Chapter Text
"Shepard, I need to see you in my office." A familiar voice comes over the comm, causing the dark-haired woman to look down at the intercom and sigh. She was dreading this meeting and what it meant.
"Yes sir, I have one more test to run and I will be there." She answers after a short pause.
Doctor Kerry Shepard, head geneticist for the Alliance Navy stares at the report she has been semi-reading for the past hour and contemplates her life. She has spent the last ten years doing research on alien races, trying to create cures for the most serious ailments that were plaguing each race. She had been successful in most instances and in turn been under tremendous pressure since Humanity had continued to try and explore deeper into the galaxy since finding the relays. With this tremendous discovery came a price.
Ever since first contact with the Turians had been made and different alien life forms were discovered, numerous illnesses became introduced to the different species. As a result, countless people were infected and millions died. Unfortunately, Shepard's sister was one of the casualties, dying from Simian Bacterial fever, along with Corpalis syndrome. The former was found to be curable and isn't serious but it masked the incurable Corpalis syndrome and the youngest Shepard succumbed to the disease. At the time it was thought that Corpalis was only contracted by Turians and was extremely rare so when Kerry's sister became ill no one knew what to look for. It was hard for the close-knit family to have to deal with such a horrible death but that was not the only tragedy that would befall the Shepard family at the hands of an alien race.
Growing up on Mindoir most thought she would have become untrusting and wanting revenge against all aliens, considering she had to witness her sister, then her parents die. Her mother and father were murdered at the hands of Batarian slavers not long after her sister had passed, yet she took the opposite path and dedicated her life to helping everyone she could.
She never let what happened to her and her family defined who she became. Shepard wanted to do good by her families name and she has by keeping their memory, or more importantly her sister's memory alive with the work she has done. Her sister had been so young when she became ill, yet full of life. No one could tell when they had a conversation with her that they were speaking with a six-year-old with a fatal disease considering she was so understanding and accepting of her fate. She always spoke of how interesting it would be to travel around the galaxy and help all she could. It took a long time but Shepard eventually became the person she is today and it is all due to her younger sister Caterina.
Shepard is considered the hero of the galaxy and has saved billions of lives over the course of her career. Now her life has come to a crossroad, and normally she'd make a decision without hesitation, but she is second guessing everything she has ever done.
She has been in charge of the genetics research and development department for the last few years and had already made a name for herself in a short amount of time. She has worked with nearly every alien race in the galaxy and been successful helping each of them cure some of deadliest plagues ever seen. Even with all of the rumors that she was unlucky and no one should work with her if they wanted to survive the mission the Alliance had been good to her. None better than Captain David Anderson.
"Anderson, you wanted to see me...sir?" She asks before walking into the Captain's office on the Citadel.
"Yes come in...and since when did you become so formal?"
Admiral David Anderson, a career Alliance soldier, her commanding officer, and Kerry Shepard's adoptive father. He had been there on Mindoir right after the Batarian attack that wiped out an entire human colony along with her family and friends. He took her in and raised her like she was one of his own along with his wife Kahlee, so this was going to be difficult for Shepard. Especially since he had always looked upon Shepard with love and admiration, she was the daughter he never had and treated her as such. He had raised her as one of his own and tried to guide her through life as best he could. She always looked at him with respect for everything he had ever done for her and even though he guided her along the way he always allowed her to make her own choices. By doing this he showed her what the consequences of her actions or inactions would result in and this is especially true with what she is dealing with now. Her most recent decision had been based on the guilt she felt at what she had been doing for nearly her entire career. It has been eating away at her conscience and she finally made the decision to leave it all behind.
She is about to leave the only life she knew in order to protect those she loved the most. That's what she continues to tell herself each night but in the end, she was nothing more than a traitor.
"Kerry it's good to see you but you need not to be in that hole you call an office on your first day back."
"Yeah, well you all keep finding new and improved ways to keep me there so." She's trying to hide her nervousness with humor but she's never been any good at it.
"You gonna tell me what this is all about old man or can I get back to my dungeon."
"Funny even for you. Look, I know you just got back but something has come up and it requires your attention personally."
Shepard sits back in her chair not sure how to feel. Her plan to leave is simple enough but she is normally under the eye of the galaxy and complications could always arise.
"Udina has been screaming for you to get back on active duty. He is on his way down here now so I figured you needed to hear this from me first so...you are being sent to Thessia to work alongside some Asari matriarchs daughter and her team of scientists. They have made a discovery that has them asking for you by name. They also have had a breakthrough in some of the research they have been conducting and since councilor Tevos and Matrarch Benezia asked for you personally we..."
"Figured you'd get me back as soon as possible and send me to Thessia." She finishes his sentence, not at all liking her current circumstances. "This is crazy David, I... I just came back...I just got cleared by Doctor Chakwas yesterday and I don't think going off world to Thessia is the best thing for me." In reality, it would have been the perfect cover story for what she wants to do, but since Udina is involved she has a feeling that this mission would be scrutinized to the fullest extent. Shepard especially is not going to like what Anderson tells her next.
"That's why we are sending you along with an assistant, a Lieutenant Rebecca Finch. She just graduated from the academy at the top of her class and has been compared to you by most of her professors."
"No, absolutely not, she's brand new and my track record with partners sucks. This is just a bad idea all around. Besides what do they need me for?" She is becoming more nervous by the moment and speaking quickly. Her previous assignments hadn't been under a microscope like she knew this one would be. Human and Asari relations had always been tentative since the incident on Mindoir, right after Shepards family had been murdered.
Before the Alliance arrived to answer the distress call there was a group of Asari commandos that were in the area that had responded. They began to search for survivors but were apparently attacked by humans in military-grade armor and only one commando survived. When the Alliance arrived a short time later the wounded Asari attacked them, thinking they only came back to finish her and the teenage human she had been helping, off. Shepard had always wondered who the lone Asari survivor was since she had tried to protect the younger human. She always wanted to thank the Asari commando for staying by her side and applying medi-gel to her wounds but Shepard never found out what happened to her, only a name. Even with her clearance to Alliance data banks, she was unable to gain access to anything about what happened. To this day no one knows who Shepard truly is considering the file on the incident was sealed since it was a dark time for the Alliance.
The Alliance vehemently denied having any other ships that had responded and tried to focus the blame on possible mercenary groups in the area trying to loot the attacked village. Humanity had already been considered bullies and this incident didn't help especially since there was no information found as to who the other group of humans had been. It didn't matter what excuse was given though, the human race was still relatively new to the galaxy and already had issues with the Turians. The misunderstanding on Mindoir was not something the Humans needed when it came to alien relations.
After a while the Human, Asari relations improved but not to where Councilor Udina wanted them to be. Humans were still not apart of the council and the Asari were looked upon as the galactic leaders. The human representative had been kissing the other councilors asses at a constant and no one liked him. He's only out for one thing and that's pushing to make the dream of becoming the first human councilor a reality with his name at the front of the list. This recent mission that Shepard is to go on would more than likely change his status for the better.
Shepard hated Udina and all of his sliminess. Since the first time she met him, Shepard knew he is only after one thing and that was streamlining his career. Whether it is promises owed to him by certain shady groups or him making deals with councilors in order for Shepard to come back to work early, right after she nearly had an emotional break; he's only ever out for himself. This is not what she needs right now but she apparently didn't have a choice.
"How is he allowed to get involved in any of this? I'm an alliance soldier, not some political lap dog!"
"There's not much of a difference once you get to a certain point," Anderson answers bitterly. The memories of his career both good and bad quickly pass through his mind. He had made rank quickly during the beginning of his career. He was given command of his own ship after becoming the first N7 graduate. He was living the life he wanted to live and be the best marine he could be. Eventually, he was given the chance to become humanity's first Spectre; a special task force formed by the council to keep order throughout the galaxy. They are considered the best each race has to offer but he was dealt an unfair advantage due to who the council had observed him. He had gone on a mission that went bad from the start. He was paired up with a Spectre who was supposed to evaluate Anderson, a Turian named Saren Arturius. Saren hated humans and Anderson was no different since the Turians brother had died in the First Contact War. Anderson was involved in that conflict so Saren made an example with David, falsifying the report, making it look like he had been responsible for the innocent civilians that died. Ultimately Anderson lost his candidacy and almost ruined his military career. He became bitter about everything and tried to get Saren kicked out of the Spectre's for apparently abusing his power. Numerous attempts were made by Anderson to have the council look into Saren, but he never had enough evidence. Eventually, the Turian Councilor, Sparatus, threatened to arrest Anderson for falsely accusing the Turian Spectre repeatedly. After Sparatus demanded action be taken against David the Alliance, or more importantly Udina, grounded the first ever N7 graduate and all but put him behind a desk.
He would have retired years ago but he had a family to think about and the military was all he ever knew. Kerry was already in his life and gave him a reason to continue on. Each time he contemplated leaving he'd look at Shepard and was reminded of something important his wife Kahlee had told him. She said that no matter how bad it got for him that the girl he rescued had a worse life than anyone could imagine. Even with the long sleepless nights of screaming in her room and not letting anyone near her, pushing everyone away. Or the time they had to go get her from the university for having an emotional breakdown when she saw a Batarian visiting her school and attacked him. With everything Shepard had been through, she chose to save the galaxy and everyone in it; she was his inspiration.
Needing to get back to the task at hand he continues. "Listen, I know you're still hurting over Mordins death but we need you and the Asari are asking for you. Your the best we have and they requested you personally. You should be honored."
Her thoughts immediately focus on her Salarian friend and the recent tragedy that took his life. He had been assisting her for years and they'd become close friends. They had been able to accomplish remarkable things together and this last mission would be their greatest achievement yet. It brought them to the Krogan homeworld where they were looking to cure the genophage. It was a disease that caused the Krogan females to become sterile and had been contracted after the Tuchanka natives destroyed the Rachni, centuries prior.
The spider-like creatures had begun to infest the galaxy and cause problems everywhere and the Council had to intervene. They decided to uplift the Krogan and ask for their help all in the same breath. The Tuchanka natives agreed and only asked for technology for their weapons and ships. They also wanted a representative on the Citadel in return and was considered a fair deal. The terms were initially agreed upon but after they killed the Rachni the genophage disease was their reward. Directly after the Krogan helped the galaxy the Salarian and Turian councilors became scared at how easily the Tuchanka natives handled them. They both became worried that the Krogan would try to overthrow everyone so they implemented a law that stated a newly discovered race had to wait a certain period before a delegate could join their ranks on the Citadel. Also, no technology could be shared with the new race and the Krogan were left to fend for themselves and they became the angry, violent beings some thought they already were. Since they didn't have the knowledge or the education they couldn't look into curing this plague on their own.
Shepard and Mordin Solus, an ex- STG agent and brilliant scientist thought this disease that affected the Krogan was too tragic. They created a cure and ultimately built a giant shroud that would disperse it so they wouldn't become extinct.
Not everyone involved thought there should be a cure. Some voiced their opinions that the Krogan would reproduce too quickly and overtake the galaxy, want revenge for what had happened to them. They were still considered to be a brutal and violent species by some, and their populations should be regulated.
To make sure a cure didn't happen, the Salarian dalatrass at the time sent one of her moles to infiltrate the project. His name was Maelon Heplorn, a Salarian geneticist and he became an assistant working side by side with Mordin. He got close enough to sabotage the project so when Mordin released the cure the shroud exploded, killing doctor Solus. The explosion killed Shepard's friend but the cure worked. Shepard fell apart and had to be committed to psychiatric care, which she has just been released from. He wasn't the first person she lost on a mission but hopefully the last; her Salarian friend will always be missed.
She can hear his last words he spoke to her as she was screaming over the comm for him to get out...'Has to be me...someone else might get it wrong.'
Her eyes close as the explosion replays and she has to take a deep breath. After a moment she opens them and realizes where she is.
"What makes them think I can help them...don't they have some of the smartest minds out there next to the salarians? What can I offer them that they can't figure out on there own and why do I have to go there? Can't I just do a conference call or something?" She is pleading with Anderson to let her out of this assignment. If she is correct then there would be an extensive look at her background and numerous questions asked by the Asari once she arrived. She knew her past had been sealed and a new background had been created but Asari, especially Matriarchs, were very meticulous when it came to their families and who they let into their homes. This is especially true with the more prestigious families. They are considered by some to be paranoid and having commandos as their personal security. All of this is just adding to the difficulty level of what Shepard needs to do in order to disappear. Looking at the displeased man across from her she realizes her complaining went too far.
Anderson stands up quickly, obviously annoyed. He can not fathom why she is refusing to go. He understands how she feels as far as taking an assistant since most of them seem to get hurt or worse while working with the doctor, but this is bordering on her disobeying an order.
"Lieutenant Commander Shepard, you are being asked to go to a world that has shown us nothing but respect from the council down to the local authorities who will be escorting you...so yes you are going! Go home, pack and get some rest, you leave tomorrow morning, early!"
Shepard can only close her eyes and nod her head. Anderson had asked her but she knew, in the end, this was an order, and she is still apart of the military; she has no choice. She wasn't happy but knew she has to make the best of her stay and hope she can keep her past at bay while figuring out how to help one of the most prestigious races in the galaxy.
"You will be fine child don't worry so much, please." Anderson takes a deep breath and tries to sound less authoritative than he did before as he sits down. He can see the conflict on her face and has an idea of what she is going through so he decides that turning back into the father figure will be the best way to handle her. Seeing the deflated look on her face and since she still isn't responding, Anderson continues.
"Kerry, you are the best scientist we have to offer and they would not have suggested you go there and help them if the Asari didn't see what we see...what I see. You are talented, smarter than anyone I know. And no matter what you may think, you have everything going for you. Don't let a few bumps in the road keep you from obtaining your goal. You've accomplished great things and I couldn't be more proud of you."
Proud; the word nearly brought her to tears after Anderson had said it. She knew he had always felt that way about her but to actually hear him say it, especially now, was almost too much. As soon as he told her how he felt she stood up quickly, gave him a hug and walked out if his office, ignoring the ranting Udina that was entering the office. Now she's sitting in her bedroom watching her fish swim in their tank replaying the last few hours, wondering if she's making the right decision. Should she say something to Anderson or continue on with her current path? Leaving to go off-world would give her the perfect cover story for what she has planned and would keep them in the dark and protected. Either way, she has a job to do, so if this is going to be her last mission for the Alliance she's going to see it through to the end.