The Tempest drifted peacefully through the quiet expanse of the Heleus Cluster, a serene lull after weeks of navigating hostile planets, meeting alien species, and narrowly avoiding catastrophe.

Scott Ryder tossed a poker card into the center pile with a casual flick of his wrist. Across the table, Sara, his twin sister, studied her hand with a knowing glint in her eye. She always had that look when trouble was about to unfold. Beside them, Gil Brodie leaned back, a bottle of brandy resting between his arm and the table. The crew had earned a little relaxation time.

Scott, sensing danger, shifted in his seat. “I don’t have a thing for bad boys, okay? Can we just drop it?”

Sara suppressed a laugh, her mischievous grin widening. “Oh, come on, Scott. You're no fun when you're in denial.”

Gil perked up, clearly entertained. "Wait, wait—what's this about bad boys? Scott, you’ve been holding out on me?" He eyed Scott with amused curiosity, savoring the sibling banter as a much-needed break from the usual chaos.

Scott grimaced. "Sara, don't—"

The farewell party was winding down. The chatter that had once filled the small, dimly lit bar was quieter now, the once lively conversations now subdued. Glasses clinked less frequently, and laughter, though still present, seemed softer. Ryder could feel the weight of the night settling in, an unspoken heaviness lingering in the air.

Leaning against the bar, he took a long, thoughtful sip of his beer. Darren was still beside him, fiddling with his phone, though his earlier playful energy had given way to a reflective silence. Ryder could feel his friend's presence, steady as always, but tonight there was an edge of something new—something neither of them was fully prepared for.

"Still taking pictures?" Ryder asked, his voice light but with a knowing edge.

Darren, caught off guard, glanced over, his eyes briefly flicking up from his phone. "Just making sure I’ve got enough evidence to remind you how much cooler I am when you’re off playing space cowboy."

The Skyllian Blitz was chaos, a brutal attack that left Elysium's streets scorched and its people shaken. Andrew had been volunteering in a makeshift medical tent on the outskirts of the colony, tending to the wounded as best he could with limited supplies and a steady stream of incoming casualties. He'd been focusing on a deep cut on a soldier’s arm when the flap of the tent flew open.

Shepard walked in, dirt smudging his face and a mix of exhaustion and determination in his eyes. Andrew remembered that first sight clearly, even years later—how Shepard’s presence seemed to fill the room, even as he stumbled on unsteady feet. There was a deep cut on his brow, bleeding freely, but he carried himself like he hadn’t even noticed it.

For a moment, Andrew just stared. He wasn’t sure if it was the rawness of the scene outside or the sheer intensity in Shepard’s gaze that made him freeze. It was Shepard who broke the silence with a small, weary smile, his voice rough with exhaustion but filled with relief.

“It’s over. We won,” he said simply, before his knees buckled and he nearly collapsed right there.

John Shepard had always been a survivor, but surviving wasn’t enough anymore. Growing up in the rough streets of Earth’s slums, he learned to scrape by, hustling with the Red Street gang, running drugs, fighting other gangs for territory, and doing whatever it took to survive. He was tired of the constant hunger gnawing at his stomach, the freezing nights spent without a roof over his head, and the ever-present fear that one day, he wouldn’t make it out of a fight. He didn’t want that life anymore.

On his 18th birthday, he made a choice. The Alliance recruitment office wasn’t far from the dingy, rundown neighborhood he called home, but it felt like another world entirely. Shepard walked in with determination burning in his eyes. He had never felt so sure about anything in his life. This was his way out. The Alliance offered something the streets never could—a future. Discipline. Respect. Maybe even something close to honor.

He filled out the application, his hand shaking with anticipation, then submitted it, eager for a response. This was his chance to become a soldier, to leave his street-rat days behind. If he got in, his future wouldn’t be a cycle of gang violence and scrounging for scraps. He’d have purpose. A new life. It was a long shot, but it was a shot, and he’d learned a long time ago to take risks when the opportunity presented itself.

Why Alec transferred SAM to Scott/Sara instead of Cora. Mass Effect: Initiation

Alliance News: Elysium opened a new new multi-species hospital today. Brand new, state-of-the art equipment and best doctors from all around the Galaxy. -recoding call SSV Normandy to Nova Apartment Complex, Elysium - Shepard: Hey there. Andrew: John! I didn’t expect to hear from you today. Still on the mission? Shepard: Yes. I just wanted to say congratulations. It's your big day, sorry I couldn’t be there. Andrew: Thank you and don’t worry about it, I know you busy. Shepard: You worked your whole life to open up that hospital, I'm glad things are going well. Andrew: You not doing so bad yourself, Mr. First Human Spectre. Guess we have a lot to celebrate when you get back. Shepard: I'm afraid I won’t be able to make it back as soon as I expected, this mission just started looking bigger than we thought. Andrew: Oh, well… That’s how it usually goes. I'll keep a bottle of champagne handy, then. Shepard: Sorry about that, I will try to wrangle some some shore leave as soon as it’s over. Promise. Andrew: I’ve been waiting for you the last 7 years, John. I used to it by now. Shepard: It’s been so long already? Time files… Andrew: The anniversary of the Skyllian Blitz in a few weeks. And ours, come to think of it… I’ve been thinking… now that hospital is opened up, things are settling down a bit… Maybe it’s time. Shepard: Yes, but you really want to do it over the comm? Andrew: You right… But just so we clear, you are making an honest man out of me soon, right? Shepard: Of course. We'll talk when I'm back. Andrew: Good... Well, we should get back to work. Thank you for calling, I miss you. Shepard: See you soon. Andrew: Stay safe, John. -end of recording- Alliance News: Commander Shepard was killed in action during the geth attack on SSV Normandy. The funeral service will be held at Elysium later this week.

Commander Shepard over the years