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Mass Effect is owned by Bioware.

First Infection

Arcturus Stream, Refueling station, Docking Bay B13

2183 C.E.

Nihlus Kyrik is a Spectre, has been for many years. As such, he has seen many a strange and unusual things in the galaxy in his pursuit of peace. One might even say, that after a while, it becomes near impossible to surprise a Spectre.

Nihlus knows this to be completely wrong, even laughable he would say if anyone asked him about such a thing.

In fact, the opposite is true. Spectres can be surprised just like anyone else in the galaxy, and coupled with the exploits that Spectres are mostly known for, it becomes quite clear that they find themselves in situations that leaves them surprised more often than any other demographic in the galaxy.

But, they wouldn't be considered one of the most professional and elite group in the Citadel's arsenal if their agents were always seen with their jaws hanging open in bewilderment whenever something unusual happened. So all operatives eventually learn how to save face and keep a level head in any type of situation, no matter how surprising it is, which, of course, is exactly why so many people see them as someone who can't be surprised.

"What, in the Spirits' names, am I looking at?"

With confusion in his voice and mandibles hanging slack, Nihlus was currently failing spectacularly at the skill that he had honed over the years as a seemingly unsurprised Spectre.

Situated atop a balcony that overlooked the entirety of the station's docking bay, Nihlus leaned forward against the railing and eyed a particular starship out of the dozen-or-so that were docked. The words branded on the ship's hull catching his attention first.

The CSV Normandy.

The starship that was built by both the Citadel and Collective government, and was going to spearhead the peace project between the two governments.

It was designed in shape similar to his people's bird-like starships, but whereas the turians' ships would be angular with straight outlines, this starship was much more sleek and curved in appearance. Its four massive engines were situated atop of the craft's two angled wings, practically overshadowing the wings near completely, and its hull was painted a steel gray and a dark naval blue. All-in-all, besides some external minor differences, there was nothing particularly surprising about the ship's appearance to warrant Nihlus's shocked expression.

Except for the fact that Nihlus had seen the ship before years ago when it was still being built.

…and he remembered it being much smaller.

Now, it was practically three times the size of what he had seen all those years ago.

"That, Spectre," a voice answered behind him, "is my ship."

Nihlus slowly twisted around to face the owner of the voice before responding with, "Captain Shepard, I presume?"

A smile, "In the flesh."

SYMPTOMS

The first chapter to the sequel of the Mass Effect/ Left 4 Dead fanfic story: First Infection, is now posted.