Rebirth: The Mass Effect. Book 1. part 1.2

Well, well... And Kraik is well versed in human facial expressions.

"Report the situation." Anderson ordered, looking at the frozen image of the landing Lord on the screen.

"Seventeen minutes, flight is normal, Captain." The Joker immediately responded. "There are no other Alliance ships in the area."

"Go ahead, Joker. Fast and quiet. The task has just become very complicated."

I could barely hold back a sad sigh: well, why say the obvious? I thought it was only in the canon... Funny talk, but no, he actually says that. Is he really a pretentious paragon? Doubtful... But it looks like it.

Anderson shifted his gaze to Nihlus. The Turian twitched his mandibles and answered the unasked question:

"A small strike group can move out quickly and take the lighthouse without attracting attention."

"Prepare to disembark."

Nihlus turned around and walked to the exit of the briefing room. And then the captain gave out:

"Commander, tell Alenko and Jenkins to be ready."

I almost choked on my breath. What?! Okay, there was no one on the ship in the canon, but my recipient's combat team is on the real Normandy, and I'm being sent to the planet in the company of a newly graduated cadet and a staff lieutenant! Don't you understand? Canon is canon, but where are the brains?

"Sir, what about my landing party?"

Anderson twitched his cheek in displeasure. Nihlus stopped before reaching the door, but did not turn around.

"Your group will have other tasks."

The Spectre shook his head and silently left the room. Really, what can I say?

Anderson sounded the alert, and I left to prepare for the landing. To sum up our conversation, I'm interested in Nihlus Kraik, and I don't want to see him dead on that ill-fated spaceport.

His behavior and involuntary habits give us hope that we can work together. The Turian is a predator, his reactions and habits are completely consistent with his nature. A predator will never recognize a game as equal. Just another predator. It's an instinct. Game can be deadly and treacherous, it can inspire respect and positive emotions, it can receive patronage and protection, but it will never become someone equal. In our short conversation, I made my status clear: I was just as much a predator as he was. The words served only as an outer shell. Like me, Nihlus assessed my movements, habits, small unconscious gestures, manner of conversation, attitude towards others. He was surprised and puzzled. The current me was different from the original Shepard, and Nihlus Kraik understood this perfectly.

The decision has been made.

I will do EVERYTHING to change one single event: the demise of the Nihlus Krayk Spectr. Unfortunately, this particular change has a very slim chance of success, since it will take place without my direct participation. The Spectr can only change its fate by itself. I can only warn him.

The recipient's memory was fully assimilated, and therefore the preparation did not take long, and eight minutes later I was already standing in the hold and looking longingly at the two soldiers of my squad. Alenko and Jenkins. And I listened to Captain Anderson, who was broadcasting:

"Your squad is the muscular strength of the operation! Break through to the excavation site."

There are no words, only expressions left. The muscular strength of the operation... Then who are the brains? Is the Spectr stunned by this circus?

By the way, where is he?

I turned my head, catching the wistful gaze of Nihlus, standing by the all-terrain vehicle and absently twirling a powerful pistol in his hands. Apparently, there was something similar on my face, as he barely noticeably shook his head and slightly spread his mandibles.

"What to do with the survivors?" Kayden asked.

"Helping the survivors is a secondary task. Your main goal is the lighthouse."

The speakers clicked, and the Joker's voice said:

"We go to point one."

The Spectre came up, stopping a couple of meters away from me.

"Nihlus? Are you coming with us?" Jenkins asked happily.

The man shuddered at the prospect, and he replied sharply:

"No. I move faster alone."

Did the brave corporal have time to talk to him too?

Anderson thought about it and decided to enlighten us:

"Nihlus will go ahead for exploration. He will inform you about the situation. Otherwise, please keep quiet on the air."

Uh-huh. Great. That is, if I want to warn my mentor about something, in fact, will I need to violate a direct order and go on the air? Amazing! The Spectr itself only closed its eyes wearily at this statement and pressed its mandibles tightly to its cheeks. I got it too.

The ship shook, and I stepped back a little, approaching the Turian, and said softly:

"Nihlus, may I ask for some... a promise."

Spektr blinked in surprise at this question and looked at me in disbelief. He was the only one who heard my words: the Turians' hearing is very sharp, and he easily heard my almost silent whisper. He hesitated for a few moments, but curiosity overcame his doubts, and he answered just as quietly:

"You can."

"Swear to me that you will NOT turn your back on an armed sentient." The green eyes widened in surprise. "Especially if you know this reasonable person perfectly well and trust him infinitely."

My cold voice and gaze made him flinch.

"Do you know something?" The officialdom is thrown aside. It wasn't Commander Shepard and Spectre Kraik who were talking here and now, but two fighters preparing to land.

"Intuition." a hard look of green eyes in response. "FOR PEOPLE LIKE US, it is very developed. Mine is RARELY wrong."

The Turian blinked. He thought about it. He didn't brush it off, but took it into account, glaring at me suspiciously.

And finally, a slow response.

"I'll do my best." and not a shadow of irony.

"Nihlus." The man tilted his head questioningly. "If you die, I'll kill you."

A soft, vibrating chuckle, and the Spectr moved away to the descending ramp.