Mass Effect: Resolution

Prologue: Genesis

In the year 2148, explorers on Mars discovered the remains of an ancient spacefaring civilization. In the decades that followed, these mysterious artifacts revealed startling new technologies, enabling travel to the furthest stars. The basis for this technology was a force that controlled the very fabric of space and time.

They call it the greatest discovery in human history.

The civilizations of the galaxy call it MASS EFFECT.

The Citadel, 14:23 pm

Serpent Nebula; May 29, 2183

Udina tapped his fingers impatiently on his desk as he waited for the dossiers to upload to his terminal. The dossiers were of candidates considerable to become the first human spectre, which would show how far the Alliance has come since their faithful meeting at relay-214. Standing alongside him in his office was Admiral Steven Hackett, leader of the Arcturus Fleet, and Captain David Anderson, a decorated war hero and current captain of the SSV Normandy; a co-developed turian-alliance frigate with classified new technology (which Udina had full knowledge of). The dossiers finally loaded up, and Udina scanned the first name. "How about Maine? He's the Hero of Elysium; stood up against an army of slavers, mercs, and pirates with nothing but an assault rifle."

Hackett shook his head. "Maine is currently MIA; hasn't reported back from a scouting mission in the Armstrong Cluster."

"Hmm." Udina muttered disappointingly. He flipped to the next dossier. "How about Stark?"

"Forget it!" Anderson interjected. "He's the butcher of Torfan. Slaughtered a hundred batarians with just a combat knife, and his entire unit was killed in the process. We don't need a bloodthirsty bastard like him representing humanity."

Udina groaned in annoyance yet again, and flipped to the next dossier. "Well, what about Shepard? Earthborn... but no record of his family."

That name attracted Anderson's attention. "Doesn't have one. He was raised on the streets; learned to look out for himself." And he knew that well. They had a chat back at Alliance HQ in New York a month ago, and the man was comfortable explaining his life story to the old man.

"He saw his whole unit die on Akuze." Hackett interjected, remembering all too well the sadness in his eyes as they closed the coffin of the only body recovered from the slaughter; the body of twenty-three year old Sergeant Jessica Weaver. Whatever she was to Shepard, it has likely scarred him pretty bad. "He could have some serious emotional scars."

"Every soldier has scars." Anderson pointed out. "Shepard's a survivor."

"Is that the kind of person we want protecting the galaxy?" Udina asked, hoping the three of them could finally make a decision.

"That's the only kind of person who can protect the galaxy." Anderson said with a smile, revealing that his vote was on Shepard.

Udina looked up at Hackett, and the old man nodded his head in agreement. "I'll make the call." Udina then said, happy that their candidate had been chosen.

SSV Normandy, 09:23 am

Above Earth's atmosphere; June 1st, 2183

Zach stared out the window of the Normandy to the beautiful sight of Earth. He knew that on the surface Earth still needed cleaning up from the idiotic choices made by people in the 21st century, but the view from space still held the planet's beauty. While his time living on the planet was bearable due to the support of Father Callahan, a priest from his home city still preaching the gospel but also making xenophobic remarks about humanity's new relationship with the council species, he still liked going to new worlds to discover new cultures and perspectives. He still wasn't sure what Callahan's problems with aliens was, and he was sure his silver tongue wouldn't be able to even come close to convincing Father Callahan to even say "Hi" to an alien. However, the asari he saw walking away from the church with a hidden smile while Callahan yelled at her to get away from his church rather 'fakely' last week made Zach question just how far his prejudice went when it came to the asari.

Because everyone loves the asari apparently. Zach thought to himself. As for his own views on the asari, while he found them attractive, he didn't think he could settle down with one given their longer life span and the fact that they take up multiple mates over the years. It still wasn't something he understood, but even though he's been in space for years now, he rarely had any contact with the citadel species or the other random groups of aliens throughout the galaxy. Staring at Earth again for the first time in a month since landing for some hard-earned extended shore leave made him realize just how much he missed such elegant beauty in his life.

How much he missed-

Don't think about it now. You need a clear head for whatever your mission is. Setting the matter aside for a time he wanted to grieve, he decided to walk to the cockpit, as the ship was finally heading out to the Charon Relay. Wearing his armor and gear, a set of heavy explorer armor he's had since Akuze, and a set of Elanus Risk Control Service weapons mounted to his magnetic clips on his armor, he walked with the seriousness of a soldier, nodding his head in greeting to those he passed by. The pilot was announcing some random piloting stuff as they approached the giant construct that enabled fast-travelling space flight in a matter of what seemed like minutes. When he reached the cockpit, he noticed he was not alone. Standing to his side was Nihlus, a turian spectre sent by the council to 'keep an eye on their investment', as the turians helped build this advanced ship. While Zach didn't know everything about the ship just yet, he knew they were heading to the exodus cluster to test the IES stealth systems, a tactical advantage to the right kind of operative. However, he did feel like there was something off about this mission. But that was probably superstition due to his time in combat giving him a seemingly 'sixth sense' when danger approached him.

The pilot soon counted down the time it took to hit the relay, and the ship jumped at high speeds as it travelled along the current of the beam.

"Thrusters: check. Navigation: check. Internal emissions sync engaged. All systems online." The pilot commented. "Drift just under 1500K."

"1500 is good. Your captain will be pleased." Nihlus commented before departing the cockpit. However, once the turian was out of earshot, Zach heard the pilot speak four words:

"I hate that guy."

"Nihlus gave you a compliment. So you hate him." the co-pilot commented. Zach took a step forward and crossed his arms behind his back while the pilot decided to make a joke.

"You remember to zip up your jumpsuit on the way out of the bathroom? That's good! I just jumped us half way across the galaxy and hit a target the size of a pinhead! So that's incredible!" The pilot then returned to a serious voice as he spoke of Nihlus again. "Besides, spectres are trouble. I don't like having him onboard. Call me paranoid."

"You're paranoid. The council helped fund this project. They have the right to send someone to keep an eye on their investment."

"Yep. That is the official story. But only an idiot believes the official story."

"They don't send spectres on shakedown runs." Zach agreed.

"So there's more going on here than the captain's letting o-"

The intercom blurred to life as Captain Anderson's voice spoke in the stoic, commanding voice. "Joker! Status report!" Zach had met Anderson about a month ago when he took some time off in New York. He was a decorated war hero, and a bit of a father figure to him, as it was the captain's stories that had got him to originally consider joining the Alliance when he was a teenager.

"Just cleared the mass relay, captain. Stealth systems engaged. Everything looks solid." The pilot Zach now knew to call Joker spoke.

"Good. Find a comm buoy and link us into the network. I want mission reports relayed to Alliance brass before we reach Eden Prime."

"Aye, aye, captain. Better brace yourself, sir. I think Nihlus is headed your way."

"He's already here, Leuteinent." Joker shook his head at the captain's comment. "Tell Commander Shepard to meet me in the comm room for a debriefing." The intercom then cut itself off, as Anderson was done speaking.

"You get all that, Commander?"

"I'm on my way." Zach said almost glumly.

Joker scoffed. "Is it me or does the captain always sound pissed off?"

"Only when he's talking to you, Joker." the co-pilot said as Zach walked away. As he headed to the comm room, he heard chattering from the navigator talking to someone from the intercom system about Nihlus. As he got closer, he saw one of the soldiers talking to who appeared to be the doctor aboard the ship. He heard the kid mention that he grew up on Eden Prime; that it didn't seem the place to be testing out the ship, and that Nihlus's presence infers that there's going to be a real mission. When he walked into the comm room, he found only Nihlus standing next to the holographic projectors, which were used for communication to people like politicians and admirals. He was more than sure Anderson was here as well, but he could've left the room before Zach got there.

"Commander Shepard," Nihlus said as he turned around to face him. "I was hoping you would get here first. It would give us a chance to talk."

This confused Zach, as he was sure Anderson stated Nihlus was with him in the comm room, and not in the cabin downstairs. "What about?" he then asked.

"I'm interested in this world we're going to: Eden Prime. I've heard it's quite beautiful."

Zach had never been there himself, but he heard the stories of its majesty. "They say it's a paradise."

"Yes, a paradise. Serene, tranquil, safe. Eden Prime has become something of a symbol to your people. Proof that not only humanity can establish colonies across the galaxy but also protect them." He turned around before his seemingly friendly tone turned a little more serious. "But how safe is it really?"

That sent a signal to Zach's brain. "Do you know something?" he stated, holding a tone as serious to Nihlus's remark.

"Your people are still newcomers, Shepard." Nihlus said as he turned to face Shepard again. "The galaxy can be a very dangerous place. Is the Alliance truly ready for this?"

Before Zach could ask what Nihlus meant by that last comment, Captain Anderson finally made it to the comm room. "I think it's time we told the Commander what's really going on."

"This mission's far more than a simple shakedown run." Nihlus put out bluntly.

"I figured there was something you weren't telling us." Zach spoke to Anderson.

"We're making a covert pickup on Eden Prime. That's why we needed the stealth systems operational."

Zach eyed the captain with a serious yet confused look. "There must be a reason you didn't tell me about this, sir."

"This comes down from the top. information strictly on a need-to-know basis." Anderson started walking towards Nihlus. "A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some sort of beacon during an excavation. It was prothean."

The name of the space-faring civilization that ruled the galaxy... and disappeared. Zach quickly thought. "I thought the protheans vanished fifty-thousand years ago."

"Their legacy still remains. The mass relays. The Citadel. Our ship drives. It's all based on prothean technology."

"This is big, Shepard. The last time humanity made a discovery like this, it jumped our technology forward two-hundred years. But Eden Prime doesn't have the necessary facilities to handle something like this. We need to take it to the Citadel for proper study."

"Obviously, this goes beyond mere human interests, Commander. This discovery could affect every species in Citadel space."

"Why didn't we keep the beacon for ourselves?" Zach asked Nihlus merely out of curiosity.

"Your people don't have the best reputation. Some species see you as too selfish, too unpredictable, too independent, even dangerous."

"Sharing that beacon will improve relations with the council." Anderson chimed in. "Plus we need their expertise. They know more about the protheans than we do."

"The beacon is not the only reason I'm here, Commander." Nihlus spoke as he walked to Zach's right.

"Nihlus isn't just here for the beacon. He's also here to evaluate you."

That got Zach interested, and made him finally understand why Nihlus has been watching him since coming aboard. "Guess that explains why I bump into him every time I turn around." he joked.

"The Alliance has been pushing this for a long time. Humanity wants a larger role in shaping interstellar policy. We want more say with the Citadel council. The spectres represent the council's power and authority. If they accept a human into their ranks, it shows how far the Alliance has come."

"Not many could've survived what you went through on Akuze, but you showed incredible strength, and a remarkable will to live. A particularly useful talent. That's why I put your name forward as a candidate for the spectres."

"Why would a turian want a human in the spectres?"

"Not all turians resent humanity. Some of us see the potential of your species. We see what you have to offer to the galaxy, and to the spectres. We are an elite group. It's rare to find an individual with the skills we seek. I don't care that you're human. I only care that you can get the job done."

Zach faced Anderson. "I assume this is good for the Alliance?"

"Earth needs this, Shepard. We're counting on you."

"I need to see your skills for myself, Commander." Nihlus stated. "Eden Prime will be the first of several missions together."

"You'll be in charge of the ground team. Secure the beacon and get it back to the ship ASAP. Nihlus will accompany you to observe the mission."

"Just give the word, Captain" Zach said, positive he had all the information he needed.

"We should be getting close to Eden-"

"Captain! We've got a problem!" Joker interrupted over the intercom.

"What's wrong, Joker?"

"Transmission from Eden Prime, sir! You better see this."

"Bring it up on screen." Anderson ordered. The three men walked towards the projectors, which then played a message of the battle on Eden Prime. Whoever is recording the message is told to get down by a woman in Phoenix armor, who then fires a few short bursts from her assault rifle. Another man is then shown calling for evacuation before he gets knocked back; possibly from a shot the enemy fired at him. All of a sudden, a loud noise is heard, and the marines look to the sky with expressions of shock on their faces. The one with the camera joins their stare at the sky as a large ship is seen coming down. The footage ends after the marines are running from a bombardment of missile fire, and then static.

"Everything cuts out after that. No comm traffic at all. Just goes dead. There's nothing."

"Reverse and hold at 38.5." Anderson ordered. The footage goes back to the ship. Red bolts of electricity are leaving its strange tentacles on the front of the ship. Nihlus's mandables twitch. "Status report!"

"Seventeen minutes out, Captain. No other Alliance force in the area."

"Take us in, Joker; fast and quiet. This mission just got a lot more complicated."

"A small strike team can move quickly, without drawing too much attention." Nihlus suggested. "It's our best chance to secure the beacon." Zach stared at the frame a little longer, curious as to what exactly he was seeing.

"Grab your gear and meet us in the cargo hold!" Anderson told Nihlus, and he turned to face Shepard as Nihlus left. "Tell Alenko and Jenkins to suit up, Commander. You're going in."

Shepard took one last glimpse at the film, unaware that this day would change his life forever.

Author's Note: I hope you have enjoyed the prologue of my character's story in the Mass Effect storyline. I'd like to point out a few things, though, before people may start asking some questions that I know someone will want to ask:

1-My character has his own designed look that is not based off of the default MaleShep face. If you read my short-story Mass Effect 3: Remembrance, then you will have a start to his actual look.

2-I plan on taking this story from start to finish, however I won't have a certain upload schedule for the chapters, as I have a pretty busy work schedule right now (what happens when your mom's your boss and recently fires someone) but I will try to be as frequent as possible. As for when I reach Mass Effect 3, I have my own little plan for the ending, though I'm also waiting to see if youtube user Lightstreak567's "unfinished puzzle" theory, which states Bioware still isn't finished with the ending, comes true as well. I plan on dragging my character's legacy through four stories, with a post-ME3 story taking place twenty years later following another character connected to Shepard throughout that story.

3-I do plan on introducing characters not ever mentioned in the lore, but some of those characters are already in Remembrance, which reveals part of Zach's choices from ME2. Some will be shown through flashbacks or quick transitions. Others will just appear and disappear until a chosen time where you can really call them characters.

Anyways, review, enjoy, follow, and hold the line!