AN: This is just a plot bunny that wouldn't leave until I wrote it. Not sure if I'm going to do much more with it, and I apologise if this first chapter's a bit boring.

Entropy Effect

Chapter 1

Sam Shepard hummed contentedly as he checked the roast. It still had a while to go, so he went outside to tend to the garden, making sure to properly compost the clippings. As he headed back inside, he waved to the neighbors. They waved back, wearing rather forced grins. He sighed. He never got used to how people would always treat him because he had a few scars on his face. And they never believed him when he told them where he got them. Oh well, it's not like he needed their validation to live a happy life.

Once inside, he took a quick shower, and once he was done with that, he made sure the fine silverware was laid out, the candles lit, the lights dimmed, and the wine was decanted and left to breathe.

Now, all that was left was for his date to show up.

He checked his omnitool.

She should be arriving…

The front door chimed.

...Now.

Hannah Shepard, Admiral of the Systems Alliance, walked in. She took a glance around, and smiled at the waiting Sam.

"What's the occasion?"

Sam shrugged.

"I felt you could use a nice relaxing evening. You've been stressed these past couple of weeks. And since Adrian's gone hunting those… Geth, I figured we'd have the evening to ourselves." Sam said, waggling his eyebrows.

Hannah scoffed.

"Please, we haven't had to worry about our son walking in on us since he left for Basic, almost a decade ago. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask for a raincheck on that. Hackett's been running me ragged since the attack on the Citadel, so I'm just too tired at the moment."

Sam grumbled good-naturedly.

"What's the galaxy coming to, when a man can't have a nice, relaxing evening with his lovely wife?" he joked.

Hannah rolled her eyes.

"Poor baby." she sarcastically commiserated, pulling his head down in order to give him a kiss. A necessary action, since Sam was a full two feet taller than she was. As they sat down at the table, Sam gave a quick, silent prayer of thanks before he began eating, as he usually did.

Halfway through the Shepard's 'date', the doorbell chimed.

Growling in annoyance, Sam rose.

"I'll get it." he informed Hannah as he did so.

Briskly striding to the door, he opened it, revealing a Naval officer of some sort. Sam never bothered to learn the distinctions between ranks of the Systems Alliance, beyond what was necessary to follow his wife and son's conversations.

The Naval officer stared for a moment, having not expected a heavily scarred giant to answer the door.

"Speak." Sam barked.

That snapped the Officer out of his stupor, and he responded.

"I'm sorry, but is Admiral Shepard here? There's something I need to speak with her about."

Sam glared, but sighed in resignation.

He really didn't want her to have one her few opportunities to relax taken away, but her being called away to work at a moment's notice was something he had long since gotten used to.

"Hannah, work." He called out over his shoulder.

He heard a groan from the dining room, and Hannah's response.

"Coming."

As she walked over, The Naval Officer spoke.

"I apologize for the interruption ma'am, but I'm afraid I have bad news."

Sam rolled his eyes. Obviously. Someone from the government just knocked on their door. That never happened when there was good news. However, because his wife was a Navy Admiral, the 'bad news' was usually 'she needs to come in for yet another all-nighter'."

However, the Officer's next words turned his blood to ice.

"It's about your son."

...

The next few hours were filled with Sam doing his best to calm his wife down, despite barely having a hold on his emotions himself.

"Sam, I need to go. I need to find him."

"Hannah, Don't. The Navy is already doing everything they can do. You going will only end with more stress being heaped upon you. I know you are filled with the desire to do something, regardless of how useful it actually ends up being. But if the Navy can't find him, you'll end up blaming yourself. " Sam tried to reason.

Hannah glared at him through her tears.

"So what am I supposed to do!? Sit on my ass and pray!?"

Sam was about to argue that prayer was a perfectly legitimate method of providing assistance, but held his tongue.

However, his silence said it anyway.

"Well fine! You stay here and pray! In the meantime, I'll be doing something useful to help my son!" She shouted, as she stormed out.

The words stung, but Sam knew it was the grief talking.

In spite of Hannah's sarcasm, he would petition his gods for his son's safe return.

He hadn't… openly practiced his faith in quite some time. He stopped before he met Hannah, in fact.

It was time that changed.

Sam grabbed a shovel and went into the back yard.

As he dug, he spoke to his gods.

"If there was one thing I have learned during my time in ...retirement, it is that the people of this time did not believe in miracles or higher powers. They do not understand. They do not know that faith is rewarded, that they are seen and heard by those who are beyond their comprehension.

Do not worry, my lords, for I have not forgotten that simple truth. Which is why, after all these long years, I once again come to you for aid. It is through your grace that I arrived here, where I could live in peace. It is by your grace that I have had the joy of experiencing the simple pleasures of a simple life. It is through your grace that I have a son, despite my former Chapter's ...attempts to deny me the pleasure of being a father.

It is by your grace that my son will be restored to me.

I know this, because I know you reward your faithful. However, I have not forgotten that you do not give your blessings to those that have not earned them. I will sacrifice as much as I need to in order to have my son restored to me."

Sam had finally dug up what he sought. It was a large crate. He opened it, revealing a suit of armor. A suit with an eight-pointed star proudly emblazoned on it.

"For I am Samael the Iniquitous, Chaos Lord of the Alpha Legion. And I will not be denied the gifts I have earned in blood."