Alright people, I've decided im gonna go ahead and write Shadows of war. Don't expect a lot from a new hero, cause im currently having major writers block with it. So here go.

Oh! I have one last thing. In response to a review, I would like to say I changed his age on purpose. He's more mature then the canon Shepard. He's calm, cool and collected. So don't expect his sarcastic Renegade remarks often, but at the same time don't expect him to be a goody-goody two shoes, you know?

Now, ON WITH THE STORY!

Note: Flashbacks will always be from Shepard's perspective unless stated otherwise.

Chapter 2: On the way to Eden Prime.

A man with green eyes stares out a window of the Normandy SR-1, the human systems alliances most advanced starship, down at a beautiful planet. It is covered by large blue oceans and giants land masses, green and lush. He turns his gaze to the northeastern area of one of the land masses, towards a city on the planet. He chuckles to himself sadly. 'I wonder if I'll miss it… Probably not. Never have before.' He turns his eyes away from the planet as the Normandy departs from Earth. He closes his eyes and remembers some of his past missions. His Kills…

[Flashback, Shepard POV]

I squeeze the trigger, the shot rings out as the round leaves the barrel of my M-92. The round instantly pierces through Solem Del'serahs armor. It's a center mass hit. He drops instantly, his blood gathering in a pool around him. His guards turn towards where the shot came from, weapons ready to fire.

I am already gone.

[Flashback end]

His successes…

[Flashback]

I tiredly drop my rifle and stare at the wounded Batarian in front of me. I stumble, but manage to pull out my M-6 just as he shouts.

"Chekt!"

That single word sends two Varren running towards me. I raise my pistol and finish off the Batarian with a shot to the head then turn and unleash two more rounds into the beasts head. It drops.

The second leaps at me and swipes. He connects. One of his claws drags down my face over my right eye and down to my jaw. I smack him away with all my might and swing round to face the animal before firing 3 rounds into the side of its head.

I look around, breathing heavily with my right hand covering my eye and sweeping my pistol around the area in my left. Their all dead. I turn and stagger away, still covering my eye.

The Skyllian blitz is over.

[Flashback end]

The man runs his hand over his scar and smiles. He always loved a good fight.

He also remembers his failures...

[Flashback]

I disable an air vent, and pull it open. Setting it to the side, I activate my tactical cloak. Nothing can see me now. I drop down behind a mercenary. He barely turns around before I bring out my knife sink it deep into his neck, effectively ending his life. I draw my blade out, and sheath it, before pulling my M-12 Submachine gun and attaching the silencer.

I progress silently down the hall as my orders go through my head again. 'Kill the slavers, and rescue the kidnapped colonists.' Simple enough. Little did I know, this would end up being the only mission I would ever fail.

I ventured deeper into the complex. No trouble aside from a few guards. I made my way into the holding cells. However, a Batarian spotted me, and he pulled his shotgun. Another one ran towards a console. I took aim and let loose a torrent of fire from my gun. It hit him in the chest and he went down before shattering when he hit the ground, the cryo-rounds taking effect. This proved to be the wrong choice of a target as the other hit a button on the console. Explosions rocked the building as the holding cells were engulfed by fire. The colonists died.

The Batarian did to. Just nowhere as painless as the colonists. I holstered my gun, and uttered a prayer with my head bowed.

I let a single tear slip from my eye.

[Flashback end]

He shakes his head clear of the memories. 'One stupid mistake…' Alex stands and checks his armor before hurrying down the corridor, his white scarf trailing slightly behind him. He wears a suit of sleek black armor with dark red lights glowing faintly. His faithful rifle attached to his back along with a built-in sheathe occupied by a ninjato with a black hilt. He wears his pistol and submachine gun on his left hip, and his two daggers on his right.

The ship would be hitting the Arcturus Mass Relay soon. Mass relays were incredible devices left behind by the protheans. They could create corridors of mass free space, and accelerate a ship to such incredible speeds, we could be from one side of the galaxy to the other in mere hours. I briefly heard joker announcing something about a connection to the relay.

I entered the cockpit and looked at its three other occupants. Flight lieutenant Jeff 'joker' Moreau was the pilot of the Normandy. He was supposedly the best pilot the alliance had, even if he was a bit of a smartass. But he and Alex were close friends, to the point where they would even call each other by their real names. It was safe to say that Alex had trust issues. But that's what happens when you've been on the missions Alex has, for as long as he has.

The second was Staff lieutenant Kaidan Alenko. Alex didn't know the lieutenant all that well, but he could tell he was a good man. A good soldier. Turned out he was biotic implanted with L2 implants, an early series of biotic amps. Luckily he only got off with migraines whereas most got off with severe brain damage and tumors.

And finally the only non-human on the ship. Nihlus Kyrik. A turian, and a tall one at that. Most turians were taller than your average human, but Nihlus was a giant. He was an intimidating figure as well. White markings covered his face, reminiscent of a butterfly. He was decked out in black and blood red armor. Nihlus was a Spectre or an operative of the citadel Special Tactics and Reconnaissance. Spectres could go anywhere and do anything, Unrestricted by law. And Nihlus was one of the best. If he was coming, then something bigger than a simple shake down run was going on.

"Hitting the relay in 3…2…1…" Joker announced as the ship was covered in a bright blue aura. We accelerated many times past light-speed as the starship zoomed halfway across the galaxy. Alex smiled a little as he watched joker work. He truly was the best at what he did. Maybe that's why Jeff and he got along so well. They were both the best at what they did.

"Thrusters…check. Navigation…check. Internal Emission sinks active. All systems online. Drift…Just under 1500 K." He smiled as he said this, satisfied with his work. "1500 is good. Your captain will be pleased." Nihlus spoke with sincerity in his voice. He turned and left the cockpit, but not before leveling a quick gaze at Alex.

Joker remained focused on his work. "I hate that guy." Alex chuckled. "Nihlus gave you a compliment so… You hate him?" Kaidan questioned, speaking for the first time.

Joker quickly retorted. "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!" Shepard just kept smiling. He enjoyed joker's comments. Everything he said was either entirely serious or not at all. "Besides, spectres are trouble. I don't like having him on board. Call me paranoid." "You're paranoid." Kaidan spoke as soon as the words left jokers mouth. "The council helped fund this project. They have a right to send someone to keep an eye on their investment."

"Yeah, that is the Official story." He emphasized official. "But only an idiot believes the official story."

"That's enough!" Alex interjected. "You're soldiers. Act like it." he spoke in a calm and collected voice.

"Yes sir." Joker responded. "Sorry Shadow." Kaidan apologized. "No need to apologize Alenko. Just don't let it happen again." The intercom came on. "Joker! Status report." Captain Anderson commanded the loyalty of anyone he met. "Just cleared the Mass relay Captain. Stealth systems are engaged. Everything's solid." The commander tuned out the captain and gazed out the window. They were structural weaknesses, this was true. But still. He looked at the planet they were heading too on this so-called 'shakedown run'. Eden Prime. Eden Prime was one of humanities oldest and most successful colonies. One of our safest too. Alex let out an almost silent chuckle. 'Ha. We thought Elysium was safe enough.' "Tell the commander to get down here, Joker." Shadow snapped his attention back the console.

"Roger that, captain. Better brace yourself, I think Nihlus is headed your way." "He's already here, Joker." The comm cut out. Alex let out another chuckle, much louder this time. Joker turned around in his chair and glared at the man. "What is it, smiles? It's funny when you make the captain mad." Kaidan joined in. "Yeah. About the only form of entertainment we got out of you." Joker turned towards the lieutenant. "Having fun picking on the handicapped there, Ya Elvis wannabe?" Alex laughed loudly as he turned and headed towards the comm room. "Ouch." He heard Kaidan say.

He shook his head nodded a greeting to Navigator Presley and Passed Corporal Jenkins and Dr. Chakwas, Smiling at the latter. "Hello Dr. Hacksaw." The Doctor sighed and shook her head. "Still on about that, Shadow?" She asked will a smile. The commander and the doctor had known each other for a while. In fact they had met during the Blitz.

"What?" Shadow responded. "You name mixed around totally spells hacksaw! Plus, remember how you killed that one Batarian back on Elysium?" The doctor sighed and waved him off. "Sometimes you have to improvise." Shadow just continued on his way with a smile.

He stepped into the comm room, expecting to see the captain. He instead saw the Turian spectre. "Ah. Commander. I was hoping you would get here first. It would give us a chance to talk." Nihlus spoke as Alex approached closer. "What about?" he asked.

"Tell about this world we're going to. Eden Prime. I've heard it's quite beautiful." Alex relaxed. "Can't say much. Never been there myself. But, I've heard it's a paradise." Nihlus nodded in acknowledgement. "It's become something of a symbol for your people hasn't it? Proof that humanity can not only establish colonies across the galaxy, but also protect them. But how safe is it really?" he spoke with his back facing the Commander.

The commanders' eyes shot open at this. "Why? Do you know something?" Alex asked with caution in his voice. Nihlus turned around and crossed his arms. "You people are still newcomers, Shepard." He said. "Is the alliance truly ready for this?"

"I think it's time we told the commander what this is really about." A new voice announced. Alex turned his head to see the captain entering the room. He saluted. "Captain!" Anderson nodded. "At ease soldier." Nihlus continued for the captain. "This is far more than a simple shakedown run." Alex nodded. "That much is obvious. Now, what's the real reason we're here?"

The captain answered. "We're making a covert pick-up. That's why we needed the stealth systems operational." Alex nodded. "And what's the reason you couldn't tell me before?"

"This comes down from the top. Information on a need-to-know basis. Im sorry I couldn't tell you sooner." Alex nodded. "Continue Captain."

" A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some kind of…Beacon during an excavation. It was Prothean." The commanders' eyebrows shot up. "Prothean, Sir? As the creators of the mass relays?"

Nihlus nodded as Anderson continued. "This is big shepard. The last time humanity made a discovery like this, it jumped out technology forward 200 years. But, Eden prime doesn't have the facilities to handle something like this. Were bringing the beacon back to the citadel for proper study." Nihlus Interjected. "Obviously, this goes beyond normal human interests, Commander. This discovery could affect every species in council space."

Alex nodded. "Im glad we didn't keep this to ourselves. Humanities too independent as is." Nihlus smiled. "We need more humans like you shepard. Willing to work together with the other species of the galaxy. But Shadow. The beacons not the only reason im here."

Anderson spoke. "He's here to evaluate you, commander." Alex crossed his arms and leaned back a little. "Evaluate me? For what?" Anderson continued. "The alliance has been pushing for this for sometime shepard. We've recommended you as a spectre candidate."

"This will be the first of several missions' together, shadow." Alex nodded again, slightly stunned. "I… I see. Im honored that the council would consider me."

Suddenly joker interrupted over the comm. "Captain! We got a problem!" Anderson snapped his head up. "What is it joker!" Joker spoke in hurried voice. 'This can't be good…' The commander thought to himself, subconsciously adjusting his armor.

"Transmission from Eden prime sir, you better see this!" Anderson looked towards the screen in the room. "Bring it up on screen."

The transmission came up, showing, at first, a Soldier in white and pink armor firing her assault rifle, with bullets flying all around her. She ran up the camera man and shoved him down. "Get down!" she ordered as she took cover. The firefight continued for several seconds till a soldier turned the camera towards him. "We are under attack! Taking H-vy casualties! Repeat, heavy -ualties! We can't-! Ugh!" He ducked as an explosion hit the ground behind him. "-ed Evac! –came outta nowhere! We need-Ah!" He was cut short as a bullet went through his chest. Then an ungodly noise sounded, and the camera looked at 3 more soldiers, each staring up at the sky. The camera turned to see a Large ship, At least 2 kilometers, descend. It was pitch black and looked somewhat like a squid. It was creating red lightning all around it. Then the transmission cut out.

"Everything cuts out after that. No comm traffic at all. Just goes dead." Joker announced. "Reverse and hold at 38.5" Anderson commanded. The video rewound to the ship and held. Anderson stared at it for a few seconds and Nihlus clicked his mandibles. Alex interrupted their though. "Captain. We should get down there." Anderson nodded. Get Jenkins and Alenko and get down to the cargo hold!" Alex Turned and hurried off thinking 'Just another day at the office.'

(3 minutes later, Cargo hold.)

Anderson stood in front of the Eden Prime ground team. "Your job is to secure the beacon for transport, Understood?" They nodded and Kaidan looked towards Nihlus. "Nihlus, you coming?" Nihlus aimed down the sights of his shotgun. "I work better on my own." He ran and jumped out of the cargo hold.

"Then we work in similar fashions. Alenko. You're in charge." Alex Ran out of the cargo hold and jumped.

Alenko and Jenkins just stared. "The commanders crazy, isn't he?" Jenkins asked. "Probably." Answered the lieutenant.

Alex landed in a forest clearing and stood straight. He put 2 fingers to his ears and spoke. "Comm check. Shadow, Here." Nihlus answered first. "Nihlus, Here." Kaidan answered next. "Kaidan and Jenkins here. We just touched down." Alex nodded, even though he knew they couldn't see. "Alright. Let find that beacon, and get the hell out of here." He silenced the comm and hit a button on the back left of his neck. He grinned as his helmet came up can covered his head. It was a sleek black helmet just like his armor with two glowing lenses over the eyes. Shepard pulled out his rifle and loaded it.

"Time to get it started!"

Alright, there you go. First chapter. Sorry if I pissed people off with that ending, but I wanted to at least get one chapter out before Christmas and im busy for the rest of the year. So see you guys. Remember to review!

[Preview of the next chapter]

Shepard aimed down his rifles scope towards the space port as he lie prone on the grassy hill. He saw the gun and the turians back turned. The shot rang out.

"Oh Hell."