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Note: The realm of Mass Effect,characters, lore and locations are property of Bioware.

A more personal note: This is the first fanfic that I will be sharing with anyone. As I have read a great deal of ME based fanfic I have taken a liking to certain ideas about the world and the things in it. If you spot one of these and it's too close to home for you and would like credit or would like me to change it please do not hesitate to get my attention. Also I only just joined DA so if I'm doing something wrong or 'illegal' please let me know.

P.S. I have taken a fair amount of liberty with the story line, don't hate me but this is MY Shepard and how I see the events that unfold.

CHAPTER ONE

[Commander] A disjointed voice was pulling Ricca from her revery. This was the first night cycle where she was finally able to fall asleep standing up in the claustrophobic pod. Every other Alliance ship she had ever been on was big enough that the crew actually had bunks, but the Normandy was not like any ship she had ever been on. The engine took up an exorbitant amount space and was far too quite on the upper decks.

[Commander...wakey wakey]

"Damn it all Joker. I was in the middle of an awesome dream and then I have to wake up to the sound of your voice." Attempting to rub the sleep from her eyes Ricca had to flinch when she opened them to the glow of her omni-tool pinging away in the annoyingly orange and overly cheerful way. If there weren't about ten mil-regs that said she couldn't Ricca would have programed it to play the Death March whenever her alarm went off.

[Don't try to hide it, you and I both know that I was front and center in this dream of yours.]

"I must still be asleep and my dream has become a nightmare."

[Harsh Commander-]

[Enough Joker] An authoritative voice broke Jokers reply. [Shepard, I need to see you in my office, ASAP]

"Yes Captain."

After a fast stop at the bathroom and a quick check to make sure her appearance was up to regs Ricca made her way to Andersons office. Not completely out of the ordinary but because his office was also his bedroom Anderson tended to take meetings in the comm room which also doubled as the debriefing room. It must be something classified or personal either way Riccas interest was piqued. Passing through Andersons open door she stood at attention while waiting to be addressed.

"Knock it off Shepard, I can understand presenting this attitude in front of the rest of the crew but behind closed doors" which swooshed shut behind her, underscoring the Captains words. "There is no need for formality. Not when we've been through what we have, and seen the things we have." Dropping her shoulders and chest to a relaxed position Ricca couldn't help but smile at the older man who she was so proud to serve under.

"So, what's up? I'm sure you didn't invite me into your inner sanctum so I could watch read your data-pad."

"No, but I find myself re-reading the same thing over and over again. Trying to see it from every angle." Sighing, her senior officer handed over the said data-pad. "Maybe you will have a fresh perspective."

Atten: Cptn. Anderson
SSV Normandy
Re: Commander Shepard

After further review of the files on Commander Ricca Lynn Shepard the Council must commend you on your training of such a fine asset to the Alliance Military, further more we wish to extend our gratitude to you in requesting that she be placed on the list of the candidates for the first human Spectre.

The addition of a human to this elite task force has, as you can imagine, not been met with the most warm of reactions. Ambassador Udina was, surprisingly, one of the most outspoken. It is plain to see that what he objects to is not the making of a human Spectre but at the idea that he has no say in who is chosen. His objections, while bothersome, are not as worrisome as those who already belong to the task force.

As such we would like Commander Shepard to spend time with one of our most trusted Spectres, Nihlus. This is as much for our benefit as it is Commander Shepards. Having the chance to watch Agent Nihlus at work may make her ultimate decision on whether she wishes to join an easier one. Of course it will also, hopefully, put to rest any lingering doubts about her abilities that he may have.

He will rendezvous with the Normandy the next time you dock. Send a date, time and coordinates to Agent Nihlus...

Ricca skipped over the rest and took only a second to see that the sender had been authenticated before re-reading the first three paragraphs. Forgetting all formalities of rank she plopped down on the nearest chair huffing out a breath.

"I...when did..."

"Exactly."

"But it says you recommended me."

"Almost a year ago, I had completely forgotten about it, especially after what happened on Akuze, until this. I was sure that it was only some ploy of the Council to placate Udina and any other human who believed we were mistreated. I had no idea that they hadn't asked the Ambassador or apparently anyone else for a list. Considering how short my list was I figured that even if they were serious I wouldn't hear another word about it till it actually happened and now we're expected to pick up a Spectre when we stop in the Horse Head Nebula."

"Who else did you recommend?" She knew it wasn't her place to ask such a thing but maybe the answer would give her insight on why she was chosen.

"Alenko and Jenkins. Neither of them have your skill but they both have potential. Jenkins is still a little too unruly and Alenko has deeper issues but I felt both of them could work through it quickly had they been made Spectres." Shepard could think of a few others that she felt were worthy of consideration but knew that Andersons loyalty would keep him from recommending anyone off ship. Even if he didn't take the request seriously.

"I don't get it. I mean they don't even give you a choice as to whether or not you even want him on the ship, let alone if I even want to be a Spectre. It would be a political nightmare every time I made a move and you know my thoughts on politics and the press." Ricca couldn't say out loud that she also wasn't sure she could live with the pressure, not to mention the fact that she was no stranger to the stories about what Spectres did to get the job done, all with the backing of the Council. In short, these were some muddy waters that she didn't want to wade into.

"I know what your thinking Shepard, you've been down for the count for the last 8 months. Give yourself time to get back into top condition and no one will be able to say you don't live up to expectations. If this Nihlus can't see your potential then he's an idiot and all this mess will fade into the background, but for now, get ready to play host to the first alien on the Normandy since she was completed."

"Nihlus...hmm, what do think? Salarian or Turian? The message says he so that rules out Asari."

"Nihlus Kryik is a Turian and one of the most well respected and accomplished Spectres out there." Andersons tone made it clear that he didn't just know the name in passing. Ricca gave him a questioning look.

"It's...a long and complicated story that we don't have time for. We'll be docking in four hours and Nihlus will be waiting. Dismissed Shepard." Immediately rising to leave she couldn't help but notice that as Anderson picked up another data pad his eyes were still and very far away.