(The captain's eyebrow raises but then a look of anger washes over his face)
CAPTAIN:
Why have I never heard of a vessel in my own fleet called the Cherbourg before? Explain to me why I shouldn't just have you arrested for using a secure military channel.
[[We don't have time for this, I need you to listen!]]
[[Because we need to act now if we're to save lives.]]
[[I wouldn't have approached you if I didn't respect you.]]
PLAYER (angry expression):
Captain, with all due respect, we don't have time for this nonsense. There are lives on the line. Pull your head out of your ass for just a moment and hear me out.
CAPTAIN (shocked expression):
How dare you! If you knew to contact me than clearly you know who I am and what I am authorized to do to people overstepping my authorities. ((the CAPTAIN takes a deep breath.)) Fine. You've got one chance and then I'm calling you in and you can explain it to the folks back at the brig.
[[Explain the Reaper Clan]]PLAYER:
Because I know that you're here to save lives and so am I. There's a threat here that needs our attention right now and we need this handled ASAP.
CAPTAIN (calms down):
You got me there. I'm giving you five minutes. Tell me what's going on, but please don't make me regret this.
[[Explain the Reaper Clan]] PLAYER:
Sir, I respect you and your work. When I was considering who to go to with this, you were my first choice. Please hear me out.
CAPTAIN (expression changes to that of a faint smile):
Well now! Good to hear at least someone out there appreciates my work. Even if they are possibly someone illegally accessing secure communications. What is it that's so urgent?
[[Explain the Reaper Clan]] PLAYER ((during the explanation we cut to various shots aboard the Cherbourg of crew members completeing their tasks with the PLAYER providing VO)):
We were out on a covert mission for the New Citidel Counsel. We've recently found a way to adjust the repaired mass relays to allow us to access new uncharted areas of the universe. While surveying one of these areas of space, we discovered an interesting planet with small traces of life on it. There, we discovered an odd clan made up of different races, some catalogued, some not. And this clan has found destroyed Reaper tech. Reaper tech that they are hoping to utilize to cause an event which will wipe most of the life out of the universe allowing them to start fresh and in their image. Essentially it creates a burst of energy similiar to that in the relay stations which will move across the galaxy causing unprotected life to, for lack of a better term, seize. It causes something within the brain to just stop all function in the body and essentially crash the system.
CAPTAIN:
And you're telling me that this clan has found a way to utilize found Reaper tech to this end?
[[(Lie) Yes sir, which is why we need to move immediately.]]
[[Not yet, but they're working towards discovering how.]]
[[Doesn't seem like it yet, but we don't know for certain.]]PLAYER:
That's what it looks like sir. Our scans showed that they had Repear tech up and running. Because of this, I believe that we need to act now.
CAPTAIN ((worried look on his face)):
Ah hell, honestly I thought the whole Reaper mess was behind us but...damn. We had just started rebuilding. So, what do you need from me? Why did you come to me with this?
[[We need to know about the Shepard AI]]
[[I was wondering if you had anything we could use]]PLAYER:
As of right now? It doesn't seem like it. But they're damned animate about finding out. We've already seen signs of advancement.
CAPTAIN:
OK, good that we might still have some time. But hell, we just started rebuilding. Well, where do you suggest we go from here?
[[We need to know about the Shepard AI]]
[[I was wondering if you had anything we could use]] PLAYER:
Not yet. From what we say they have as much of an idea of how it works as do. But we can't know for certain what they've been able to figure out about it.
CAPTAIN:
So we don't know for certain? I really don't feel good about risking my men on an assumption like this but if what you say is happening is true, we can't risk sitting by. Very well, what do you need from me?
[[We need to know about the Shepard AI]]
[[I was wondering if you had anything we could use]] PLAYER:
Well, I was hoping to know more about this "Shepard AI" you've got in your ship's computers. What can you tell me about it?
CAPTAIN ((looks embarassed and nervous before maintaining composure)):
Where and how did you get access to that information? I can't even begin to tell you how classified that information is. But...oh hell with it...ok. We may need it here so...
[[The captain continues]]PLAYER:
Well I was hoping you had something you can share with us. Information or software. Something to give us a better knowledge of how to handle a Reaper based threat.
CAPTAIN ((looking off camera and sighing before looking back)):
Well, I shouldn't be telling you this as it's incredibly classified, but we have something that could be of use for you. It's an AI system called the "Shepard AI".
[[The captain continues]] CAPTAIN:
I'm sure you're aware of the late Commander Shepard, but what you may not be aware of is that this isn't his/her first time being dead. A good ways back his/her ship exploded and Cereberus brought him/her back, infusing tech with his/her body and making a back up of his memories, personality, and so on. When we brought in Cereberus as a security firm we were able to access many of the things they had locked away in their servers. One of them was the backup of Shepard's brain patterns.
One of our men in R&D a couple years back spotted a company selling a crude holographic interface of Shepard on the docks of the old Citidel. He purchased one and has slowly been working Shepard's mental data into it. As of right now, it's definitely no Shepard personality wise, but it definitely has his/her logic and knowledge. In theory, we can upload a copy onto your ship, but we'd ask for something in return.
Do you happen to have a recording of what you saw from the clan? Or at least a ship's manifest so we can find out more about you?
[[Give Recording]]
[[Give Manifest]]
[[Give Both]]
[[Give Neither]]PLAYER:
I'll send you a copy of the activity we monitored from the clan but don't expect a manifest from us any time soon. The Council wanted us in the shadows. Perhaps it's best we stay there.
CAPTAIN:
Very well. I'm not really a fan of working blindly with an unknown but I think my hands are more than a little tied here. Opening a link now.
[[Start Transfer]]PLAYER:
We're going to go ahead and hold on to the recording until we've had enough time to really make out exactly what we're looking at, but as a compromise, since we're going to be working together, I'll send you the basics of our manifest. It should be enough to at least give you more info on the ship and crew and our capabilities.
CAPTAIN:
Alright. Would really like to see what you have on the clan but hopefully this is a step in the right direction if we're going to be collaborating. Initiating transfer.
[[Start Transfer]] PLAYER:
We really don't have a lot of time to debate so I'm just going to send you the recording and a basic version of the ship's manifest. The recording should get you on the same page as us, hopefully. The manifest will let you know about our ship and the crew so you can get some idea who's working with you.
CAPTAIN:
Thank you. I appreciate your cooperation and we'll have both scanned ASAP as soon as the transfer completes. Opening now.
[[Start Transfer]] PLAYER:
No offense sir, but we're going to be holding on to both. The Citadel wants us to keep things close to the chest right now so if you want either I'd suggest taking it up with them.
CAPTAIN:
I think you really need to look into the definition of teamwork but I don't really have time to argue with you. We need this taken care of now and this is our best chance. Opening signal now.
[[Start Transfer]] PLAYER:
Thank you sir, I won't disappont you.
CAPTAIN:
See to it that you don't.
((The CAPTAIN cuts the feed and the transfer begins. When it's completed the holographic communication unit glows a bluish tint and projects a full body image of the late Commander Shepard in front of the player (based off previous save info or earlier chosen parameters)). The PLAYER takes a surprised step back.
SHEPARD AI ((standing emotionless in an "at attention stance")):
Sir, Shepard AI active. How may I be of service today?