The year is 2168. In an attempt to further advance humanity, Cerberus, a pro-human splinter group, kidnapped many people, and succeeded in splicing their genes with common domestic animals. They did this as they wished to create new and better shock troops. Stronger, better, faster, the usual. What they created were human-animal hybrid creatures that varied greatly in looks and strengths and weaknesses. While they weren’t the true super soldiers Cerberus wanted the creatures’ dubbed semi-humans, to enforce their lesser status to other humans, were found to have perks that could still be used.
Surprising to even Cerberus though, they adapted quickly and in 2170 revolted, turning the automated defenses and VI's against Cerberus personnel. In the confusion, subjects hidden within Cerberus’s ranks turned on their creators and within an hour had a strong foothold within the facility. The Illusive Man, upon finding out about the loss of control, proclaimed the cell rogue and its project a poor decision, as he considered the creatures no longer human. Upon sending a team to purge the facility, he discovered that the research subjects now had full control of the underground research base.
The rouges now armed and with other ex-scientists and soldiers of Cerberus, had severed all connections and disabled any fail-safes that were installed. They also built additional defenses around the entrance to the base, knowing that, even if Cerberus didn't retaliate which they would, pirates were still a threat. The base itself was a reinforced underground bunker to help hide it from planet-wide scans, as well as to protect from the harsh environment of the planet. Even before the retrofits, it was quite the stronghold with which to hold out in. Thankfully Cerberus was always well prepared, and since they expected the hardships of the Terminus, had plenty of previsions and resources stored and available in the stronghold.
The Anthros (short for the suffix anthropo- meaning human), as they decided to call themselves to escape from the demeaning term given to them, never stopped the research that created them. They came to find that the animal DNA they now had within actually improved them in many aspects, but more so in their breeding capabilities than any other area. Unlike before where one child was common, twins and triplets became the norm, with some having four and five young. They found this to be dangerous, though. While the mothers could carry them, it was very taxing to their health. Some wanted to be changed back human, but it was deemed improbable, as to reverse the effects would take more resources and time than they had. Despite that, they could stabilize and tweak their bodies to lessen the chance for large litters of young, and decided on twins with a chance for triplets would help bolster their numbers while keeping the mothers from being overburdened. While some would have called for them to force breeding as they were in the Terminus Systems, and needed to raise their numbers. It was shot down on the fact that they wouldn’t force such a fate onto anyone.
In 2171, the colony was discovered by a Systems Alliance special task force investigating reports of Cerberus’ illegal experiments with genetic engineering. Expecting a fight, they were surprised when upon landing at the facility; they discovered that it wasn't transmitting any encrypted signals off-world. The only signals that were sent were that of a normal colony, which was odd for a Cerberus research base. When they attempted to contact the base, they were greeted warmly and let inside. Upon entering, the team was shocked by what they saw. There weren't any Cerberus personnel to be found, and the former test subjects had turned the base into a decent research colony. There was a mix of feline and canine types of many different ages going about their lives, as if they were a normal colony. Deciding to contact the Systems Alliance for new instructions, the team was told to hold their position till assistance could arrive.
In the few weeks that followed, the team found that some of the colonists were ex-Cerberus scientists and soldiers that agreed to the operation to further science. To sweeten the deal, Cerberus, pretending to be a new research firm, let them bring their family and close friends as well, promising a better life and to make great strides for humanity. When they found out their employers were actually Cerberus and that they had been lied to, they decided to overthrow Cerberus in one well planned swoop. The soldiers came to befriend and trust the colonists, especially one of the members of their militia. She was a young calico feline girl by the name of Chessa Shepard. Being one of the younger subjects, she took to her new form very well, becoming a capable strategist and sniper. Her will and courage were strong, and the care for her family and friends even more so. Once an Alliance patrol arrived, the colony agreed to be evacuated and surrendered all data on the base. The scientists and soldiers agreed to work with the military in return for a full pardon of any crimes Cerberus committed there, and to allow them to settle on a colony world. The remaining colonists, numbering around one hundred, were moved into Council Space and placed in a small colony under Alliance protection and surveillance, as per the furious Council's orders.
Shepard, much to the disdain of higher ranked officers, wanted to be put into military service. Not surprisingly, being technically ex-Cerberus and many seeing her race as monsters, no-one trusted her to be in their platoon. She wouldn't be swayed though, and in the years that followed she and the others of the colony proved their worth in many fields. Due to having once been human, and despite their exterior appearances, they were still considered within the human species by galactic civilization.
In time, the experiments that created the Anthros were now in the past, and somewhat forgotten. Some have even come to accept them, and their small colony of around 100 had quickly swelled to at least 3 times the size. Some were humans mainly stationed as guards, but already the breeding aspects of the Anthros were evident. Many of the children were anthro as well, having anything from just animal ears and tails to full on animalistic features set on human frames. They also found that they could break the once thought barriers and produce young with just about any species.
Whispers were already starting about them, and how if left unchecked they could become like the Krogan or worse. These rumors were quickly debunked as, unlike the Krogan, the Anthros didn't breed just to breed. They were relaxed about sexuality and were open about such acts, but they had developed their own birth control methods to counteract their increased fertility. As such, they showed control and knowledge enough to not let their numbers grow out of control. Even more surprising, they requested support from other races to help understand and research them. A few Salarians readily agreed, and even some Asari jumped at the chance, yet most people would rather not get involved or have anything to do with them.
It is now 2183, and in a dimly lit room sitting at his console was Captain David Anderson, a middle-aged darker skinned man with short black hair, dressed in a captain’s uniform. On the console screen was Donnel Udina, an older man with balding grey hair, dressed in fancy clothes.
Udina’s stern voice came from the console. “Can you imagine the luck?”
“I know what you mean.” Anderson’s voice was about the same age but firm. “Never would’ve believed we’d have two candidates.”
“Two? How the hell can you only be suggesting two?”
“Because Udina, they are the best we have…even with their records.”
Udina sighs looking at Anderson a long moment before speaking. “Okay…So who are they?”
Another male walks in behind Anderson, taking a strong military stance with arms behind his back. He looked to be around the same age as Anderson, but had a long scar over his face and his features carried with them the signs of a more active military career. This man, Admiral Stephen Hackett, wore clothes fitting his position and his voice was filled with both respect and wisdom. “Well, first we have Commander Jack Armstrong who has by far proven himself, even though he’s very rough around the edges, and is ruthless in the field.”
Anderson nods a couple times in agreement. “Considering his bringing up it’s understandable. He lived on Mindoir before the raid by slavers. You don’t recover from that without some baggage.”
“Traumatizing experience to be sure, but he’s lost just about half as many men as he’s killed. Also it doesn’t help that he’s an obvious xenophobe,” Hackett states.
“Yes that can cause problems…hmm,” Udina seemed lost in thought before resuming. “What about the other one? You’re being awfully secretive about them.”
“Oh you’ll love this. She’s young, outspoken, and has a problem with authority. She respects them, sure, but doesn’t mean she likes them usually. She has had many reprimands and fines for fraternization and ignoring orders. Her name’s Chessa Shepard.” Anderson paused before continuing, “And she’s an Anthro.”
Udina rose up some, staring in disbelief, “What?! How the hell can you two be suggesting her? Have you gone mad suggesting an Anthro?”
Anderson just smirked and looked at him. “Maybe I am Udina, but she showed promise before even joining the military. Barely 16 and she was a skilled member of a militia made mostly of ex-Cerberus research subjects. Upon rescue she immediately wanted to sign with the military to show thanks for saving them.”
Hackett cut in. “And since joining she has steadily advanced through the ranks. She never gives up, never says she can’t handle it, and more than that, she’s rarely lost a soldier under her command or caused a civilian casualty during her career.”
Udina nearly fell out of his seat as he dropped back into it. “What…, but how?”
Anderson shook his head bringing his hands together under his chin to rest on them. “No one knows. It’s why all charges against her are always dropped. She never asks for a full squad, always using small strike teams, and preferring covert ops. When she gets her orders, she usually sticks with ‘em, at least until something goes wrong. She'll then cut contact, and we’re left in the dark. Suddenly, she comes back with her team victorious. The last words we hear before losing contact are always along the lines of ‘Don’t worry. I’ll handle it like I always do.’ She’s one of a kind Udina, but like Armstrong she has her rough edges.”
“She’s not even 30 yet and is already a commander,” chimes in Hackett. “She has also received many medals for valor and courage in the field. Her spirit is one of the strongest I’ve ever seen, and many jump at the chance to join her in battle. They know what she is, but in the Alliance everyone is human no matter their race.”
“Even then, being an anthro…They still aren’t trusted, and many still see them as an accident we let happen...” Udina sighed hard. “Damn, are you sure they are the best we have?”
“They're the only ones that could handle it. Armstrong would do it as it helps him serve the Alliance, and Shepard… Well.” Anderson let out a chuckle, “She’d see it as fun, and a way to improve relations with the other races.”
“There are of course others that could be put forward, but none can match the accomplishments, skill, and age of those two. At least, none that can be replaced easily when they're gone.” Hackett adds in.
“Yes, we can’t afford to lose our highest ranking officers, or put forward those too old… Humph. Well alright then, I’ll make the call.” Udina cut the call and leaned back in his chair, letting out another hard sigh. “Damn, if these are the best we have, humanity needs help. We’ll never be a council race at this rate.”
