With a blue flash of light the frigate SSV Waterloo appeared beside the mass relay. Quickly activating its engines and accelerating into the Serpent Nebula, the ship was in the final stretch of its journey to the Citadel.
In one of the vessel's hallways, a young Lieutenant stood, looking out of the viewports as the nebula rushed by. A scuff behind him made the human turn. The ship's captain stood there, looking at him. "Nervous, Lieutenant?"
The young man shook his head. Despite his age (twenty-four) and his five-year long career in the System Alliance navy, the man was slim of build and an average soldier. "No, sir. Not in the least."
The captain sighed and walked over, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Son, it's fine if you're nervous. Hell, if I was going on a mission with a ship full of nothing but turians, I'd be nervous. But who knows? You might learn something from them."
The lieutenant snorted. "With all due respect, sir, just because we're building a ship with them doesn't mean we all need to start treating them better."
"Maybe. But at least try to be civil."
The lieutenant sighed. "I will if they will."
The intercom suddenly buzzed. "Captain Roberts, we're approaching the station."
Roberts looked up and beckoned to the lieutenant. "Come on. You'll want to see this."
As both men came to the front of the bridge, the communications officer transferred a video message to the holoscreen. On it, a turian's face watched them intently. "Systems Alliance vessel SSV Waterloo, you are entering Citadel space. State your business and prepare your crew roster for customs clearance."
Roberts nodded at the communications officer to transfer the ship's roster to the C-Sec office and then spoke to the turian as he watched the names of all of the crew go by under him. "We were told that the Council wished to have a human liaison with the turians on a mission into the Terminus Systems. We are here to deliver him."
The turian looked up, hit a few buttons, and began to read the dossier aloud as the lieutenant's picture appeared on the screen. "Lieutenant Jacob Daniels, joined the Systems Alliance armed forces in 2178, age twenty-four, hair color brown, eye color same, height six feet ten inches, weight eighty-one kilograms…everything checks out, as does the rest of your crew. Welcome to the Citadel."
Roberts nodded. "Thank you, Customs." He looked at the pilot as the screen winked out. "Take us in."
The Waterloo banked and turned, finally exiting the nebula. Jacob inhaled in sheer awe at the sight before him.
The station was huge. Five massive, curving arms jutting outward from a central ring. In between the arms, and coming towards the station, were thousands of ships of all shapes and sizes. As the Waterloo passed by a massive, cross-shaped ship, Roberts smiled and chuckled. "Told you it was worth seeing, didn't I?"
Jacob nodded.
The Waterloo flew towards the ring of the station, finally docking in a small, secluded bay in a tall tower in the center of the ring. As they docked, Roberts beckoned to Jacob and led him from the bridge. They went out of one of the Waterloo's forward boarding ramps to meet the team of turians that had waited for the ship on the dock. Their leader, a black turian with white facial markings held out a three-fingered hand. "Identification?"
Both humans handed over their service cards, which were promptly scanned and handed back. The turian turned and walked away, the C-Sec officers accompanying him forming up around the three. They were escorted through a large number of elevators and hallways filled with all manners of species before finally coming to a large door. As the door opened, the escort turned and stood facing the hallway.
"Come," the turian said. "I do not want to keep the Council waiting."
The doors opened fully and the turian walked in, the two humans following. After being led to a long, protruding platform that hung above a glass floor separating the massive room from a smaller one below, the turian stopped at the very edge. Jacob stood, attempting to look calm, though he was giddy with excitement about being here.
Across the expanse on a separate platform, the Citadel Council stood, comprised of a turian, an asari, and a hooded salarian. The turian with the two humans spoke. "Councilors, I have brought the human assigned to the liaison duty."
"Thank you, Nihlus," the asari said. "Stay. As you are going on the mission it would be wise for you to hear your goals."
The turian bowed.
The asari councilor looked at Jacob. "You are Lieutenant Jacob Daniels, correct?"
Jacob nodded. "Yes, Councilor."
"And you were assigned to this mission?"
"Yes."
The turian Councilor spoke. "Do you think you are prepared for this mission, Lieutenant?"
Jacob nodded. "Yes, sir. I will perform to the best of my abilities."
"That is adequate," the salarian said. "We have no doubt that you will conform to the standards Nihlus will set you, Lieutenant. But you must also prove yourself to the crew as well."
"I will attempt to do so."
The asari Councilor gave an almost imperceptible smile. "Are you nervous, Lieutenant? Given the Systems Alliance's…history with the Hierarchy, I would assume you would be rather...anxious...at being the only human aboard a ship filled with turians."
"I'll try to keep myself open-minded, Councilor."
The salarian Councilor raised an eye ridge. "For the sake of the mission, you must. The planet you will be traveling to is very dangerous, Lieutenant. Batarians do not take kindly to humans there. And your presence may also doom your crew."
"We are prepared to give our lives in the service of the Citadel, Councilor." Nihlus said from beside Jacob.
Roberts coughed. "If I may speak, Councilors, what is the mission for?"
The turian Councilor looked at him. "The crew will be heading to the star cluster Styx Chiron in the Terminus Systems. The planet in question is Afranil. It is home to a batarian terrorist group, which the crew, led by Nihlus and a second Spectre, is going to take down."
"And you believe that the crew of a frigate can do that?"
"They are some of our most experienced C-Sec officers. We are confident that they can do so." The Councilor looked at Jacob. "Lieutenant, you have two hours to pack your belongings and transfer yourself to the crew roster of the turian frigate Attican Sun. Nihlus will accompany you and lead you to the ship when you are ready."
Jacob bowed. "I will be as quick as possible."
The asari Councilor nodded. "Good. This Council is adjourned."
Nihlus turned and jerked his head down the walkway. Jacob followed him as the turian led him back to the Waterloo.
Yay! It took me a while to get this story done. It was hampered by both a lot of other story ideas and a heavy case of writer's block. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it! R and R!
