As Udina left, the officer I had noted from before approached. ôShepard, this is Rear Admiral Kahoku.ö I immediately saluted.
ôAt ease Commander,ö Kahoku said returning my salute. ôFirst of all, allow me to offer my congratulations on being accepted into the Spectres.ö
ôThank you, sir. It has been a long time in coming.ö
ôIndeed it has,ö he replied with a slight smile. ôBut that is not why I am here. I have been told that you are going after Saren Arterius in the Traverse. I know that you are no longer a part of the Alliance's chain-of-command, but I would like to ask a favor.ö
ôGo ahead, sir. I may answer to the Council now, but I am still an Alliance Marine first and foremost.ö
His smile widened at that. He would not have been the first to doubt my loyalty to the Alliance and it was more than clear that he had harbored suspicions of switched loyalties. Getting a human into the Spectres was all well and good up until they lost control of me. I am sure that they all worried that I would 'go native,' switch my primary loyalties from the Alliance to the Citadel. Any fear along those lines was completely unfounded, not that any assurance I could make would alleviate it. But the admiral was speaking. ôThat is good to hear. You are exactly the person we need at a time like this. A recon team has gone missing investigating reports of strange activity in the Attican Traverse. They have been dark for three days, and I cannot get clearance to investigate. The Traverse has been declared a restricted area. Of course, that doesnÆt apply to you.ö
ôAny idea what happened to them?ö
The admiral shook his head. ôNo. They were investigating reports of missing civilians in the Artemis Tau cluster, but other than that, we have no idea.ö
I looked to Anderson. ôInteresting. I happen to be heading to the Artemis Tau cluster myself, looking for someone. Not Alliance,ö I said, putting up a hand to forestall Kahoku's question. ôProbably unrelated, but given the circumstances...ö
Kahoku frowned. ôYes, I can see what you mean. It is very odd that my men and your target would end up in the same cluster. And one pretty far off the beaten path. I looked into the cluster and there are no registered colonies, by any race, Citadel or otherwise. As far as I have been able to find out, the only thing of any note about the cluster are the Prothean ruins on Sharjila and Therum.ö
I glanced at Anderson, but he seemed as puzzled as I was. I carefully smoothed my expression and turned back to Kahoku. ôDo not worry, sir, I will find out what happened to your men, one way or another.ö
ôI appreciate that, Commander. I have begun running out of options.ö
ôNo need to thank me. Alliance Marines are missing, and I am the only one who help them. Simple as that.ö
ôIf only everything was as simple. Nevertheless, thank you. I will have my team's last known coordinates uploaded to your ship. Meanwhile I will remain here and see if I can find out anything else. I will let you know if I do, but I am not holding my breath. Good luck, Commander.ö Kahoku offered his hand and I took it, receiving one last nod as he left in the elevator.
ôWell, you know what you have to do. I have been transferred to Udina's office as a Navy liaison, so you know where to find me should you need to.ö Finally he left as well and it time to board the Normandy as her commander for the first time. It felt a little surreal, hearing the VI announce ôstand by, shore party,ö as I waited to enter the ship. The crew had been briefed on the change of command before I had because a crewman shouted ôOfficer on Deck!ö as I stepped through the airlock. Virtually as one, everyone came to attention, even Joker, as best as he was able.
I paused for two or three seconds before I ordered them back to their duties. I changed out of my armor into my dress blues and headed up to Joker. ôI heard what happened to the captain. Survives a hundred battles, only to be taken down by backroom politics. Just watch your back, Commander. Things go bad on this mission, you're next on the chopping block.ö
ôI don't like it any more than you do. Captain Anderson is the one who should be in charge. Feels like I am stealing his ship.ö
ôNobody blames you, ma'am. Nothing you could have done. Everyone here is behind you. One hundred percent. The intercom is open if you want to say anything to the crew.ö
I nodded to Joker and paused to collect my thoughts. ôCrew of the Normandy, this is Commander Shepard speaking. We have our orders: find Saren before he finds the Conduit. I will not lie to you. This is going to be the most difficult mission any of us have ever had. This all began with an attack on a human settlement in the Traverse. Saren Arterius was the architect of that attack. He will not stop with a single human colony. His armies will not stay on the far fringes of Citadel space. Despite the threat he poses, the Council wants to ignore this. That is no surprise. Humanity has never received the help we needed from the Council in the past, and it is unlikely that we will in the near future. Because off that, our species has often stood apart from the others. Now it is time for us to step up and show them what it means to be a Citadel race. Now it is time for us to show them what humans are made of!
ôOur enemy knows we are coming. When we enter the Traverse, his followers will be waiting for us. But we will be ready for them as well. Saren searches for the Conduit. Wherever he goes, we will be there, waiting for him. We will hunt him down, to the very ends of the galaxy and bring him to justice. The fate of trillions of lives depend on us. The fate of the entire galaxy is at stake. We will stop Saren, no matter what. And when we do, the whole galaxy will know the value of the human race.ö I stepped back and glanced over my shoulder towards the CIC. Every crewman was on his or her feet and looking determined. I stepped back to the intercom and spoke again.
ôWe are the best the Alliance Navy has to offer. Our ship is small, but we are fast, quiet and deadly. We cannot fail. We will not fail. I know that each and every one of you will do your jobs to the best of your abilities, as will I. Shepard out.ö
ôWell said, Commander. The captain would be proud.ö
I closed my eyes and took a breath to settle my nerves. ôThe captain gave up his last command so I could get this chance. We can't afford to fail. Now let's get this bird in the air.ö
ôAye aye, ma'am.ö
--------------------------
First of all, short chapter is short, but it seemed like a good place to cut it off. Anyways, I recently finished playing Mass Effect 2 and was dissatisfied with some of the choices I was forced to make, especially concerning Cerberus. So I started writing a ME2 fic, got 20k words in and realized that I needed to write a ME1 fic first so that the second would make sense.
Michelle Shepard is an Earth-born, Sole survivor Infiltrator, mostly renegade, with some background in intelligence work, hence the title. Black Ops is going to follow canon, more rather than less, but I do not want to write a rehash of the game. I hope to change enough here to provide an interesting tale.
I am hoping to get some criticism on some of the conversation here, as it feels stilted and mechanical at points. I think I may have slipped from first person somewhere, but I am not sure.
Edit: Added a bit of dialogue and some descriptions. Again, not much to really change here, but I hope that the next chapter will be more different. Will be picking Liara up next and looking into the missing marines.