“Jacen T'Sanis, now an elite young sergeant from the Galactic Republic’s famous Havoc Squad, has arrived to help defeat the separatists on Ord Mantell and restore peace to this war-ravaged world…”

Daveth Baratheon x Sansa Stark – “Expecting an Heir”

|| Queen Sansa Stark wasn’t feeling well at all. Ever since she discovered she was pregnant, Sansa was overjoyed with the prospect of welcoming her first child with Daveth. What she did not expect was that pregnancy would make her feel this ill at all. ||

—

“As your wife, it is my duty to inform you that I am carrying your little prince or princess inside me.”

Entry Log: 2185.08.02.18.30

There’s a moment from my time on the original Normandy that I often think about, especially when I face tough decisions. It was a conversation I had with Captain Anderson, and it’s a lesson that has stuck with me throughout my journey.

We were en route to Feros, and I was still adjusting to my new role as a Spectre. The pressure was mounting, and I felt the weight of every decision I made. I’d been spending hours pouring over mission reports and intel, trying to make the best choices for my team and the galaxy. It was late, and I was alone on the bridge, staring out at the stars, when Anderson approached me.

“Shepard,” he said, his voice steady and calm. “You’re working yourself too hard. You’ve got to find a balance, or you’ll burn out before we even reach out destination.”

I remember bristling at his comment, defensive and frustrated. “I can’t afford to make mistakes, captain. There’s too much at stake. If I let my guard down, people will die.”

Anderson nodded, understanding my concerns, but he held his ground. “I know you want to do what’s best for everyone, but you’re only human. You can’t control everything, and you can’t predict every outcome. Sometimes, you’ve got to trust your instincts and the people around you.”

He paused, looking out at the stars with me. “When I was in your position, I tried to do it all. I thought I could save everyone, but in the end, I realized that I couldn’t. It’s a hard lesson, but it’s one that every leader must learn.”

I remember standing there, taking in his words, feeling a mixture of relief and frustration. I knew he was right, but it was hard to let go of that need for control, that fear of failure. But as I stared into the vastness of space, I realized that I wasn’t alone. I had a team of skilled, dedicated individuals behind me, and together, we were capable of facing whatever challenges the galaxy threw our way.

From that day on, I made a conscious effort to trust my instincts and rely on the expertise of my crew. I learned to delegate, to share the burden of leadership, and to accept that sometimes, things don’t go according to plan. It wasn’t an easy transition, but it’s made me a better leader, and it’s allowed me to build stronger bonds with my team.

Now, as I face new challenges aboard the Normandy SR-2, I carry that lesson with me. I know that I can’t protect everyone, but I can do my best to make the right calls and trust my crew to have my back. And together, we’ll continue to fight for the future of the galaxy, no matter what the odds.

Signing off,

Commander Shepard