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Lt. Commander Ashley Williams thread: "Don't 'Ash' me!" We're Back Baby!


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#49526
CptData

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Let's go through one of my headcanons for post-war.

There are multiple ideas, however, some of 'em have a lot in common, that also includes Ashley & Shepard.

 

Still playing with some different ideas, so this is the newest one:

 

Ashley leaves the Spectres and is a full-time Alliance officer. She won't get another promotion for a while and remains a Lieutenant Commander (if I follow the game's storyline) or is going to be promoted to LC (if I use my own idea), but will keep that rank for several years.

Also, Ash remains on board of the Normandy, together with Joker, Chakwas, Adams & several others.

 

Shepard will need some time to recover (current idea is to have him recovering for more than a year), he's suffering heavy PTSD and has difficulties to cope with the horrors of war. Basically, he's exhausted and doesn't even have the strength to keep the image of a fully intact soldier. After his recovering, Shepard returns to duty: neither as Spectre nor as Alliance officer, but as Diplomat. He's not fully satisfied with that job, but at least it gives him additional time to fully recover. One day, he simply left the Citadel and vanishes entirely. The Alliance sends the Normandy to find him in the Terminus Systems, where Shepard is believed to be. CO of the Normandy is Ashley Williams. After getting some of his old friends back together (Garrus, Tali, Grunt, Zaeed and Miranda), Ash tries to track him down just to find out he's back as a Spectre - and dealt with the very same Dalatress that urged him to sabotage the cure. She's dead - and evidence points at him.

 

Long story short? Shepard is believed to be a murderer, but the truth is a tad more complicated. However, it forces Ash and her crew back in action. Ash is no longer a Spectre, but thanks to the post-war chaos it's no longer needed to get things done. Shepard IS still a Spectre, although the Council revoked his privileges until the charges against him get dropped.

 

Also, sidenote? EDI and most of the Geth survived the Destruction Ending, although it took nearly a year to restart EDI, who also lost some of her memory (nothing serious, still, Joker has a hard time to get her attention again *g*)



#49527
survivor_686

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@CptData

 

Sounds like a dark version of ME1.

 

Rogue Spectre? Check

Crew of experienced badasses? Check

 

My only question is this: Would the Alliance/Council be comfortable sending someone after Shepard who may not be the most unbiased? In any case, Ashley has served under Shepard and her judgement could be potentially coloured..right?



#49528
CptData

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@CptData

 

Sounds like a dark version of ME1.

 

Rogue Spectre? Check

Crew of experienced badasses? Check

 

My only question is this: Would the Alliance/Council be comfortable sending someone after Shepard who may not be the most unbiased? In any case, Ashley has served under Shepard and her judgement could be potentially coloured..right?

It is intented to mirror ME1 in some aspects. However, Shepard's not really a rogue Spectre, not like Saren.
Someone pointed him at that Dalatress, and he took her down for whatever reason he (or his employer) had. That's all what I know for certain, and that's my headcanon after all ;)

 

Ashley'n'Co is in charge because they KNOW how Shepard works, how he thinks and all. And since the Alliance isn't fully back in action, the Normandy and her experienced crew is simply the best they can field. And to make thinks even less complicated, Ashley got the order to do anything that's needed to get Shepard back. Of course, Hackett knows there's some chance Ashley's feelings might jeopardize that job, but he has no one else to do it.

 

In difference to ME1 however, Shepard doesn't end indoctrinated and he won't fight back like Saren did. He just believes what he had to do was right - and he can convince the crew of the Normandy. Of course, he IS right, like always ;) Ash knows that, Garrus knows that, hell, everyone knows that. Especially Ash.



#49529
themikefest

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Long time I don't post here, but I when I read the question about whether the Alliance military would allow their relationship, I thought that as long as Shepard and Williams served in different units it wouldn't be a problem. I don't have a military background, but it's good to read themikefest's confirmation of this fact. 

 

I should've mentioned this my original post.

 

If you have both husband and wife in the same unit and they get killed for some unknown reason, there will be no one to take care of their children if they have any. I'm not sure if this the number one reason, but I know its one of the reasons why a husband and wife are not in the same unit.



#49530
DWH1982

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In the "real world" people in a relationship shouldn't be in the same unit for any number of reasons, especially if one is a superior. For example - if you're in command, you might need to order someone to their death. Could you do that with someone you're in love with?

 

That doesn't even get into issues like performance evaluations, promotions, etc, that I'm sure commanding officers are responsible for. Many civilian businesses and government agencies don't allow managers to get involved with their employees for that reason, so it's not just the military. On Capitol Hill, these policies vary by office. However, my office does NOT allow relationships between someone in a management position and a staffer they oversee. If such a relationship comes to light, the employee handbook clearly states that the relationship must end, or one staffer must either leave the employment of the Senator entirely or leave the D.C. office by transferring to an "in-state" office (if an opening is available at one).

 

As for my post-war head canon:

 

1. Shepard spends just over a year recovering after being badly injured. Ash takes a leave of absence, and they spend a significant amount of that time together. Shepard is holed up in the cabin he got in the Pinnacle Station DLC, so everything is relatively out of sight.

 

2. The Normandy was pretty seriously damaged during the final battle, so it's in dry dock on the Citadel. Shepard acts as a consultant for (yet another) retrofit during the repairs. There aren't many changes, but one of the observation rooms is turned into a lab - he always did think it was stupid that they got rid of the original lab, which he thought came in handy. The "war room" remains unchanged - the post war goal of the Normandy will be to gather intelligence and "put out emerging fires" in the chaotic post-war galaxy before they cause too many problems.

 

3. The Alliance discovers that the Normandy SR-2 needs an AI to operate at peak efficiency. They determine that EDI can be repaired, but they need to bring the Council and the salarians in to help. As part of the deal for allowing an unshackled AI on an Alliance ship, the Alliance has to agree that a Spectre must be captain.

 

4. After his recovery, Shepard is promoted to Captain and given command of the Normandy. Several old crew members (including Ash) come back, along with a few new ones. Along with a mostly Alliance crew, intelligence officers from the Council powers are also assigned to the ship, the idea being that pooling and coordinating intelligence efforts is the best way for the Normandy to achieve its goal of promoting post-war stability. The ship has a new STG scientist manning the lab, albeit one that's actually not completely fond of Shepard - he disagrees with curing the genophage and thinks Shepard has "simplistic" views of the galaxy.

 

5. Despite their efforts to be discreet, the crew of the Normandy figures out pretty quickly that Ash and Shepard are together, but choose to ignore it. It never makes its way back to the Alliance brass, and given the circumstances behind EDI's reactivation, there's not much the Alliance could do about it anyway.

 

6. The Normandy is successful at putting out several fires, but the galaxy as a whole is still a mess. The Alliance is suffering from poverty and poor living conditions on Earth, conditions that are allowing some political extremists to gain traction. Councilor Osoba is assassinated. The salarians and what's left of the batarians eventually both end up in full scale civil war. There's an attempt to infect the krogan with a new genophage. There are several attempts on Wrex's life, and eventually even a conflict there between the factions behind Wrex and the most recalcitrant traditionalists. The geth were so devastated by the firing of the Crucible that they were thought to be wiped out - until the Normandy discovered otherwise. The geth that remain are split between a faction that wants to stay isolated while they figure out their new "individuality," and another that decided it was a mistake to back organics in the war and wants revenge for what the Crucible did.

 

7. Shepard commands the Normandy for 3-4 years, then leaves to take a new position overseeing Spectre operations and advising the Council (the position is meant to help address some of the problems that have popped up with Spectres, an issue that is on going even after the war). He's promoted to Admiral, and remains nominally connected to the Alliance. Ash gets command of the Normandy. Shepard goes out into the field now and then, but mostly he's in a desk job at this point.

 

8. Ash eventually takes a Citadel based position that allows them more time together. She goes out into the field more often than Shepard, but not as much as in the past. They eventually get married, have kids.

 

9. Shepard reluctantly takes the human slot on the Council - he has been playing a role in trying to end the salarian civil war, which has been dragging on without resolution, and the existing Council members felt that he would be better positioned to address this conflict (and others) on the Council. To his surprise, he finds he's pretty good at it, and stays on far longer than he thought he would - though there are times he thinks its fitting punishment for putting Anderson into the role. (NOTE: Being appointed to the Council requires him to temporarily surrender his Spectre status, as it's felt that having a Spectre on the Council would raise too many potential issues).



#49531
CptData

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Currently I try a new playthrough with a new Shepard, but the first ME loves to crash with the General Protection Fault. That makes it incredibly hard to do anything -.-.

 

Of course: Ash's the romance and Shepard will go down the paragon route. It feels wrong to do the renegade path to me ...



#49532
survivor_686

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For some reason, renegade Shepard doesn't really gel with Ash.



#49533
DWH1982

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I think it's because it feels like paragon Shepard and Ash compliment each other so well. Together I think they rather smooth out some of the rough spots in the other person's personality.

 

For example, I tend to view Shepard acting as a check on Ash's natural cynicism, while Ash keeps Shepard from becoming too ungrounded by his idealism.

 

BTW - is anyone else excited by Civilization: Beyond Earth? I'm glad they're finally doing a follow up to Alpha Centauri, even if it isn't a direct sequal.



#49534
survivor_686

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I kinda see my Shepard as the ideal paragon of the lawkeeper-Spectre: Someone who trusts in the law and the idea that you live or die by principles. (ie: I Maintain faith in the value of an alliance). I'd like to think Shepard, after his experience in the darker side of the galaxy (during his alliance N7 days) has seen what happens when the rule of law is completely ignored and the lure of ignoring the 'rules'.

 

I agree: Ashley is more of a slight cynic: someone who is not surprised when your 'ally' betrays. I've always seen Ashley as a sort of 'shake hands with them, but keep a knife handy'.

 

I found it ironic that most of what the fandom dismissed as her 'racist-views' in ME1, came shockingly true. (ie: The Council okay with letting earth burn whilst they cover their own, the willingness of the asari leadership to hide war-altering secrets and the salarians willingness to back-stab the krogan)

 

BTW: Anyone here play Wargame:Red Dragon?

 

I've heard about Civ 4, but I kinda prefer Sins of Solar Empire for my Space RTS.

- Wargame Red Dragon: Tactical, Real-time Tactics. Its the closest damn thing to a war-simulator. Learning cover is steep, but once you get the hang of it, its disturbingly addictive.

 

- Sins of Solar Empire: Real-time strategy. Another Canadian gem. Damned near addictive.



#49535
DWH1982

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I've considered buying Sins of a Solar Empire a few times, but I'm not sure how much I'd play it. I've discovered over the years that I am truly abysmal at real time strategy games.

 

I am, however, looking forward to Civ: Beyond Earth as well as Galactic Civilizations III. It seems like there are some other cool games on the horizon, too, like Wasteland 2 and Elite: Dangerous.

 

The problem will be getting myself to stop playing Mass Effect. I already have a backlog of games that I haven't touched because I always end up doing another ME playthrough. The setting and characters are addictive, and I find that when I try to play something else I find it lacking.



#49536
P. Domi

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I have been checking out some Space-based strategy/diplomacy games on Youtube lately, and I wondered which one would you recommend that had a solid, engaging story behind it? 



#49537
DWH1982

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If it's a strategy game, I generally only play turn based. So my suggestions will reflect that.

 

If you want a (relatively) newer game, I'm a big fan of Galactic Civilizations II.

 

If you don't mind playing older games (with older graphics) go to Good Old Games and purchase the following:

 

Sid Meier's Alpha Centuari

 

Master of Orion 1 + 2 (You get both MOO 1 and 2 in a single purchase for like, six bucks. Don't bother with buying MOO 3, it's not worth it).

 

As for story, the thing is - most strategy/diplomacy games are rather light on that. Galactic Civilizations has a campaign mode that has a sort of a story behind it, but I never bother with it. I just do a standard playthrough and make up my own story.

 

Alpha Centauri has a story that's told in bits and pieces at key points during a playthrough.


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#49538
CptData

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I think it's because it feels like paragon Shepard and Ash compliment each other so well. Together I think they rather smooth out some of the rough spots in the other person's personality.

 

For example, I tend to view Shepard acting as a check on Ash's natural cynicism, while Ash keeps Shepard from becoming too ungrounded by his idealism.

 

BTW - is anyone else excited by Civilization: Beyond Earth? I'm glad they're finally doing a follow up to Alpha Centauri, even if it isn't a direct sequal.

 

Indeed, I am. Also I'm an early backer of Galactic Civilizations III - which is also quite awesome. I own the entire GalCiv II collection too - and lately, most of my fleets consist of ships known from ME ;) The Normandy, obviously, is the starting unarmed ship which gets upgraded with cutting edge tech and all - ending as powerful as a cruiser, despite being just a frigate. Like in the game ;)

 

@DWH: For Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, some guys are creating a ME mod, so you can be your own Admiral Hackett *g*

 

Also, you're right: to fit to Ash, Shepard needs to be more a paragon than anything else. I mean, there's so much bad stuff happening all around him! The Mass Effect universe is pretty much a crapsack world in most terms. An individual life doesn't mean much. You always run into slavers, raiders, mercenaries, crime bosses and whatnot. Even the more civilized worlds and species seem to have a rotten core. Salarians are those nice, funny scientists, almost nerdy - until you find out they also have the most excessive agent network and love to stick a dagger in your back if you're not playing by their rules (Krogans had to learn it the hard way). The Asari - well, they're technically advanced blue sexy girls - and they hide all the good stuff from the others to keep a comfortable gap between them and the other species. No wonder they can create dreadnaughts with more firepower than other species full fleets! Krogans love to beat everything to pulp - and can only befriended if you know one decent guy out of 2 billion. Of course, that guy simply has a dream of renewing his species and is a tad less warlike than the rest, but at least he's a start.

It's quite odd the most positive species of the council are the Turians. They're basically a soldier-society, with everyone asociated with some kind of military department, could simply wipe out most of their foes (and still may end on the loser's side if going to war with the Alliance, despite numerical and technological advantage). They're positive, because they're honest and don't like to play in the shadow. Basically, Turians live by the "you-buy-what-you-see" way ...

 

And then there are the Reapers ...

 

Yeah, in short words: ME is quite a crapsack world and if Shepard would go down the renegade path, the galaxy is doomed to stay one. It's only a (mostly) paragon Shepard who can pull that stunt and make the entire galaxy a better place by ending several wars and forging a (hopefully long-lasting) alliance between all major species.

 

Guess that's why it's easier (for me) to play a paragon!Shepard.



#49539
P. Domi

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If it's a strategy game, I generally only play turn based. So my suggestions will reflect that.

 

If you want a (relatively) newer game, I'm a big fan of Galactic Civilizations II.

 

If you don't mind playing older games (with older graphics) go to Good Old Games and purchase the following:

 

Sid Meier's Alpha Centuari

 

Master of Orion 1 + 2 (You get both MOO 1 and 2 in a single purchase for like, six bucks. Don't bother with buying MOO 3, it's not worth it).

 

As for story, the thing is - most strategy/diplomacy games are rather light on that. Galactic Civilizations has a campaign mode that has a sort of a story behind it, but I never bother with it. I just do a standard playthrough and make up my own story.

 

Alpha Centauri has a story that's told in bits and pieces at key points during a playthrough.

 

Thanks!! I checked that website and the wikipedia to learn more about those games. I know a website where you can download Master of Orion 1 for free.



#49540
CptData

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Slow discussion is slow. Nothing to add anymore? ;)

 

In my new playthrough, I rescued Liara in the first mission (usually, I do Noveria first). Now I'm pondering if I take her and Ash to Benezia on Noveria ...



#49541
survivor_686

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I've always taken Liara with me when confronting Benezia. My Shepard's reasoning was that Liara would be able to talk some sense into Benezia, what with Saren deliberately targeting her.

 

On a side note: Has there every been an in-universe explanation as to how the "Marksman" ability works? We got one for adrenaline, biotic charge, overload, etc...



#49542
DWH1982

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I've always taken Liara with me when confronting Benezia. My Shepard's reasoning was that Liara would be able to talk some sense into Benezia, what with Saren deliberately targeting her.

 

On a side note: Has there every been an in-universe explanation as to how the "Marksman" ability works? We got one for adrenaline, biotic charge, overload, etc...

 

I think my first ME 1 playthrough was Ash and Tali for Noveria, because I didn't have Liara yet. Eventually I started doing Therum first and then taking Ash and Liara on Noveria. It's a problem for me since I don't have any tech skills with my Shepard (meaning I can't open safes or hack computers for the entire mission), but I like the extra dialogue Liara brings to the mission, and I've always felt having Ash along just feels "right" for Noveria. So, I make do.

 

As for Marksman - I've actually never thought of that one as a tech or implant assisted power. I always just figured it as the character having a minute or two of intense focus. Basically, they reach a place where they're "in the zone" and even more accurate with their weapons then usual. 



#49543
P. Domi

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Hi! I've only done one playthrough of ME 1, Ashley was with my Shepard the whole time, then I alternated between Kaidan Alenko (for sidequests and Systems Alliance business) and Liara for Peak 15. Liara has short conversations and lines in different moments throughout the whole planet. One thing you may or may not know is that Chris L'Étoile wrote 95% of this planet's missions and main plot.

 

Playing Noveria as one of the first planets I visited is one my fondest memories of ME1. I still consider this game my favorite in the saga :)



#49544
survivor_686

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I'm kinda split between the three. Here's what I loved about the three:

 

ME1: Exploration, the feel of 'exploring' and combing through a galaxy and the Mako. Smaller team gave more time for characters to become their own.

 

ME2: The more grungy, wild-west feel of the galaxy. We always got the feel that we're in the wild-west and the Normandy is 'our' ship (Especially with that updating display in the CIC).

 

ME3: Aside from the Ashley glitches (which are a bit of a step back), the game nailed down the combat flow. Without all the DLCs the game can't really stand up, but with the DLCs it really comes into its own. It was the best game in 'John Riccitello' era of EA games.



#49545
CptData

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Seems there are some news on ME4:


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#49546
survivor_686

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Bioware you ****** tease...



#49547
P. Domi

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Wow, you made my day, CptData, thanks for posting!



#49548
DWH1982

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Yeah, thanks for posting. It'll be interesting to see what direction they go in.



#49549
SGT NOOBSTER

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Hello, again. I just discovered that this is open once more. I need to go back through and read the posts from this year and catch up a little. However it is good to have the Ash thread back.



#49550
DWH1982

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It is. Too bad we got it back after we mostly ran out of stuff to talk about.