#tt-vision

Shepard’s Spectre status might have been delayed until Sovereign/Saren’s defeat since Nihlus would have to assess their ability throughout the game and make a judgement at the end about Shepard’s ability, bonus points if paragon/renegade levels affect his opinion of them. Paragon status leading to an opinion of trying to do right by the law, and Renegade following a ‘the lives of many over the few / the ends justify the means’ type of opinion. It also gives more of an ‘accomplished’ feeling rather than, yeah okay you’re a spectre now, go hunt Saren. You earned Spectre Status rather than your past background being the key factors that lead to it.

Dialogue between Shepard and Nihlus that examines their respective histories. Nihlus is evaluating their candidacy for Spectre status, he wants to confirm a few details about their past and get to know his future comrade in arms better. We get to explore the Commander’s past more and get their opinions in that regard, basically just some more character development here.

The Council still would have been unlikely to believe the threat of an indoctrinated Saren, and also of the Reapers, probably claiming that Nihlus’ view of him as a mentor was clouding his judgement about the entire situation despite being a respected Spectre since only Shepard (and Liara by extent) have seen the Prothean warnings.

Nihlus’ own doubts about Saren’s motives and the extent of his indoctrination. He knew Saren, and he wonders when exactly he became indoctrinated, when he had stooped so low and fallen so far. This could also give some interesting dialogue with Captain Anderson because of his experiences with Saren’s supposedly extreme methods.

Dialogue options that give us info about Saren before he was indoctrinated. Learning about the causes of his disdain for humanity and the extent of his ruthlessness. Nihlus was mentored by him and regardless of his reputation, knowing his mentor tried to kill him would hurt.

A loyalty mission that means you could save him on Virmire when Saren confronts Shepard. Nihlus wants answers and damnit he’s going to get them. But if you didn’t do his loyalty mission, Saren goes ahead and finishes the job.

Potential dialogue between Nihlus and Garrus about Turian culture and military, C-Sec, Spectres, the whole injustice shebang. On this point, Nihlus would’ve been a great role model for Garrus outside of Shepard. We know in ME2 after Shepard’s death that Garrus hit a bit of a spiral and tried to follow Shepard’s lead and become a vigilante on Omega. This could’ve been supported by Nihlus, who might’ve also had frustrations with the Citadel’s bureaucracy at that point.

Nihlus hanging around the galaxy map or the cockpit and saying “Fifteen-hundred is good” just to annoy Joker because it’s damn funny.

ME2 rolls around and Nihlus is still kicking it as a badass Turian Spectre should be. Shepard’s been dead for two years at this point. Nihlus hasn’t forgotten the threat of the Reapers and is working within his rights as a Spectre to uncover what little he can, mostly by trying to follow Saren’s trail if any exists, but the Council aren’t having any of it. The threat is done and dusted, time to move onto more pressing issues.

Nihlus being one of the first people we meet back on the Citadel after meeting the Council again. He’s heard the rumours, Shepard is alive, and he wants to confirm it himself. Nihlus can give Shepard a heads up about how unwilling the Council is to hear about the Reapers, and a general run-down of what’s been happening. If Nihlus was befriended and loyalty gained, he could express relief that Shepard is alive. If not, there might be a bit of low-key bitter surprise that Shepard seems to keep cheating death.

Nihlus also vouching for Shepard’s Spectre status to be upheld - especially if they saved the Council and earned his loyalty. 

He can’t become a squad member at this point, he’s bogged down in an investigation of his own. He’s digging around Saren’s files, trying to piece together when he became indoctrinated and how he found Sovereign, hoping it’ll lead to some more clues about the Reapers. He’s also trying to find out more on a human mercenary Saren encountered, Jack Happer (who we know to be the colossal fuck known as the Illusive Man), around the time of Saren’s brother’s death. More background story for people who haven’t been exposed to Mass Effect content outside of the games, and it leads to the opportunity to actually give the Illusive Man more context. Could also tie in with some missions that include Shepard and trying to uncover what Saren’s plans were two years ago.

Transmissions that update Shepard on his findings - he has more questions than leads, and he knows time is short. Shepard warning him not to get himself killed during his investigation. Nihlus warning Shepard not to die, again. This includes a final transmission before the Suicide Mission, where Nihlus can comment on Shepard’s preparation, which could be a way of foreshadowing any deaths to come if Shepard didn’t achieve squad loyalty or didn’t upgrade the Normany enough. We could also get a little heartfelt “is there anyone you want me to contact, in case the worst happens?” Shepard could ask Nihlus to speak to Captain Anderson. A Spacer-Background Commander could ask Nihlus to speak to family, and a Commander with the Lone-Survivor military history could say “no, there’s no one left” or something extra sad.

ME3 and it’s go time. The Reapers have come and their warnings weren’t heeded and everyone is either dying, afraid or pissed off. Maybe some combination of all three. Shepard’s been under House Arrest, and even Spectre-Status Nihlus hasn’t been allowed to contact them. It hasn’t stopped Nihlus from trying to slip the Commander some desperate messages about the Reaper threat.

Shepard meeting Nihlus once again, but this time on Menae with some sick scars after just barely getting off Palaven. Nihlus wasn’t all that respected by the Turian Military, but he’s still a Turian, and his homeworld is burning. He isn’t turning his back on that.

“I wasn’t a good soldier by Turian standards, Shepard, but I appreciate what you’re trying to do for my people.”

Nihlus hops on the Normandy, maybe as a squad member, maybe he’s there to oversee the protection of the Primarch, whatever. Just have him There pls, he deserves it rather than a bullet in the back of the goddamn head.

Conversations between him and Primarch Victus about the state of Palaven. Maybe we overhear more details about casualty rates and military tactics. After Tuchanka: Turian Platoon, we overhear Nihlus offering condolences for the loss of his son. Also an opportunity to hear some information about Nihlus’ own personal life, if he has a family of any kind, or friends in service he’s worried about.

Nihlus confronting Shepard about their nightmares and the stress, reminding them that they are indeed only human and to not forsake their own humanity to fight the Reapers, quoting a human philosopher: “He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you.” He could also royally fuck up the quote, as Turians sometimes do mess up human idioms, and Shepard could get a sad, bittersweet lil chuckle out of it while correcting him.

Citadel DLC. Nihlus rocking up to save Shepard’s ass and declaring that he’s glad he finally got the chance to pay them back for saving His ass on Eden Prime. Later, Nihlus is a bit moody with them. “I had a reservation. Took me three years and a contract to get it. And you went shot up the damn place.” “Excuse you, I was shot at.” “Tell that to the manager.”

Also Citadel DLC. Just. Dialogue man. Just Dialogue. Facing the clone? “Talk about a sibling complex. That’s the right phrase, right?” The gunfight in the archives? “This is team Spectre, picking up the slack.” “If I get shot in the back again, someone’s footing my hospital bill!” The vault? “Look, I don’t want to alarm anyone, but these vaults don’t cycle oxygen, so why don’t we focus on getting out of this?”

Just imagine the dialogue before the final push to destroy the Reapers. Just imagine it. “How far we’ve come, all of us, together.” He’s proud of Shepard. From day-dot, from that shitstorm on Eden Prime to Sovereign’s invasion, he knew Shepard had the makings of a good Spectre. And now the fate of the Milky Way rests on their shoulders. But not alone. Shepard has loyal friends who believe in them, who are going to help lighten that burden. And he’s honoured to count himself among the ranks of that small group. 

End game with assumed “good ending,” Nihlus leading a small team to scavenge the ruins of the Citadel in hopes of finding Shepard, dead or alive. We could see his silhouette in the background as Shepard takes that infamous first/final breath, and as the screen goes back we could get a lil snippet of audio that’s just Nihlus saying “Admiral? We found the Commander.” or “Alright, Shepard. Time to get you home.”

Bonus Round For Romance Because Who Isn’t A Slut For Turians in The Mass Effect Fandom:

In true Bioware Style, tied in heavily with his loyalty missions. This could be resolving unfinished business, a mission that Nihlus had to back down from or had to put aside in order to deal with more pressing matters.

Nihlus standing at the CIC of the Normandy, just chatting with Shepard, things are getting flirty, and then in comes Joker over the intercom being a Mood Killer™ and “god, you kiss your mother with those mandibles? Wait, I don’t want to know.”

ME1 I imagine is all business, it’s the two of them sorting out this Saren business, and learning to rely on one another. ME2 gives them the chance to bond between missions, a break away from all the madness. They talk via FTL, and try to find something to discuss rather than reports, or collectors, or reapers. They struggle to, but just talking helps. Shepard can confide in him about their doubts regarding the Illusive Man or the mission, and Nihlus can give Shepard what seems like a pretty darn heartfelt ‘be careful,’ because Shepard’s already died once. Not so many cats get all their nine lives, and Shepard’s dodged far too many bullets for it to be luck. They’re needed, he swears it by the Spirits themselves, even if he wasn’t one to believe in them much. It’s good to have them around and it’d be nice to get to know Shepard better, once all of this is over. “That sounds like a date, if I’m not mistaken.” “Maybe it is. Maybe you should live long enough to find out.”

ME3, with Nihlus on board, and time’s short. There could be a scene with them sparring in the cargo bay, with Shepard consistently getting their ass handed to them by the experienced Turian. Nihlus pointing out Shepard’s weak points, flaws, where they need to focus, because he’s Afraid of what comes next, and he wants to see Shepard prepared for the worst. Shepard died once before, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to help. But this is something he knows, training and strategy. It’s among the few things he has left. Shepard numbers among that too.

Bad Turian Flirting. ‘Nuff said.