Running Partners (Min Min)

[Jason Rivers]

Since being recruited to the SR-1 Normandy, Sergeant Jason Rivers started running laps around The Presidium. The time for walks had ended. He had been selected for some reason or other to be put on a newly-built vessel, so he had to get himself back in shape. While he ran, he wondered who the commanding officer would be. He found it strange that the council were assembling the body first and not the head. Then again, politicians had never made much sense to him. Whatever they wanted from him, he wasn't doing it for them, he was doing it for The Alliance Navy and aliens alike. To bring them together under a united banner.

Rana, much to his surprise, had also been recruited as the Normandy's Chief Medical Officer. He hadn't doubted the possible healing skills she might've had, but he certainly hadn't been prepared for the news. At least he could still look after her on the ship if she ever needed him. He smiled. She was a sweet girl and deserved the best of what the galaxy had to offer.

As Jason rounded a corner, he was unaware of how much of a huge corner he was about to turn in his life.

[Minque]

Saliya Alerei

Saliya's investigation had come to a halt. She knew there was information here on the Citadel that would take her to the next step but every time she got close to finding it, something would happen to make it slip through her grasp. It was like someone from the shadows was trying to make sure she didn't succeed. It irked her. Was it the Shadow Broker? Eclipse? The goddess herself? She didn't know but Saliya was unused to failure and she could already see it looming on the horizon the longer the information she needed eluded her.

There was also the fact that she'd been told to stay on the Citadel when she contacted command with the suggestion that she look elsewhere. Their explanation of her sticking around because of the best lead was on the Citadel was flimsy at best. The best information might be on the Citadel but Saliya knew that gathering a bunch of other information, while more difficult, would often yield the same result. Nonetheless, she was an obedient soldier and she stayed where command wanted her to. They were obviously planning something far beyond her little mission.

Even though she wasn't paying attention, years of training meant her senses were always on alert. Considering both of their momentum's, there was almost nothing that could have stopped her from bumping into each other as they both rounded the corner. The only thing stopping her from falling on her ass into an ungraceful heap was that her hearing had alerted her to someone pounding along the floor around the corner and already braced her body to jump back. She couldn't help the blue flare of biotics that swirled across her skin at the collision with another body. She'd spent so much of her time in seedy bars gathering information lately that she was used to getting into a fight when someone bumped into her. It was annoying considering that usually devolved into an all-out brawl in said bar that she'd have to extract herself from. She had no want to fight drunken idiots.

She looked at the man and the biotics disappeared. He was not some drunken man but simply someone else out for a morning run. She flashed him an easy grin.

"Sorry, I was lost in my own little world," she said, breathing heavy from her running.

[Jason Rivers]

Despite being an experienced Alliance Sergeant, Jason couldn't have forseen what was about to happen. The split-second he had rounded that corner, he had run into someone and all was a blur momentarily, a flare of biotics lighting up his vision. Jason was prepared to defend himself as there was a holstered Predator on his hip, but as he took a couple steps back to assess the situation, he realized the asari wasn't hostile, just startled like he was.

It was a moment before she finally spoke and when she did, The Sergeant nodded with a smile. "I think we're all guilty of that," he replied, trying to catch his breath. At first glance, the asari didn't look military as she was adorned in work out gear but appearances could often be deceiving, so he decided to assume nothing and take it from there.

Jason looked behind him before bringing his gaze back to the asari. "It would appear we're at a crossroads," he added. "How do you want to handle the situation?" It could be handled a number of different ways, but he ultimately left the choice up to her, placing his hands on his hips as he waited, his breath still labored.

[Minque]

Saliya Alerei

Saliya took a second to look him over, assessing him from his close-cropped haircut to his workout gear to his physique. He looked like more than the average fitness freak she saw during her morning runs. Alliance or C-Sec, she guessed. Just as likely to be an ex- of either organisation though. She knew more than enough retired people who still kept up their health despite no immediate need to. Something about the way the man spoke and held himself made her doubt that he was a mercenary, even though he could just be a very polite and unassuming one... no, her instincts told her he was what people like to label 'one of the good guys'.

"I could use company on my morning run," she said, smile still on her face. Many asari were used to communal living so Saliya was happier when there were others around to keep her company. The only reason she was alone this morning was because half her squad was sleeping in their downtime and the other half she had off working. Her grin turned a bit cheeky then. "I also enjoy having someone I can race. I'll even let you win, if you like."

Saliya in her downtime was different to Saliya on a mission. She was more carefree, showing the fact that she was indeed still in her maiden years. When she wasn't armed to the teeth, like now, it tended to throw people off. She didn't mind. The element of surprise was a nice bonus whether facing an ally or a foe.

"I'm Saliya," she said, sticking her hand out for him to shake.

[Jason Rivers]

Smiles could be one of two things: devious or genuine. Jason could tell that the asari's was genuine. It was nice to see on a metropolis where everything was mostly business. When she told him she could use the company, he wasn't going to refuse. People weren't going to get anywhere if they didn't mingle once in awhile. Another reason he didn't like politicians, they were of an anti-social variety, too caught up in their politics to be a good Samaritan for a few minutes. "I'd be happy to join you." But then she had to go and challenge him to a race, even going so far as to say she'd let him win. He let out a chuckle. "But then it wouldn't be a true victory. If we're going to race, don't hold anything back, because I won't." The look in his eyes were clear, he was up for a light-hearted challenge.

Then she introduced herself, holding out her hand, after which he grasped it firmly and gave it a solid shake, smile still showing warmly on his face. "Sergeant Jason Rivers of the Alliance Navy, but you can just call me Jason."

The Sergeant scanned the area, looking for a location to race to. He pointed past Saliya. "We can race to Apollo's. Winner buys. Sound good?"

[Minque]

Saliya Alerei

Alliance. She was right. But Saliya shouldn't be given free reign to do as she liked. She played to win; it's why her superiors came to her when they wanted a mission done no matter the cost. She wondered if Jason would expect her to play dirty and retaliate accordingly? He seemed the friendly sort but she was friendly too, until someone poked her competetiveness. Would he underestimate her? She hoped so. In her shorts and crop, devoid of either dogtags (a liability in her exact line of work anyway) or insignia, she didn't look like anything more than a very fit person on a morning run. Her grin turned wicked.

"Don't hold anything back, huh?" she said with a friendly little chuckle. "Well, Sergeant Jason Rivers of the Alliance Navy, a.k.a. Jason, looks like I'm buying. Ready, set, go!"

She laughed as she sprinted off. Apollo's wasn't too far away - only about three miles - which meant simple endurance wasn't going to cut it. She'd perhaps only gotten a couple seconds head start but he was a little taller than her, which meant he had slightly longer legs, and as athletic as she was, it was simple biology that put her at a disadvantage when it came to competing against males of some other species.