John Shepard, a male human born in 2154, is a Systems Alliance Commander, the Captain of SSV Normandy, the first human Spectre agent, and a gifted engineer. Son of Hannah Shepard and a fellow Alliance soldier, Commander Shepard is a spacer, having spent his childhood on ships and stations as they transferred from posting to posting, never staying in one location for more than a few years. Following in his parent's footsteps, he enlisted at the age of eighteen. Shepard's bravery and heroism have earned him medals and recognition from the Alliance fleet. A war hero, he almost single-handedly repelled an attack by batarian slavers on Elysium. Shepard has the special ability to quickly analyze a situation and present options for all contingencies — a talent expressed in command as well as engineering applications. His romantic partner is Tali Zorah.