Tu Shanshu

[Shepard looks a little less military-formal and a little more plain old contemplative today. This post is less about making an announcement or speech, perhaps, and more about making connections.]

I don't suppose many others here find the turtle diving sort of... comforting. Being underwater reminds me of space. There's no day-night cycle when you're in the black. It's really disconcerting at first, but after a while, you learn to sleep when your body needs to, rather than when the clock tells you it's night.

I was only just starting to get used to being on Earth again, when I was brought here. I hadn't been back in years.

[She sort of squints vaguely into the distance for a moment, like she's lost in a memory, her brow furrowed. Then she snaps back to herself and addresses the screen with a bit more of her usual professionalism.]

To the newcomers, I'm Commander Jane Shepard - Alliance Navy. [A brief hesitation, as she almost says formerly, but she's not willing to deal with that just yet.]

If anyone needs something to do, and you have medical or defense experience, let me know. I've got some teams working on emergency preparedness plans, and we could always use more help.