#nihlusxshepard

With quick steps, Shepard strides toward the cockpit. Joker’s announcement about the jump through the mass relay sparked her excitement, she wouldn’t miss this for anything. She passes Pressly with a big smile on her lips.

Suddenly she stops dead in her tracks and her smile vanishes. A tall figure is standing behind the pilot seat.

Suppressing a groan, Shepard rolls her eyes and steps into position beside Joker, completely ignoring the turian standing nearby.  Nihlus glances at her for a moment before returning his attention back on the screens in front of the pilot.

“Hey, Shep,” Joker greets with a grin, knowing she wouldn’t miss the jump. But his grin also is short lived and soon disappears. The turian's looming presence unsettles him. Joker hates being watched and the turian breathing down his neck is making him nervous.  “Coming for the show?” he asks, his voice a little strained.

Shepard chuckles. “Always.”

Joker adjusts his cap and announces, “Alright, fasten your seatbelts, ladies and gentlemen. We’re going through.” His fingers fly over the console as the Normandy accelerates toward the mass relay. The sheer scale of the relays never fails to impress Shepard, who watches intently as Joker counts down. The cockpit bathes in brilliant blue light as the Normandy launches into the relay’s energy field.

Suddenly the blue sigts into a stunning sea of millions of stars flashes before them, painting the cockpit in a tranquil glow. Shepard’s lips twitch into a small smile as awe briefly replaces her earlier irritation. The sight is simply beautiful.

Moments later, the Normandy slows down, the stars of their destination stretching out before them. Joker’s hands fly over the controls as he runs post-jump diagnostics. “Thrusters check, navigation check. Internal emissions sink engaged. All systems online. Drift just under 1500k.”

Nihlus nods approvingly. “1500 is good, your captain will be pleased.” He turns around to take his leave, glancing at Shepard for one final time before exiting the cockpit. 

Joker quickly looks over his shoulder, waiting until the turian is out of earshot. “I hate this guy.” Shepard smirks, holding back laughter at Joker’s visible frustration. Kaidan, who is sitting at the co-pilot console, is shaking his head. “Joker, come one. He just gave you a compliment.”

“Compliment my ass.” The pilot girths through his teeth, “I just jumped us halfway across the whole galaxy and hit a target the size of a pinhead. That’s not good, that's incredible.” While grumbling some curses, Joker's focus returns to his displays. “Besides Spectres are trouble. I don't like having him around.” Neither do I, Shepard thinks to herself. Nihlus belongs on the Citadel, not Andersons ship. Kaidan argues, “The council helped fund this project. They have a right to send someone to keep an eye on their investment. You’ll just have to deal with it.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Joker sighs as he enters in new codes. “That's the official story. But only an idiot believes the official story, right, Shep?”

The Commander finally relaxes her posture, letting out a deep sigh. "Honestly? The Council could have sent anyone to supervise the operation, yet they not only sent a Spectre, but him out of all people. They are not truly concerned about the Normandy. The sooner he’s off my ship the better.”

Joker looks at her with a shit-eating grin, “Well, technically it’s Captain Anderson's ship.”

“And technically-” Shepard whispers as she pushes Joker's cap down, right into his face. “You know what I meant.”

“Hey, that's mean!” He complains. He takes his cap off to readjust it properly. “Since when are you sensitive? Pissed you two can't share your bunks anymore?”

Shepard’s glare could set fire to steel. “Don’t test my tamper, Mr. Moreau.” As much as she loves Joker, sometimes he doesn’t know when he’s going too far.

Irritated by Shepards sudden bad mood, Kaidan turns his chair to look at the Commander. “Okay, I feel like I’m missing something. What’s going on?” Joker just huffs a laugh. “Yeah sure, Aleko. As if you don’t know about it.”

“About what?” He asks, raising his brows in question.

Joker stays quiet, leaving Shepard to decide whether she wants to tell Kaidan or not. After a moment of consideration, Shepard explains what’s been going on. “You’ll probably learn it from the others anyway, so I might as well tell you. Kryik and I were involved… romantically.”

Kaidan’s jaw drops to the ground. “What?”

“Yep.” She sighs. “Have been just until a few months ago actually.”

“Well, given your mood, I guess it didn’t end well?” Kaiden asks carefully.

“That’s one way to put it.” Shepard crosses her arms in front of her chest. “We’ve been dating for some time and then things moved quite quickly. Everything was peachy until, from one day to another, he changed. Suddenly he treated me like a stranger and when I confronted him about it, he told me that it was all a big mistake, that turians and humans shouldn’t be together and that he regrets it.”

Kaidan looks at her with wide blown eyes, stunned into silence.

Shepard casts him a sad smile. “That’s exactly the look I had, when he told me all of this.” A ping on her omni tool announces a new message. “For fuck sake.”

“Speaking of the devil, huh?” Joker asks.

“Yup.” Shepard deletes Nihlus message without even bothering to read it. “It’s bad enough to see him strolling through the ship the whole day, can’t he just have the decency to not annoy me even further?”

Suddenly Anderson's voice sounds over the speakers. “Commander Shapard, I need to speak to you in my cabin.”

“Uh!” Joker smiles brightly at her. “Someone’s in trouble.”

Shepard just rolls her eyes, tempted to mess with his cap again. “Bite me, Jeff.”

Quickly the Commander makes her way to the elevator. Once inside, she hits the button for the mess hall a bit harder than necessary. She lets out an irritated sigh before rubbing her eyes. Whatever Nihlus is actually here for, she’s just hoping it will be done as soon as possible. 

Eventually the elevator doors open again, releasing her. Shepard goes straight for the Captain's cabin. She knocks on the door before it wooshes open. “How can I be of service?” She asks, while entering.

Captain Anderson is sitting at his desk. He turns around to face her. “Lynette.” is all he says in greeting. He signs for Shepard to sit on the seat across from him. “I have to talk to you.”

“Of course.” She says as she’s taking a seat, crossing her legs.

The captain sighs deeply. He is visibly uncomfortable. “Lynette, I’ll be blunt, this conversation isn’t easy for me and I doubt it will be for you either.”

Shepard tilts her head slightly, her brow furrowing.

Anderson takes a deep breath. “You’re familiar with Alliance regulations about fraternization aboard a ship, I assume?”

Shepard groans, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Oh, Anderson, please don’t.”

“I have to,” Anderson says, his tone almost contrite. “Look, I’m not here to pry into your personal life. But with Nihlus aboard, I need your assurance that… whatever happened between you two won’t interfere with missions or ship operations.”

“Of course not, Anderson.” Shepard affirms. She might hate Nihlus guts but she won’t act on her ill feelings, she’s too professional for anything else. “I promise.”

Anderson nods slightly in approval. “Good to hear.”

“Allow me a question, sir?” Shepard crosses her arms casually. “What’s the actual reason for a Spectre to be here?”

Anderson falls back into his chair. “That’s classified.”

“Oh?” Lynette’s eyebrows raise, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “So there is another reason?”

The Captain narrows his eyes for a moment as he realizes his slip. “That’s something we will discuss tomorrow, Shepard. That’s all I can tell you at the moment.”

“Very well.” She says. “Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?”

Anderson hesitates again, his voice softening. “Actually, yes. It might not be my place to ask, but… have you and Nihlus ever talked about what happened? Afterward, I mean.”

“Nope.” Shepard shakes her head.“ After he blew on me, I packed my things and left. Haven't seen or heard from him ever since and as far as I'm concerned, I'd like to keep it that way.”

Certainly she knows the space on the ship is limited and therefore the chance of running into him is pretty high but that doesn't mean she can't  at least try to avoid him.

Anderson just nods silently. “Just do me the favor and keep it low, okay? This is not meant to anger you.”

“Yeah, sure.” She whispers to herself when she stands up. “Sir.” She salutes casually at her Captain before leaving his cabin again.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

A new cycle has started on the Normandy. Breakfast has started to be giving out in the mess, which is slowly starting to get crowded. Soldiers shuffle through the line, grabbing trays of rations, some exchanging groggy greetings while others simply nurse their coffee in silence.

Kaidan sits at a corner table, chatting with Doctor Chakwas. Anticipating the morning rush, he’s already picked up an extra tray for their Commander, placing it at the empty seat beside him. He hopes the small gesture will help lift her mood, which has been notably sour since Nihlus arrived.

The tables conversation drifts between topics, focusing on Kaidan’s latest episode of headaches, when Shepard finally appears. “Morning, Commander!” Kaidan calls, spotting Shepard as she strides into the mess.

Mid-yawn, Shepard perks up slightly at the sound of his voice. Her eyes dart to the tray waiting for her, and she gives him a tired but genuine smile. “Kaidan, you’re too good to me,” she says with a tired smile, sliding into the seat.

“I live to serve,” he replies, the corners of his mouth quirking into a small grin.

“Good morning, Commander.” Doctor Chakwas her kindly.  “Slept well?”

“Well enough,” Shepard replies, though she’s already diving into her breakfast.

The conversation between Kaidan and Chakwas resumes with Shepard not contributing much, her focus is entirely on her meal. The calm is short-lived though, as a familiar voice breaks through the low hum of the mess. 

“Lynette, do you have a minute?”

Shepard freezes mid-bite, suppressing a groan. It’s far too early to deal with him. Without looking up, she responds in a clipped tone, “Good morning, Spectre. The correct form of address is Commander Shepard, and no, I don’t.”

In an instant the air is becoming tense. The surrounding tables go quiet, soldiers suddenly finding reasons to focus on their food or shuffle away. Kaidan shifts uncomfortably in his seat and Chakwas raises an eyebrow but says nothing. Both share a quick uncomfortable glance. Nihlus pauses, clearly weighing his options. Finally, the turian straightens. “Commander,” he says simply, before turning on his heel and walking away toward the elevator.

Once he’s gone, Chakwas sighs as she looks at Shepard. Her voice carries a hint of disapproval. “Was that really necessary?”

“No,” Shepard admits, spearing a piece of food. “But a fork to his eyes might be.”

“Shepard!” Chakwas scolds, her eyes wide blown. “You’re an adult woman, for heaven’s sake.”

“I’m kidding, Karin." Lynette replies, raising her hands in mock surrender. “Probably.”

Before Chakwas can retort, Joker’s voice crackles over the speakers. “Commander Shepard, you’re needed in the comm room.”

Shepard exhales heavily, dropping her fork onto the tray with a clatter. “Of course I am.”

Quickly she rises to her feet. While gesturing to the tray, she’s giving Kidan a nod. “Thanks for grabbing this, Alenko.”

“Anytime,” he smiles, watching her retreat toward the elevator.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

It was late in the morning, almost midday, when the Commander returned from the meeting she had with Anderson and Nihlus. Seeing Joker was the first thing she did. As annoying as the Pilot can be at times, he is still one of Shepards closest friends. He was the first and only one she broke the news to. 

“Spectre, I can't believe it.” She says while looking at the stars, swaying gently from side to side in the chair, her tone softening. “I really can’t believe it.”

It’s an honor, that’s for sure. Becoming the first human Spectre is nothing Lynette could have ever imagined would happen in her career. She’ll definitely have to give her mother a call later.

“Yeah, about time, huh?” Joker asks, his voice full of sarcasm. “About time the Council added humans to their puppet show. You know, gotta make sure every species gets tangled in their strings” The Commander frowns at him. “Sorry, Shep. I really don’t mean to shit on your accomplishments. It's just…”

“You’re not fond of the council. I know.” She smiles lightly.

“One way to put it. My point is I don’t like you being dragged into their political bullshit. I mean, see what they did. They could have sent about any Spectre to test you, yet they’ve sent King Asshole.”

“Yeah, I know.” The woman agrees. “Let’s put her under a real stress test. Why don’t we force her and her racist ex into a small tin can of a ship for a week?”

That elicits a laugh from the Pilot. "Exactly. Politicians, man. Bunch of jerks in fancy robes.”

Lynette snickers in return, shaking her head. She’s not too fond of politicians either. After stretching her arms, she leans back into the co-pilot seat more comfortably, hr eyes fixated on the stars outside the window. The tension in her shoulders begins to ease, but the sound of approaching footsteps in the corridor snaps her out of it.

“Commander Shepard, I need to talk to you.” Nihlus comes to stand right at the entrance of the cockpit.

Shepard glances at him quickly, before replying. “I'm busy.”

But Nihlus is not having her defiance right now. “That is not a request.”

Joker looks at the both of them. Sensing trouble, he quickly decides to remove himself from this situation. Carefully he stands up from his beloved seat.  “Know what, I was just about to grab some coffee in the mess. My cockpit is all yours.”

Lynette glares at him for abandoning her but Joker just gives her a knowing, apologetic smile before disappearing down the corridor.

Once Joker is out of earshot, Lynette stands up as well. “Alright, what do you want?”

Nihlus stands tall, his hands clasped behind his back, the picture of turian discipline but the subtle flare of his mandibles betrays him. “Shepard, believe it or not, this situation is just as unpleasant for me as it is for you.”

“Oh, ‘s that so?” Her voice is full of sarcasm as she's leaning against her seat.

Nihlus marbles flare again. His eyes leave her for a second, before he calmly states, “This is temporary. Just until the mission is complete. Once it’s done, I’ll file my report, inform the Council and take my leave.

Deciding to reduce the hostility, Shepard reflexes her arms again. “Well, sounds good.”

After a long and silent moment, the turian straightens up. “Shepard, despite what happened between us, I need you to stay focused once we’re planetside.” 

Lynette can’t help but to narrow her eyes at him. “What?”

“Your ill manners towards me on board the ship are one thing but we can’t have your feelings interfere with the mission.” Nihlus’ voices lacks any emotion,“ We have to-”

“Stop.” Shepard cuts him off, visibly getting angry. “Are you really doubting me and my capability to keep my emotions in check?” 

“I am just giving you well ment advice, Commander.” Nihlus states dryly. “This mission and the opportunity for you is way too important to be risk by emotional breakdowns.”

That’s it. Now it’s getting insulting. “Don't you fucking dare to tell me how I should feel and act.” Shepard hisses through gritted teeth. “You're not in the position!”

Nihlus’s voice drops, cold and clipped. “You think this is easy for me? Do you have any idea what it’s like to be caught between your feelings and your duty?”

She takes a step closer, her voice icy cold, “Don’t you dare play the victim, Kryik.”

Nihlus just shakes his head lightly, “Lynette, look-”

“Don't you Lynette me!” Shepherd's voice rises in volume, gaining attention from nearby standing officers. 

“Spirits, woman.” Nihlus exhales, visibly frustrated. “I know I’ve hurt you,” he says, his tone gentler now, “I know I’ve hurt you, I know you’re still angry and by the stars, you have every right to. I am sorry-”

The speakers on the bridge light up. Captain Anderson orders the ship to prepare for entering the planet's orbit and for the ground team to gear up.

Following the command, Shepard pushes past the turian to get away. Her voice is dripping with venom, when she glares at him one final time,  “For all I care, Nihlus, you can just drop fucking dead.”

Chapter Index: Chapter 1 / Chapter 2/ Chapter 3 / Chapter 4 - COMING SOON

***

He lay in a coma in the Normandy’s medbay for some time, only waking up as they were headed back to the Council, entering the safe space around the Citadel. “Where…” Nihlus’ voice was faint, and he coughed as he tried to move, reaching a hand up to his swaddled head, rubbing it as if he could get rid of pain so easily.

“Normandy. You got a shot in the head. Do you remember what happened?” They heard it was Saren, but hearsay wouldn’t be enough to convince the Council to move openly against one of their best agents.

Nihlus shook his head. “I remember heading towards the rendezvous point, and then nothing.” And hearsay was all they were going to have. “You saved me.” Wonder in his voice, a hint of awe and… something more, something Shepard shoved in the back of her mind and kept there, not allowing herself to think on any alternatives.

“Probably.” Shepard shrugged, not wanting to have this conversation right now. She had to prepare for what she would tell the Council, her head too full of shattered visions from the Prothean beacon. Someone would fill Nihlus in later, but it wouldn’t be her. “I have to go. You’re confined to our medbay for at least another three days. Try and rest up.” And that was that; she didn’t wait for an answer before getting up and leaving, feeling like the tips of her ears and top of her cheekbones might be slightly pink even just thinking back on how he had just looked at her- like she might possibly be everything.

***

Spectre Shepard. It had a nice ring to it, even if it didn’t come clear of Council bullshit. You couldn’t win them all. Said Council bullshit (part of her mind was glad, but she viciously told that part of her mind to shut up) included having Nihlus Kryik onboard the Normandy as a more permanent traveling companion. “Provisionary, of course,” they added. “He isn’t up to his full speed and can’t fully mentor you, but you can give advice.” He had just regained the ability to walk and wouldn’t be joining Shepard in the field any time soon, but he was there none the less, chafing at his inability to follow her. She understood that, at least. Physical therapy was a slow process, but no one was better equipped than Dr. Chakwas.

Every mission, even the minor ones, ended up debriefing with Nihlus. After the first few times, she felt herself relaxing. It felt natural to give him more information than was strictly needed- her feelings about what had happened, her frustrations when things went wrong or didn’t go according to plan, even how she felt about her crewmates, how they were steadily growing closer.

“It looks like you can hold a gun again.” The left side of Nihlus’ body was still weaker than the right, but he could make a fist, hold a gun for a prolonged period of time. He could walk, was working on jogging in place, doing turian military stretches that Shepard found herself watching for far too long. He caught her once and just smiled at her, saying nothing. 

“Getting there, but not fast enough, Shepard.” He cast it aside in frustration, unfolding his lanky frame and pacing, relishing the feeling of being able to do that much, long legs eating up the limited floor space of the Normandy. Once again, it was impossible not to watch, even to admire- hold it together, Shepard. He’s your mentor. Sort of.

“You’re lucky your head stayed in place, Nihlus. Don’t strain it. Don’t want to scar anymore of your pretty face.” Oh shit. She had just said it, and though Shepard kept her tone flippant, she was suddenly very busy with her omni-tool, looking down with determination, biting her lip.

“Turian women go crazy for scars. Unfortunately, so do krogan.” Grimacing almost theatrically, Shepard laughed before she could stop herself, a full-bodied, unexpected burst of sound that made Nihlus laugh in turn, until they were both done, silence hanging in the air. 

“I… should go. Later, Nihlus.” Missions to prepare for. Things to do. Same, old.

 *** 

By the time they were due to arrive at Noveria, Nihlus was well enough to follow Shepard into the field, though Chakwas had given her a full list of signs to watch out for, and she was cautioned not to overexert him- warnings she more than happily shared with Nihlus, who could only shake his head. “I’ll play it safe, Shepard.” It was the worst lie she had ever heard.

Still, it felt good to have him at her back, even in the cold austerity of Noveria’s main trading hub, as of yet untouched by the trouble with geth they were having elsewhere on the planet, and it felt even better to be out in the field with him, standing back to back, shooting down waves of enemies until she was exhilarated and exhausted at once, panting hard but nowhere near giving up.

“How’s it feel to be back, Nihlus?” she shouted at him at one point.

“Pretty damn good, Shepard.”

Though they operated under her orders, they also worked well as a team. Strictly speaking, Nihlus wasn’t under her command- he worked for the Council and as a Spectre first, but part of that was agreeing to listen to her when they were out in the field. Keeping in mind Chakwas’ medical advice, Shepard ordered him to hang back when things got really hairy, and he listened- to a point. 

As they left the mako to take a geth juggernaut unit on foot, Nihlus dashed ahead suddenly. “Nihlus! I had orders!” And then his body shoved into hers, knocking Shepard back into the soft powder, a thankfully fresh snow drift taking most of the brunt of the fall.

Looking up, she saw a rocket hit Nihlus, the crackle of energy as his shield dissolved and the thud as his body was rocketed back a few dozen feet, hitting a wall, after which he didn’t move for a series of long heartbeats, her breath caught in her throat. No time to waste on inaction though; that wasn’t the way Shepard operated. She and Liara could handle the geth, dispatching it with, if not ease, at least not a total struggle.

“We’re even now.” Nihlus was sitting up, groaning but actually awake, alive, waving off her concerns. “Winded. Fine. Shield and armor took a beating.” His body too- there would be bruises, even through his toughened turian skin, but nothing he hadn’t faced before.

“That was reckless.” Sitting back on her heels, Shepard removed her helmet, needing to feel fresh air, the freeze good on her skin. “I guess I owe you a drink.” A spontaneous idea; standing, she offered Nihlus a hand to help him up. He took it and held it one beat, and then two, before letting it go.

He rubbed out his own shoulders, checking over his armor. “Strictly Spectre business?” Nothing obvious, though the chest was weakened.

Shepard enters the cargo hold in full gear, her Mantis slung across her back. Leisurely she leans against the wall, arms crossed, waiting for Anderson and Nihlus to arrive. Her mind is already focused on the mission ahead. Secure the beacon. 

The hiss of the elevator draws her attention, making her head turn. Instead of Anderson or Nihlus are Kaidan and Jenkins stepping into the hold, also suited up.

"Hey, Shep," Kaidan greets casually, offering her a nod. "Ready to go?"

She frowns at him in confusion. "Wait, what? Why are you two here? Anderson said it was just me and the Spectre."

Jenkins salutes crisply. "A distress call, ma'am. Captain Anderson and Spectre Kryik agreed to send a small group instead."

Shepard’s frown deepens. A what now? Annoyance creeps into her features, why hadn’t she been briefed on this?

Irritated, she pushes off the wall. ”Okay, hold on, I've got to talk with them," Quickly she heads for the elevator. This is her team, her mission. She deserves to know what’s going on.

When she pushes the button, the elevator doors open revealing Nihlus. His calm demeanor does nothing to temper her frustration. "Good, you’re already here," he says, his tone brisk as he moves to pass her.

"Wait." Shepard places a hand on his carapace, halting him. She pulls away in an instand, realizing the intimacy of the gesture. "What’s this about a distress call? What’s going on?"

Nihlus motions to a quiet corner of the hold, his expression unreadable. Shepard follows him, her irritation simmering beneath the surface.

In the secluded area, he activates his omnitool, pulling up a grainy video feed. It shows panicked colonists, explosions in the background, Alliance soldiers running around and then a massive, ominous structure descending, cutting through the clouds.

"There’s been no comm traffic since this footage was transmitted twenty minutes ago," Nihlus explains, his tone even but serious. "Anderson and I decided a small strike team would be more efficient, quick without drawing attention. We still need to secure the beacon, but this changes the stakes."

Shepard exhales sharply, crossing her arms. This is already getting complicated. "Okay. And the survivors? Are we evacuating them?"

Nihlus rewinds the footage to the structure's descent. His mandibles tighten. "Have you ever seen anything like this?"

Shepard leans in, squinting at the screen. "No, but it looks massive. Kinda looks like a giant tick."

"I don’t know what a ‘tick’ is," Nihlus says dryly. "But with a structure like that down there and no comm traffic, I doubt we’ll find any survivors."

Her gaze snaps to him. "We? So you’re coming with me?" Us. Damn it. She means us.

Before he can answer, Anderson’s voice calls out, "Alright, team! Gather up!" Shepard hadn’t even noticed the Captain entering the hold. She casts one last glance at Nihlus before moving toward her Captain and her team. Anderson orders Joker to go down before focusing his attention on the ground team.

"Okay, Shepard. Your team's muscles in this operation. Go in heavy and head straight for the dig site."

Joker’s voice rings over the speakers. "Approaching drop point one."

Nihlus only nods, moving toward the opening hangar without hesitation.

"Hey!" Shepard calls after him. "You’re not going alone!"

"I’m faster on my own," Nihlus replies without looking back.

"Come on, Kryik! Going alone is su-" The Spectre leaps from the hangar, disappearing into the horizon.

"-icide," Shepard mutters, rolling her eyes. "Perfect."

Anderson steps up beside her, his tone steady. "Nihlus will scout ahead and send status updates. Otherwise, radio silence unless it’s urgent during this mission."

She takes a deep breath, adjusting her gear. "Understood. Ready and able, sir.” 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The team touched down minutes later, only to face immediate tragedy. A wave of drones claimed Jenkins’ life before they even had a chance to gather their barrings. Shepard had to pressed forward with Kaidan. Despite everything, she couldn't help but to worry about Nihlus. He is well trained and experienced but he is alone.

After clearing the second wave of drones, Nihlus finally radioed in. “Shepard, I’ve found burned-out buildings and... bodies. I’ll investigate and catch up with you at the dig site.”

She wanted to respond, to ask if he was okay, but Anderson’s orders for radio silence held her back. The faint hum of static from his channel was her only reassurance.

The mission then further escalated. After rescuing Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams from Geth troops and hearing her grim report, the team pushed toward the dig site, finding more and more bodies. The colonists were impaled on spikes. The Commander forced herself not to look too closely. It was horrible.

When the team finally arrived at the digsite, the beacon was gone. Frustration took over as Shepard weighed their options. After a short time of consideration, Shepards orders the team to move forward to the camp once Nihlus has arrived as well.

And as if on cue, Nihlus radioed again. “Change of plans, Shepard. I’m heading to a small spaceport up ahead.”

Shepard swore under her breath. He just can’t stick to the plan, can he?

The team moved on, cutting through waves of drones and grotesque husks. Once-human victims reanimated into monstrosities. Each encounter tested their resolve. 

At the camp, the team found a handful of survivors, trembling and battered. They confirmed a  turian passed through earlier. Relief blossomed in Lynette's chest but they had to keep moving. 

When they eventually reached the spaceport, the team took a moment to overlook the area. Kaidan stopped in his tracks. "What is that? Off in the distance." That's the structure Nihlus showed Shepard before they moved. It's indeed gigantic.

"Nihlus showed me." Shepard explained, "It landed here during the atta-"

A shoot in the distance. Suddenly the low white noise from Nihlus radio was gone.

Shepard felt her heart racing. “Kryik?” she called urgently over the radio. “Do you copy?” 

Silence.

“Damn it,” she muttered, dread pumping through her veins. “Okay, move!” Shepard broke into a sprint, leading her team towards the port.

When they reached it, more Geth and twisted husks attacked, but the team fought through them with fierce determination. Using crates for cover, the team returned fire, the machines proving more aggressive than before. The beacon had to be nearby.

Crouched behind a stack of crates, Shepard fired precise shots, her sniper rifle cutting through the enemy ranks. She changed her position multiple times, seeking better angles, when a streak of blue caught her eye. Blood. Turian blood. 

Her stomach dropped. “No, no, no…”

Abandoning her cover, Shepard pushed forward, darting toward the bloodstained crates. Her heart sunk as she rounded the corner to find Nihlus sprawled on the ground, motionless. She screamed his name in terror, dropping to her knees beside him. “No! Damn it, Nihlus. Come one, stay with me!” His pulse was faint, his breathing shallow. “Don’t you dare die on me now, Nihlus.”

Ignoring Anderson’s orders, Shepard radioed Joker. “Normandy, I need evac ASAP! We’ve lost Jenkins, and Nihlus is critical!” Joker rogered that and Anderson granted permission for the pick-up. Meanwhile, Kaidan and Ashley finished off the remaining enemies and hurried to Shepard’s side. Shepard was so focused on the turian, trying to stabilize him, she barely noticed a survivor of the attack explaining what happened. He spoke of another turian, of Saren’s betrayal. Fury sparked within her at the mention of the name. 

But they still had to find the beacon, if Saren was really the mastermind behind all this, they have to get it before he does. If he was willing to commit murder for it, to kill his own protegé, it must have been an important artefact.

Reluctantly Shepard had to move on and leave Nihilus' side. She ordered Williams to stay with Nihlus until the Normandy came, while she and Kaidan went after the Geth. 

Sick with worry, she and Kaidan made their way through the port. They sprinted towards the next platform, fighting through waves of Geth as they advanced. The metallic clanking of their boots mixed with the crackle of gunfire. When they reached the transport platform, Shepard’s breath hitched at the sight of blinking red lights.

Demolition charges.

"Five minutes," Kaidan said grimly, pointing to the timer on the nearest charge.

Shepard let out a frustrated breath but didn’t waste time. “Cover me while I disarm them!”

Her fingers worked swiftly, her former engineering training kicking in. As Kaidan laid down suppressing fire, she moved from charger to charger, dismantling the Geth’s traps while dodging their attacks. 

Relief washed over her, when she worked on the last one. The timer stopped at five seconds. “Bombs are disarmed,” she called, rising to her feet.

They pressed forward to the final platform, where the beacon loomed, pulsating faintly with an eerie green light. A small Geth squad stood guard, but Shepard and Kaidan took them down with ruthless efficiency.

“All clear, Commander,” Kaidan said, lowering his weapon.

Shepard nodded, stepping closer to the artifact. So much trouble for that thing? She activated her comm. “Normandy, the beacon is secure. We are ready for evac- Kaidan, stop!”

Kaidan had wandered too close to the beacon, which began to glow and hum with unsettling intensity. Before he could react, a green tendril of energy lashed out, pulling him toward it.

Without thinking, Shepard lunged at him, shoving him out of harm's way. Suddenly the energy engulfed her instead.

She felt herself lifting off the ground, weightless yet immobilized. Her mind erupted with chaotic visions. Flashes of destruction, screaming figures, and planets consumed by fire. Death. The images were vivid and incomprehensible, each one more horrifying than the last.

Her body trembled as the beacon’s energy reached a crescendo and then snapped. The visions stopped abruptly as a searing pain shot through her head, and everything went dark.

The last thing she heard was Kaidan’s panicked voice calling her name, became faint and distant as she slipped into unconsciousness.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

This must be the worst headache ever.

Groaning, Shepard forces her eyes open, the light stabbing through her skull. Slowly she tries to sit up but her body protest at every movement. 

“Easy there,” Dr. Chakwas says gently, coming to stand next to her to help. “You’ve been through a lot, Commander. You had us worried there. How are you feeling?”

Shepard rests her pounding head in her hand, looking at the Doctor. “Like I’ve been hit by a shuttle. What happened?”

“The beacon,” the doctor tries to explain, typing away on her omnitool. “You’ve been out for about fifteen hours.” 

“It’s my fault”, Kaidan suddenly chimes in, startling Shepard. Guild is written all over his face as he comes into view. “I must have triggered some kind of security field when I approached it. You pushed me out of the way."

Right, there was green light. Lynette's memory slowly comes back. There was that light, the pull of energy, the chaotic and overwhelming images. 

Shepard turns to her head slightly towards the Sentinel, her voice soft. “Kaidan, you couldn’t have known what would happen.”

His guilt ridden expression slowly melts, the tension in his shoulders easing. Shepard can tell he’s been agonizing over it.

Chakwas shakes her head slightly. “Whatever happened, unfortunately, we’ll never fully understand.”

Lynette frowons at her but before she can ask, Kaidan explains the situation. “The beacon exploded and the blast knocked you out cold. I had to carry you back to the ship.”

Shepard exhales slowly, the memory of the impact becomes clearer now. “Thanks, Kaidan. I appreciate it.” She offers him a small, grateful smile, and he returns it, shy but genuine.

Suddenly a thought strikes her like a hammer. “Where is Nihlus?”

Chakwas hesitates for a moment, calculating her next words. “He’s alive. For now. But it’s not looking good. Captain Anderson ordered us to get him to the Citadel as quickly as possible. He’s in a coma.” Karin releases a deep breath, “he lost a lot of blood.”

Shepard’s chest tightens as she takes the doctors words in. Damn it. She warned him going alone was reckless, and in a moment of anger, she told him to die. A wave of shame and regret crashes over her. 

“Don’t blame yourself, Shepard,” Chakwas speaks softly, sensing her turmoil. But the words don't reach Lynette.

Suddenly the med bay door hisses open and Captain Anderson strides in. He dismisses everyone with a firm nod, signaling he wants to speak to Shepard privately. Once the others leave, Anderson turns to the Commander, his face neutral. “How are you holding up?”

“I’ll live,” Shepard replies, forcing the words out.

Anderson crosses his arms behind his back, his tone heavy with concern. “I won’t sugarcoat it. Things are bad. Kryik’s life is hanging by a thread, the beacon’s destroyed. And now we’re facing a Geth invasion. The Council’s going to demand answers.”

“Of course they will.” Shepard carefully raises her head off her hand to properly look at her Captain. “I did what I could, Anderson. I really did.”

Anderson exhales deeply. “I know, Lynette. And I’ll back you all the way. You’re a damn hero in my book but that’s not why I’m here. I need to know about Saren.”

Over the next hour, Shepard recounts everything: the events on Eden Prime, the survivors’ testimonies, and the horrifying images the beacon burned into her mind.

Anderson listens intently, not once questioning her report. When she’s done, he places a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll make Saren answer for this. When we get to the Citadel, I’ll need you to testify. Are you ready for that?”

“Absolutely,” Shepard says without hesitation.

Anderson nods, satisfied. He orders her to rest and leaves to attend to his duties.

For a moment, Shepard remains seated on the cot, letting the silence settle over her. Her mind feels like a storm, too many emotions swirling at once. Aimlessly her gaze wanders until it drifts to the locked door leading to the lab. 

A part of her wants to walk away, avoiding whatever there is behind that door. But the pull to stay is stronger. Slowly, she rises from the cot and walks to the door, entering the access code with trembling hands. The door hisses open. With deep breaths she steels herself before stepping inside.

The air inside feels heavier, colder. Her breath catches as her eyes land on Nihlus.

He’s stretched out on the medical bed, surrounded by machines that beep and hum, their lights casting faint glows across his battered form. His carapace is cracked in places and tubes and wires snake around him.

Shepard steps closer, her throat tightening. She’s seen plenty of injuries in her career, plenty of soldiers downed in the field but this is different. This is him. 

Tears sting her eyes, blurring her vision. The guilt is crushing, a lead weight pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. “I told you not to go alone,” she whispers. “Why didn’t you listen?”

Slowly she reaches out, hesitating for a moment before taking his hand in hers. His skin is warm, but he doesn’t stir. The first tear falls, then another. She wipes them away quickly, as though ashamed of them.

"Please don’t die," her voice is breaking. "Don’t leave me here to deal with this mess alone. I need you."

More tears come, streaming down her face but this time, she is unable to stop them. She presses her free hand to her face, trying to steady her breathing.

“By your damn spirits, I’m so sorry,” she murmurs, gripping his hand tighter. “I shouldn’t have said what I’ve said.” The realization of the vile things she told him feels like a punch in her guts. “Damn it, Nihlus, I’m sorry.”

Chapter Index: Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Chapter 4 - COMING SOON!

Masterlist