Aster looked in the mirror, not recognizing herself. Mirithea had made some temporary modifications to her eye color, voice, hair, lips, and cheekbones; just enough to make sure anyone who knew her wouldn't recognize her and blow her cover. Aster had to hand it to her; Mirithea knew what she was doing.
30 minutes before the ship taking them to Juxhi was going to depart, the pair of them made their way to the docking station. Mirithea had already sent their bags ahead; obviously, it was something Ms. Ka'li would have done to help out the doctor.
Aster assumed her role as Dr. Laura Lang as they approached, and a turian led them inside the ship. She ignored the look he gave her.
"Doctor," the turian said. "Please wait here. I'll inform the Captain you're on board."
"Thank you," Aster said, trying out her new voice. It sounded very silky and feminine.
A few minutes went by before the turian came back with two different turians; one was shorter than the other but had a reddish tint to its plates and white face markings. The other, well, let's just say Aster knew from the blue markings who it was. He needed no introduction.
"Dr. Lang," the red turian said in greeting. "I am Captain Kryik. This is Commander Vakarian."
"Nice to meet you," Aster replied, smiling. "I can't thank you enough for taking me to the Academy."
Aster did her best to ignore Garrus. He, too, was giving her an odd look.
He can't recognize me, can he?
The turian who greeted them showed Aster and Mirithea to their room. Their bags were already waiting for them inside.
"I had my reservations about taking a turian cruiser," Mirithea whispered, putting away her things. "But these rooms are nice and spacious. I'm loving the extra space."
"I didn't want to take the cruiser to Juxhi," Aster agreed, softly. "I'm trying to blend in, not stand out."
Aster took out a few things from her bag and put them in the drawer. Dr. Lang wouldn't be living out of her bag.
"Councilor Sparatus wouldn't take no for an answer," Mirithea answered. "It was the cruiser, or we wouldn't be allowed to leave."
"Splendid," Aster said, annoyed. "Maybe I might convince the Captain to let us take a shuttle before we land."
"I doubt he would let us," Mirithea said. "All turians hold Councilor Sparatus in the highest regard. They wouldn't care to disappoint him."
"I guess not," Aster mumbled, taking a seat and taking off her heels. "This is supposed to be a covert mission. We both know that there are still humans who don't like turians or any aliens for that matter."
Before Mirithea could reply, there was a knock on the door interrupting them. Both of them shared a look before Mirithea stood to open the door; it was the turian from earlier, the one who showed them to their room.
"Can I help you?" Mirithea asked politely.
"Yes," the turian replied. "The Captain has requested Dr. Lang's presence in the Command Center."
"I will let her know," Mirithea replied, letting the door close.
"Most likely some sort of introduction and the 'I run this mission' speech," Aster mumbled, putting on her heels again.
"Turians are known for speeches," Mirithea replied, chuckling softly.
Aster grunted in response and headed out of the room to the Command Center. She got a few looks on her way, but no one spoke to her. The Command Center's door swooshed open, letting her enter; it was empty except for the Captain and Garrus.
Dr. Lang waited a bit to be noticed, but they were too focused on whatever was on the screen. Shaking her head at the lack of situational awareness, Dr. Lang made her way quietly over and stood next to Garrus, who was the tallest turian of the two. She stood there patiently waiting.
"Are those the projected landing for Juxhi?" Dr. Lang asked, also taking an interest in the screen. "I would suggest landing on the other side of the planet and taking a shuttle from there. This is supposed to be a covert mission."
The two turians quickly straightened up and turned their attention to her. They were clearly surprised to see her standing so close to them.
Dr. Lang stared at them and smiled, "Am I interrupting something?"
They were speechless. Their mandibles were wide open.
"When-" the turian with reddish plates began to say.
"Oh, I haven't been here long," she replied, smiling again. "I did knock, but I let myself in."
"I guess that's why they are sending in an infiltrator to do this job," the red-tinted turian said.
"I can't say that I am," Dr. Lang replied smartly. "But I do know how to blend in."
The red turian grunted and walked away from the screen. Garrus cleared his throat and went to take a seat. Dr. Lang followed the captain and waited for him to speak.
"I am Captain Nihlus Kryik, a Spectre," the turian said, introducing himself. "Behind you is Commander Garrus Vakarian, also a Spectre. But something tells me that you already know him."
Dr. Lang frowned. She didn't like what he was insinuating.
"Care to elaborate, Captain?" Dr. Lang challenged. "Why would I know someone in the Turian fleet?"
Nihlus clearly looked embarrassed.
"My apologies," he said. "I didn't mean to say anything out of line. It's just that you carry a familiar turian smell on you."
"Are you sure it wasn't because I was standing too close?" Dr. Lang asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"It's possible," Garrus agreed.
Aster fought the urge to turn around and gape. If she had known Garrus was a Vakarian, a Commander, and a Spectre, she might have thought twice about speaking to him. It was a known fact that Aster wasn't too fond of Spectres.
I can't believe I didn't question his identity at the restaurant. I must have been too preoccupied with Anderson and Dr. Chakwas.
"We will be monitoring your progress through your mission," Nihlus continued, leaning against one of the stations. "We have placed several sleepers in the Academy to ensure your safety. The flow of information between the Command Center and you will be made through the sleepers."
"How often are the communications between us?" Dr. Lang asked, also leaning against one of the nearby stations.
"Every few weeks," the Captain replied. "Or as much as possible without detection. We will equip you with video cameras for surveillance. That way we can see and hear what you do."
"Have you taken into consideration the possibility that those surveillance devices may not work due to possible interference?" she asked, trying to get a feel for the Captain's capabilities.
"We have some long-range equipment that will help with any interference," Commander Vakarian said, finally speaking up. "The program loaded in the device will automatically filter out any known interference."
"Let's hope it works," Dr. Lang replied, not feeling too confident about their surveillance equipment. "Only time will tell."
Aster made it a habit to never trust anyone else when she was going into an unknown mission area. It was her way of making sure she took responsibility for her actions during the mission. The whole idea of hidden sleepers and long-range equipment that may or may not work wasn't sitting too well with her.
"I'll get us ready to depart," Nihlus said, taking his leave.
Dr. Lang was about to leave when Garrus finally spoke up.
"I've read your file," He stated, standing up from his seat. "You're supposed to be the best infiltrator the Council has at their disposal."
Dr. Lang didn't reply, choosing to stay silent.
"Do you know what I find odd?" he asked, staring at her.
Again, she didn't reply. Dr. Lang got the feeling he was about to tell her.
"Your profile doesn't mention your real name."
"Is it supposed to?" Dr. Lang asked. "This is a covert mission. Why should anyone besides the Council know what my real identity is?"
"No one needs to know," Garrus muttered, walking closer to her.
Dr. Lang kept still as he approached.
What is he up to?
Garrus stood before her and leaned down to take a deep breath.
"You smell like my women," he whispered.
"Your women," Dr. Lang echoed. "I think you're mistaken."
Garrus chuckled and took another deep breath.
"No," he replied softly. "I'm not. You carry my scent in you, and I only left it with one person."
Damn, is he serious right now!
Dr. Lang smiled but didn't reply.
"I suggest you keep your delusions to yourself," she whispered back, placing her hand on Garrus's chest and pushing him back.
"I'll see you later," Garrus said, watching Dr. Land leave the Command center.
Aster was fuming as she walked back to her room. She had made one request from the Council before she accepted their offer to work for them: keep her name out of records and change her appearance during every infiltration mission. So far, they had kept their word.
But now, the covert mission was about to be blown because Garrus recognized her! How was she supposed to know that she would still carry Garrus's scent days after their sexual encounter?
Should we abort the mission? Aster thought, weaving through the turians walking by. What if there are other aliens at the Academy that can tell she carried a turian scent?
There are too many variables... I don't like this..
Mirithea was nowhere to be seen when she arrived; most likely, she was out making friends. Hoping for no more interruptions, Aster took off her heels and grabbed a change of clothes. She was ready to get out of her dress and wear something comfortable. As she settled down and grabbed the notes of Councilor Valern, there was a knock on the door.
Now what?
Aster gave a heavy sigh and went to get the door.
"Commander Vakarian," Dr. Lang greeted, surprised. "Did the Captain want to see me?"
What does he want now?
"I- No," he replied, rubbing his neck. "I was going to see if you were going to eat anything. The mess hall is open, and I saw your assistant eating with the crew."
"Your chef has levo food?" Dr. Lang asked curiously. "I didn't think a Turian battle cruiser would carry anything but dexo ingredients."
"Well, I didn't stay long enough to notice if she managed to grab anything to eat," he replied, a bit embarrassed. "I'm sure the Captain must have made preparations."
"That's kind of you," Dr. Lang said, smiling. "I think I packed some levo snacks to hold me over until we arrive."
"I may have also packed some levo food by accident," Garrus said, looking embarrassed again. "You're more than welcome to go through it and grab what you want."
"Oh, no," Dr. Lang replied. "I don't want to be a bother. I'm sure you bought the levo food for a reason."
"It's not a bother," Garrus answered quickly. "I got levo snacks for a friend."
"Thank you, Commander. I appreciate your willingness to share."
"I'll stop by later and bring you what I have," Garrus replied, rather happily. "Don't want to raise suspicion."
"Of course not," Dr. Lang said. "See you later then."
Dr. Lang waved goodbye before closing the door.
So you're going to pretend you don't know me in front of the crew, but act like we have a close relationship when we're alone? You're one confusing turian.
Aster shook her head and lay down to rest.