Well then, this was a solid read for the time spent reading it.

I must admit that I am not too familiar with the Mass Effect universe, at least on an intimate level like I am with Halo. Having only played the first game in the series and having bits and pieces of familiarity with regards to the latter two games through various fanfiction and lore vids I have watched over the years, I suppose you could say I find my own enjoyment mostly through the eyes of other writers who have experienced those games for themselves. (Without my own need to give my own money to EA as as a publisher.) Thus I have mostly been familiarize with the franchise from an outsider's perspective, not knowing as much of the universe as those who have played it for themselves, using the works of others to familiarize myself with this unique universe.

To that end I have seen quite a few depictions of Shepard, mostly through the eyes of a paragon.
Your fic however stands as one of the few that have a fine depiction of Shepard as a renegade that I have read from start to finish. A short but sweet fic that takes an original view of the character that I have to seen elsewhere, one that has paid many dividends I must say.

To the point, yours is a story that takes a deeper, intimate exploration of the characters seen in Mass Effect, as well as from an angle that "truly" explores the other characters from a more alien background. I must admit I myself struggle somewhat with this as a writer myself when depicting other species, as I find it hard to understand the thought process of an alien mind that would come across
as something coherent and understandable for both myself and a reader. Thus I have fallen back on utilizing the view of having these aliens merely be humans in alien skin. (With some caveats of course, utilizing ferals and other variations of the species to experiment with for my own liking.)

This fic however has given me some insight as to how to go about depicting a more alien mindset without completely jettisoning the human elements from said alien characters, something I find useful for my own efforts as a writer.

It will take me several more re-reads to fully appreciate what you have written here, but even on a first read I have glean valuable insight form you as a writer, and for that you have my thanks as reader and writer both. The story was both unique and enjoyable, a fine investment of time into a character that has so often been utilized before in the same manner time and time again. From including the differing viewpoints of an alien character to incorporating philosophies of the greats and weaving them into Shepard's upbringing, I find this to be a rich experience despite the short length of it.

Seeing as how you haven't been active in some time however, I must presume you have moved on from writing fanfiction. To that I hope you have found fresher pastures in your endeavors outside of this little hobby. For what it is worth, I am glad to have read this fic. If you ever return, I look forward to your future projects.

Dear Guest -

I took 400 level classes, both in Foucault, Kant, Descartes and Neitszche when I intended to go to law school. Feel free to insult and degrade my education while hiding behind a Guest name in a public space. If you'd like to engage in a debate or more constructive conversation, I encourage you to e-mail me or private message me.

Otherwise, I humbly request you re-regard your comment.

Its easy to point a finger and make up insulting slights. Quite another to point out specific issues and contradictions in the philosopher's ideas.

- Mighty Crouton

The philosophical references are not very well done. I'm not even at undergraduate level competency, but I know enough to doubt that you've ever read Foucault, or engaged with Nietzsche beyond the superficial level. This story was highly recommended on TVTropes, but I'm not sure why. It grated.

YAAAAAAY! While normally the philosophies of Nietzsche and the others aren't my cup of tea (I'd probably be buddy buddy with Thomas Paine, deism and all, and Ayn Rand was really annoying), I can see why a character like Foucault Sheperd would love them. I genuinely liked this story, especially the work put into making sure the Turian culture was spot on.

Bravo, sah!

I've only just read this first chapter, and I'll say now this has promise. I'm an ME nerd (but I only own the third game...yes I can hear the screaming) and I can say that this is pretty damn good alien/human interaction.

I might drag this on here, but I do think this Shepard has mild Aspergers Syndrome and anger management issues (personal experience and what have you), as well as PTSD. And the Foucault joke was awesome. I don't know much about the guy, other than that he was pretty friggin pissed at everything.

This might seem like intense dickishness, but the Shepard presented here reminds me of...well, me. Good on ya, mate!

goodwork

This is completely satisfying and mature. Thank you for writing it.

Your story suck hairy BALLS go get raped

I appreciate the work you put into this and the details the makers of ME glossed over to try and attain this feel. Well done and hope you can keep this going in all your pursuits.

Absolutely loved it.

I love the depth you gave the face paint. This is now my headcanon.

This is really kind of cool. There aren't many GarrusxShepard fics I've read, but this looks to be the best of them.

This version of Shepard is great. I'm very glad she didn't break down and cry or anything (at any point, but particularly when she specifically let her guard down for Garrus,) and I'm also quite happy that we never learned the name(s) she used before Jane Shepard. In my opinion, that's a nice touch. Your take on how aliens should be written is superb. (And yet so very obvious- Why -are- aliens so often treated as if they're humans, anyway? Sloppiness? Laziness?) I'm amazed at how much thought and effort you put into body language in this story. Amazed and delighted. You've given me a lot to think about. Thank you. :)

The tension in this fic is sublime, I have to say.

Jack exploiting every weakness she can. So gooooood.