Some Reyes Vidal Headcanons:
Background: He grew up on Earth. Kind of like an Earthborn Shepard, he grew up in some of the most densely populated areas where survival was the name of the game. He had a large family who looked out for each other, but they still struggled to make ends meet. As a result, he turned to a life of crime at a young age, running supplies, weapons, drugs, etc. to and from various gangs. Despite being concerned, his parents didn't question where he got the money from, not when it helped put food on the table and clothes on their backs. Still, Reyes felt like he faded into the background more often than not in a household as big as his —filled with his aunts, uncles, grandparents, as well as his siblings and cousins.
Military Service: Thinking that it was a stable job that could provide him with a steady income to send back home, Reyes enlisted with the Systems Alliance at the age of 16, using fake documentation and identification to get him through recruitment. He had a couple of security postings on different colonies. Nothing too exciting, but when the pay wasn't cutting it, Reyes started to rely on old habits. Smuggling within and between colonies turned out to be way more profitable than anything he had done in the past. After he realized he had a knack for flying as well, it was only inevitable that he commandeered a vessel and went pirate.
His Downfall: Operating out of the Terminus Systems and the Attican Traverse, Reyes made a living on his own. Over time, he and his family fell out of contact, both sides reaching out less and less with each passing day. Reyes figured it was for the best, especially when the Shadow Broker's representatives reached out and made him the offer of a lifetime. He became one of the Broker's most trusted agents, rising through the ranks over the years. For once, it felt like he had finally found his place in the universe. Then, one day, the Shadow Broker sent him an assignment. Reyes —like Feron— was tasked to recover Commander Shepard's body, the first human Spectre. Even without the intel about the Collectors' involvement, fight-or-flight kicked in. Reyes was a man all about survival at the end of the day, and he had a bad feeling about the whole ordeal from the start. At first chance, he jumped ship, effectively painting a target on his back. He ended up going on the run from the Shadow Broker and their agents, all but disappearing as he went into hiding.
Joining the Initiative: Reyes remembered briefly reading up on the Initiative while he was still in the Shadow Broker's employ. It was the perfect opportunity for an escape and a fresh new start. While on the run, Reyes tracked down some Initiative representatives, cozying up to them and ultimately convincing them that he was an asset worth keeping. Initially, he was brought on to be a pilot, maintaining secrecy about his other, less savory skill set.
