3 Eden Prime

(1st POV)

Normandy bridge

Walking forward we see the awe coming from the crew's faces and saluting us as we pass by. I get that we're famous, but come on, even the military are acting like this. Who am I kidding? I'm still shocked I'm Master Chief, which is awesome! If my emotions didn't come as smoothly as my memories, I would be in total shock at my wife. Thank god I lived through everything and not just transmigrated. Taking the lead, I move towards the cockpit nodding at Presley, and Jane gives him the "At ease."

"Hitting the relay in 3.. 2..1..." Joker says as I feel the ship shake from the high speeds we're currently cruising at.

"Thrusters... check. Navigation... check. Internal emissions sink engaged. All systems online. Drift... just under 1500k." Joker said.

"1500 is good. Your Captain will be pleased," Nihlus complimented and left, nodding at me and Jane.

Jane walks up behind Joker and Kaidan, about to say something before I shake my head at her and point to my ears. Looking at them, then at me, she smirks and nods.

"I hate that guy," Joker confessed.

"Nihlus gave you a compliment.. so you hate him?" Questioned Kaidan.

"You remember to zip up your jumpsuit on the way out of the bathroom? That's good. I just jumped us halfway across the galaxy and hit a target the size of a pinhead. So, that's incredible!" Joker exclaimed, as Jane rolls her eyes and I snicker into my hand. Joker continues, "Besides, Spectres are trouble. I don't like having him on board. Call me paranoid."

"You're paranoid? The council helped fund this project. They have a right to send someone to keep an eye on their investment. Besides, it's not like it's only Nihlus on board. We even got the legendary Spartans themselves. Come on, you can't tell me you're not a fan of Master Chief and Commander Shepard." Ahh, so Kaidan is a little fanboy. I wonder if they made collector cards and if Kaidan has any like Coulson to Captain America.

"Yeah, that's the official story. But only an idiot believes the official story. And of course, I'm happy we have Spartans aboard. I've heard the legends, but we may actually witness it," Joker mused.

"Well, I hope to live up to the legends, but must you always expect the worst?" I quipped and leaned on the wall.

"Well, bad feelings are an occupational hazard. We don't go anywhere unless there's good reason, so what are we doing here?" Joker wonders aloud.

Jane walks forward behind Joker. "Look, I get you're on edge since there's a whole Specter's on board, but as long as we get the job done and in a professional manner, we'll be fine," Jane stated, crossing her arms.

Rolling his eyes, giving a devilish smirk, Joker said, "Oh yeah, professional, how professional can you be when you're sucking face in the locker room with your boyfriend chief over there." Joker pointed at me.

"Husband, actually," I quipped brightly, smiling at my lovely wife as she smiles back. Kaidan looks shocked and a little disappointed. Huh, I guess he low key liked Jane... eh, who can blame him? Everybody likes her. Oh, Joker looks a little less shocked.

"Wait, you're actually together? I thought that was just a rumor and gossip around the Alliance! How are you guys even together on the same assignment and ship? Isn't there a fraternization rule against that?" Curiously Kaidan asked.

"Yeah, also, married? Why is your last name still Shepard then? Shouldn't everyone be calling you Commander... What is Chief's last name? I swear everyone just calls you that or Master Chief, so I never knew," Joker asked.

"Well, one, My full name is Natasha Shepard-Bradley and Master over there." She points at me as I wave. "Name is Ryan Bradley. I just hyphenated my last name since I still wanted to be a Shepard. Plus, before he was given the title Master Chief, we would both be called Officer Bradley and that just causes confusion. So, during working hours, I'm a Shepard," she finished.

"Also, the reason we can be assigned together with no problem from the higher ups is because of our achievements. They decided to throw us a bone, plus the only Spartans working together, well let's just see how the enemy survives." My eyes let out a soft blue glow at the end.

"How did you get your title Master Chief anyway? Everybody assumes it was the Blitz that started it all," Kaidan asked and Jane scowls a little at the reminder of that battle.

I pat her shoulder. "Well, the full term Master Chief was made and given to me after the fight, but I already had the title Master, so did Jane, but we got them on Thessia where we trained our biotic abilities to what they are now. After our instructor, an Asari Commando, said we completed training, she gave us the rank of master in biotics which is kind of like a black belt. After the Blitz when we were being promoted, our old Commander from N7 saw in my files I was a master and so Master Chief was born even though I'm a Commander. Master Chief stuck, Jane didn't want anything like that so she stuck with Commander Shepard," I smile, thinking about those times when I hear Captain Anderson on the comms.

"Joker, status report?" Anderson asked.

"Just cleared the mass relay, Captain. Stealth systems are engaged. Everything looks solid," Joker says.

"Good. Find a comm buoy and link us up to the network. I want mission reports relayed back to the Alliance brass before we reach Eden Prime," Anderson stated.

"Aye aye, Captain. Better brace yourselves, sir, I think Nihlus is headed your way," Joker informed.

"He's already here, Lieutenant," Anderson warned as me, Jane, and Kaidan shook our heads. "Tell Commander Shepard and Master Chief to meet me in the comm room for a debriefing." The comm shut off.

"You get that Commanders?" Joker asked.

"On the way," Me and Jane said as we walk to the Comm room.

"Pff. Is it just me or does the captain sound a little pissed off?" Joker mused.

"Only when he's talking to you, Joker," Kaidan quipped back.

Making our way down, we pass by crew members. I hear them all talking about how strange it is having Nihlus on board. Oh, they don't Know the half of it. Making it towards the Comm room, the door automatically opens and we find Nihlus by himself. The door shuts as we enter, and the Turian turns to us.

"Ahh Spartans. I was hoping you'd get here first. It will give us a chance to talk," Nihlus quipped.

"Talk, what about?" Jane asked.

"Yes, and where's the Captain?" I said.

"He will arrive shortly, and I'm interested in this world we're going to, Eden Prime. I heard it's quite beautiful," He ponders.

"They say it's a paradise," she says.

"Yes... a paradise. Serene. Tranquil. Safe. Eden Prime has become something of a symbol for your people like you, hasn't it?" He questioned. "Proof that humanity can not only establish colonies across the galaxy but also protect them. But how safe is it, really?"

"Do you know or have something to share?" I ask evenly.

"Your people are still newcomers, Chief. The galaxy can be a very dangerous place," He told us.

"We know. It's one of the many reasons Humanity's been trying to step up, us Spartans being a prime example," I say. Before Jane could comment, Anderson walks in.

"I think it's time we told the Spartans what's really going on," Anderson says.

"This mission is far more than a simple shakedown tun," Nihlus informed us.

"I figured there was something you weren't telling us," Jane said with a slight heat in her tone.

"A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some kind of beacon during an excavation. It was Prothean," Anderson says.

"I Thought the Protheans Vanished 50,000 Years ago," I asked.

"This is big, Spartans. The last time humanity made a discovery like this, it jumped our technology forward two hundred years. But Eden Prime doesn't have the facilities to handle something like this. We need to bring the beacon back to the Citadel for proper study," He said.

"Obviously, this goes beyond human interest, even Biotically and engineered ones Commanders. This discovery could affect every species in Council space," Nihlus stated.

"Are you expecting trouble?" Jane questioned.

"I'm always expecting trouble," Nihlus said.

Anderson walks in front of both of us. "There's more, Spartans. Nihlus isn't just here for the beacon. He's also here to evaluate both of you." Hitting his fist into his palm, he continues. "The alliance has been pushing for this for a long time. Humanity wants a larger role in shaping interstellar policy. We want more say with the Citadel Council. The Spectres represent the Council power and Authority. If they accept a couple of humans in their ranks, it shows how far the Alliance has come."

Nihlus stands next to Anderson and says, "You both held off an enemy assault during the Blitz. Bradley, you dove into enemy waves, taking out slaver after slaver on your own, protecting civilians and comrades as you make your way. This shows power. Shepard, you rounded up what was left of your troops and charged in right after your husband. This showed leadership. And then both of you, side by side, single-handedly held off the slavers until reinforcements came. This showed endurance and that you can give people hope, along with the fact that you will do your best to get the job done. You've both showed not only courage but incredible skill. That's why I put both of your names forward for a candidate of the specters and to take my spot after I retire."

"You support this, Captain?" I ask him.

"Just tell us what we have to do," Jane answered.

"I need to see your skills for myself, Spartans. Eden Prime will be the first of several missions together," Nihlus said.

Anderson addresses us. "You'll be in charge of the ground team as usual. Secure the beacon and get it onto the ship ASAP. Nihlus will accompany you to observe the mission."

"Understood Sir," I acknowledge.

"Just give the word, Captain," Jane confirmed.

"We should be getting close to Eden..." Joker comes through on the Comms. "Captain! We've got a problem," Joker said.

"What's wrong?" Anderson asked.

"Transmission from Eden prime, sir. You better see this!" Joker put it up on screen in front of us.

We see lots of gunfire and blurry scans. I see Ashley shotting giving cover to someone. A random officer starts to speak. "We are under attack! taking heavy casualties. I repeat heavy casualties. we need evac! They came out of no where we need.." Officer get shot down and we see everyone slack jawed as the camera points to the sky showing A reaper its self. The transmission ends abruptly.

"Everything just cuts off after that. No comm traffic at all just dead. There's nothing," Joker breaks the silence.

"Reverse and hold at 38.5," Anderson commanded. As joker does so we all view the reaper again not like I can call it that yet since no one would believe me yet. I see Nihlus face twitch before Anderson continues. "Status report."

"17 Minutes out, Captain. No other Alliance ships in the area," Joker said.

"Takes us in, Joker. Fast and quiet. This mission just got a lot more complicated," He finished and looked at the Spectre.

"A small strike team can move quickly without drawing attention. It's our best shot to secure the beacon," Nihlus said and started to leave.

"Grab your gear and meet us in the cargo hold. Tell Alenko and Jenkins to suit up. Chief, Commander, you're going in," He finished and walked out us following until we get to the elevator, going in I choose the cargo bay.

"You know this is big, Jane Spectres, Protheans, we might become big shots," I joke around with her.

She smiles. "Well, you're already a big shot, Mr. Master Chief, but on a serious note.....Give whoever these bastards hell, but don't die on me. I can't lose you," she says, pecks me, and I give her a quick hug before separating. The elevator door starts to open.

"Say that to Jenkins. Have you seen how excited he is? This might be his first mission. Make sure he is behind you and Alenko or at the very least within arms or biotics reach," I quip, and we walk off to our lockers, which are right next to each other.

Opening mine, I grab all my gear, and damn, I wish I had all my memories before this mission so I could have asked Cath or a gunsmith to make all these weapons I remember from other games. Equipping my Avenger rifle along with all my other basic weapons of sniper and shotgun, I stop for a second when I see two new weapons along with a paper note. So retro in this day and age, wow, I really blended with my character to say that. Looking down, I see an M-6 Carnifex. A semi-automatic 6-shot heavy pistol. Excited, I put it on my right thigh. The other weapon... it's a sword. It looks exactly like the Godslayer sword Gamora uses in the MCU. I picked up the note attached to it.

'Dear Ryan, I know how excited you were to take that swordsmanship class on Thessia along with your biotic classes. You were so excited when you passed, but you didn't like any of the Asari swords. I remember all those sketches you made about this sword. It took a few years looking for all the right materials, but I found them and had someone forge you this blade. It has three modes. The mode it's in now is long sword mode, next is short sword mode, and lastly carry or inactive mode. When you pick up the handle, sync your biotics into it, so it should only work for you. It's thought-based, so when you hold it, think of the mode you want, and it will switch to it. It's made out of a new metal I've made called Eezonium. Theoretically unbreakable and should be able to go through any armor and shield known to man, also reacts to your biotics so you should be able to send attacks through it easier like your slash. Its name is that cringe name you gave your drawings as a child, The GodSlayer sword or GS blade for short. Love, Catherine'

(GS Blade image here)

Smiling, I grab the handle and let my biotics coat it. After a couple of seconds, the engravings on the silver sword glow blue then off. As I think of carry mode, it becomes about as big as a handheld game. I attach it to my left thigh and close the locker door. Looking at Jane finishing her suit and weapon checks, I put my helmet on as the HUD lights up showing my shield levels and mini-map.

Jane and I walk up to the ground team with Anderson yelling orders over the wind of the cargo bay doors opening.

While Alenko and Jenkins stare at our MJOLNIR armor like they're too scared to touch, Nihlus looks impressed.

"Your team's the muscle in this operation, Spartans. Go in heavy and head straight for the dig site," Anderson commands.

"Drop point is coming up, lowering now," Joker said over the comms.

"You're coming with us, Nihlus," Jenkins says, shocked.

Nihlus walks forward, checking his shotgun. "I move faster on my own."

Smirking, I walk up next to him, rolling my shoulders. "Joker, go to drop point B. Nihlus and I don't need to land!"

"What are you doing, Chief?" Nihlus asked.

"I have a bad feeling, and usually they're right. We already have a three-man squad with Shepard. I'll come with you and watch your back," I say determined.

Nihlus stares at me for a few seconds before chuckling. "Good, always trust your instincts. That's what a good Spectre does. Can you keep up?"

Jane, knowing what I'm going to do, groans in defeat, knowing she can't copy me since Alenko and Jenkins aren't Spartans or have strong enough biotics. She's such an adrenaline junkie.

"Why do you think I told Joker not to land? The real question is, can you hold your lunch?" I say.

Confused, Nihlus asked, "Why would you ask tha... TTTTTT!" he starts yelling as I grab him and jump out of the Normandy towards drop point A. He continues yelling as I grab him and jump out of the Normandy towards drop point A. As we descend, I start to glow blue and point my hands downwards. Activating my biotic Lift while creating a biotic bubble under us, we slow down and descend until we hit the ground, me landing superhero style and standing, catching Nihlus quickly with my biotics then setting him down.

He takes a few breaths, then glares at me. "Never... Do.... That.... Again." I laugh it off and he stares at me for a while before letting out a chuckle. He gets serious as do I. "Let's move out," he said.

I follow him, swearing I won't let him die this time.

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