As Ryder, Cora, and Liam debarked for Nexus headquarters a few of the Hyperion staff started getting ready for what would be their lives on the Nexus.
Lexi was checking a few of the colonists when Harry approached, “Lexi can we talk?”
“Sure, Harry..everything alright?” they walked around the corner to the tram and up to the Habitat area
Harry was silent for a moment, then let out a breath, “I just realized after Habitat 7, I’m getting too old to be chasing these kids around...so I’ve put in a transfer to stay here on they Hyperion and watch over Ryan and the colonists…”
“Well that is completely understandable, Habitat 7 was no joke to anyone, we lost one Pathfinder, Kirkland, and had many come back injured and almost lost the other Ryder.” Lexi drank the coffee she had in her hand.
“That being said, they are going to need a doctor on the Tempest...best in the field..and I could think of no one better...than you.” Harry looked at her.
Silence fell on them for a good long time, she didn’t want to be the one taking care of the Pathfinder, she wanted to wake up colonists, further her Thesis and research on alien anatomy...on the other hand how could she do that if she was here? Aboard the Tempest she could get ahold of many specimens for her thesis...but the Pathfinder… “I don't know Harry, that is a big job.”
“I know and you’ve come a long way, and are still very young in your days. This old man has thrown in the towel. She needs you...to be honest neither Ryder is easy but I have the harder one.” He chuckled at her.
Remembering how Natalie looked after hearing of her father passing and knowing she was responsible for being Pathfinder, a job she didn’t herself volunteer for… “Alright.”
“Thank you Lexi.” They both stood there looking out at the Nexus and finished their coffee.
“Ready to see what Tann gave us? Ryder walked onto the tram.
“I hear it's something special, Pathfinder in route, how's the ship?” Cora joined behind Ryder, talking to someone on comms.
“Final checks... looking great.” (unknown voice)
They walked off the tram and see the ship come flying in, “they call her the Tempest.” Cora informed Ryder, and she looked beautiful.
“Well let's take a closer look,” Ryder exclaimed as she walked down to the platform the ship landed on.
“Let’s pick it up people we’re 14 months late...So you’re the one making everything happen…” that unknown voice matched at Turian standing at the end of the ramp to the Tempest, “Vetra, Vetra Nyx.” After some final checks they board the Tempest to begin their Journey.
“Everything is state of the art including the crew,” Vetra shows Ryder and Cora around the ship.
“Glad to see you’re looking so well Natalie,” Lexi exited the lift, and greeted Ryder in passing. Ryder was glad to see Lexi aboard her ship.
“It's all yours, she's light stealthy, and the fastest ship in her class.” Vetra stopped by the meeting room.
Natalie trying to take it all in, and is overwhelmed by everything she will be responsible for, “This is really going to be an adventure.”
“I haven’t even shown you the best part...when you’re ready head over to the bridge.” Vetra left her to her thoughts. Natalie stood there a moment looking over the railing at the ship she now was entrusted with, ‘how am I going to do this?’
“It’s a lot isn’t it?” Lexi walked over toward her.
“You’re not Harry. Ryder turned to face the Asari.
“The blue give it away...Habitat 7 was a little more action pack than Harry bargained for. He decided to spend his retirement years on the Hyperion looking after your brother.”
“Happy to have you Dr. T’Perro.” she smiled at the Asari
“I’ll do my best...Now hold still.” Lexi grabbed hold of her hand
“OW!” Lexi took a blood sample from her finger.
“Sorry,” she stored the sample away.
“I remember you having a gentler touch.” Ryder smirked at the Asari.
“Still trying to get my bearings...I thought I would be waking up colonists, not taking care of the Pathfinder.” Lexi was nervous but trying hard to hide it.
“I couldn’t be in better hands.” Ryder comforted her.
“I just stabbed you,” Lexi chuckled
“We all have off days…”
“I always hoped to work in the field, but everything is happening so quickly.” Lexi looked out over the ship now.
“Focus on the positive, it helps.” Ryder walked up beside her.
“I guess this is my opportunity to study alien species first hand, getting a Kett specimen aboard the Hyperion would be difficult..but here…”
“A what?” Ryder lost in trans for a moment picked up on that last little bit.
“A Kett corpse..for autopsy...a live subject would be better but I’m not greedy.”
“Why do you care about the Kett?” curious now Ryder inquired further.
“Harry didn’t tell you? I’m a specialist in alien anatomy. My thesis on Krogan virility and aggression is what got me into the Initiative.
“You are an impressive woman, you know that. I had no Idea and I would love to hear more maybe over dinner sometime?”
“Thank you..umm.. here's the thing Ryder, you’re not my type…”
“What’s your type?” Ryder almost embarrassed for asking outright but now wondering.
“Not a patient...I need to be able to look at you clinically and without distractions.” Lexi surprised at Ryder's inquiry.
“Am I distracting?” Ryder wondered honestly.
“Not nearly as much as you think you are....but we were discussing the Kett, and autopsy could teach us potential weaknesses, average lifespan…” Lexi completely blew it off.
“Right.” Ryder unsure what just happened there.
“Just something to think about… SAM make sure the Pathfinder eats her vegetables” Lexi took her sample, and walked back down the path she came up...leaving Natalie feeling stupid that she just tried to ask the Asari out..and failed miserably.
Natalie let out a sigh and walked through the doors of the bridge and stopped, this was an amazing sight...she jaw dropped she took in all around her, then this slanky salarian stood up, “Departure Trajectory locked Nexus control...Ah..time for introductions...you must be Ryder, Kallo Jath, a pleasure to be here..and to meet you of course. I’ll be piloting the Tempest at your word. Quite the ship, but it will take a Pathfinder’s guidance to see us through Heleus.”
“Plenty of dangers out there, but I’ll do my best to avoid them.” she shook the salarian’s hand
“That’s reassuring, I’d hate to lose my finest work to that angry cloud.” They walked to the front of the ship, “I was test pilot for the Tempest early prototype, I have to admit I’m itching to she how she performs out here.”
Looking at the console that Kallo brought her to, there was a lot going on, “So how do I?”
“The console syncs with your implant. Just swipe and touch a destination here and the new systems calculates everything. Very efficient.”
“It was optimized...for a Pathfinder..” Cora walked in, with Liam, Vetra, and a Redhead behind her.
“Everything’s Secure, If you’re ready..” Vetra confirmed
“Is anyone ready for something this big?” Liam questioned.
“We signed on for the big stuff when we came to Andromeda.” Natalie reminded them, and then she turned to look out at the front of her ship.
“Command access is transferring successfully.” Cora stated
“Um, science and monitoring stations look fine, Lexi is reporting in.” The redhead indicated.
“This is it Ryder, the Tempest is yours. Unless you have something to say for Logs?”
“We we're all expecting a Golden world. Now there is a long road ahead, but keep hold of that dream, it might help us through.” Ryder walked up to her console.
“Nexus control this is the Tempest iden 2527 prepping to depart.” Kallo keyed in all the coordinates.
Flying through the galaxy they headed to Eos what was supposed to be a Golden world, but ended up as 2 failed outposts for the Nexus. Natalie decided to go hang out in her room and decide what to do next. She sat at her desk and pulled up her messages, blew over the ones from Tann and Addison, there was one from a reporter Keri that next time she was on Nexus to drop by, and she had a package for a Pjack to pick up next time she was there, “SAM make note of a reporter and a package next time on the Nexus we need to take take care of please.”
‘Acknowledged Ryder’
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She turned off her terminal and moved over to the couch, staring out at the stars, remembering how she used to get thrilled at Prothean dig sites and other science exhibitions...this was a totally different ballpark. There came knock at her door she unlocked it with her omni-tool, “Come in!”
The redhead from earlier appeared before her, “I hope I’m not intruding or disturbing you?”
“No I was just lost in thought. What can I do for you?”
“I just wanted to come by and introduce myself, things were a little crazy earlier and I realized later on we never got the chance, I’m Suvi, Suvi, Anwar.” she had this beautiful scottish accent that could melt anyone.
“I’m happy to have you here Suvi, thank you for coming by, can I get you anything to drink? I have tea or something a little more with a kick if you like.”
“Oh tea would be great, I don’t think I’ve had much of that since leaving the Milky Way, I’ve brought some with me, but only a few flavors.”
“I could use a Chamomile right about now.” Ryder stated as she pulled out two cups and boiled some water.
“Is there something on your mind?” Suvi walked over to her and sat at the counter stool, “I’m an excellent listener if you want to talk.”
“That’s kind of you, “ Ryder blended the tea, looking down at the cups was she focused more on Lexi’s rejection, her father passing...the whole Pathfinder thing, “you might find I’m a little more complicated, or trouble than worth.”
“Nonsense, everyone is worth the effort.” She took the tea and put them down on the coffee table then sat down on the couch and waited for Ryder to join her.
“Alright, Ryder explained how she still is having hardship over the passing of her dad, and how she isn’t sure what she will do about Pathfinder yet, it’s all new to her...then mentioned how she had feelings for someone special, didn’t digress as to whom but that the person didn’t reciprocate those feelings leaving a wound that no one could see, “Am I stupid to be feeling that way toward this person, I mean I barely know them? I want to know them...obviously they don’t feel the same way.”
“No, Ryder it’s not stupid at all,” grabbing Ryder’s hands, “Anything worth pursuing takes time and effort, right now this person might feel that way, and yes it hurts but give it time...they may come around.” The clock on the radio chimed 9pm, “Oh my goodness, I didn’t realize it was so late, Kallo will have wondered where I ran off too,” She got up and put her cup in the sink, “Thank you for the tea Ryder, and the chat we will have to do this again sometime.”
“Suvi?” Suvi turned around, “Thank you.”
“Anytime Ryder,” And the door closed behind her.
They landed on Eos, Vetra and Cora won in the straw picking on who was going to venture out with Ryder, leaving poor Liam behind. Hearing both Vetra and Cora excited about going out Ryder looks at Suvi, “Hope we’re all that ready.”
Natalie walks over to her console, listening to Kallo and Suvi chat back and forth, viewing out at the planet...the sun coming over the horizon plane...then there’s a hum in her head, Suvi’s voice begins to overlap with the hum, other voices appear behind it, a giggle…’what’s going on’...”What?”
“I said a lot of people have their hope pinned on us,” Liam appeared right next to her, “They gave up on Eos, I can’t blame them. Expected a Golden world, instead they watched their friends die. Never know how that will affect...oh sorry, you okay?”
“I think I’m still a little messed up over dad dying,” Ryder looked out over the planet that floated in front of them.
“Well there hasn't been much time to process it.” Liam looked at her.
“No like I'm still feeling it... I’m hearing things…”Ryder looked out her window.
“Pathfinder? The Tempest checks out. We’re good.” Kallo interrupted her bringing her back to focus.
*Deep Breath* “Take us down” Ryder said over comms.
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted a Pathfinder to say that.” Suvi smiled up at Ryder, and they descended onto Eos.
“This will be something, who knows what we will see,” Ryder straps on her Initiative armor, then goes over to the weapons to equip what she feels she might want. Last time all she had was a pistol, this time she will be prepared. Assault rifle in hand and sniper rifle strapped on back, omniblade updated the three set out off the ramp to see what Eos had in store.
It was hot, and dusty, made her think of Arizona or Mexico...maybe Nevada desert back home, but there was a smell in the air that didn't settle right. When they looked around they could see the hardship this place had endured.
‘Pathfinder reports state this planet suffers deadly that are contaminated by radiation from the Scourge’
“Great so besides lack of deployment, and hostile environment, radiation is also a factor got it SAM thank you.”
They continued to search the area and realized there were similar towers here like what they found on Habitat 7. They turned the power back on in the area to hopefully find where the signal for those towers were, and in the process they found authorization for a Nomad unit and now had access to a drivable vehicle around the radiation factor.
‘Pathfinder I found the signal to the tower, similar to the one your father used, it’s located just outside of Site one. Might be worth investigating.’
“That almost sounds like a lead...Damn right it’s worth investigating.” Ryder for the first time had a kick in her step since touching down.
‘A warning radiation levels beyond the perimeter of Site one are well above acceptable limits. You can not proceed without protection.’
“Good thing we have the Nomad now then. Let's go find this signal.” They get in the Nomad and head up the pathway toward the alien structure in the distance. There seemed to be some Initiative tech here like someone else had been scanning things here.
“Doesn’t look like we’re the only ones interested in this place.” Cora noticed Initiative gear spread out, and a few scanners...even up on the pillars.
“Who else would have brought all this, and gotten all this here, or up there?” Vetra pointed to some scanners that were on top of two of the pillars.
“I’m not sure but I’m about to take a look,” Natalie climbed onto some beams then on top of a pillar, “Whoa, it’s slippery...but there is a great view!”
‘Pathfinder I indicate there are 2 glyphs near by...use of your scanner may be needed.’
Ryder pulled up her scanner and on the ground in front of her feet was an alien glyph, and the pillar across from her held the other, she scanned them both.
‘I don’t sense any other glyphs in the area Pathfinder’ SAM indicated.
Ryder jumped down and walked hesitantly over to the console. Last time a Ryder messed with this alien technology her dad ended up dead and she died and was brought back...she wasn’t key on dying again. *Deep breath* Natalie placed her hand out to the console.
‘I apologize for any discomfort. The system seems unstable’
“Is this what happened when my dad tried doing this?” hand still held out over the console.
‘Your father interfaced directly with the atmosphere processor. That proved extremely hazardous. These structures could reveal it’s control center. System remains unstable, doubling our power input might accelerate the process.’
“I’ll give it a shot,” Ryder puts her hand back out to the console, SAM began to input more power.
“WAIT!” this blue blur come tumbling out of nowhere knocking Ryder to the ground, straddling her...an Asari.
“BACK UP LITERALLY!” Cora yells at her.
The Asari raises her hands, “Whoa, easy you’ve come this far just let it ride.” Looking back at Ryder, “I’ve been studying this tech for months, I don’t know how you activated those glyphs but you have to let them cycle through their channels. It’s going to be alright, trust me okay?” She leaned forward hands on Ryder's chest. Then pushed off and got up, “I know, I know who am I? I mean it’s obvious who you are, I saw the ship swoop in. You’re a Pathfinder, was beginning to think the Initiative made you guys up so the rest of us wouldn’t lose hope, but you’re for real huh?”
“Maybe you wanna knock me down a couple more times to make sure?” Ryder stood up dusting off herself and chuckled at the cute Asari...it had to be an Asari...what was it about them that Ryder liked so much?
“No, that okay, you’re obviously corporal..pretty solidly built actually.” Systems buzzed, everyone looked around, “Well look at that.” the Asari turned and looked at the tower respond to Whatever Ryder just did to the console.
‘System has stabilized...establishing a connection’
The Asari gave a wink to Ryder, and looked over her shoulder, “Oh Crap!” She pulled out a gun and shot it passed Ryder’s face the laser grazed Ryder’s cheek but it was an afterthought as Ryder turned she saw a robot floating behind her which was the Asari’s initial target, “Shit I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine let’s take out the rest of these then we’ll talk about it.” Other bots appeared, “What are they?”
“Keep targeting that one, it makes little bots.” The Asari indicated the one on the ground running around, as she was talking it was forming a little bot from its head. After they got them all the Asari ran back over to Ryder, “Not bad, my first tangle with the Remnant was a lot messier.”
“The Remnant?” Ryder was reloading her gun and checking on her face.
“These Monoliths, The Observers, The Assemblers...their all remnants of something much bigger...but that's too long, i hate long..so The Remnant, like my name is better as Peebee.”
“Ryder, you’ve been studying this Remnant technology, what have you learned?”
“Plenty, not nearly enough, its old, its uses glyphs and is well protected.”
“I saw this tech clear the skies on Habitat 7, we’re hoping to do the same for Eos.” Ryder walked over to the one bot Peebee called an Observer.
“Huh, an Atmosphere Manipulation? Maybe fits the model. All remnant tech is connected, you interfaced with that monolith somehow and now it’s pinned the others, if you wake them up too they must lead to whatever master switch might fix the radiation.”
“Sounds easy enough.” She looked back toward Peebee.
“Sure, just don’t piss off too many Observers, here take my navpoints, and be careful this planet is all kinds of strange.” They part ways with the Asari and head for the other 2 monoliths Peebee mentioned.
“Hey Ryder how's your face,” Vetra asked as they approached the the second Monolith.
“Stings a bit, but nothing serious,” there was a barrier around this building blocking their way to the Monolith, “if we can shut this barrier down we can get over to Monolith.” Ryder jetted up top and noticed a generator and shut it off and it allowed them to go inside, upon entering they heard a grumbling from the other side and readied their weapons, crashing through the wall came a dead Wraith and a Krogan… “who are you?”
“that was impressive,” Ryder acknowledged the Krogan’s entry
“Yeah guess it was,” The Krogan charged up to Ryder, grabbing her chest plate pulling her up, “still haven't told me who you are?”
“Oh Drack stop that.” Vetra waltzed up.
“Vetra...What you doing here?”
“I'm with the Pathfinder, that Pathfinder.”
“My name's Natalie Ryder.”
“I'm Drack, Clan Nakmore.”
They get into discussion about what is going on here and the Krogan tells them about his fight with the Kett and they seemed to be interested in all this alien tech and then they part ways.
Ryder heads down to the Monolith and gets it up and running and just before they leave noticed something lying off to the side, “hold a sec guys, there's something over here.” She rounds the pillar and finds a dead colonist.
“It's a colonist,” Cora exclaimed
“I heard many died, I didn't know they were left behind.” Kallo stated over comms
“If we scan them we can update the logs so they won't be forgotten, then they can be recovered.” Ryder kneels down and scanned the body.” Reading the body back to the Tempest.
“Thank you Ryder, if you find anymore I will continue to update it here.” That was Lexi’s voice. It was the first time she's heard it since they last talked and that didn't really end well, it ended on an awkward note, but she needed to focus on here.
“Alright, let's move on.” Ryder got up.
“You ok Ryder?” Cora noticed a change with her from before.
“I'm fine, let's go. We have one more Monolith to find.”Ryder climbed into the Nomad and sped down the hill toward the third tower.
They found Site Two: Resilience, “That was the site we were to get right?” Suvi came over comms.
“Something happened here,” Ryder looked around and noticed a Turian body, “Lexi update the log on a Gordanus Trenitus.”
‘Got it...thanks Ryder’
The team took a look around the place, they found two more dead colonists and then looked inside, “override works...but SAM? The door was locked from the inside?” Ryder walked in confused.
'yes Pathfinder it seems they sealed it from the inside’
“Why do that they can't keep anything out?” Cora questioned.
“To keep themselves in,” Ryder trying to understand looked around more.
“Way to quiet,” Vetra didn't like quiet.
“Looks like they left in a hurry,” Ryder scanned the cases.
“Reports say evac was cut off by Kett,” Cora read.
Ryder went over to the terminal to read last log, when she touched it all the doors opened.
'Pathfinder a maintenance bulletin was issued at the time of evacuation ’
“What does it say?” Ryder picked up a few datapads on a desk to see if any still worked
'Run’ was all SAM said. Then they heard two ships fly over their head.
“Override close it! Tempest we have an unknown enemy evac the Pathfinder!” Cora and Vetra surrounded Ryder as they bunkered down in the room.
“Whoa hold on!...Kett and that thing!” Ryder saw this big beast get dropped from a ship.
‘No go Harper, Kett are inbound to your location,’ Kallo relayed
“Yeah no shit Kallo!” Ryder tried laughing it off, “looks like we're fighting our way out of here.
Another drop ship of Kett joined in Cora and Vetra ran out there, Cora charged into a group of Kett biotically sending them off into Oblivion, “man I love this squad.” Vetra stated as she sent rounds into another group.
They picked off all the Kett leaving just the big beast, SAM identified it as a Fiend, and they shot at it. It turned and came charging toward Ryder, “Ryder watch out!” Cora yelled.
Ryder jumped and spun, “take this you bastard!” And sent her flamethrower into it's face, melting the beast into ash.
They stood over it, then looked around the area, “no wonder site two had a hard time.” Vetra looked inside the other building, “I heard the attack was bad...but Damn.”
“They weren't military, and weren't prepared for an ambush.” Ryder followed her in and walked up to a console, “all we can do now is finish what they started.” She turned in what would have been a project the site two people had been working on, “now let's go find the third Monolith.” The three of them left hoping it made this place a little more at peace.
After they had all three up and running there was a center location that the three towers beamed at down by the water. “That must be where the master control center is, be careful everyone we don't know what to expect down there.” They drove up to the water's edge.
“How do we cross?” Vetra stood looking over at Peebee who landed with her Nexus shuttle on the other side.
Ryder looked around and saw a console near them, she activated it and a bridge started forming as well as some pillars coming out of the water, “come on guys!” Peebee yelled from the other side as she ran in the opening.
Inside there was a large room, “No this can't be right, all that fanfare for an empty room,” Peebee walked around, “There’s some secret here. There must be. Do your Pathfinder thing.” As she said that the center of the floor opened, “oh you're good.”
Looking over the edge down into the hole, “And i make it look so easy.”
“How far down do you think it goes?” Vetra wonders. Ryder kicks a rock by her foot down, it starts to go down then stops and floats.
“That can't be air pressure, electrostatic? Ah gravitation. Oh you idiot Peebee that wasn't the front door this is…”
On impulse, “I'll let you know,” Ryder jumps in.”
“Hey!” Peebee follows behind. Vetra and Cora look at each other.
“Tempest we're embarking down into an unknown vault like structure, our Pathfinder has already leaped in and we're going in after her just heads up and have Lexi on standby in case this goes badly like Habitat 7.” Cora relayed the info.
‘We read you ground team please be safe,’ Suvi wished them luck then Vetra jumped in followed by Cora.
“It's acting like a gravity well,” Peebee said excitedly.
“But where is it taking us?” Ryder wondered.
“Embrace the unknown Ryder.” Peebee laughed as they landed at the bottom, now this is more like it.”
“Looks more like a bunker or a vault,” Ryder looks around.”
“I think that gravity well works in reverse too.” Peebee informed them.
“Then we have a way out.” Ryder relieved as she looked around
“Not leaving already are you?” Peebee inquired.
“Not until we find those processing controls.” Ryder and the team marched onward deeper into the vault.
Back on the Tempest the crew got ready and was on standby as Cora ordered in case things went wrong as they did on Habitat 7.
Suvi made her way down to Medbay to find Lexi, “Lexi?”
“Yes Suvi I’m in here.” Lexi came from her quarters on the other side of the Medbay.
“Ah there you are, Lt. Harper asked us all to be on standby, they found a vault or bunker of sorts and think it's similar to what they encountered on Habitat 7, Cora said Ryder jumped down into some sort of gravity well and they were gonna follow behind, but wanted us ready if things went badly.”
“Right, thank you Suvi I'll keep comms open and make my way up to the bridge shortly.” Suvi smiled to her and left her. Lexi remembered all too well what Habitat 7 did to the Ryders’ they barely brought her back last time and this time she is underground...Goddess what is she getting into?