Ashley Williams (1)

**Part 2.**

Why does anyone who says "with all due respect" actually mean "kiss my ass"?

Profile

Race:

Human

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

April 14, 2158

Occupation:

Systems Alliance Navy

Combat Specialization:

Soldier

Rank:

Sergeant

Military Occupational Code:

B4

Ashley Williams is a Systems Alliance soldier with the rank of sergeant, leading the second ground unit of the colony on Eden Prime. She was later recruited into Captain Shepard’s crew after the geth attack on the colony.

Voiced by Kimberly Brooks.

In the Russian version - by Irina Kireeva.

Before Enlisting

Ashley Madeline Williams came from a large family with a long line of soldiers serving the Alliance. Her father was military as well. Being the oldest of four daughters in the family, she set an example for Abby, Lynn, and Sarah. Due to her father's constant absences because of his service, she helped raise her sisters, and they quickly became very close. Despite his tough job, discipline, and dedication, Ashley's father never advanced in rank beyond "private first class," a harsh fact that always deeply troubled her.

Training

Following in her family's footsteps, Ashley enlisted in the Alliance Marine Corps after graduating high school and was assigned to a training base in Macapa, Brazil. Throughout training, Sergeant Williams specialized in handling the standard M7 Lancer assault rifle and light to medium combat armor. She also excelled in a zero-gravity combat skills assessment aboard the Rakesh Sharma orbital platform, located near Earth's geosynchronous orbit. For tactical training in assaulting enemy strongholds, she was assigned to Fort Charles Ufama on the Saturn moon Titan. Ashley was awarded distinctions for her bold assault techniques on a training battlefield simulating an attack on a turian stronghold. The senior training instructor, Sergeant Allison, noted her high endurance and aggressive instincts, recommending Williams for the squad leader position and later as a platoon commander. Her effective leadership left a strong impression, as the platoon unanimously praised her skills during their final physical training. Private Nirali Bhatia highlighted her ability to boost team spirit and her iron discipline.

Execution of Duty

General Williams, the garrison commander of Shanxi, was the first and only person to surrender to the aliens in battle. The prejudice from her superiors against her family meant that Ashley spent most of her life in ground garrisons – far from gaining real combat experience – despite her exemplary technical performance. She constantly requested transfers to a spaceship, but each request was denied without explanation. Because of the discrimination against her and her family, Ashley asserts that the Williamses must be better than the best, and then people will forget what happened on Shanxi. Such beliefs made her fully devoted to her work but also prickly, tough, and quick to judge. Her aggressive instincts and habit of speaking bluntly suit a soldier well but often lead to complications when duty forces her to cooperate with civilians. Her political views may also be problematic, given the Alliance’s need to improve relations with the Citadel.

In Captain Shepard's Team

Ashley Williams’ first encounter occurs on Eden Prime during Captain Shepard's mission to retrieve a Prothean beacon. Ashley's squad, number 212, was wiped out by the geth army, which intended to seize the beacon as well. As the only survivor of her squad and having excelled in her combat abilities on Eden Prime, she made a strong impression on Captain Anderson, who transferred her to the Alliance frigate "Normandy." Initially, Ashley felt out of place, thinking she had taken the spot of the tragically deceased Corporal Jenkins and blaming herself for being caught off guard during the geth attack. However, over time, she began to integrate into the team, even forming a friendship with Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko.

Her service duty on the Normandy involved spending time in the armory, cleaning, calibrating, and adjusting combat gear. From personal conversations with her, one can hear her thoughts on past missions and ship gossip before anyone else. Ashley enjoys sharing about her family and is interested in Shepard’s past. Upon discovering that she and Captain Shepard trained at the same training facility and even received scoldings from Sergeant Allison, Williams was pleasantly surprised.

Ashley has strong religious beliefs but is hesitant to discuss them with Shepard because she is frustrated with others' skepticism towards her Christian faith. Her faith has only grown stronger due to her work in space – “How can you look at this galaxy and not believe in a higher power?” – and she believes her deceased father watches over her from above. She still remembers his favorite poem, "Ulysses" by Tennyson, keeping those memories in her heart. Captain Shepard jokingly pointed out that Ashley was the last crew member he expected to hear quoting classic literature, and Ashley indignantly commented in her usual tough manner: “Just because I can shoot you between the eyes from a hundred meters doesn’t mean I can’t be interested in sentimental things! But don’t go telling everyone about it.” Despite being tough and aggressive, Ashley has shown a softer side to her nature. When meeting with Sameh Bhatia, she speaks very respectfully and kindly of his fallen wife, who was under her command, recalling how much she loved her husband.

Referring to her family’s past and certain experiences working with other races, she is not very fond of aliens. Ashley does not trust the Citadel Council and believes humanity cannot remain their ally. She questions the wisdom of allowing Captain Shepard’s crew to include the alien krogan Urdnot Rex and turian Garrus Vakarian, believing it unnecessary to give them full access to the ship. She also considers the Prothean beacon some kind of absurd nonsense, not giving it much attention and thinking that the Captain suffered unnecessarily in his attempt to seize it. Nevertheless, she realizes Shepard is the team leader and that orders about the presence of aliens are not her purview. But as Ashley claims, she is not a racist. She considers the political group Terra Firma a pack of xenophobic hyenas that have replaced original human concepts of honor and nobility with anti-alien paranoia. Although she would not hesitate to shoot Rex if she felt threatened by him, she actively volunteers to assist Captain Kirrahe’s team on Virmire enthusiastically and works well with the salarians, respecting their tenacity and skills.

During the operation on Virmire, Shepard can choose to save Ashley’s life, but at the cost of losing Kaidan. Following a discussion about the mission's outcome, she will be angry at Shepard's decision, asserting that Kaidan was of a higher rank and that she should have died instead. However, Shepard convinces her to stop looking for foolish reasons to clear her grandfather's name, as it was his decision and his alone. The sergeant truly feels uncertain that when facing the Reapers she can help with anything and asserts that she has no place in the upcoming battles, but Shepard persuades her otherwise. Ultimately, Ashley comes to her senses and continues to fulfill her duty on the Normandy, working alongside alien races to stop Saren Arterius.

Romance

“You make me happy”

A male player and Ashley can start a romantic relationship after completing the mission report on Eden Prime. While Sergeant Williams is responsive to the Captain’s advances, she also does not hesitate to refuse Shepard’s possible order to kiss a crew member, arguing that kissing an officer of higher rank is a violation of the code. As their romance develops, Shepard reveals her views on love, that women from the Williams family take their time to observe a man but then love him for life. When the Normandy becomes trapped in the Citadel due to political intrigue, Ashley encourages the Captain not to give up and gives him his first kiss. Before landing on Ilos, she enters the captain's cabin, saying that throughout her long career serving the Alliance, Shepard has made her feel happy and shares a bed with him. Ashley continues to tease Shepard, telling him she has something important to say, but if he wants to hear it, he must survive Ilos and return to her.

**Part 2.**