Julland was still rapidly searching his Turian mind for a way to get out of this mess. Surely, even the dreariness of C-sec work would be better than this. Yes, even the lowest level of public service would be heaven compared to going on a mission with Nalia. Julland scratched the base of the tough, plume like extensions that came from his head, something he was told gave him a resemblance to creatures called "birds."
"Nalia, I know Asari, especially Asari commandos, are reputedly the most formidable warriors in the galaxy. Don't you think you, an Asari Spectre, can handle yourself alone?" Julland sputtered.
"Oh, its just the biotics. They're great special effects, but you need someone covering your back and since Turians are stalwart soldiers, you included, I'm taking you along." Nalia answered. Julland sighed, knowing it would be futile to argue any longer.
"All right, at least tell me what the mission is about." Julland finally asked. Nalia shot another of her mischievous smirks.
"Oh, but you must see my new ship." the Asari answered, still tugging him by his arm. Julland shook his head.
"Oh for everything good in the universe...what did you do to get this ship?" the Turian asked skeptically.
"Julland! You think I stole this ship. How could you accuse me of such a thing?" Nalia rebuked.
"Because it would be most befitting you." Julland shot back.
"Okay, maybe..." Nalia admitted quietly. Julland let a wry smile cross his beak.
"But I seriously bought this one from the Alliance this time." Nalia defended.
"Why would the Alliance let you buy one of their ships?" the Turian demanded skeptically.
"Because one of their leaders owed me a favor, I negotiated, they're becoming more open to joint operations ever since Commander Shepard's example and in the end, I got a new Alliance frigate." Nalia beamed. Julland sighed.
"Very well..show it to me."
Nalia lead him through the docks in the Citadel port. Julland kept a wary eye on the Asari in front of him. There was always a trick up Nalia's sleeve, and sometimes one could not tell if it was for her friends or people that got in her way. Like all Asari, Nalia resembled a human woman, save for the fact that she was completely cerulean blue, a purple tint shading her extremities, and that fact that she didn't have hair. Instead, Asari had sculpted folds of skin along their heads. The Asari were also greatly respected, being very diplomatic and at least welcoming of other races. They were also an all female race, though female was probably not even a proper term. Physiologically, they were female, but at the same time, they called themselves a mono-gendered race that was not really female or male. They usually just ended up taking feminine identities and persona as, even they found it to be easier than going through a whole philosophical biological explanation that usually ended up with them just being labelled females. It didn't help that they already had long standing titles such as "Matriarch," "Matron," and "Maiden" to designate the stages of their lives. Although radiant blue was the typical Asari skin color, it could range from deeper blue, almost indigo, to a lighter purple color.
"Well, here it is. One of the better ones too, fast and packs quite a punch for its size." Nalia announced. Julland took in the sight of the ship. It was the typical size and configuration of the human Alliance Navy frigate. He read the name painted along the side of the ship.
"SSV Shiloh. Hmm...I wonder what that means."
"Ah, just some battle that happened back on Earth, before humans discovered space flight. At least, that's what they name all their frigates after, some battle or another." Nalia shrugged. Julland shifted on his feet.
"Well, I better go get my equipment." the Turian announced.
"Oh don't worry, its already on board."
"Nalia...how were you able to get my equipment and stuff in on your new ship without my knowing?" Julland demanded suspiciously, if not a little peeved.
"Because you're so predictable, leaving it in those weapons and armor cases in your office. I found them, stowed them on board, and then waited for you." Nalia explained. Julland let out an exasperated sigh.
"Nalia, you really need to learn the concept of private space." the Turian grumbled.
"Oh nonsense, I was just being helpful. Besides, we're friends, and if you're going to make me pull rank, then I'm a Spectre, and Specters can do anything they please" Nalia teased, poking one of her blue fingers into the Turian's chest. Julland brushed her hand away.
"Anything...short of open treason with the Council."
"Okay, except that. But its good being the "first and last line of defense" for the galaxy as they call it, the elite group of the Council's "right hand." It has its perks. One of them is a little more respect from those who run into you..." Nalia hinted, looking hard at Julland.
"I respect you as a friend, Nalia...and the fact that I've seen you, as a friend, through your best and worse, well, I'm not going to apologize if I treat you differently than most other species." Julland answered. Nalia lit up the room with one of her sickly sweet smiles again.
"Of course, I understand, but before we get started, lets get something to eat at the lounge or Flux, I'm getting tired of food rations." Nalia announced while dragging Julland again by his arm. The Turian plodded along wearily.
"I already ate, Nalia." Julland grumbled.
"Well, I'll get you dessert then, I'm sure you didn't even bother to eat that." the Asari smirked.
"They don't have anything that I would like for dessert, not that I need it."
"They don't? Have you tried Flux?"
"I don't like Flux."
"Oh don't be such a stiff neck, come on, we're going to Flux." Nalia insisted. Julland groaned.
In the Flux nightclub, Julland quietly tolerated the neo-techno music while poking at the Turian pastry Nalia bought him. The Asari was delightedly enjoying a meal herself, eating slowly to relish it. However, Julland quietly suspected she was just prolonging his stay here to teasingly torment him as she often did. He decided he should at least be grateful and started to dig more into his pastry.
"So Julland...its been a few standards months, how have you been doing? Anything new from when I last saw you?" Nalia asked out of the blue. Julland looked up and found her staring at him with her large emerald eyes.
"Not really. I was relocated into C-Sec as you already know. Been patrolling the Wards ever since." Julland answered. Nalia looked at him bemused.
"That's it? Come on, something else must have happened."
"Nope. Nothing special to talk about. I go around, round up a few idiots, write the reports, go back home, sleep, go back to work." Julland listed.
"No special cases?"
"No special cases."
"Hmm...well, have you met a Turian lady friend then?" Nalia giggled.
"No." Julland answered abruptly.
"Are you sure?" Nalia inquired.
"Positive. Enough about me, what have you done?" the Turian asked.
"Oh not much, the Council has been keeping me busy with small jobs. Nothing I can talk about though, all top secret stuff." Nalia grinned. Julland simply grunted in reply. Another period of silence passed.
"That's it? That's your only question?" Nalia asked.
"Yes, yes it is." Julland answered. Nalia sighed.
"You were never good with conversations." Nalia mumbled.
"Nope." Nalia finished her food, paid the stub and abruptly dragged Julland from his just recently ingested pastry.
"Come on, time to get back to the ship." Nalia announced.
For once in a long time, Julland was feeling not only where he belonged, but also much better. The Turian sized himself up. He had shed the standard issue Agent armor given to Turian C-Sec officers. He always hated that armor, feeling like it was flimsy. He felt like he might as well have been wearing tin foil for protection. It was good to be back in his old armor from the "good old days" of being in the Turian military. He still wore his Predator H armor with pride, issued to him, as well as his weapons, from Armax Arsenal, the main supplier for the Turian military. He made sure the single pane scanner that ran in front of his eye was properly secured. Yes, he felt good again. That finished, he joined Nalia on the bridge of the Shiloh. She exchanged a quick conversation with the Asari helmsman before greeting him.
"Even I can tell that you're grinning, as best as your Turian mouth parts will allow you." Nalia smirked.
"I am not grinning...its just... its just invigorating to be back on a ship again." Julland lied.
"Sure, whatever you say." Nalia rolled her eyes.
"So now what is the mission about?" the Turian asked, getting to business.
"Oh calm down, I'll explain it when we get to the investigation site." Nalia explained. Julland sighed.
"Fine, as its clear that I will not get any details out of you beforehand."
"Good. I'm glad you've finally been able to be reasoned with."
"So where are we going?" the Turian asked.
"On the outer edges of Terminus space. Helmsman, take us out, set a course for the coordinates I've given you." Nalia ordered.
"Aye, aye, ma'am." the Asari answered and immediately started to work the controls. Immediately, they all felt the Shiloh shudder as it left its moorings on the dock. Within a few moments they were rocketing off to the nearest mass relay. Julland and Nalia watched through the minute view ports as the ship approached the large machine suspended in place, an orb of element zero remained energized in a matrix supported by large, spinning metallic arcs.
"Approaching relay, contact in fifteen seconds." the helmsman announced. Nalia continued to smile as the glowing orb of element zero grew larger.
"Contact in 3...2...1-"
A tendril of element zero engulfed the Shiloh, driving the ship on increasing speeds and then flung it down the length of relay, sending it off into the depths of space at speeds beyond that of light.