Out of the Twilight | Mass Effect

11

2183, Eden Prime

"Alright, this one's nice and simple. Eden Prime dug up a Prothean beacon. The powers that be want to study in on site for a bit, apparently they think it's tied to something bigger. Council's sending a Spectre to keep an eye on things, and the Alliance is sending us to keep an eye on them. Any questions?"

Andra looked around at the small squad, making sure everyone was on the same page.

"Good. Now, this is supposed to be routine. We all know how that works out." She waited for the chuckles to die out before continuing. "Our main priority is keeping the civilians safe. Second is keeping peace between all the different races that'll be in on this project. Any problems, come to me."

The shuttle came in for a landing at a small spaceport, and Andra grabbed her gear and hopped out. She left Alenko in charge of gathering everyone as she went in search of the barracks. She found the port master in his office, going over some invoices.

"Alliance squad, checking in. Where do you want us?"

He looked up. "Right. Barracks are closer to the site. Get your men and take the tram. You lot'll be bunking with the Spectre. Turian. There's marines on site, you can choose to take over or not. They're mostly locals, used to doing security, but not for anything this big."

She nodded and took his directions, waving her squad over. Once they were settled on the tram, she addressed them again.

"We'll be bunking with a turian, the Spectre. Any of you worked with a turian before?" The squad shook their heads. "Right. On duty, they're duty first, everything else is second. Off duty, they have permission to do whatever. Don't judge them until you've spoken when they're off duty."

"Weren't you raised by a turian, ma'am?" one of the newer ones, Barretts, asked.

"Yes, and served three years in the Hierarchy military. Officially, I transferred out, unofficially, I'm still a High Commander. It's equivalent to a captain's rank."

"So why are you a commander now?" Alenko wondered.

"Politics. Turians believe in promoting people based on skill, humans demand a certain amount of time at each rank first. It shouldn't be an issue, though. Spectres outrank me either way. Be respectful, and don't try to piss them off."

They reached the docks and filed out, following her to their barracks. Once inside, they claimed beds away from the two occupied ones and began stowing their gear as Andra dropped her duffle and made her way to the dig site. She made note of the monitoring equipment and scientists as she walked. Mostly salarian, a few turians, and surprisingly, a quarian. She rounded the corner to approach the shack that was acting as security headquarters.

And stopped dead.

Nihlus.

He was standing by the shack, talking to one of the local marines. Her heart gave a lurch, and she ruthlessly crushed the rise of hope. He made it abundantly clear that you were only a one-night-stand. You will not pant at his heels like a bitch in heat!

Shepard forced herself to breathe. That was nothing. It never happened. You can avoid him outside of the mission.

Nihlus turned, as if he had heard her thoughts. His bright emerald eyes were striking against the black-and-white of his colony markings. Almost immediately, Shepard remembered how they had looked that night, burning with passion.

And how emotionless they had looked when he kicked her out of his rooms the following morning.

Dammit, Andra, you will not give that bastard the pleasure of seeing you flinch. You are an Arterius, dammit. You will show him nothing. She squared her shoulders and approached him.