I heard the faint blip at my communication terminal, telling me I had received a message. I looked at my wristwatch, 2315, only the Illusive Man would send me a message this late. I swung my legs out of my bunk with a soft groan, I’d only been asleep for about an hour. I ignored my terminal in favor of my personal shower. I had just gotten home from assignment and I’m sure there was a new one waiting so I was going to take a hot shower before reporting in.

I turned the water on to a temperature almost too hot to stand, it helped my aching muscles. I had been out in the colonies collecting “recruits” for Cerberus. It certainly wasn’t the worst thing I had ever done, before Cerberus I had been a mercenary with no purpose. At least now I served to protect humanity and Earth. I let the water cascade down my long chestnut brown hair, rinsing out my vanilla scented shampoo and conditioner. I turned the water off once it became cold, grabbing a black towel from my counter and quickly drying off. It would be best to not keep the Illusive Man waiting too long. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail to keep it out of my sea green eyes. My fingers lingered over a small scar under my right eye, I hated that scar. I turned my attention back to my closet, quickly pulling on my white and black Cerberus shirt and matching pants with my black combat boots.

The message at my terminal was in fact from the Illusive Man. I smirked when I read that he told me to come see him in his office after my shower, he knew me so well. I briskly marched to his office, letting my hand rest on the scanner to open the door. I was one of the few people with access directly to his office, thanks to my position as part of Cerberus Special Forces Squad.

“You wanted to see me, Sir?” I stood at attention, waiting for his response.

The Illusive Man was sitting in his chair, and per his usual was smoking a cigarette. He took a drag before answering me, “You’ve done good work, Tahra. I know you were looking forward to some R&R but I have another mission for you.”

“I’ll get R&R when I’m dead,” I said as I dropped to parade rest.

The Illusive Man continued on as though I had never spoken, “Geth have been spotted outside the veil. I’d like for you to find out why they left the veil and what they’re doing. Make sure they don’t post a threat to humanity.”

“Understood,” I said, turning to leave when the Illusive Man spoke again.

“You won’t be alone on this one, I’m having Operative Decasta accompany you. She should be here shortly.”

“I work alone,” I said as my jaw clenched, I didn’t like working with others. Especially because most of Cerberus was scared shitless of me since I wasn’t the most personable of people.

“Not anymore you don’t,” the Illusive Man’s tone made it clear that this was not optional. “She has expertise that you do not. You can’t always shoot your way through every situation.”

I held my tongue, it was not the time to argue. Instead I was mentally making a checklist of things I wanted to pack for this mission. I had run out of medi-gel on my last mission and did not want to repeat that mistake again.

It had been a long trip back from the Citadel. Erin laid on her bunk as she skimmed the contents of the updated galaxy news. She glanced over at the clock. It was 2310. Her hair was still drying from her quick shower, which she enjoyed. Unlike her other comrade's operating environment, hers afforded certain luxuries that made even the most distinguished of diplomats look upon in envy. Based on what was asked of her, she could assume the persona of a prominent drug lord, weapons dealer, or even a 'relieving' a position with a government if needed. The thrill was unmatched. She could pretend to be someone else, slowly burying who she really was under all the lies.

Her most recent assignment was aboard the Citadel. It was a simple information gathering then removal of the target type of deal. A grin formed on her lips as she read the headline news:

A little after noon, C-Sec officers discovered the body of diplomat Aerielus Vectren when Vectren's secretary reported that he was missing. The turian diplomat was found dead in his apartment. Information concerning the death is still on-going, but C-Sec officials have reported that no leads have been found.

Vectren being a huge anti-human advocate no do--

Erin laughed as she tossed the tablet on her bedside table. Of course there wouldn't be any leads. Unlike the black ops units in regular militaries, Cerberus spared no expense when it sought to create the perfect operatives, each formidable and specialized in their own trades. For her, she belonged to the infiltration corps. Wherever the Illusive Man needed eyes and ears in the flesh or 'removing' someone hampering humanity's progress, her branch was sent forth. She was trained to be thorough in these sensitive assignments.

Breathing deep, Erin got up just as her communication terminal pinged. An eyebrow arched. It was 2315, and there was only one person who would send a message at this hour. She walked over quickly. Opening the file, she quickly scanned the contents. She'd barely been back a day, and she could only guess the message was another assignment.

Shutting and locking down her terminal, she made to her wardrobe and pulled out a Cerberus casual. It had the typical colors, but the emblem was slightly altered. The mark of the Specials was a fainted imprinted wolf-like creature. Securing her belt, and tying the strings on her combat boots, erin attached her omni-tool and quickly made her way towards the door. It was unwise to keep the Illusive Man waiting. He was, after all, a very busy man.

---

Briskly walking through the hallways while offering pleasantries to whomever she passed, Erin walked passed a pair of hidden gun emplacements that were built around the entrance to the boss's door. She came to a halt as she placed her hand on the scanner. Several seconds later, the door opened.

Erin studied the other person in the room. The same uniform and mark were engraved onto her emblem. She was a special. Bringing her attention forward, she stood at attention. She couldn't help but marvel at the view of the burning star right behind the Illusive Man. It was ... breathtaking to say the least.

"Operative Decasta reporting as requested."

The Illusive Man looked up from one of his holoscreens as his illuminated eyes moved over the two. "Impressive work with the Turian," he said. "It's been confirmed that C-Sec has no leads."

"Thank you, sir."

"I have another assignment for you," he said. The Illusive Man typed something on his screen as Erin heard a ping from her omnitool. A matching sound came from the other operative's as well. "Unlike your past assignments, this directive requires two operatives. Namely, Decasta, you will be paired with Operative Iles. There have been some disturbing rumors circulating from various informants. How familiar are you two with the Geth?"

"Very," Decasta said.

She stood relaxed as the Illusive Man looked over to Operative Iles. "Operative Iles?"

(Double Post)

(Another double post. Sorry!)

"Operative Decasta reporting as requested."

Tahra looked over at the woman who had entered the room, studying her carefully. She knew of Decasta but had never worked with or spoken to the woman before. She was barely shorter than Tahra but it still have Tahra a small amount of pleasure to be taller than the woman. In her experience it was the taller person who ended up setting the terms of a relationship and she preferred to keep people at a distance so the added intimidation of her height might be helpful. Decasta was smaller than Tahra as well, not weak but definitely smaller. She had to be capable if she were in the Specials Unit so Tahra was instantly wary of her.

"Operative Iles?" The Illusive Man was asking her about how familiar she was with the Geth.

“Familiar enough to know where to shoot them,” Tahra said curtly.

“I expect you two to work together,” the Illusive Man was boring holes into Tahra with his eye, she simply nodded her head in understanding.

“See what clues you can gather from the edges of the Veil,” the Illusive Man continued. “You have, as always, all of Cerberus’ resources at your disposal.”

It was evident that this was their dismissal so Tahra turned on her heel and briskly marched out of his office. She keyed something into her omni-tool as she headed in the direction of the armory instead of back to her living quarters.

“Operative Decasta,” Tahra didn’t bother to look up at the woman. “We’ll be leaving for the veil at 0500, I’ll meet you in Docking Bay 4. If you arrive at 0501 I will have left without you, have I made myself clear?”

Tahra didn’t wait for a response instead she continued on her way to the armory. She nodded briefly at the Requisitions Officer who let her pass without signing in. She grabbed a small black duffel and started filling it with ammunitions and weaponry.

Back at her own quarters she packed everything she thought she might need into a small footlocker and took the opportunity to sleep. She woke at 0430 and swiftly dawned her personal combat armor. Cerberus provided every operative with a standard issue armor. That was the problem, it was standard issue and therefore not the best item available. Tahra instead favored heavy armor that also allowed her to move swiftly since it was form fitting, a glossy gunmetal gray color with dark blue lights and accents. She left her helmet in her footlocker and headed to the Docking Bay. Her things were loaded safely onto the shuttle and now Tahra had to wait, it was only a few minutes to 0500. She leaned lazily against the shuttle doors, wondering what the Illusive Man had been thinking when he decided to partner her with someone.

*sigh* No idea what happened

*sigh* No idea what happened

*sigh* No idea what happened

*sigh* No idea what happened

Taking her cue to leave, she turned on her heels and followed operative Iles out. When they were passed the door, the brunette without looking at her began to talk.

“Operative Decasta. We’ll be leaving for the veil at 0500, I’ll meet you in Docking Bay 4. If you arrive at 0501 I will have left without you, have I made myself clear?"

Without giving her any courtesy of responding, Erin watched her partner storm off. She sighed to herself. They were not official paired for more than fifteen minutes, and Erin was already starting to take a very strong dislike towards the woman. She wondered why in all that was good and holy she'd be stuck with someone like this. Surely the Illusive Man could have done and an affinity pairing. Perhaps pre-select another that had years of practice working together already. She knew almost nothing about her partner, and she honestly preferred working alone or with a small non-obtrusive support group.

Even with all of her frustration, the Illusive Man never made a hasty call. Perhaps she had missed something that he did not. Checking the time on her omnitool, there was still time to see to her preparations and catch a wink of sleep. She strode through the compound and back to her room. There was some freedom that she possessed as a special. One of those was keeping her things in her quarters, for she barely had time to unpack when she arrived. She came to her room's scanner. She walked in.

"Well it could be worse," she said as she opened her arms locker. She took out a light weight glossy black armor with matte grey decal on the sides. Light weight plates aligned the chest, abdominal, and upper leg areas. She quickly changed into it. Snapping the last few clasps together, everything felt in place as if it were a second skin. Much of her time was spent in civilian clothing that it felt ... weird and exciting to be back in combat gear. This gear and her had seen some rough times in the past. She opened the cases that contained her weapons. She checked them. Everything was in order. "Can't be worse than the Krogan from the Ursus. Drug rings. Christ."

Taking the armor off and storing her firearms, Erin glanced at her bedside clock. She smirked. Shower's done. Everything's ready. Sleep.

---

It was 0454. Erin was changed into her combat armor as her things - only the bare necessities and her weapons and ammo - hung over her left shoulder. Operative Iles stood near the shuttle doors. Punctuality was something she could appreciate. Hopefully their second encounter would be less hostile.

"Morning Operative Iles," she said. "Ready to go?"

((I know the SSV Yorktown is an Alliance Vessel but I couldn’t think of a name that fit and wasn’t already taken))

Tahra’s omni-tool blipped, letting her know she had a message. She quickly pulled it up, it was from the Illusive Man and she would rather read her messages from him without Operative Decasta around. She quickly scanned the message before deleting it.

Tahra,
I assigned you and Operative Erin Decasta to work together for a reason. I heard about what happened once you two left my office yesterday, I was less than pleased. You two are my best operatives and I believe you have a lot that you can learn from each other. I expect you to make more of an effort. I know you and Decasta will find out what the Geth are doing. I expect a report, daily, from the both of you.

-Illusive Man

Tahra reflected on her interactions with Decasta thus far and agreed, she had been quite rude. Then again, her personality was the reason that she was often assigned to take care of things herself, that and she was more than capable by herself. The Illusive Man must have seen something that would require the two women to work together.

“Morning Operative Iles," Decasta said. "Ready to go?" She was dressed in her armor just like Tahra was and her gear was slung over her left shoulder.

“Good Morning Decasta,” Tahra decided to drop the title of Operative off…it often got tedious. “Let’s find us some Geth.”

Tahra lead the way into the small shuttle, taking the helm at the controls. They were going to be taking the shuttle from Cronos Station to their ship, the SSV Yorktown. This would be Yorktown’s maiden voyage and Tahra was secretly excited to be taking command of the newest Cerberus vessel even if she was sharing command with someone she didn’t know.

As Tahra set a course for Yorktown she said, “Decasta, I think we might have gotten off on the wrong foot yesterday. I admit that it’s entirely my fault, I’m not used to working with a partner. I just wanted to apologize for being rude.”

---

The SSV Yorktown came into view and Tahra inhaled sharply. She always felt more at home in space than she did on Earth or any of her colonies. She grew restless if she stayed in any one place too long which had served her well in Cerberus, a lot of Operatives had families they wanted to stay with. If this assignment went well there was a good chance that Tahra (and possibly Decasta depending on what she wanted) would be assigned to the Yorktown as her permanent Commanders.

“She’s beautiful,” Tahra said aloud, to no one in particular.

Once they’d docked with the Yorktown the two women were lead to the uppermost deck of the Yorktown, the commander’s quarters. Tahra sighed with relief when she realized there were in fact two rooms.

“It was meant for the Commander and the XO, but seeing as there are two commanders we have relocated the XO to the Crew Quarters,” Yorktown’s yeoman explained.

Tahra took her gear and took the XO’s room, leaving the larger commander’s room for Decasta to have. She knocked on Decasta's door before walking in. "Ready to head for the Veil? No idea what we'll find but we have to start somewhere."

Erin followed her partner into the shuttle as she took the seat almost directly behind the helms. An update had come in earlier this morning that they were given a brand new ship. The SSV Yorktown. The message had read that the two were suppose to command in tandem. Erin had no problem giving the bulk of that command to Iles. She seemed capable, if her rough exterior reflected her experience which wasn't always the case. Just give her the intelligence and espionage, and Erin would be content with just that. There was always things to do, and her world was hardly boring.

It wasn't until the shuttle took off that her partner finally said a word. She blinked as a wry smile crossed her lips. "Trust me when I say this," she said. "I've run into far ruder people than you. Lets just forget yesterday and focus on the mission, alright? Oh, and apology accepted."

---

The ship was beautiful. Erin stared at the SSV Yorktown as they came to dock. While it had the build of a stealth ship, the exterior had been outfitted akin to that of an Alliance dreadnought. Visual impression only of course. She had yet to read up on the beast though she doubt she'd understand the jargon more suited to an engineer.

They were lead to the commander's quarters when they stepped aboard. Erin noticed the partition separating her side of the room from Iles'. She had no problem with that and preferred it. Ever since the weapon's run on Torfan - when it was populated and not invaded by slavers - letting people into her quarters was a huge red flag. She'd probably kill them instead if they didn't have a legitimate reason to come by.

Erin was surprised when Iles took the smaller room. She supposed her hunches could be wrong at times. She nodded her thanks to the yeoman as she stepped in and got settled. It wasn't long before she heard a knock at her door and Iles walked in. "It's either that or sitting her bored. Lets get to it then, shall we?"