As Jane and I walked around the right side of the Galaxy map, we heard Corporal Jenkins arguing with Doctor Chakwas about whether there was something off about this mission, but Jane and I both ignored it and enter the Comm room.
When we entered, however, we saw that Nihlus was alone.
Instantly I was alert and asked, "Where's the captain?"
"He'll be here soon," Nihlus said, a trace of boredom in his voice. "I'm interested in this world we're going to, Eden Prime?"
Jane nodded. "That's the world," she said, a hint of dislike in her voice.
"I've heard it's quite beautiful.." He carried on.
"My cousin told me it was a paradise, once," I said.
"Indeed?" Nihlus sounded like he cared more about whether he had shit on the bottom of his boot.
"But a paradise... yes. Serene. Tranquil. Safe... Eden Prime has become something of a symbol for your people, hasn't it? Proof that Humanity can not only establish colonies across the Galaxy, but also protect them. But how safe is it, really?"
I frowned. "Are you trying to scare us, Spectre?" I growled at him.
"Your people are still new to the rest of the Galaxy, Nervars. The Galaxy can be a very dangerous place. Is the Alliance truly ready for this?"
"I think it's about time you told us what's really going on, Nihlus," Jane said as Anderson walked in.
"I agree, Commander. Don't you, Andrew?" He said as he walked past us to join Nihlus.
"We already know this is more than a shakedown run," I said.
"I'm not surprised you figured that out, Nervars," Nihlus said. "You're as intelligent as they say."
"We're making a covert pick up on Eden Prime, that's why we need the Stealth Systems operational," Anderson said, watching us closely.
"What're we getting, Captain?" Jane asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
"A research team unearthed some kind of Beacon on Eden Prime during an excavation. It was Prothean."
"What else do we need to know?" I asked.
"This is big, Commanders. The last time we unearthed something like this, it jumped our technology forwards by over two hundred years." Anderson explained.
"But Eden Prime doesn't have the facilities to handle something like this, right?" I directed the question at no one in particular.
"So it would need to be brought back to the Citadel, right Captain?" Jane finished.
Nihlus nodded. "Exactly. And this doesn't just benefit Humanity, this could greatly benefit all species in council space."
I frowned. "Are we supposed to expect trouble?"
Nihlus stepped forward a little. "I'm always expecting trouble."
"There's more, Commanders. Nihlus isn't just here for the Beacon. He is here to evaluate you both."
"What's going on, Captain?" Jane asked.
"The Alliance has been pushing for this for a long time," Anderson explained. "Humanity wants a larger role in shaping interstellar policy. We want more to say with the Citadel Council. The Spectres represent the Council's power authority. If they accept a Human into their ranks, it shows how far the Alliance has come."
Nihlus stepped forwards again. "Not many could have survived what you two did on Akuze. Andrew, when they found you, they said that so much biotic use should have killed you three times over. Jane, your wounds were so severe, you should have been dead within hours. You both showed an incredible will to survive – A particularly useful talent."
"Which is why he put your names forward as candidates for the Spectres." Anderson explained.
I blinked and frowned, emotions conflicted inside me at the thought.
"So.. what do we have to do?" Jane asked.
"I need to see your skills for myself, this will be the first of several missions together," Nihlus said, satisfaction in his voice.
I wonder if he ever turns to the stick up his ass as a backup weapon... I thought, missing the first few words of what Anderson said next.
"-Will in charge of the ground team. Nervars, you will stay here and monitor their progress, the next mission will be yours."
Jane and I look at eachother. We always were uneasy about going into any possible dangerous situation without eachother.
"It'll be fine," I nodded confidently at her and she nodded back.
I stood up. "I'll go set things up with Joker while you explain what Jane will do down there," I explained while walking back out of the comm room.
"Well?" Demanded a very pissed off looking Navigator Pressley.
"Well what?" I asked him, already bored.
"Why are we really here?" He asked, getting more impatient.
I shrugged. "Classified, sorry," I walked around him, smirking at the look on his face.
