Mass Effect: Going Dark

[White Haven]

"Then you're in, as long as you're competent. He may hate your guts, that's neither here nor there." The asari paused to take a quick drink before continuing, "If he hates you, and he's honest with himself about it, he knows he hates you, and he won't let that get in the way. In fact, even if you'd be borderline on testing, there's a decent chance he'd fall in your favor simply out of suspicion that he wanted to wash you out because of your past, whatever it is."

She shrugged a touch during a pause, finishing off with, "That's how I read it, anyway. As long as you can cut it with the rest of us, you've got nothing to worry about if Vakarian stays honest, either under his own power or with Sheppard riding shotgun on him. Probably less, if Vakarian's actually honest with himself."

[rhoenix]

"Then you're in, as long as you're competent. He may hate your guts, that's neither here nor there." The asari paused to take a quick drink before continuing, "If he hates you, and he's honest with himself about it, he knows he hates you, and he won't let that get in the way. In fact, even if you'd be borderline on testing, there's a decent chance he'd fall in your favor simply out of suspicion that he wanted to wash you out because of your past, whatever it is."

She shrugged a touch during a pause, finishing off with, "That's how I read it, anyway. As long as you can cut it with the rest of us, you've got nothing to worry about if Vakarian stays honest, either under his own power or with Sheppard riding shotgun on him. Probably less, if Vakarian's actually honest with himself."

"We'll see," Sidonis replied again. "I'll have to get to that point first," he said before taking another bite of his food, chewing thoughtfully.

"You sing regrets as if they were colors all their own," the brood warrior interjected, in a calming mind-voice. "Truth-Singer will see all of what is there, even if we do not. Just enjoy the songs as they are sung."

Sidonis blinked. "I didn't expect to be told to just enjoy the journey by a rachni, let alone anyone else."

The brood warrior seemed to give the equivalent of a shrug. "I am not the only one who sings such songs. Others sing the same harmony."

"So... you're saying I should just quit worrying about it and just enjoy the time here, like I keep telling my son?" Sidonis said, looking at the rachni skeptically.

Sings-to-the-Stars looked back at him steadily. "Yes," the brood warrior replied.

"Huh," Sidonis said, looking thoughtful again.

[JD196]

"Huh," Sidonis said, looking thoughtful again.

"Your over thinking it Sidonis, just sit back work your ass off and live life as it comes. You start to realize things like that at around 200 years old or so."

[Sabre72]

"So... you're saying I should just quit worrying about it and just enjoy the time here, like I keep telling my son?" Sidonis said, looking at the rachni skeptically.

Sings-to-the-Stars looked back at him steadily. "Yes," the brood warrior replied.

"Huh," Sidonis said, looking thoughtful again.

Junko blinked, "I was just going to say that", Junko looked thoughtfully at Sidonis and added, "stop beating yourself up Sidonis, am sure karma will swing by your way in a good way, you just need to relax and take what you been offered by the horns.

Junko gave a little smile, then proceeded to use her spoon now to start eating the broth of her soup.

[Soleimon Berserker]

Glancing around at his suddenly crowded table, Sol'Amon was a bit surprised to see more than a few people he'd already seen, if not met sitting with him. Urdnot Tallos, the Krogan he'd been having a conversation with on the Normandy. Sings-To-The-Stars, the Rachni brood warrior he'd met before getting on the Normandy. The silent Turian, now revealed to be named Lantar Sidonis, as well as the Asari who'd been a bit to jumpy around the Geth or Stars, more than likely the Geth now that the Rachni was sitting at the table with them. As well as the Human girl, Junko Mori who'd stepped off her shuttle to call out to everyone in the vicinity that she, 'didn't wanna know what was going on.'

Chuckling under his breath at the last thought, the Quarian finally decided to enter the conversation, better to do so and get to know the others than just sitting around.

Nodding to the rest of the table in general, the biotic grinned beneath his helmet while he introduced himself, "Sol'Amon Nar Tolshek, no Vas."

Turning his attention over to Sidonis, Sol quietly dipped his head to the side in confusion, "Though I find the thought of someone like Shepard, or Vakarian for that matter, letting their past with someone get in the way of doing what's needed. If they did then Shepard never would have banded the Terminus Pirates and merc groups together to face the Reapers, regardless of whether she did have the Krogan watching them. Not to mention she's left Aria T'loak in charge of Omega so far. Working relationship and all that, supposed to be totally cut off from personal vendettas and such right?"

Glancing over at Stars, Tallos, Junko, and Iona, the Quarian shrugged his broad shoulders, "Besides, like i'm sure you've all noticed, things here are still in the planning stages, we're the first Spectre recruits since the Reaper War. I'm pretty sure some things still need to be ironed out so we have to look at some of these tests as actual battle."

[Sabre72]

Nodding to the rest of the table in general, the biotic grinned beneath his helmet while he introduced himself, "Sol'Amon Nar Tolshek, no Vas."

Glancing over at Stars, Tallos, Junko, and Iona, the Quarian shrugged his broad shoulders, "Besides, like i'm sure you've all noticed, things here are still in the planning stages, we're the first Spectre recruits since the Reaper War. I'm pretty sure some things still need to be ironed out so we have to look at some of these tests as actual battle."

Junko gave Sol a smile when he introducing himself, then Junko spoke, "Yes you do have a point Sol, this is the first time in history that Specters get recruited like this. So yes, everything must be new and untested, and since the old way never really had tests since you had to be already "bad ass" right?"

Junko explained her position and idea, "for example am a little young for a human with only being 21 right now, and am very surprised I am even here."

She then added, "which could mean the bar to be a Specter now, may be a little lower but not in a demeaning way. Since after the war, The specters cant afford to be picky can they?"

She gave Lantar a glance, "which may be another reason why you're here Lantar."

Junko paused to take a drink of her ice tea then went on, "Plus it seems Shepard is trying to make the Specters more like a unit like the N7 or any other special force, but a galactic version, instead of solo run and gun types."

[JD196]

"Probably why we were selected, I'm guessing we have all served with other species in battle before." Tallos looked around the table before nodding at Junko. "I think our combat skills are important but our ability to form a cohesive team regardless of race or experience is the main thing."

[Sabre72]

"Probably why we were selected, I'm guessing we have all served with other species in battle before." Tallos looked around the table before nodding at Junko. "I think our combat skills are important but our ability to form a cohesive team regardless of race or experience is the main thing."

Junko nods in agreement with Tallos, while she drinks the rest of the broth from her bowl directly, after she finishes she then speaks, "though I only had experience working with other races till the end of the war, you are right Tallos, they are looking for something other then just experience,

Junko pondered for a brief moment, "one reason I can think of right now about me being selected, was probably because I get along with others easily." Junko frowns then she continues, "I have only been around other races for about 2 years however, there probably are things I still dont know about them."

Junko ceased speaking, looking lost on why she too has been picked, she had a thought tied around her mind "Other then alliance having a heavy influence and interest for and in me"

Junko had her own reason why she wanted to be a Specter, and why she accepted, but would those be the same reasons Shepard and Garrus have, including the alliance?

[White Haven]

"I've...fought in the same vicinity as other species before," Iona began with a slight frown, "But it was mainly covering their retreat over and over again. I'll be honest, that's going to be the hardest part for me." She shrugged a touch at that, "Habits to break and so forth."

"A better question, of course..." the asari took a moment to down a swallow of the aforementioned Green Stuff and order her thoughts, "Is what we're going to be tasked with. Spectres were never all that numerous to begin with, and unless they're planning to wash ninety percent of us, they're planning more than just bringing STR up to its pre-war strength. That means new tasking."

"Goddess knows," she gave a dry, not-terribly-humorous smile, "The Traverse could use some covert policing with STR jurisdiction. And a number of other places that look a good deal more civilized. Ilium, for example. Are we going to be a floodlight to shine in dark corners? Or is there a new enemy that warrants a sudden influx of Spectres? Maybe more Reapers? Leftover Reaper tech in Batarian hands? There's got to be some sort of reason for Sheppard to want a shedload of fresh Spectres. Or I could be way off, and she's just making a power-play, putting her stamp on the organization, something like that."

A hand waved over in the vague direction of the docking bay, "Plus, she's still got the Normandy, which means overt rather than covert Alliance backing. Are we a new multinational strike team under Alliance direction and using Alliance troop transport?" With a slightly sheepish expression, she looked around the table at the smattering of humans, "No offense to the humans present, but I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea of one member nation controlling the Spectres. Sure, I trust Sheppard, who doesn't by now, but what about her successor?"

[Sabre72]

Sure, I trust Sheppard, who doesn't by now, but what about her successor?"

Junko frowned at Iona but then smiled, "I think she is not worrying about that issue right now, however I think she may plan to groom someone to fill her role someday, someone the galaxy can trust."

Junko shifted in her seat, "about the Normandy and the alliance control of Specters I doubt that, Shepard isn't one to be bullied, from what I remember she does more yelling at the alliance then they do to her."

Junko then concluded, "Plus haven't they painted the Normandy in Specter colors yet?"

[rhoenix]

"From what I know, the Turian military has been working with the Normandy-class design just as much as the Alliance has," Sidonis said between bites of his dinner. "Since the Turian Military and the human Alliance are pretty much the biggest forces in the galaxy right now, and they've both been overtly supporting the Spectres in general, and what Shepard has done with the group specifically... I think that she's cultivating military backing from all militaries capable of support."

The rachni looked at him for a moment. "You sing that... Truth-Singer is cultivating harmonies with all militaries she works with? Do you think she does the same with the STG?"

Sidonis nodded. "Definitely. Probably the geth, krogan, rachni, quarian, elcor, volus, and even asari military forces too, as small as they might be."

[White Haven]

Iona couldn't quite help repeating one of the oldest jokes still in active circulation in the multinational community, "The Asari military -- now with a platoon!"

[rhoenix]

Iona couldn't quite help repeating one of the oldest jokes still in active circulation in the multinational community, "The Asari military -- now with a platoon!"

"Before the Reaper War, their military was impressive," Sidonis said with a small smile. "The Destiny Ascention is still around, but the asari just don't have the infrastructure to crank out ships like the turians or humans can."

[Agent Fisher]

He collected his tray, the smells of good Dextro food wafting up to him, almost making his mouth water. Maraka glanced around, seeing the two full tables of Turian Military. He passed by, looking for a spot and smirked as the conversations grew hushed. Occasionally it was nice to have the reputation as a Spiritless mind reader. He spotted the table with Sidonis and a few others at it. Not wanting to start a table on his own, he made his way over, settling himself near the end.

He looked over, nodding in greeting to Sidonis and the others already seated, before his focus shifted to his food and the consumption of it.

[Soleimon Berserker]

Removing the nutrient paste canister from the front of his suit, Sol quickly swallowed the meal without really worrying about the taste. It was supposed to be a Turian fruit, the caprificus, but he wouldn't know if it tasted right unless he either tasted one himself or was mentally connected with someone while they did so. Running his hand over his bright green hood, the Quarian's golden eyes rolled before he spoke, easily showing this was a conversation he'd had with someone often.

"While the Alliance and Turian military may provide some backing, financial or otherwise, it's more than likely just a political ploy to show their support. Besides, technically the Normandy was destroyed when Shepard died the first time right? The vessel she uses now would technically belong to Cerberus....and we all know what happened to them."

Shrugging, the black and green clad biotic leaned an elbow forward on the table, resting his chin on the palm of his hand. "I never did understand how the Alliance got her to let them do more than a cursory inspection of her ship's systems. To allow them to say that the Alliance still owned the Normandy was a bunch of s'kak."

[White Haven]

"Hmm...well, if we can get enough paint and a distraction, it wouldn't take much for 'SR2' to become 'STR2' and settle the debate once and for all." Iona flashed an impish grin, transforming her for a moment from serious, speculative commando to something much brighter and sunnier, "And I'm sure we could get one of the Geth candidates to do the same for her official registry."

[rhoenix]

"Hmm...well, if we can get enough paint and a distraction, it wouldn't take much for 'SR2' to become 'STR2' and settle the debate once and for all." Iona flashed an impish grin, transforming her for a moment from serious, speculative commando to something much brighter and sunnier, "And I'm sure we could get one of the Geth candidates to do the same for her official registry."

"It wouldn't be too difficult," Sidonis said thoughtfully, "but I'd hesitate to think of what would happen if you got caught."

[Soleimon Berserker]

Grinning beneath his helmet the Quarian held up a single finger, "Well if we make Spectre and then do it they couldn't really do anything about it could they? In spirit and common sense it's already hers, being above the law just means we'd be making it official."

Laughing at his own logic, the Quarian casually drew the knife he normally kept strapped to the small of his back, while continuing to speak he began deftly spinning the blade around and between his fingers. The process was actually something he did to help his concentration, normally he'd be using his biotics to move the blade between his hands as well but he'd quickly decided to keep that little aspect of himself on the down low, just one more thing to make him a surprise during the trials.

"So, I just had a little idea. All of us here seem to mesh together pretty well, and seeing as the rest of the candidates here have already found their little cliques to hang out with would you all like to try working together during the trials? If possible I mean of course, there are a few others who seem open to working together but I thought I should put the idea on the table."

To emphasize his point he used two fingers to tap the tabletop lightly, though it was just simple theatrics, a skill that being an assassin bred into his personality.

[Cynical Cat]

Mikhail entered the mess quietly, loaded a medium sized plate up with linguini alfredo and took a bowl of salad that was a lettuce, peppers, olives, celery, and carrots to a spot at the corner of the room. He could, not coincidentally, observe the whole room from his position. He slowly began to eat.

[Sabre72]

Grinning beneath his helmet the Quarian held up a single finger, "Well if we make Spectre and then do it they couldn't really do anything about it could they? In spirit and common sense it's already hers, being above the law just means we'd be making it official."

Laughing at his own logic, the Quarian casually drew the knife he normally kept strapped to the small of his back, while continuing to speak he began deftly spinning the blade around and between his fingers. The process was actually something he did to help his concentration, normally he'd be using his biotics to move the blade between his hands as well but he'd quickly decided to keep that little aspect of himself on the down low, just one more thing to make him a surprise during the trials.

"So, I just had a little idea. All of us here seem to mesh together pretty well, and seeing as the rest of the candidates here have already found their little cliques to hang out with would you all like to try working together during the trials? If possible I mean of course, there are a few others who seem open to working together but I thought I should put the idea on the table."

To emphasize his point he used two fingers to tap the tabletop lightly, though it was just simple theatrics, a skill that being an assassin bred into his personality.

Junko has a somewhat of a joyful smirk on her face, one that she can hardly contain, however she speaks, "I agree, my reason is simple, most of the other nominees may just work with their own race and or another." Junko rests her hands together in front of her clasped, "from what I see at this table we are pretty diverse, so ya I support sols idea that we should work together."

Junko lifts one eyebrow, "If one of the main reasons is to work with anyone regardless of race we should get brownie points for showing initiative."

Junko shifts her body and mood that it almost seems like flirting, with a firm but soft voice she speaks to Sol, "hey, how well can you use that thing?" gesturing to the knife.

[Soleimon Berserker]

Glancing at the Human girl to his side, Sol's fingers continued to flip the knife through maneuvers, each more complex than the last though his eyes stayed on whomever were speaking. Shrugging his shoulders, the Quarian's tone remained genial, if not mischievous, "Oh enough to get me by, a growing boy needs to know how to handle himself where I come from."

Over the years he'd realized he was larger than most Quarian males double his age, a fact the Tuila was quick to point out, though she'd guessed that it had something to do with him using his biotics to enhance his musculature over the years. Just another fact that he kept to himself, the fact that he was more than likely four years younger than the youngest person in the rest of the room, minus possibly a Turian or two.

[rhoenix]

Mikhail entered the mess quietly, loaded a medium sized plate up with linguini alfredo and took a bowl of salad that was a lettuce, peppers, olives, celery, and carrots to a spot at the corner of the room. He could, not coincidentally, observe the whole room from his position. He slowly began to eat.

The rachni brood warrior hailed Jager from across the room, though from the lack of many surprised people turning to look, it seemed evident that the brood warrior hadn't done so to more people than the people he was sitting next to, plus Jager. "Mikhail Jager! Come join our song, we sing collusion and collaboration-songs!"

[frigidmagi]

Lysander entered the crowded mess hall and grabbed a tray. Looking for an empty space, he found himself at a table next to the Krogans.

Hell if he would be scared of a bunch of jumped up frogs when he had fought the reapers. He sat down at the empty table and started eating.

[rhoenix]

Lysander entered the crowded mess hall and grabbed a tray. Looking for an empty space, he found himself at a table next to the Krogans.

Hell if he would be scared of a bunch of jumped up frogs when he had fought the reapers. He sat down at the empty table and started eating.

Corporal Lysander heard the rachni brood warrior's mind-song as he sat down, though from the lack of reactions from the krogan, aside from the usual at having a human sit at their table, they didn't appear to notice. "I sing greetings-song, Coporal Lysander! Come to this table and join us, we sing collaboration-songs!"

The krogans looked at him interestedly, a few just chuckling roughly before going back to their food. One of them, the one he was closest to, looked at Lysander up and down before speaking in a deep, rough voice. "You got a quad to sit here, human. What's your name and specialty?"

[White Haven]

Turning her head to follow the telepathic 'call,' Iona caught sight of the lone human sitting amongst a gaggle of Krogans. Her lips twisted into a smile at the sight, her voice pitched low enough that only the table's occupants could hear, "You know, the Krogan words for 'bar fight' and 'war' are the same thing?"