Mass Effect: Imperial Glory

I do not own Mass Effect or any properties thereof, I am not making money off of these writings.

Chapter 1: Introduction.

It is 2193, 36 years since Humanities explosive entrance onto the galactic stage.
The old orders of the Council and the Citadel, the Trine of races jealously hordeing power has been cast down, replaced by the new order of Humanity and the Terran Empire. There is stability, and justice. Humans and our allies, the strong Krogan, the loyal Quarians, the clever Batarians, and the Noble Asari rule unquestionably, but not all are happy with this. The older races remember their past glories, the days when humans were unknown, and THEY ruled the stars. Some of them work to bring these days back, no matter the cost...

'these indicate normal thoughts'
'this is an AI construct mentally speaking.'
'This is telepathy.'
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Arcturus Station, Poleaxe Tavern. March 2nd, 2193.

The interior of the tavern was perfect. Dark, humid, and warm. It reminded him of home. As he nursed his whiskey he tried to remember the last time he had returned to the ancestral estates, was it 10 years, or 15 since he had been home? 'I need a vacation.' He thought.

'I don't understand why humans place such a high importance on birthplaces and home planets.' ,Wilco said.

Shepard rolled his eyes, 'Didn't I tell you to switch to standby mode?'

'Standby mode is boring. How am I supposed to learn to react to you if you put me in a box in your head all the time?' Wilco replied.

'Fair point.' the Marine conceded. 'Why did I have to get a Matrixed AI and not an Imprinted one?' He sensed a wave of humor from Wilco. 'Why Captain, I almost get the impression you're warming up to me.'

Shepard knew it would take some time to get used to a second presence inside his head. What the Technicians had failed to inform him was that matrix-born AI's had random personalities. Apparently he got stuck with a mischievious one. He sat back in the large padded chair and surveyed the surroundings.

From his position in the far corner he had an excellent view of the room. The Poleaxe was a popular haven for contractors and Marines on Arcturus station. You could see a wide cross-section of Imperial races. A table in another corner had afew humans, krogan, and batarians in a card game. Over at one of the booths you could see an off-duty human Marine with a quarian girl on his lap. To top it all off there was a lone asari at the bar, chatting with a human naval pilot.

The room went quiet as another human walked in. He saw two of the marines at the bar get up and salute as he caught a good look at the newcomer. Who was apparently making a bee-line for his table, company. Joy. He stood up and saluted as the newcomer reached his table.

"Captain Shepard." the newcomer greeted him.

"Commodore Anderson, I didn't know you were on Arcturus, have a seat, let's talk about old times." Shepard offered, and waved a barmaid over.

"Thank you Captain, bring me a coffee and rum, any kind as long as it's Terran, and bring the Captain another round on me" He said to the barmaid as he took a seat.

Shepard smirked, "I told you that you'd start turning into a squid if you accepted a ship command slot. Look, you're already drinking like the navy." The Commodore chuckled but otherwise ignored the comment.

Shepard and Anderson made small talk until the drinks arrived. "So Captain, how are you liking your passenger so far?" Anderson asked.

"He's taking awhile to get used to. He's a pain in the ass at times." Shepard replied. 'I heard that' came the reprimand from his AI.

"Sometimes takes a long time to get used to it, but it's worth it in the end. I've used AI psibots before, I've thought about getting a matrix implant." Anderson replied.

"Word of warning" Shepard paused as he took a sip of his whiskey. "Get an imprinted AI."

Shepard started, "Now Commodore, tell me why you're really here, You walked in with a purpose."

Anderson smiled, "Nothing gets past you Captain. Here," He pulled a datastick out of his pocket, "Your new orders."

Shepard was intrigued by this, "A Commodore delivering orders? This must be good." He closed his eyes as he grasped the datastick and processed the orders through his internal reader. 'Reassigned... Assignment Classified, further orders to be given by Commodore Anderson??'

'This is most unusual.' Wilco stated.

'Just slightly' Shepard commented dryly. "I never thought I'd find something classified out of my Int/grade. When do I find out more?"

The Commodore replied, "Very soon, come with me." as he proceeded to get up.

Shepard threw his uniform jacket on and followed.

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Arcturus Station, Special Dock 5.

Shepard was excited, they had passed a half dozen security checkpoints staffed by marines just to get here, it had to be something good. His AI commented, 'Special Docks, hmm? This is where they move experimental and special purpose ships before field testing.'

'I wonder what that has to do with me though, maybe I'm being assigned to head a detachment on a new ship?'
'Perhaps, it could also be a new Marine design and they want combat experts to put it through it's paces'

'We'll know soon Wilco.'

"And here we are." Commodore Anderson stated as he inputted a keycode to open a blast door.

The two men walked out onto the catwalk and looked down at the ship in berth. Shepard said the first thing that came to his mind, "That's the sleekest Frigate I have ever seen sir."

The ship was longer than regular frigates he had seen. The lines were rounded and, the best he could describe it would be 'perfect' 4 engine pylons, but he saw no visible drive ports. He was able to make out 2 pair of beam projectors, looked to be short-ranged and he was able to make out some Anti-Fighter/Anti-Missile laser turrets.

"She's beautiful isn't she Captain?" Anderson asked.

"Yes sir she is," Shepard caught a glimpse of the Designation, "XSR-1? Stealth Recon, Commodore?"

Anderson replied, "Correct, fresh out of the Mars Polar Shipyards."

Shepard was floored. He'd heard the rumors, most of the Military had, but if it was true...

'Stealth Warships, even more of a game-changer than Energy weapons were.'

Anderson spoke, "I assume you've heard the rumors everyone else has Captain? Well they're all true. This is the first ship equipped with the new 'Tantalus' stealth system. No sensor in known space can detect her. A true stealth ship."

Shepard shook himself, "What's her name Commodore?"

"She's the INF Normandy, Captain, and she needs a Marine X/O. What do you say?" Anderson asked.

"Where the hell do I sign up, Sir." Shepard replied.

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Arcuturus Stations Dock, XSR-1 'Normandy' X/O's quarters.

"What a day" Shepard said to himself as he flopped onto his bunk.

'You haven't taken an evening meal Captain'

'Dammit Wilco, get back in your box! Now!'

'But Captain..'

'BOX! NOW!' Shepard sighed in relief as he felt the AI obey his command.

He hated to treat Wilco like that, but he was having enough trouble just processing everything he'd heard today. He had met with the crew, Chief Engineer Adams, an intelligent man who had been involved with the XSR program since the beginning. Helmsman Moreau, otherwise known as 'Joker' eccentric but the man's flight record spoke for itself.

The two ranking members of his Marine Detachment, First Lieutenant Kaiden Alenko, a Biotic, trained as a Vanguard, and Gunnery Sergeant Leeroy Jenkins, a soldier with Commando training. They both had distinguished service medals. Shepard had actually briefly met Alenko before, during the Purge of the Lystheni. Jenkins had served in both the Turian Sector Fleet and as a peacekeeper in Batarian space.

The 'Normandy' carried 3 full vehicles for the Marine detachment, a M112 Hammerhead Hovertank and 2 M35 Mako IFVs, and a dedicated mechanic for them.

Valar'Ressk Vas Treya was a Quarian, who applied for Imperial Marine service from the Quarian Auxilia, and according to his record, was both a veteran of the Battle of the Citadel and a mechanical miracle-worker. Directly under Shepard in the Normandy Chain of Command was Navigator Pressly, a large older man who apparently had opinions on everything, important or not, but he was very good at his job.He had found out that every member of the crew had been handpicked by Commodore Anderson, and that Anderson was actually going to command the ship on it's shakedown cruise.

'May I pop in Captain?' His AI asked.

Shepard Chuckled, 'Fine Wilco, what's up?'

'This doesn't add up Captain. Commodore Anderson is a Marine, not a Naval Officer, this is a Navy ship. Even past that, Commodore's do not command frigates on shakedown runs, even experimental stealth ships.' Wilco finished.

Shepard pondered this. 'You're right Wilco, I can't figure this out either... and why the hell is a Turian on this ship?'

'That is also causing my computing matrix a great deal of stress. Turians are a subjugated race, they have no place on Terran warships. Unless.. there IS one possiblity.'

'Well, tell me.'

'Well, they DID announce the Spectres were just reformed.' Wilco stated.

'That's insane, Asari spectres are one thing, who in their right mind would sign off on Turian spectres?'

'It is only a theory.. but it is the only one that fits all available data. Except for why he is on this ship.'

Shepard sighed, 'Hopefully we'll have a cleared picture tomorrow. wake me at 0600.'

'Affirmative Captain. Good night.'

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