John took a moment to inspect the facilities. They were exactly like the<span style="font-style: italic">Normandy's</span>, really--spotless and designed by the ghost of Steve Jobs. John saluted their new doctor briefly, satisfied with the status of the ship's med-bay. 'Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant. Nothing so far, thanks. Just touring the ship before we get this show on the road. If there's anything you need, just forward it to the requisitions officer downstairs. When we have the funds and time, I'll be sure to drop by the Citadel to pick it up. No time for any last-minute on-site supply runs, I'm afraid. We're set to depart in a few.'<br/><br/>John bowed slightly and stepped out, ticking the last item off his checklist. He gave Liara a brief nod of greeting as he passed her on the way to the elevator. 'Doctor, are you all settled in?'<br/><br/>'I am. Thank you, Commander. I didn't bring much, really. Most of my gear is still on the<span style="font-style: italic">Normandy</span>. We're departing soon, aren't we?'<br/><br/>'That we are, Liara. I'm on my way up to the bridge right now.'<br/><br/>As the elevator stopped at the CIC, John strode out, taking his seat on the command chair. He activated the seat's systems and pulled up a galaxy map, setting a marker for their destination.<br/><br/>'Mister Mitchell,' he said to the ship pilot, 'set a course for Eden Prime, if you please.'<br/><br/>'Aye, sir,' the pilot replied on the comm.<br/><br/>'Here we go,' John muttered.<br/><br/>The ship jerked slightly as the Citadel's magnetic docking clamps disengaged. Diagnostic readouts and engines all showed optimal functionality. All weapons read green, and stealth systems were were all ready to use.<br/><br/>John opened a channel to the<span style="font-style: italic">Normandy</span>. 'Shepard.'<br/><br/>'John,' she said cheerfully, 'how are you liking the cheap knockoff so far?'<br/><br/>'She's a damn sight tidier than yours, for one. And its captain is prettier.'<br/><br/>'Sure, Solar boy. Sure. Good hunting, John. We'll see you on Earth.'<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________</div><br/><br/>'Commander,' said Flight Officer Mitchell, 'we're coming up on the mass relay. Should I set us up for the jump?'<br/><br/>'Make it so,' John said, briefly impersonating Patrick Stewart.<br/><br/>And with customary suddenness, the physical tug of the mass rely jump took John in the innards. He never would enjoy that feeling, nor would he enjoy the other identical jumps on the road to Eden Prime. In a day, they'd reached the edge of the Utopia System. It was a bright jewel set in the void of space, a symbol of humanity's progress in its drive to colonize the stars. Five worlds orbited a warm yellow star. Their target, the second world from the sun, was a green orb of endless fields and towering arcologies, the breadbasket of the Exodus Cluster and countless other human colonies--Eden Prime. John felt a bit of concern for 042. Eden Prime had been invaded by the Geth only a few years ago. How would they react to a friendly Geth Exalted platform showing up to fight off their Cerberus occupiers?<br/><br/>'Stealth systems engaged,' Deckard declared. 'Commander, preliminary scans are telling me Eden Prime's space port is slagged.'<br/><br/>'That was expected,' John said. 'Trust Cerberus to take the hammer to this situation. What about our Geth contacts?'<br/><br/>'They're coming into scanner range now. Yep, silhouettes match Geth transport specs. Should we hail them?'<br/><br/>'Do it. Comms, set up a secure channel with them. Send our ident codes. I'll be heading down to help move the Geth equipment aboard.'