The two humans entered the doorway, finnaly arriving at the JTOP Headquarters. The large room they had just entered was an expansive amphitheater, complete with large banks of seats as well as a large stage set in the base of the room. Five crimson flags were situated inside the space. Two on each side of the theater and one set at the back of the stage. Each had the symbol of the office embroidered in gold lettering. A multitude of beings from almost every species in the galaxy were present. Humans, Turians, Salarians, Asari, even a few Batarians and Krogan groups were present though they were keeping mostly to themselves.
There was even a few species that James couldn't identify but they were predominately were sticking close to the Turian soldiers. The beings were between two species. One was made up of tall bipedal beings whose faces reminded James of Walruses back on Earth. The species seemed to have varied ornamentation on their twin tusks that varied from a few inches long to almost half a meter. It seemed the leaders had longer tusks as well as the more intricate decorations. The other race was about as tall as Volus but greatly differed from the round bodied merchant race. Their skin was pale green and dotted with large black splotches on the skin not covered by sleek grey armor. The beings had three eyes two set forward as with most being and one set in the back of their skull. Their nostrils were small slits and Nina thought she saw the slither of a tongue appear on one of them. She was about to mention it to James when the two heard a voice behind them.
"Client races," a low mellow tone said behind them. James and Nina turned to the sound and were surprised to see one of the Walrus-like beings they had just seen stareing at right behind them. This one's tusks were about half as long as the largest James had seen possibly indicating his age or status. No ornamentation was seen on either tusk but the alien did have a cybernetic eye emplacement over his right eye. The main piece was a whitish silver metal while the lens was a midnight blue.
James turned back to the other beings and finaly understood his words. 'Of course, the Turian Empire had multiple client races beside the Volus.' James had just never seen any besides the large bellied merchants. Once he turned back to being he was about to introduce himself but it was Nina who spoke up.
"I've never heard of the other client races besides the Volus. I didn't realize I knew so little about them or your…I'm sorry I don't know who you are or even what your name is." She asked almost embarrassingly, James thought the alien may be angry over the question but the being's large eyes simply blinked in her direction before he at least judging by their voice he was a he, continued.
"My name is Sol'kahf, my people are the Broulians. We were one of the first client species of the Turians, but over time the vast majority of our species earned their citizenship from serving as auxila in the Turian Grand army during the Turian's first golden age and the conquests the times included. That was quite some time ago and now most of our entire species descends from free Broulians but we are often still considered part of the Turian Empire. We don't hold embassies in the Citadel and do not work much in Citadel Space. Most of our time and lives involves continuously launching large voyages into the edges of Dark Space to find new land for our population. I'm afraid the details about those voyages are closely guarded secrets but suffice to say it keeps us from having much activity besides trade and cooperation with the Turians and their other client races."
"If the majority of you are free from the Turians, why are you here as part of JTOP?" James asked Sol'kahf as most of the beings started falling in and taking seats in the amphitheater. 'The meeting must be starting soon' James thought to himself wishing once more he'd looked at the OSD last night. The three started following a few others to a row of seats as the Broulian continued.
"A few of us descend from what are known as the Order of Guardians, the group long served as close bodyguards to Turian generals while they were at war. Those of us who honor these old ways finely hone our skill at close combat weaponry while also studying extensively at more modernized weaponry. I myself am fluent in seven forms of defensive and offensive combat techniques attuned to what you humans would identify as a double edged long sword." James took noticed of the expertly crafted and jewel encrusted scabbard that was slung across the back of Sol'kahf's armor. He didn't have much time to observe the sword itself as the trio took their seats and then waited for the start of the meeting to begin.
Before long the lights dimmed in the large space and the lights set on the stage grew slightly brighter illuminating the main area of theater. As silence slowly fell across the crowd a lone being appeared on the stage. Stepping up to the stage's podium a single, surprisingly muscular Volus took center stage. The being was quite different compared to the others James had seen on his travels, the Volus still had the height that was typical of it's brethren but its frame was not round or ball shaped but lean even though the environmental suit it wore was bulky. Its suit was also unique to the individual, the main suit was grayish black with two long red stripes that started at the base the suit's neck piece and traveled all the way down to where the suit disappeared into his metallic boots. The only weapon James saw on the alien was a small pistol attached to the suit's right side, it looked ordinary enough but James knew things are often not what they appear.
"Welcome esteemed guests, to the Office of Joint Tactics and Operations." James wondered why this Volus did not require breathing in between almost every third word, a characteristic shared by every other Volus he'd met. He made a note to ask the general if he ever talked to him in personally.
"I am General Itrad Hetui, formerly of the Turian Military. I know my species are not usually associated with military leaders but I assure you I am quite competent as both a leader and a warrior. Due to the dramatic increase in pirate and terrorist activity at both the edges of the Terminus systems as well as assaults on colonies as close as one jump away from the Serpent Nebula, JTOP has initiated several new regiments to serve as heavily equipped response groups to counter these new threats. If you choose to join us you will train to a new peak of expertise in combat effectiveness. You will sever all ties with your previous government and swear loyalty to the safety and protection of the Council and its interests. You will become an extension of the Council, a new line of defense ready to stand your ground against enemies of the Citadel. If you choose not to join us you can return to your respectful vocations, I'll give you an hour to make your decision." And with that the General left the stage and the main theater lights returned to their usually standard. Soon enough the conversations started up again flooding the room with both arguments and agreements, James looked for where the general had moved to but could not find his form amongst the crowds.
He decided he'd meet the Volus soon enough and decided to resume his conversation with Sol'kahf. "So who are the other species talking with the Turians?" he asked turning his head back to the Broulian.
"They are called Otrales, one of the more recent client races, they hail from a world dying from war, for so long disputes ravaged their land through the ages to the point that they almost killed off their entire species. Turian agents found their collection of worlds and showed the Otrales the wonders of Prothean technology. It opened the Otrales eyes to the much larger galaxy and a large number of them decided to join the Turians as a client species, however many remained stern in their beliefs and would not drop their weapons so easily. These Otrales against the joining attacked major government centers just beginning to unify the majority of the population. Several Turians were killed and the empire sent in a few legions to quell the resistance movement. I remember it quite clearly, I was part of an auxila team assigned to bring down their orbital defense towers but they fought with a ferocity unseen in the empire. Dozens of my fellow soldiers were cut down by the seemingly endless mass of the enemy combatants, intelligence had botched the mission from the start and we were forced to retreat. 10 years later another armada was created this one with the cooperation of the Otrales who had joined the empire at the start of the conflict. Using their own maneuvers against them we were able to break the resistance movement on their homeworld sealing our victory with a huge triumph the likes of which I'd never seen before. But the war didn't end there, there were still many revolutionaries scattered throughout the Otrales small empire and they did not give up once we'd secured their homeworld. That was over seven hundred years ago and there are still two worlds that the revolutionaries have managed to keep the Turians away from."
James took all this in and then glanced back at a group of the Otrales. "Why don't the Turians do what they did with the Krogan, you know the genophage." He asked as they moved around the crowds. Lines were slowly starting to assemble leading to a large group of desks where a number of beings had already sworn their oath and registered to serve.
"Because the Turians learn from their actions, in my opinion the genophage was not the best choice to deal with the Krogan. True they were a large threat but to have that done to an entire species crosses dangerously close to Genocide in many Broulian's eyes." They finaly found the end of one of the lines and joined the congregation of soldiers waiting to sign up. "So my friends do you intend to join the regiment or does your fate take you elsewhere.
James had known his decision since arriving at the Citadel, he quickly nodded to the Broulian and then he turned to Nina. "I doubt the alliance is ever gonna let me get the guys who attacked the Tranquil, I think my only chance is here." Nina thought things over slowly. 'She was a technician, not a soldier. She felt she kept herself in good form but being a soldier in this regiment would mean leaving everything else behind. She'd served the alliance for only a few months and serving on the Osiris wasn't exactly what she had imagined serving humanity would entail though. 'Maybe here I'd be able to really make a mark on the galaxy and humanity' she thought to herself.
She slowly nodded to the marine just as they reached the front of the line. Sol'kahf was first; he registered his military service number and full name to the officer. Next an adjudicator approached him. "Hold up your hand soldier," the Broulian lifted his right gauntlet and started the oath of service. After he was finished James was next. He gave his ID tags to the officer who scanned it.
"Service Chief Jameson Fields of the Systems Alliance, heard about what happened out in the Farinata system. Rough business out there, glad you'll be joining the office." He swiped James' ID tags in another machine and then handed it back to James. "Your ID now states your status as a JTOP recruit, you're still an alliance officer in many aspects but now you are part of a Council Defense Group, make no mistake you're not a Spectre nor are you above the law, but you are above the rank in file. Continue to the adjudicator." James nodded and waited a moment for Sol'kahf to finish.
"Hold up your right hand human," the turian adjudicator asked as he brought up an ancient tome opening up to a premarked destination. "Are you ready to take on the responsibilities and duty brought on to members of the Office of Joint Tactics and Operations?"
"Yes sir," James said standing at attention as the adjudicator continued. To his right he heard various others repeating his response.
"Do you take it upon yourself to serve as a guardian of peace for the galaxy and protect Council space far and wide?" the turian asked as his finger skimmed through the next line of text.
"I am ready to serve." The marine replied as Nina started taking her oath somewhere to his right.
"Welcome to JTOP Recruit Fields, training starts tomorrow afternoon, arrive here promptly at the eleventh hour." He handed James a few forms each with the seal of the office printed on them. "Bring these with you to training tomorrow, dismissed."
This time James made sure to get right to sleep, he didn't know what to expect at boot tomorrow but he figured he better be ready for just about anything. A Volus general would not have been promoted in the Turian army for maintaining an easy regimen, James knew that whatever was in store for him and Nina would be unlike anything they'd experienced before. Setting down for a good rest James let his mind wonder over just how far he'd made it.
When James and Nina returned to the JTOP headquarters they were led away from the amphitheater to a new area. The room was huge but rather simple. A large stretch of steel that made up the floor was the biggest point of interest. Besides that it reminded James of just a larger than life sports complex. There were already dozens of recruits that had started going through a series of stretches and calisthenics in the same dull green uniforms that James and Nina had found waiting for them back at their apartments. They noticed Sol'kahf easily enough, the tall Broulian seemed be having a good deal of frustration with his undersized uniform. He finally subsided and returned back to trying to out some combat maneuvers in the untested suit.
"How does your mourning go Nina?" the tall being asked as he went through the next series of maneuvers. The string of attacks seemed to be intended for breaking enemy holds and headlocks. James made a note to ask him about some of his techniques in case he ever ran into that turian again.
"Fine enough, I didn't have to go down to C-Sec and get a certain marine out of holding again." She said with a smirk to James. The marine smiled back at her as he started stretching out his arms. All around them more and more recruits arrived. Humans didn't seem to have a majority but he did several here and there. Turians made up the most of the population primarily since military service was mandatory for their species. It made sense that quite a few of them would have ended up here. Everyone was deeply concentrated on their workouts, making sure their bodies were well prepared for whatever the day brought. After about a half hour of free workout a loud bell chimed. On cue dozens of black uniformed drill instructors entered into the stadium and surrounded the recruits.
"Form groups of eight as your names are announced! First group Tiro, Jarakul, Kently, Yotaris. ….." The speaker continued as James looked to find the source of the voice but the marine could find it. The drill instructors stood rigid and foreboding as they watched as the recruits were divided up. James hadn't even started to start a head count but he was sure there was at least a few hundred there assembled in the stadium. He returned his attention back to the speaker when he heard Nina's name called. "Collins, Vulcrius, Gerick, Fields, Aftun, Sol'kahf. Seventh group…"
He'd hoped whoever was diving them up would keep him in Nina's unit. He didn't feel she needed someone to watch her back but he wanted to at least know someone in this new unit. He was also glad to have the Broulian on his team as well, Sol'kahf had proved to be an interesting individual and the marine was eager to see him in combat. As the group formed together one individual joining the group caught his eye.
The Turian he'd fought in the bar was in his unit, who made that decision. Ledran Arterius, if he remembered correctly was moving into where the rest of the group had come together. He didn't know who was responsible for assigning him to the same unit as the turian but he knew starting a fight now wouldn't allow James anything except to relieve some frustration. The marine simply nodded in the turian's direction before turning back to the other group members. Sol'kahf was already introducing himself to the group and James was eager to meet the members of his newest team.