Overcompensating much old friend? Jesar herself was dressed in blue and white armor that had the spectre wings on the right shoulder pad. She was also only carrying her pistol at the moment, a M-5 Phalanx heavy pistol. Where as Nihlus had a fucking shotgun strapped to his back. Athame's tits, was he planning on using that in the near future? Why have a shotgun on a mission that would just require them to swing by and pick up a prothean beacon?! Ow fuck, that feeling in her stomach seemed to double. Goddess damn it. Maybe she should go pay a visit to Dr. Hacksaw. Jesar mentally giggled.
She barely heard the footsteps approaching from behind, just a glance over her shoulder revealed Athena Shepard in N7 armor, she also seemed to be following in Nihlus's footsteps in the sense that she too was carrying what looked like a M8 Avenger assault rifle, N7 Crusader shotgun, and Jesar was pretty sure that was a M3 predator pistol at her side too. Damn maybe she had missed the message on the fact they were dropping into a war zone apparently, instead of a peaceful colony to pick up a high valued target.
Maybe she should go down to the armory and pick up the rest of her weapons.. just to be safe, Nah she'll pick them up before going down to Eden Prime.
"Drift." Joker paused to tap his control board, "Just under 1,500k." The pilot sounds just a little smug about that. Is that good? I'm guessing its good.
"1,500 is good. Your Captain will be pleased." Nihlus responded, sounded just a little condescending to me. Although he could have just been giving the pilot a compliment. It is hard to tell with Nihlus sometimes.
Nihlus turned and walked past Jesar and Athena like a ma-turian on a mission. Jesar rolled her eyes as he passed but once he was out of ear shot the pilot spoke up again,
"I hate that guy." Joker said firmly, causing Lieutenant Alenko who was over in the co-pilot seat to turn his head to look at Joker with confusion covering his face.
"Nihlus gave you a compliment. So you hate him?" Kaidan continued to eye Joker as if the pilot was crazy.
"You remember to zip up your jumpsuit on the way out of the bathroom that's good!" Joker exclaimed before adding on, "I just jumped us halfway across the galaxy and hit the target the size of a pinhead. So that is incredible, besides Spectres are trouble. I don't like having them on board. Call me paranoid."
"Not even me Joker?" Jesar made sure to sound offended as she leaned down next to him, she gave him her best innocent expression. Complete with wide eyes, "Am I trouble?"
Athena rolled her eyes as Jesar messed with Joker, she was just about to pull the asari back when Kaidan spoke up and drew the attention in the cockpit to him.
"You're paranoid, the Council help fund this project they have every right to send someone to keep a eye on their investment."
Jesar stepped back from Joker, she turned ande made her way past Shepard, but feeling the need to add something to the conversation, she tossed over her shoulder, "Ah but only a idiot believes the offical story!"
Joker chuckled and looked over at Kaidan, "I agree with her."
"They don't send Spectres on shakedown runs." Shepard chimed before sneaking a glance at Jesar's backside as the asari walked away.
The comm beeped and Joker opened it, the Captain's voice came through, "Joker. Status report."
"Just cleared the Mass Relay, Captain." Joker responded immediately, "Stealth systems engaged, everything looks solid."
"Good." Anderson said before following up with, "Find a comm buoy and link us into the network, I want mission reports relayed back to Alliance brass before we reach Eden Prime."
"Aye aye Captain." Joker responded cheerfully before deciding to put his foot in his mouth, "Better brace yourself sir, I think Nihlus and Jesar are headed your way."
"They are already here Lieutenant." Anderson deadpanned before continuing in a more commanding voice, "Tell Commander Shepard to meet me in the comm room for a debriefing."
The comm cut out while Joker shook his head while pretending to not notice the smirk on Kaidan's face. "You get that Commander?"
"I heard Joker." Athena said in a amused tone before turning and making her way to the comm room.
"The Captain always sounds pissed." Joker felt the need to defend himself to Shepard as she walked away.
"Only when he is talking to you Joker." Kaidan was quick on the draw with that response.
-break-
"I'm telling you he marched by like he was on a mission." Pressly said into the comm to Engineer Adams. Athena noted that he didn't mention Jesar who also passed by recently.
"He is a spectre. They are always on a mission." Engineer Adams noted dryly.
Athena didn't bother with getting involved in there little argument and instead continued on to the comm room only to see Corporal Jenkins and Dr. Chakwas. He seemed to be in the middle of telling the Doctor about growing up on Eden Prime.
Jenkins noticed her approach and saluted immediately, "What do you think Commander? We wont be staying on Eden Prime to long will we? I'm itching for some real action."
"I sincerely hope you are kidding Corporal." Dr. Chakwas cut in before Athena could respond, "Your idea of real action usually involves me patching up crew members in the infirmary."
Athena chuckled and shook her head before looking at Jenkins, "You need to calm down Corporal, I'm sure we'll have plenty of 'real action' after we leave Eden Prime. Just be ready for when it happens." She patted Jenkins on the shoulder before moving past the duo. Finally arriving at the comm room. The doors slid open and her storm grey eyes narrowed in confusion. She didn't see Captain Anderson, only Jesar and Nihlus.
Jesar and Nihlus had there backs to her as she approached, Nihlus only turning when Athena got into the center of the room. The Commander also noticed that the Spectres had been looking at pictures of Eden Prime.
"Commander Shepard." Nihlus spoke immediately as she stopped a few feet from the turian who had taken a few steps closer, "I was hoping you'd get here first. It will give us a chance to talk."
"Where is Captain Anderson?" Athena asked while tilting her head to one side, her storm grey eyes never leaving the turian in front of her. She was ready to use her biotics at a moment's notice if something fishy was about to go down, "He told me to meet him here."
"He is on his way." Jesar said turning to look at Athena, "Relax Shepard." Athena took notice that Jesar actually looked serious for the first time since.. well Athena is sure she looked this serious during the Blitz but that was years ago.
"I'm interested in this world we are going too. Eden Prime... I've heard it is quite beautiful." Nihlus said while starting to walk right and left, causing Athena to wonder what was wrong with the turian before what he said clicked in her mind.
"I wouldn't know." The Hero of the Blitz shrugged, "I've never been there."
"But you know of it. I've heard that it is a paradise. Serene.. tranquil.. safe. Eden Prime has become something of a symbol to your people. Proof that humanity can not only establish colonies across the galaxy but also protect them." Nihlus turned his back on Shepard and took a few steps forward looking at the picture of Eden Prime, "But how safe is it really?"
Jesar scoffed at Nihlus's flare of dramatics, the asari turned away from the picture and shook her head before going over and sitting in one of the seats, leaning back in it. "If you retire from the Spectres Nihlus, I bet you'd have a nice career as a actor."
"That wouldn't be a threat would it Nihlus?" Athena made sure to keep her voice calm, she didn't hate the turians like some of humanity but that question had made her wary, Jesar's comment however made Athena relax if only slightly.
"Your people are still newcomers Shepard." Nihlus said while ignoring Jesar's comment, he turned back to look at Athena before speaking again, "The galaxy can be a very dangerous place, Is the Alliance truly ready for this?" Nihlus finished his question by folding his arms over his mid section.
Athena heard the door to the comm room slide open, Captain David Anderson walked down to stand next to Shepard before speaking, "I think its about time we told the Commander what is really going on."
Athena raised a eyebrow at the older man before glancing at Jesar then Nihlus. Stormy grey eyes narrowing to show that she was not happy about being kept in the dark about.. whatever it was she was kept in the dark about.
"This mission is far more then a simple shakedown run. I know you must have figured that much out." Jesar spoke up from her seat, one leg crossed over the other.
"If they sent two spectres, a legend like Captain Anderson, and the hero of the Blitz on a simple shakedown run. Then I'd hate to see what we'd start sending on serious missions." Athena spoke with sarcasm lacing her voice but a slight smile formed on her face at the smirk Anderson gave her while Nihlus chuckled.
"We are making a covert pick up on Eden Prime." Anderson said while turning to face Shepard, "That is why we needed the stealth systems operational."
"There must be a reason you didn't tell me about this sir." Athena put her hands behind her back as she met Anderson's eyes.
"This comes down from the top Commander. A strictly need to know basis." Anderson responded before clearing his throat and continuing, "A research group on Eden Prime unearthed some kind of beacon during a excavation. It was prothean."
Athena's eyes widened briefly in shock before she masked her features and responded cooly, "I thought the prothean's vanished fifty thousand years ago." And wasn't it just weird how nobody seemed to question how a mighty empire just.. vanished off the face of the galaxy with such little ruins remaining.
"Their legacy still remains. The mass relays, the Citadel, our ship drives it s all based on Prothean technology." Said Nihlus.
"This is big Shepard. The last time humanity made a discovery like this, it jumped our technology forward two hundred years. But Eden Prime doesn t have the facilities to handle something like this. We need to bring the beacon back to the Citadel for proper study." Anderson stated.
"Obviously, this goes beyond mere human interests, Commander. This discovery could affect every species in Council space." Nihlus stated.
"Yeah because Athame forbid humanity one ups the other races." Jesar chuckled darkly from her seat before staring at Nihlus, "I'm surprised the Alliance are willing to share it with the Council, sharing it with just the asari republic I could understand since unlike a certain race, not naming names or pointing fingers here, tried to blow humanity into space dust."
Nihlus looked over at his spectre comrade and just shook his head, he wouldn't have blamed humanity at all if they had wanted to keep this to themselves, but they hadn't.
"Why didn't we just share it with the Asari? No offence Nihlus." Athena glanced at Nihlus after asking her question.
"None taken Commander." Nihlus assured her.
"Sharing that beacon will improve relations with the Council. Plus, we need their scientific expertise. They know more about the Protheans than we do." said Anderson.
The beacon s not the only reason we are here, Shepard. Nihlus said. Jesar stood up from her seat and moved to stand beside her fellow spectre, her gaze piercing Athena.
"In my opinion the other reason we are here will be much more important down the line." Jesar stated firmly before folding her arms over her chest and giving Athena her best grin.
"Okay, I'll bite. What is the other reason you two are here?" The Commander asked with a eye roll, thinking it wasn't anything more important then a prothean beacon.
"We are here to watch you up close and personal." Jesar licked her lips sensually just to tease Athena, she was rewarded with a small blush appearing on the human commander's cheeks. Mission accomplished.
"Watch me?" Athena asked in confusion, willing the blood from her cheeks to go away.
"The Alliance has been pushing for this for a long time. Humanity wants a larger role in shaping interstellar policy. We want more say with the Citadel Council. The Spectres represent the Council s power and authority. If they accept a human into their ranks, it shows how far the Alliance has come." Anderson answered.
"You held off an enemy assault during the Blitz single-handed. You showed not only courage but also incredible skill. That s why we put your name forward as a candidate for the Spectres." Said Nihlus.
"Yeah that's why we.. single-handedly?! I was there too!" Jesar glared at Nihlus who simply shrugged as if to say 'I forgot.'
"I don't know about single-handed. I did have a lot of help.. but why would a turian want a human in the spectres?" Athena asked, she thought the majority of turians hated humans.
"Not all turians resent humanity. Some of us see the potential of your species. We see what you have to offer to the rest of the galaxy ..and to the Spectres. We are an elite group. It s rare to find an individual with the skills we seek. I don t care that you re human, Shepard. I only care that you can do the job." Nihlus explained.
"I have no doubt that you'll pass with flying colors. You can even be my sidekick. I've always wanted one." Jesar chimed in before giving Athena a playful wink.
Athena shook her head at the asari's teasings.. flirting.. damn that asari. "Just tell me what I have to do Nihlus." She decided if she ignored Jesar enough, she'd stop.
Oh how wrong that assessment will turn out to be.
I need to see your skills myself, Commander. Eden Prime will be the first of several missions together. Nihlus added quickly before Jesar could say anything at Shepard for ignoring her.
"You ll be in charge of the ground team. Secure the beacon and get it onto the ship ASAP. Nihlus and Jesar will accompany you to observe the mission." Anderson informed the Commander.
"Why is the beacon so important?" Athena asked even though she had a pretty good idea.
"All advanced galactic civilization is based on Prothean technology. Even yours." Nihlus stated.
"Yeah, its pretty stupid isn't it? Here were are years later after first discovering the relays, and we still rely on the prothean tech instead of coming up with any of our own, of course the asari have aimed to change that since my grandmother came along and brought up similiar points." Jesar informed the others proudly.
"If we hadn t discovered those Prothean ruins buried on Mars, we d be still stuck on Earth. That was a small data cache. Who know what we can learn from this beacon? What if it s a weapon archieve? We can t let it fall into the wrong hands." Anderson stated the reason.
"Like who?" Shepard asked them.
"The Attican traverse isn t the most stable sector of Citadel space. There are plenty of raiders and criminal groups active in the region. They might figure a Prothean beacon is worth the risk of attacking an Alliance ship. Plus, Eden Prime is right on the border of the Terminus Systems." Anderson responded with certainty.
"The Attican traverse is under Citadel protection. If the Terminus Systems attack, it s an act of war." Shepard stated firmly.
Jesar busted out laughing for several seconds before getting it under control, "The Council shit themselves at the mere mention of war."
Nihlus grimaced but didn't correct his fellow spectre, it seemed he agreed with her on that point.
"I recently found a human saying that reminds me a lot of my grandmother, 'If you want peace prepare for war.'" Jesar stated before following up with, "The Council would have to be dragged into a war kicking and screaming all the way."
"I wont let the Alliance down sir." Athena said firmly which caused Anderson to smile at her.
"Good.. Now we should be getting close to Eden Pri-"
Joker's voice cut the Captain off, he sounded extremely worried, "Captain! We've got a huge problem!"
"What is it Joker?" Anderson responded with a concerned/confused tone.
"Transmission from Eden Prime, sir. You better see this!" Joker exclaimed.
"Bring it up on the screen." Anderson ordered.
When the screen turned on they saw that Eden Prime was under chaos. Soldiers were screaming orders and reported heavy casualties and asking for reinforcements. Then the screen focused on a huge, strange ship. It had four tentacles and red lighting was sparking in it s entire body and people screaming. Then the transmission cut off. Anderson asked for status report and Joker reported that there is no Alliance ship near Eden Prime. Anderson ordered Joker to head towards Eden Prime nice and quiet.
Jesar was quietly tapping at her omni-tool, easily getting a copy of the video to send to her mother later. That ship looked freaky and it was obviously something they hadn't seen before.
"Things just got a whole lot more complicated. Commander get Alenko and Jenkins. Meet us down in the cargo for further orders." Anderson ordered Shepard who saluted and quickly left to gather the two soldiers.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Jesar whispered to Nihlus as the two went to the elevator that would take them to the cargo bay.
"You worry to much." Nihlus responded, trying to stay calm and collected. He was still in shock at seeing that ship descend from the sky.
Jesar quietly headed to the locker she had stored the main part of gear when coming on board, she picked up her Disciple shotgun putting it on her back, she then picked up the collasped M-97 Viper sniper rifle putting it over her left shoulder, attaching it to her armor.
She took out her M-5 Phalax heavy pistol and stared at it quietly, "It seems my gut feeling was right." She noted quietly before attaching the pistol to her side. She activated her omni-tool and sent the video to her mother before picking up her helmet.
The mission got a hell of a lot more complicated.
