Shepard is Love, Shepard is Life

I came up with a whole backstory for this AU, but I’ll just leave you with this blurb:

After the media circus around the Cerberus trials dies down and the rogue Section 31 cell has been thoroughly dealt with, no one expects to see key witness Shepard, ex-special forces commander, ever again. Not after she publicly disavowed Starfleet, and not with half the quadrant still questioning her involvement. They especially don’t expect to see her captaining her own starship. And to hire a turian first officer only months after the Hierarchy’s sudden and inexplicable move to join the Federation? It’s like she’s begging for negative attention. The galaxy wants to know: what leverage does she hold against Starfleet brass to make them cater to her every whim? And how long until the crew cannibalizes itself under her rogue leadership?

SENIOR CREW LIST

CMDR. Shepard, Commanding Officer LT. Moreau, Helmsman

LT. CMDR.* VAKARIAN, XO, Chief Tactical Officer LT. ALENKO, Second Officer SPECIALIST TRAYNOR, Communications Officer

*approximate rank based on Hierarchy tier