Chapter Text
Nihlus had always enjoyed visiting the Citadel Tower. The pink petals floating through the air, almost shimmering in the ambient lighting. It always smelled slightly sweet– better than most of the other places his work had taken him throughout his life.
He and the other Spectres had been summoned here today to hear an announcement from the Council. From the balconies, they could see the holograms of the Council below them, and a few humans that seemed to be a mix of diplomats and high-ranking soldiers. It was rare to see so many humans in the spotlight for a Council meeting. Of course, Nihlus already knew what the announcement was.
“We have made a decision,” Councilor Valern said to the room. “After some consideration, we have decided to accept the Alliance’s petition for the appointment of a human Spectre.”
Quiet chatter immediately began to sound throughout the room. Beside Nihlus, Saren let out a short, derisive laugh.
“Silence,” Councilor Sparatus said. He was clearly irritated. Nihlus stood nervously, trying not to think about what Saren would say once he’d heard the full story.
The humans in the center looked uneasy at the response, and began murmuring to each other behind their ambassador, Udina, a man that Nihlus had come to know as uniquely unpleasant while he had been pulling strings behind the scenes to help this nomination along.
“Ambassador Udina,” Councilor Tevos said. “Please.”
The ambassador faced the Council after glaring at his fellow humans to silence them. Then he began to speak, still glaring. It had been a short while since Nihlus had begun crafting the theory that the man simply couldn’t make his face look any other way.
“After some discussion, the Alliance has chosen to nominate Commander Audrey Shepard for consideration for the Spectres.”
So they had taken his recommendation, after all. Shepard was a famous Alliance soldier, known for her activity on the human colony Elysium during an attempted Batarian raid. He’d had the chance to work with her a few weeks before, a hostage situation involving some Alliance politician and a turian extremist. The Council had sent him to de-escalate, while the Alliance had sent her on a rescue mission. They came out the other side with no casualties, not even the terrorist. Nihlus had contacted the human ambassador immediately afterwards to recommend her.
“Very well,” Tevos replied.
“Spectres,” Sparatus said, addressing the balconies now. “We will need at least one of you to evaluate Commander Shepard, as you were evaluated, before we decide whether she may join your ranks. Who will accept this task?”
Bracing himself for Saren’s disapproval, Nihlus walked towards the space on the balcony that witnesses were able to testify from..
“Nihlus Kryik,” Sparatus acknowledged him. He almost thought he could feel Saren glaring at him from their spot among the other Spectres, and he thought he caught a hint of disapproval in Sparatus’ voice. Relations between turians and humans were still nowhere near smoothed over. He’d have to protect Shepard from Sparatus and Saren as much as he could, after putting her in the spotlight with so many ready to decry her.
“I will evaluate Commander Shepard,” Nihlus said simply.
“Understood,” Sparatus replied.
After the meeting, Saren pulled Nihlus aside, as Nihlus expected.
Saren’s golden eyes were cold, mandibles hugged tight against his face, an expression that had become all too familiar to Nihlus as of late. Still, he was in the elegant black robes that he preferred for his Citadel visits, and Nihlus couldn’t help but appreciate how handsome he was, how he was a classic Spectre, and knew how to look the part.
“Nihlus,” Saren said quietly, sending a small shiver up Nihlus’ spine.
“I know you don’t agree with me, Saren,” Nihlus said, feeling almost childishly defiant but standing his ground. “But Commander Shepard will be an excellent Spectre.”
“I doubt she could help it, with you as a mentor,” Saren said, his subvocals containing displeasure that contrasted the compliment in his statement.
“I’ll pretend your words were all I heard,” Nihlus joked. “I know you don’t like the humans, but Shepard is young. And she’s already made a name for herself as an excellent fighter and tactician. This is humanity’s best–”
“Exactly,” Saren spat. “ Humanity’s best. Have I not told you what happened the last time humanity’s ‘best’ was strong-armed into the Spectres?”
“Yes, Saren, I know your story about Anderson well. For the record, I think you were… less honest than you could have been.”
“As you’ve said before. Is that what this is? Are you trying to prove something to me?”
“No. I have also worked with Shepard. I know what she’s capable of. I gave the Alliance the suggestion to nominate her.”
“ What ?” Saren said.
“She’s an excellent soldier, Saren. You’ll see.”
As Saren looked at him, conflicted tones hummed softly in his chest. He looked up at Nihlus gravely.
“You should be careful, Nihlus,” he finally said. He held his hand up, as though to caress Nihlus’ face as he’d done so many times before, but then let it drop.
“What does that mean?”
“Let’s just say, I’m working on some things and I may cross paths with the humans again soon. You would do better to focus on Antoia. She will make a good Spectre.”
“Yes, she will, but she isn’t ready yet. Not every human is responsible for what happened to Desolas, Saren.”
Saren paused, and then gently said, “This is bigger than Desolas now, Nihlus. It’s bigger than you, and it’s bigger than me. I’ll be away for quite some time for my next mission. I won’t be able to look out for you, so take care of yourself. Goodbye, Nihlus.”
Nihlus watched as Saren walked away, robes flowing out behind him. Saren had a tendency to be cryptic, but this was different. He wanted to follow after Saren, to make him explain himself.
Instead he just stood there and watched him leave, not fully understanding why it felt like his heart was about to break.