Chapter 1

This was not Skye Shepard's first rodeo. A savage thrill went through her as she flipped the batarian thug over her shoulder and threw him into the wall. His grunt of pain drew a grin from her and she struggled not to laugh as he slid down the wall and slumped on the floor ass-end up.

She turned to the rest of the thugs that had ambushed her outside of the bar. The rhythmic thumping of the music matched the helter-skelter beat of her heart. "So boys," she blew one black lock out of her face, "which one of you gorgeous shit heads is next?"

One of the thugs came after her with a roar. It took her less than a second to size him up. Turian. Weak spots: spurs, abdomen, neck, chin. Charging head first, upset the balance and take him out. She simply stepped aside and crouched as the turian charged past. Her shoulder slammed into his tender stomach, his breath leaving him in a jagged whoosh, and hooked one arm around his legs, using both his momentum and the force of her own body as she stood to flip him face-first into the ground. She winced in mock sympathy at the crunchy sound his mandibles made as he forcefully kissed concrete.

Skye didn't spare a glance for the turian lying motionlessly on the floor, but set back up into a ready stance, grinning at the three thugs that were left, two humans and a batarian. She curled her fingers in a come-hither motion, "You know, if you want to get to know a lady, I can tell you that mugging her outside of a shitty nightclub won't make the best first-impression."

The thugs looked at each other and nodded, as one, they pulled out their weapons.

Shit fuckity fuck! Shepard dived as the humans opened fire and came up running, the batarian close behind with an electric baton. The alleyway she was currently hauling ass in was dark and full of trash and she took advantage of the tall towers of crates and pallets stacked up against the walls, tipping them over as she ran past to make things harder on the assholes chasing her.

She laughed as she ducked around a corner and saw the glory of all glories: stairs. Skye cloaked herself and scurried up the stairs while the thugs floundered through the trash in the alley. She came up over the roof and dashed across the flat surface. From her vantage point above them, she could see the batarian shoving the trash out of his way and the two humans hot on his heels, each with an M-6 Carnifex at the ready. M-6's? Where do common criminals get M-6's? I don't see gang colors on them. There must be a black-market supplier around here somewhere. I'll drop C-Sec a tip later, it's their problem.

This was too lovely an opportunity to pass up. With a practiced hand, she pulled her trusty pouch of all-things-nasty to bear and chuckled to herself as she carefully selected and threw satchels full of palaise powder down on the unsuspecting heads of the three sods below her. The thugs yelped as bright orange dust exploded around them and then they screeched as the powder began stinging their unprotected skin. M-6's clattered to the ground, momentarily forgotten, as the humans tried to dust themselves off, to no avail. The batarian shouted and cursed in pain, the powder sticking to his slightly moist skin. His attempts to rub the palaise from his arms and face only smeared it in deeper and he howled.

Shepard couldn't help herself, she uncloaked, laughing at the men hopping around in the filth of the alley. She gave them all a snappy one finger salute, "Next time boys, just buy a lady a drink would ya?" She walked away, the sound of their curses drifting merrily up after her.

Skye was still chuckling as she made her way back to the docking station and the Normandy. The soldier on guard, Private Carlton Tucks, snapped to attention as she walked up. She returned his salute with a jaunty grin and strode into the air lock. Tucks blinked rapidly, Shepard the Ice Queen had just grinned at him.

Shepard took a deep breath as the Normandy welcomed her home. The slightly chemical bite of the purified and recycled air was comforting in a way that only someone who spent years in space could understand. Shore leave was over, for her anyway, and she was glad it had ended with a good romp amongst the scum of the earth. There was nothing like a one-sided fight to get the endorphins flowing.

"So whose heart did you break this time Shepard? You look like the cat that ate the canary." Jeff "Joker" Moreau, the snarky pilot of the Normandy, was standing outside of the decon room with his arms crossed.

"Good God," Skye clutched her chest, "so you aren't sown into the pilot's seat after all. I guess I owe Alenko five credits."

Joker smiled, "A man has to have snack breaks."

Shepard laughed. "As to your original question, I had a lovely night with," she paused to recount her assailants, "five gentlemen at Kitty Mau's down in Hagar district. Two humans, two batarians, and a rather headstrong turian."

"I should be seriously disturbed, but you do have a reputation to uphold."

Shepard's brows climbed upwards, "I have a reputation?"

"Of course," Joker shrugged slightly, "everyone knows that Shepard the Ice Queen is a deviant."

"You know, gossip is bad for the soul." Shepard eyed Joker as she brushed by him, "I hear that gossipers often find itchy things in all of their underwear."

Joker groaned as he limped after her onto the bridge, "Please don't leave that crap in my shorts again, I swear I learned my lesson last time."

"I make no promises Joker, the Karma fairies are fickle creatures. Anyway," Shepard crossed her arms and leaned against the bulkhead as Joker carefully settled himself in the pilot's seat, "has our package arrived?"

"Yes," came Joker's dark mutter, "crusty bastard. Spectre Nihlus Kryik is on board and I swear, if that stick was any farther up his ass it would be coming out of the top of his head. He could give your poker face a run for its money too."

"Well I'll refrain from playing cards with him then. Is Anderson with him?"

Joker nodded, "They're actually waiting for you. Take-off is in ten."

Shepard thumped a fist onto the back of his chair, "Thanks."

She turned and walked through the CIC to the com room where Anderson had taken up residence. The sound of voices made her stop short of opening the door.

"Look, I'm not saying that Shepard isn't an excellent candidate, and God knows I couldn't be more supportive of your choice, but there are other Alliance officers with records that shine just as brightly. Why Shepard?" Anderson sounded perturbed.

"Yes, there are many exemplary soldiers to choose from, but I believe that Shepard is the obvious choice." The other voice was striking and multilayered, definitely turian, only two larynxes could produce such a rich sound. "Look at what she's overcome and accomplished in such a short time; she survived the raid on Mindoir, she rounded up a ragtag bunch of Alliance soldiers and civilians to defend Elysium during the Skyllian Blitz, and then just a year later survived the thresher maw attack on Akuze. She's shown an extreme knack for survival and a natural ability to lead; people instinctively look to her for leadership. She's magnetic."

Anderson sighed, sounding tired, "You're right, of course, but I hate the idea of throwing her into this, she's already been through more than most."

"And that's why she's perfect. She won't crack under the pressure."

Shepard hit the door control and strode into the com room, her boots clicking on the floor. She kept her expression neutral despite the unease swirling in her gut. What exactly was Anderson worried about throwing her into?

"Sir," she snapped to attention, saluting her commanding officer.

"At ease Shepard." Anderson gestured at the tall turian standing beside him, "Commander, this is Spectre Nihlus Kryik, he'll be accompanying us on our run to Eden Prime. The Council sent him to oversee our systems test."

Shepard inclined her head warily towards the Spectre. He was tall, towering over Anderson, and his stark white familia notas were vivid against the dark red of his face plates. Shepard tensed when his eyes met hers. His eyes were an intense shade of pale green and his gaze was merciless. It was superstitious nonsense, but she couldn't help but feel like he could see straight into the darkest parts of her mind. Her chin rose in defiance of his searching stare and one of his brow plates raised as if in acknowledgement of her resolve.

Nihlus clasped his hands behind his back, "Lieutenant Commander Shepard, it is good to finally meet you."

"Likewise Spectre Kryik." Shepard suddenly felt irritated. After what she had overheard, her curiosity was getting the best of her and the small talk was irksome, "Forgive my bluntness, but why the hell is a Council Spectre playing nursemaid to a simple shakedown run?"

"Shepard…" Anderson's sigh was long-suffering, "being blunt does not necessarily give you leave to be rude."

"It's fine Captain Anderson," Nihlus's voice was pacifying, but Shepard heard the thrum of amusement in his subvocals, "I appreciate a soldier that speaks their mind."

"You'll regret saying that to Shepard, she finds it difficult to stop sharing her opinion once she's started."

Shepard was taken aback; it was unusual for Anderson to speak so informally about members of his crew to anyone, much less someone outside of the Alliance. Nihlus only chuckled, "She'll need that single-mindedness."

"Sir," irritation made her bite the word, "can you please fill me in, what is going on?"

Anderson nodded and turned to the console behind him and an aerial view of Eden Prime popped up on the vid screen. "We aren't just going to Eden Prime to test the Normandy's stealth capabilities."

She fought the urge to roll her eyes, "Really."

Nihlus made a small sound beside her that sounded suspiciously like laughter, which he hid under the pretenses of clearing his throat.

Anderson simply narrowed his eyes at her and continued, "Earlier this week, an archeological dig team uncovered an intact beacon that they believe to be a Prothean artifact. Spectre Kryik is here to secure that beacon during our run by Eden Prime."

"That's not the only reason I'm here, however." Nihlus stepped forward and speared her with that penetrating gaze, "I'm also here for you."

"What did I do this time?" Shepard crossed her arms and shifted her weight to one leg, "I must be in trouble if the Council is sending Spectres after me."

Nihlus shook his head, his mandibles flaring in a grin, "No, I'm here to evaluate your performance on Eden Prime. You're coming with me to retrieve the beacon. I've put your name forward to be considered for the Spectre program."

Shepard fought down the eagerness that thrilled through her, "Me? The first human Spectre? I'm not saying that I'm not honored for this chance, but why would a turian nominate a human for the Spectres? I was under the impression that your people had little love for mine."

He shrugged, "Perhaps, but I see the potential in humanity and I believe you are the perfect ambassador for your species."

"Ambassador?" Shepard snorted, "Look, you really don't want me in any kind of political position; I have about as much tact as a drunk krogan and even less patience. The crew calls me the Ice Queen for a reason and it's not because I'm a people person."

Nihlus simply fluttered his mandibles again and smiled, "Then you'll fit right in with the Spectres."

Anderson shut off the image of the dig site on Eden Prime and turned towards her. "First things first, we have to successfully retrieve the beacon and bring it back to the Citadel before you can be considered for the Spectres. Afterwards they'll most likely be sending you on more missions with Spectre Kryik here for further evaluation. In the meantime, we have six weeks before arrival on Eden Prime, I suggest you start considering the members of your ground team and begin prepping them. Dismissed." Shepard saluted, did an about face, and exited the room.

"Shepard." Nihlus pulled her aside as the com room door slid shut. She cursed inwardly when she involuntarily flinched away from his touch; the last thing she wanted was for him to think her a racist.

"Yes Spectre Kryik?" Once again she felt like hitting her head on something solid, like a wall. In her embarrassment, her voice came out short and cold, sounding for all intents and purposes like a giant "fuck off."

To his credit, Nihlus didn't seem to take any offense, he simply gave her a friendly nod of his head, "If you have any questions, you can find me in the cargo bay. Oh, and just call me Nihlus."

Shepard released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding as he walked away, feeling like his eyes had finally released her. She surreptitiously rolled her shoulders feeling extremely uncomfortable for some reason. I need something to drink… and something to punch…