-Jane-

Propelling through the vacuum of space in direction for the Arcturus Prime Relay, the Alliance's newest starship, the SSV Normandy. Though it flies the Alliance's colors of stark white and bold black along its body, the SR1 is a breakthrough for the entire galaxy and in more ways than one.

This new stealth frigate is a living product of a mutual collaboration between two once-bitter enemies, the Turian people and humans. Aside from its visual hybridization of Turian and human ship design, the internal mechanics of the SR1 Normandy boasts its most unique product of the union, an advanced stealth system.

For centuries, the idea of starship stealth was unobtainable despite various attempts, but the Normandy is set to succeed where others have failed with its state-of-the-art internal emission sink, or IES, and experimental Tantalus Drive Core. The IES allows the ship to travel off-radar of any opponent by being able to store its radiating heat in internal casings and releasing that heat once it has safely evaded detection. The drive core, which is easily twice the size of any other ships despite being held in such a small ship, can generate a large enough concentration of mass to move through space faster and more quietly than any other without having to cool.

Within this unique ship is a woman, perhaps as equally unique, and she makes her way to the cockpit as the pilot engages to travel through the relay. This woman's true name of Jane Vakarian is kept secret, known only by a few and only allowed to be spoken by a single individual.

To the galaxy, this woman is known as Commander Jane Shepard, Alliance N7 and executive officer of the SSV Normandy SR1.

"Board is green. Approach run has begun." The pilot's voice echoes over the ship intercom as Jane makes it in time to see the massive relay through the Normandy's windows.

She stands proud, hands at rest behind her back, and watches as the center rings of the Mass Relay circulate faster around its core, the bright blue light of the Element Zero seeming to grow brighter at their approach. She hears the pilot's voice begin a countdown to the jump as the gyroscopic rings move at an almost undistinguishable pace, the ship at her feet shifting as the Eezo grabs hold of it.

Suddenly the ground shifts like a rocking boat on the sea, the effects as the Normandy it propelled forward through space, only to settle back just as suddenly.

Jane listens to the pilot, remembering now that he had introduced himself by his nickname Joker. "Thrusters… check. Navigation… check. Internal emissions sink engaged. All systems online. Drift… just under 1500 K."

Most of that goes straight over Jane's head but the Turian Spectre beside her nods his head in approval. "1500 is good. Your Captain will be pleased." He turns and leaves, leaving Jane to watch him go, confusion furrowing her brows.

She had vaguely met the Spectre when she got onto the Ship at Arcturus Station, he seemed friendly enough - didn't look down his figurative nose at her when she introduced herself and even twitched a brow plate at her slip of a nodded greeting - but his presence was odd.

Only thing she had heard about this run was that it was simply to test the stealth systems. She understood if the Hierarchy wanted to see the Normandy in action in its maiden voyage by sending in a representative to see it work in person, but a Spectre?

She would think he'd have more important things to do with his time than travel through space and sit around while the systems are checked. Then again, the Council did have a hand in setting up the deal better her people and his, so maybe that was the reason.

The only thing that put a notch in her logic was the fact that he all but said he wasn't here for that in his subtle body language. Who would have thought she'd be able to use her experience with her Turian husband to see through a Turian's lie when he thought he was around a species who didn't know the nuances? Hopefully the secrecy was just a precaution and not a precursor of something worse.

She is pulled out of her thoughts by Joker and the ship's Lieutenant, Kaidan Alenko, bickering about something. "Yeah, that's the official story they tell us…only idiots believe something like that. I still say the Spectre means trouble."

Jane steps into their conversation. Whether they forgot she was there or just didn't think she'd say something, they need to know that while she's all for soldiers joking around, the cockpit isn't the place to talk trash about the Council or Spectres when one was just here. "Whatever Nihlus is here for, it's not our place to question it. We have orders and if you have a problem with the Spectre, then trust in your Captain."

Probably a bit harsh, but then again, she did always have a hard time being friendly when it came with command. She wants her subordinates to like her, sure, but she needs them to respect her if she's to make sure they all fulfill their missions successfully. Survival and completely their task comes first and if it makes her a very lonely leader, than she supposes that's fine.

"Sorry, Commander," Alenko says and she can hear the truth in his words and in the shift of his hands over the holokeys, movements quick and precise. "We meant no disrespect."

"Joker! Status report." Captain Anderson's stern voice from the pilot's dashboard is a welcome break into their conversation – better known as her scolding – and she instinctively straightens up at the implied command.

She never would have thought that her conversation so long ago with the man would have led to the posting she now has. Anderson had approached her after her N7 graduation ceremony and spoke in vague questions and riddles, as he apparently did with every other N7. To think that all of that equated to an interview for the position of his XO, and for it to end up also being on the first-of-its-kind ship was an experience Jane couldn't pass up.

Anderson had contacted her in late December of 2182 and requested she take the positon under his command. She accepted his offer without hesitation, wanting to take the offer to be a part of something so pivotal, but later began to stress of the implications such a posting caused.

Though this ship may keep her from the loving family she had finally found, she knew it would be a risk associated with the life of a soldier. It was actually her mate, Garrus, that had helped her see that the threat of separation always existed but this chance was more than worth it. She knows his tender promise to always wait for her return also helped to ease the guilt of her immediate acceptance.

Jane silently rolls her eyes as she overhears Joker dig himself into a hole because of his dislike for the Turian Spectre, getting an unamused response from their Commanding Officer. She then hears his statement to relay a message for her to meet in the comm room and she pivots to leave, throwing a quick "I'm on it" to the pilot when he acknowledges her orders.

Jane passes by the galaxy map and overhears the navigations officer, Pressly, speaking with the lead engineer over the same suspicions from the cockpit. Engineer Adams seems to be in the midst of trying to calm Pressly who is continually insisting that having their guest is asking for trouble for the Alliance.

Shaking her head, Jane avoids that mess knowing full well that if the cockpit has taught her anything, she's bound to just rip someone's ass if they tell her Nihlus shouldn't be aboard and that their situation isn't normal for the Normandy's maiden voyage. Honestly, what's the big deal? He's not breathing down everyone's necks and there isn't any secrets of the ship that Turians don't know since they helped build it, which everyone seems to forget.

She nods to the silver haired Doctor Chakwas who is lecturing Jenkins, a young and enthusiastic Corporal that Jane had previously spoken to when the ship was still docked and running through procedures. To call him a kid is absolutely accurate, with his eager to please and eager to see action attitude. Hopefully, their earlier talk of patience and calm in action stuck in case she finds the man under her command.

The two stop their conversation for a moment to acknowledge Jane as she passes by them and rounds the corner to enter the communications room. The doors slide open to reveal the lone Spectre standing before a hologram image of their destination, the colony of Eden Prime.

The Spectre must hear her steps as she enters the room because he turns and speaks. "Ah, Commander Shepard, I was hoping we'd get a chance to speak before your Captain arrived."

Despite herself, her brow raises in a quizzical glance. "What exactly would you be wanting to speak privately with me about that Captain Anderson can't answer?"

"I've heard many things about this world we're going to. I've heard Eden Prime is quite beautiful." She shrugs dismissively, something very typical from Garrus and Nihlus' mandible flickers. She inwardly curses at the fact that now he's got another case of her using a Turian quirk and he's starting to question the reason.

He continues despite the odd occurrence, turning back to the hologram of the colony as he speaks. "I've heard many humans call Eden Prime a paradise, a symbol of humanity's capability to begin a colony without foreign aid. Humanity used Eden Prime to show that not only can you establish colonies throughout the galaxy but your Alliance can also defend them, as shown by your willingness to develop in systems bordering the Terminus." He turns back to Jane. "But how safe is Eden Prime, really?"

She scowls, confused by the lead up and tone of his question. He's obviously fishing for something in this conversation but whatever it may be, she has no clue. "Nihlus, if you've got something to say you might as well just say it and stop beating around the bush." His brow plate rises. . Right, probably doesn't know that one. Better explain. "Just speaking plainly."

His plates relax and he stands to the side, giving him the chance to look at her and the screen on both of his sides. He seems like he's about to speak again when the doors at Jane's back open to the sound of rushing air from the hydraulics.

"I think it's time we told the Commander what's really going on." Captain Anderson turns to Jane, his hands at a relaxed rest behind his back. He then tells her of a discovery on Eden Prime of a Prothean beacon much like the one that had initially lead humanity to creating the technology for space travel. He then tells her that the whole reason for the Normandy to choose Eden Prime as its first voyage is to pick up this beacon and transport it where it can be properly studied.

Jane knows enough from her time off spent countless amounts of television on the Citadel, which she is proud to say actually including watching something with purpose, that a find of such importance is required to be open for study by all as law by the Council. When Nihlus all but says this, she assumes this is the reason for his presence, to ensure that the beacon arrives at its intended destination and not taken in secret.

She isn't prepared for the Spectre to add the fact that he has another reason for being on the ship. When Anderson acknowledges that Nihlus is here for her, she almost questions what the Captain means by 'evaluate you.'

Well, I guess it would explain the hard time I have trying to avoid the guy so I don't slip up and do or say something I would with Garrus and end up breaking our rule of professionalism. She can't really respond with her thoughts so the two continue, taking her silence for being in deep consideration.

It's when Nihlus makes reference to her nightmare on Akuze that she can't remain polite and interrupts. "I'm sorry but, with all due respect, what does me being lucky enough and fast enough to survive a Maw have to do with being a Spectre?" She looks to Anderson. "How does that show the galaxy what the Alliance has to offer?" She makes sure to use almost his exact words to prove her point.

"I put your name forward for the Spectres, Shepard." Nihlus draws her attention and she catches a glimpse of an intrigued mandible flick. Good to know he finds my utter confusion enjoyable. Save me from Turians who enjoy watching me flounder."I see potential in all of your actions in your service record. Akuze was a test of survival, not luck as you seem to think. The ability to adapt and maintain composure when faces with great difficulty is something all Spectres must possess. Even your N7 training records show your ability to adapt and lead a small team through missions that were thought to only be accomplished by large platoons."

"Earth needs this if we want a say in galactic politics and regulation, Shepard. Everyone is counting on you becoming a Spectre and showing the other races what the Alliance can do." She inwardly curses Anderson for bringing up the fact that this would throw her into the biggest spotlight she could imagine. What a great way to convince someone by telling them how much pressure they'll have. Probably not the best pep talk, sir.

Knowing that her job in the Alliance is to put others before herself, she swallows the overburdened feeling from the sudden surprise of responsibility and speaks confidently. "I'll serve well and show the best of the Alliance, sir."

Nihlus tells her how this will be her first test of many, followed by the Captain explaining that the ground team will be put under her full authority while the Spectre follows and observes her on the field. She knows the immediate need to start the process and nods in acknowledgement, easily putting her fluttering heart at the surprising information to rest, but before she can be dismissed, Joker calls through the comm, his voice anxious and uneasy and claiming to have an important transmission from the planet.

"Bring it up on screen, Joker," Anderson acknowledges and the vidscreen over the entire back wall shifts from a serene image to a video capture from Eden Prime.

The video is shaky, probably from a helmet mounted device, and shows a hectic field of soldiers, constant gunfire as figures drop with injuries from their unseen enemies. A female soldier shoves the individual capturing footage to the ground and continues to throw out fire, explosions breaking through the din of guns and knocking more of the soldiers to the ground.

A voice speaks through the chaos, but it is unhelpful as it only helps to solidify what Jane and her companions know, there are heavy casualties and no insight on the enemy. The speaker is cut off mid-report as an unseen force drags him away to join the growing numbers.

A loud rumbling fills the comm room as the recording reverberates from some sound that Jane knows isn't from any gun or explosive. It's an angry mechanical droning and it sends chills down her spine as the footage looks up to the sky, revealing a massive black ship descending. The footage cuts into static, possibly signaling the end to the brave soul who thought to give anyone a chance of a look at their killer.

Joker tells them that comm traffic is completely dead from the planet, which is disturbingly odd to think of with so much reliability on it for a colony world. The Captain orders the pilot to find a certain frame of the video and when it fills the screen, Jane is giving another opportunity to witness that strange ship. She sees Nihlus' mandibles flicker in disbelief out of the corner of her eye and finds herself completely agreeing with the sentiment as she lays eyes on a build of ship that seems more creature that transport.

It is long, longer than any ship she's seen before, and descends upright, completely opposite from the elongated dreadnaughts of every spacefaring species. That included with the odd shape that brings doubt to its space worthiness leaves her positive that Eden Prime wasn't attacked by any enemy they're used to.

With no Alliance aid in the system to call on, Anderson orders Jane to collect her team and prepare them to land to collect the beacon. They are the only option for ensuring that that Prothean beacon gets back to the Normandy, and the Citadel, intact and with it being her first shot at becoming a Spectre, she's damn sure she isn't going to fuck it up.

~SquigglySquid says: And here is the beginning of the hunt for Saren! What's the opinion of putting the game into words? Tried not to quote the game but still have the basic things said. This will not be a walkthrough, missions and assignments that have a plot point that hits at the story will be touched on (besides main story of course). On a side note, I never really thought about how stiff everyone is in ME1 when they talk :P