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Eden Prime, where Mass Effect began. They introduce us to Admiral Anderson, who is Captain Anderson right now. We know that he is friends with Shepard, he has more power over Shepard, but we see that Shepard is highly respected by Anderson. It’s almost like I admire him. We can really see this when Anderson freely hands the ship over to Shepard.
When Anderson delivers the ship to Shepard at the Citadel, we have the option to delve into Anderson’s past with Saren. He tells how he never got along with Saren, the rebellious spectator. Saren betrayed Anderson when they were on a mission, killing innocent civilians, he lost Anderson his chance to become a wraith. To this day, Anderson has always wanted revenge, and was going to get it, when Shepard catches Saren.
Going back to the top, we have seen that Anderson is Shepard’s friend and former captain, and that he is quite brave. See his courage before Illos. When Shepard has the option of letting him break into Udina’s office, or C-Sec to liberate Normandy. Following the C-Sec route, we see Anderson take a bullet, literally, so Shepard can save the day. You know, how you do it … It’s this show of bravery that gives Anderson his place on the council (in case you pick him over Udina). I think it is a much better option, as Jacob says in ME2, it will put defense before politics.
I have not yet explored David’s past. Who were you before Mass Effect? Let’s take a look at her romantic life. In Mass Effect 3, if you complete the Grissom Academy mission, you will meet Kahlee Sanders. We get hints that she and Anderson are romantically involved, how she sounds so relieved that he’s alive, “when we get out of this … just tell him to stay alive.” Like a teenager in love. It’s finally confirmed when you talk to Anderson about the QEC after the mission. He says they had something once and seems very interested in rekindling the relationship.
In the Citadel DLC, the apartment Anderson gives to Shepard was originally intended for him and Kahlee. But I think Anderson had given up hope here. He wouldn’t admit it, but he didn’t like the idea of holding onto things, I think he thought he would die soon.
The Citadel DLC is where we hear a bit about his involvement in the First Contact War. We don’t hear much about it, but Anderson describes it as brutal. He served alongside a woman named Jill Dah. That’s all we know.
In Mass Effect 3, Anderson is the leader of the resistance on Earth. He chooses to stay and fight while Shepard heads into space. His story comes to a sad end. He follows Shepard up the beam to the Citadel near the end, and Shepard shoots him, inadvertently. Shepard, of course, was controlled by the Illusive Man, who was under the control of the reapers. But Shepard, of course, resisted.
After opening the arms of the citadel, Anderson and Shepard sit down. Anderson is dying. He doesn’t show it, but he was shot in the stomach. His last words: “I am proud of you.” play while your head bows. “Thank my Lord.” is Shepard’s response, which Anderson does not recognize.
That’s the Anderson story.