Mass Effect - A Hero Rises Ch. 01

"The N-Program."

"Special Forces? Really?"

"Not right now, Shepard. You haven't exactly served yet. You'll have to wait two years before you can apply, and even then, you'll have to really impress them to have a chance. But what you've just been through? It is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, compared to what you'll experience in N-training." He paused before meeting my eyes. "I'm N7. Been through it myself. Honestly, wouldn't want to do it again."

"Two years?"

"That's right. But, let me tell you something. You walk around, wearing that N7 emblem? You will walk taller, feel broader, and the respect from everyone else? They won't have a clue what you've been through, but they'll understand it was as close to hell as one can get."

"Two years... I think I can wait that long."

"So you're interested?"

"I want to be the best I can be. That kid from the streets? Long gone. What I've just been through has come to define me. While part of me would like to do it immediately, I've done all this training for a reason. I guess it's time I headed out and actually applied it all."

Those words would come back to haunt me.

*****

"Looks like we have another soldier boy," one of the drunks slurred, before he held up a glass, "I'll have a drink, Corporal!"

I grit my teeth but tried to ignore them. My date across from me could see I was getting angry, clenching my jaw and grinding my teeth. "Just ignore them, Shepard."

"I don't like being disrespected, Annie. I'm a lieutenant of the Alliance Marines, not some... joke..."

Annie... If that is a case of 'What might have been', she would be it. I'd been serving for a couple of years by then, still looking at the N-Program, though I'd delayed joining as I found myself enjoying my time as a marine, ending up touring the front-lines around the galaxy. At the moment, I was on furlough on Elysium. I'd met Annie previously and we'd hit it off immediately. She was a gorgeous redhead with emerald green eyes, the faintest freckling over her nose, and a pair of lips that just made me want to kiss her all the time. She was unbelievably pale, blaming it on her Scottish heritage, laughing away whenever she lay next to my rather tanned and toned body.

Still not sure how we'd hit it off exactly. Maybe I was more charming than I thought. Perhaps, despite the comradery and friendship of my brothers in uniform, I wanted something intimate. I'd lost my virginity ages ago, and being boys on tour at times, I'd certainly had my fair share of whores. The first time with Annie, though. That was... meaningful. Damned near fell in love with her straight away.

"We should go, Shepard. Go somewhere else."

"No. I won't have us forced out by some drunken dickheads."

"Just don't..."

I gently grabbed her hand, running my thumb over the back of it. "Don't worry, I can handle things peacefully."

I stood up and turned, noticing the bar immediately fell silent as I slowly walked towards the three drunks. They tried to puff themselves up to try and intimidate me. They failed miserably. They were probably on holiday themselves, just having a good time. But they were ruining my time and I'd seen more than one couple or group already leave the bar because of them.

"Something wrong, pal?" one of them asked.

I smiled, making it appear as genuine as possible. "Not at all. Just wondering if you are serving men as well? Perhaps you've gone through the marine program like myself?"

"You a marine?" one of the others asked, already hearing the concern.

"Sure am. If you were fellow marines, I was going to offer you a drink and I'd forget about the disturbances you've caused."

"And if we're not?" the one who called me 'Corporal' asked.

"Well, let me tell you everything I've been through so far. Boot camp takes six weeks. In there, they break you down, build you up. At the end, you know where to point a rifle and shoot, but there's still a lot of building work to go. But some of us, like myself, immediately join the Marines. Thirty-two weeks that takes, and it is the hardest thing anyone will ever do. Thirty-two weeks, seven days a week, nearly twenty-four hours a day you are switched on. During that time, you learn to do many things, but the one thing every marine learns is how to kill. And I don't mean just with a gun." I held up my right hand. "I mean with just one of these. Maybe that knife on the table over that. I could use one of these chairs and put all three of you in hospital within seconds."

Two of them shared a glance. My body language remained relaxed but I was ready to move in an instant. A coiled spring. I didn't want to fight three drunks. It wasn't worth it. "Any of you served before?" All three shook their heads. No surprise there. I stepped forward, just one step, but that forced them back. "Then I would suggest, gentlemen, that you finish your drink and depart this establishment. You are disturbing other patrons and, quite frankly, ruining my evening."

"You and what army?" the first drunk asked.

"My friend, to deal with the likes of you, I won't need an army. I'll barely need to use both hands." I glanced at his friends. "Do the right thing, take your friend here, and kindly leave. I'm asking nicely as I don't want this to get violent. No-one wants a fight and I don't want to put three drunks in hospital."

My tone. My body language. My sheer presence was enough for them to wilt. The other two drained their glasses, said nothing, simply walked out. The first drunk was more defiant but I simply glared at him until he too wilted. He looked ready to throw whatever was left in his glass over me but thought better of it, simply putting it down, calling me a wanker, then he walked out.

Receiving thanks from those behind the bar, I walked back to the table, sitting down across from Annie. "Want to get out of here?" she asked.

"What? I just..." I looked at her face and it spoke volumes. I couldn't help smirk. "Did that just impress you or something?"

"The way you were so calm but authoritative. I'm not the only one in here swooning right now, Shepard."

Now I laughed. "Swooning? Who still says that?"

"Okay, how about I'm really fucking wet right now and..."

I stood up, grabbed her hand, threw some credits on the table, and we made our way quickly back to the apartment I'd rented. Soon as we were in the door, clothes were taken off and Annie was on her back on the bed, and she wasn't lying about being wet, moaning loudly once I lowered my mouth. Though she enjoyed it as always, she wanted something else, both of us groaning as I slid my cock inside her. She held on for dear life as we simply fucked like rabbits, hearing her urge me on in between her moans and other delightful noises she made.

I didn't last long, there was something about it all that made it that much better, and after a last groan, I buried myself and suddenly felt rather tired, hearing her giggle as I only just prevented myself from squashing her. "God, that really turned me on," she whispered once we'd cleaned up and she was spooning back into me.

"Really?" I wondered, running my fingers up and down her arms.

"Never been one into military men, Shepard. But there was something about you that first time we met. Just the way you strode in, looking all... you. Thing is, it took my girlfriends to give me the courage to even approach you at the bar. When you smiled at me, that was it. I was a hopeless cause. They still joke that I abandoned them that night."

"Well, you kind of did since we left without them and I ended up back at your place, doing what we'd just done though I like to think it lasted a lot longer that first time."

"It was worth the angry messages next morning."

She fell asleep in my arms, kissing the top of her head as I felt myself relax. We still hadn't told each other our real feelings. I knew I'd probably fallen in love with her, but still wasn't sure if this was just some sort of fling or if was already serious. I mean, she had flown to another planet to be with me, so that would suggest serious, right?

My peaceful rest was destroyed by air raid sirens. I leapt out of bed immediately, heading straight for the window. It was barely dawn but there was enough light to see what was going on. Projectiles were raining down on the city. Turning around, Annie was sat still with fright. "We have to go, Annie."

"Go where?" she asked quietly.

"I need to go do what I do. You need to get to a bunker."

"Are there any in the city?"

"I don't know but..."

"Then I'll stay here. We don't even know who or what it is."

"Surely you'll be safer..."

She got up and approached me as I threw on my shirt, sitting down so I could put on my boots. Standing in front of me, her flat but soft stomach in front of me, she gently grabbed my head, holding it against her. "I'll be fine, Shepard. You'll be out there protecting me."

I didn't like the idea but I didn't know the city we were in at all. I certainly hadn't thought we'd be attacked, if that was what was happening. Grabbing my coat, I headed to the door, Annie grabbing the duvet, wrapping herself in it, as I opened the door. Turning back to her, I kissed her hard before leaning back slightly. "I love you," I whispered.

That earned one hell of a smile as, for some reason, it felt like the time to tell her. "I love you too. Now go, see what's going on, then come back. I'll get cold all by myself under this duvet."

"Hopefully it's nothing. Just make sure you lock and bolt the door. Don't answer it unless you know it's me. I'll call before I do."

I took the fire escape downstairs, bursting out into the street. Already I could hear the sound of fighting. High above, where there was still darkness, I'm sure I saw explosions. Elysium had planetary defences, but if a force arrived with enough firepower of their own, they could definitely cause trouble. And whoever was up there was definitely firing at us.

I ran for the nearest assembling point, plenty more men and women in uniform joining me. Grabbing a rifle and a shield pack, we warned that ships were incoming, as the defences were overwhelmed. I looked around and noticed mostly enlisted men. In fact, I didn't see a single marine. "Anyone above a lieutenant here?" I called out. No-one said there was.

"Guess it's on you then," one of the men nearby stated. He wasn't making a joke.

"I'll get in contact with command. For now," I grabbed a nearby schematic, "These are the sectors. Break into groups of half a dozen and head for possible breach points. No idea yet who the enemy is, but once they make their appearance, greet them in the way you've been trained."

"Aye, sir."

"Move out!"

They didn't need hand-holding or orders, counting out into groups of six and moving towards the areas required. I had five with me, and as we ran towards our sector, I tried getting in contact with command. That proved pointless, and I received information soon afterwards that Alliance HQ on Elysium had been targeted. Whether it was destroyed or not, no-one knew, but it had been targeted.

"Guess it's up to us then," I muttered as we fanned out, taking cover, and simply waited.

The enemy made themselves known soon enough. Should have known it would be batarians, but the fact I saw some humans and turians involved just pissed me off even further. As soon as they entered the killing zone, we opened fire, watching as they fell like nine-pins. But they'd come prepared at the same time, launching missiles and rockets towards our position. I heard more than one scream of agony as their firepower was surprising and overwhelming.

"Where's our heavy weapons?" I yelled out.

"Beats me, sir," I heard a reply.

"Probably don't have any. Planetary defences, minimal defence force on the ground, sir," someone else replied.

"Well, shit," I muttered.

We held the line for as long as possible until we simply had to pull back. Even this early, I noticed we'd already lost a few soldiers. We pulled back to the next line and it was there that I noticed the machine gun. "Cover me while I get this ready," I ordered, feeling at least two people fall in beside me, waiting for the breach. Colony worlds were almost built like old citadels, though on a grander scale. The main buildings and residences rested behind a wall, the farmland located outside. It was amazing as to how technology progressed, we'd reverted to ancient techniques of defence. Thing is, the Alliance still built forts and other buildings in a similar manner, so it did generally work.

The invaders finally breached and flooded through. I lit up the machine gun and roared as I met fire with fire. Bullets continued to fly in our direction, but over the machine gun, I couldn't really hear anything. I took a bullet in the shoulder, thankful it was my left, as I could simply keep firing with my right. The bullets were not limitless, though, and I was soon running low.

"Any more?" I asked, glancing. The soldier to my left was dead. The soldier to my right was wounded and on the verge of bleeding out. So I kept firing until the machine gun was empty, the clicking sound telling me what I already knew.

Grabbing my rifle, I took cover and opened fire. They kept on coming though the flood had turned to a trickle. I eventually stood up, dropping my empty rifle, and drew my pistol. Each bullet found its mark until that too was empty. The next three kills were with my knife. I was shot twice more before I buried the knife into the chest of a batarian, watching his eyes widen for a moment before the life drained.

Only then did I roll off him and lay on my back, the adrenaline slowly draining away and the pain from the wounds finally overwhelmed me.

I woke in a field hospital a few hours later when it had gone dark. They'd operated on me fast and medi-gel was already working wonders. They gave me the good news; the invasion had been stopped. The bad news was that everyone in my sector was dead, the casualty list was high anyway, and that the city had been bombarded heavily during the attack. I felt the onset of a bad feeling, rising to my feet somewhat unsteadily. They tried to stop me leaving but, after finding my clothes, I dressed and hobbled my way down the street.

The building was...

*****

"Commander Shepard?"

"Yes, Lieutenant?"

"Captain Anderson is requesting your presence up in the comm room in five minutes."

"No problem. I'll be there shortly. Thanks."

The line cut and that left me alone with my thoughts. Sitting up, dangling my legs off the edge, I reached into the small pack I kept under my pillow. In the pack was a wallet. Inside the wallet was a photo. It was of Annie and I the day before the attack. It was the only memento I'd kept of our time together. I couldn't keep anything else as it was a reminder that it was my fault. I'd told her to stay put. If she'd left, she wouldn't be... gone... I sighed, kissing the photo, before placing it back where it was, putting the pack back under my pillow.

Heading back to the bathroom, I quickly splashed some water on my face before taking a deep breath, looking into the mirror again. Even on my Alliance blues, I had two emblems. The Alliance Navy. And the N7 emblem. I'd joined the N-program immediately after Elysium. After completing that program, I'd found myself assigned to the SSV Normandy, promoted in rank to Commander, the Executive Officer to the Commanding Officer, David Anderson, who had told me in no uncertain terms that he had practically ordered my presence onto the ship. All I could do was assure him that I would return the faith he'd shown in me all these years.

Still, I knew little of what we were doing, where we were going, or why I'd seen a turian wandering around the ship. I guess I was about to get my answers as I walked into the comm room. The turian I'd seen wandering around since leaving Earth orbit was waiting for me, taking a moment to introduce himself as Nihlus. We shook hands, meeting each other in the yes. We chatted for a moment about Eden Prime, one of our colony worlds, wondering why he was asking, when Anderson walked in.

That's when some bombshells were dropped. I knew the Normandy was a new ship but this no shakedown cruise like I'd originally been old. A science team on Eden Prime had recently found a Prothean beacon. All of humanity knew who they were. We'd found their technology on Mars long ago and it was that which jumpstarted our exploration of space.

But it wasn't just the collection of the beacon. Apparently Nihlus was there as my name had been submitted as a candidate to become a Council SPECTRE (Special Tactics and Reconnaissance). I didn't really know what to say to that.

Before the conversation could continue, Flight Lieutenant Moreau, otherwise known as 'Joker', interrupted us over the comm with footage from Eden Prime. It didn't look good. The marines on the ground were under attack from unknown forces, while an enormous alien looking ship, like nothing any of us had seen, appeared in the distance, before the transmission was cut.

Nihlus and I shared a glance. "Looks like this mission just a lot more complicated," Anderson muttered, "You'd better head down to the hangar bay, Shepard. Lieutenant Alenko and Corporal Jenkins will be on the ground with you."

"Aye, sir."

Heading down to the garage, as I called it as that was where the M-35 Mako was parked, I donned my armour and helmet, grabbed a rifle and shield pack, a few grenades and a pistol. Having only just joined the ship, I didn't know Alenko or Jenkins too well, but from whispers, I assumed Alenko was a biotic, or had at least some biotic talents.

Joining Nihlus as the ramp was loaded, he told us that he usually worked alone and would therefore scout ahead, feeding up information as he moved. That left me in charge of the other two.

"Well, here goes nothing," I stated as the Normandy came into land.

It would be the day that would change my life forever.

*****

A/N -- For anyone who might be wondering, I based the Alliance Marine training on UK Royal Marine training, with one or two slight differences. This is only all background so not particularly important. I just wanted to flesh out the Shepard character before getting into the story proper.