《Andromeda (mass effect fanfic)》 Chapter One The Ark Hyperion floated adrift in space. The crew began awaking, medical starting waking the Pathfinder team, ¡°pod #634 this one is it.¡± ''Beep...Buzz...hum'' *Gasp!*, Ryder sits up awake looking around, "we made it." Smiling she tried to stand up and immediately sat back down from the dizziness. "Whoa, take it easy." Two med-techs come rushing toward her. "Been taking it easy for 600yrs" Natalie noted in frustration and eagerness. "Ryder, Natalie Recon Specialist Pathfinder Mission Team," one tech says reading from her datapad. "Pathfinder Team huh, the ones finding us a home?¡± The other asked Natalie. ¡°Can you make it somewhere tropical?" She hugged her datapad, dreaming of the options and possibilities the brochures had back in the milky way. "Let''s get her some coffee first." Both help her out of her cryopod the rest of the way and around the corner to medbay for further evaluation. Natalie sat on her assigned cot for what seemed like forever, yet no one came to check on her, or examine her. God how long does one have to sit here and wait, she was antsy to get going. She sat and listened to the Andromeda prompt at least 20 times it felt, "Natalie Ryder?" This blue Asari doctor came walking up to her, she felt her neck and moved her head around for mobility, "look here," Natalie followed her finger, still listening to the prompt, ¡°makes it sound so easy don''t they?" "I hope not, I was hoping for a little adventure before settling down." "Well buckle up, the Pathfinder wants you all mission ready to go here." "Yeah?..Did he say why?" Curious to see if the Doctor knew anything. "No...But I guess that''s where your ''adventure'' comes in...Over here now," she pointed with her finger. The Asari noted Ryder was eager, but unsure if that was good or bad at this time, "everything checks out, let''s just check your SAM implant, SAM you online?.. SAM?" ''Yes Dr. T''Perro, Good morning Natalie how are you feeling?'' the AI came online over comms for the first time for Natalie since she went into stasis. "Like a 600 year popsicle I hope we packed more coffee." She laid her cup down on the bed beside her. "Everything checks out, though you may want to wait around while we revive your brother it helps to see a familiar fa-" there was a slight shimmer and rattle sound that made Lexi stop talking and look up at the ship. ¡°I don¡¯t like the sound of that,¡± Natalie looked around as the ship as well, it started to make some cracking noises, then there was a vibration, ¡°what was that?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Lexi wondered the same thing, then a shift started and next thing she knew Ryder was yelling ¡®LOOK OUT!¡¯ and threw her to the ground just as a cryopod flew over her head, such a close call that would have taken her head off for sure. What was going on, gravity went next, Ryder still had hold of her as they floated upward and bounced into the console next to the medbed Ryder originally was sitting on prior to this incident. She heard a groan come from Ryder as they hit the console, ¡°Are you ok?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, I¡¯ll be feeling that in the morning though.¡± Ryder hit the console hard on her back and side, but she protected the doctor and that was what mattered. ¡®I¡¯m almost inside, hold on...This is Cora, I¡¯m at the Cryo Bay.. Brace for reset!¡¯ Cora¡¯s voice came over Comms as she floated into Cryo from engineering. ¡°What happened?¡± Natalie asked Cora, as she got herself and the Doctor upright off the floor. ¡°I¡¯m not sure, sensors are scrambled, but it''s good that you¡¯re up...seems like centuries since we¡¯ve spoken.¡± Cora walked over toward Ryder and the Asari doctor. *THIS IS THE PATHFINDER CONTINUE PREPARATIONS, CORA, RYDERS¡¯ TO THE BRIDGE* ¡°You heard him let¡¯s¡­¡± Cora turned to head to the bridge. ¡°Ahh, we have a problem over here..it''s Ryan Ryder..¡± one of the medical techs called out. They all ran over to Ryan¡¯s pod, Lexi was asking about the seals, and other technical things before Natalie got over to Ryan''s pod. She tried to wrap around what just happened and the fact that her brother isn¡¯t going to be getting up, and how badly banged up his pod looks it worries her. ¡°Natalie,¡± Lexi can see it on her face. She looks to Lexi, ¡°Is my brother going to be ok?¡± ¡°Ryan is fine, his vitals are fine,the revival procedure was interrupted.¡± trying to assure her best she could. ¡°When can he wake up.¡± scared she might be losing her brother, not like this, not after mom. ¡°we don''t want to rush it,SAM?¡± Lexi looked to the AI for readings. ¡®My connection to his implant was suspended but his vitals are all normal.¡¯ ¡°We¡¯re going to keep him in a low level coma just to be on the safe side for now.¡± She touched Ryder¡¯s arm, ¡°He will be fine.¡± Cora chimed in, ¡°glad to hear it Lexi, Ryder I¡¯ll wait for you by the door when you¡¯re ready.¡± Just as Ryder was turning to walk away from them to head to the door Lexi stopped her one more time, ¡°Ryder!¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Natalie turned to face her ¡°Thank you, for earlier...for pulling me out of the way of that cryopod. I was so caught up in what was going on I didn¡¯t see what was going on around me and clearly missed it...so thank you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± She smiled at her. ¡°Good luck down there.¡± Lexi smiled back and Ryder headed to meet Cora at the door. This strand of energy across the ship that we all could now see as our little flight ship pulled away from Hyperion and headed toward Habitat 7 was incredible. It looked like static electricity, it knocked our arc drifting off course, was it what caused our Golden world to look different than what the scans showed 600 years ago? She hoped it still looked as it did then.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. The ride started to get choppy but that was normal entering an atmosphere, but floating rocks and lightning spikes...those weren¡¯t normal¡­ ¡°Oh Shit!¡±... ¡°LIAM!!¡± ¡°RYDER!!¡± lightning struck their shuttle, splitting it in half, Natalie and Liam were sucked out of their shuttle, she was falling at an accelerating rate, all she could hear was Sam in her ear...her jump jet wasn''t working, she was crashing to the ground fast. ¡°SAM..get it working!¡± he finally got her jump jet online just as she impacted with the side of the mountain and rolled down it¡­¡±OH SHIT!¡± she cracked her mask and the air she was breathing in was bad, she used her omni-tool to fix the crack and laid there a moment. She already bruised her ribs earlier on a console and now she just equally bruised the other side and a hip on the mountain, if she made it back to the Hyperion tomorrow morning was not going to feel good. She stood up, and took a look around, and what she could see was incredible and scary all at the same time...there was no way this is home...this was Hell. ¡°This is Ryder come in...Hyperion?...SAM?...Come in!¡± ¡°Save your breath Ryder. SAM¡¯s offline.¡± Liam came stumbling up behind her, thank God he made it but where was the rest of her team? ¡°Did we seriously just do that, or are we dead and don''t know it?¡± they climbed some rocks and came across part of their shuttle and noticed Fisher along the path. ¡°Wait look,¡± Ryder knocked Liam down and they peered over the rocks, their beyond their shuttle were two alien forms, armed and scavenging. ¡°Shit, what do we do?¡± Liam antsy and gun out ready to go. ¡°Follow Protocol.¡± she put her hand on Liam''s gun and looked him in the eyes. ¡°Yeah and then what?¡± Liam waited gun ready for this to go south Ryder stood up, gun holstered and hands up to show no hostility, the alien said something to her, ¡°We can''t understand you, we just want our man.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the other guy doing?¡± The one started hitting Fisher, ¡° They¡¯re beating him!¡± Liam was done waiting, he went in hot and fired on the two aliens. ¡°Going hot!¡± Ryder went to drop behind a rock and cover, one or two bullets already blazed by her helmet, one grazed her shoulder. They took the two out and checked on Fisher. After catching up with the rest of their team, watching Kirkland get shot, finding out the alien species on this planet aren''t friendly, they met up with Cora and the other shuttle. ¡°They aren¡¯t friendly Cora we¡¯re on our way to you now sit tight.¡± Liam and Ryder jumped in and helped Cora defend their shuttle and once they were in the clear she looked for her dad, ¡°Where¡¯s my Dad?¡± ¡°He went scouting ahead while we fixed the shuttle.¡± Cora loaded her gun. Liam walked up and unloaded on one of the aliens, ¡°Liam enough!¡± ¡°I know it''s just these assholes killed Kirkland¡± Liam stood over the one he just unloaded a whole clip into. ¡°I understand.¡± she looked at her upset crewman. Hayes and doc walked up, ¡°guys, I fixed comms, before they got me.¡± Hayes was badly wounded and doctor Cayle was attending to her. ¡°You¡¯re a lifesaver¡± Cora praised her. ¡°SAM you there.¡± Ryder opened her omni-tool. ¡®Pathfinder needs to speak with you¡¯ After talking with the Pathfinder they decided they had to do something about the weather before anyone was going anywhere, they met up with the Pathfinder to help him at the tall building where most of the lightning seemed to be centered on. It was a hardy fight and she wasn¡¯t sure at times what her dad had in mind but all he kept saying was push forward even though there were enemies around her, behind her...they were surrounded...they pushed toward the center...the tower that laid before them. Once stationed on the platform, her father said he needed to interface with the console and they had to hold off them off him long enough for him to do so, Liam took one side, Cora the other, Natalie moved between the two trying to help best she could then her dad yelled he needed her, ¡°GO AHEAD WE HAVE THIS!¡± ¡°We have to get this door opened...put your back into it¡± she and her dad pushed up on the door frame and it released. ¡°You really think we can take this thing down¡± they both started to walk in. ¡°Now we¡¯ll see if we can have a conversation.¡± Alec Ryder walked further into the room. ¡°Nothing on this planet has listened so far...just...be careful..¡± worried after her dad she said what she felt needed to be said, in case she never got to again, especially with how things went today with Ryan, and her shuttle...nothing was certain. ¡°Worried about your old man?...don¡¯t worry i won''t tell anyone, come on these are the moments that make it all worthwhile.¡± Both walked up to the display console together. Her dad interfaced with some sort of mechanical technology that sent something through the walls and the floor but instantly Natalie could feel a change. Natalie stood outside the Monolith after what her dad just did to reset the inside. The lightning had stopped..the sky was clearing up...we did it. ¡°All be damned, it''s working...you did it.¡± She looked at her dad. ¡°There¡¯s hope at least.¡± he seemed content. ¡°That''s all anyone is looking for.¡± he should feel more for this moment, why didn''t he. ¡°Not if we stand around looking at sunsets¡­.lets-¡± this rumble from behind them had both turn to see what it was just as a gust of smoke and wind and all the debris behind them hit them knocking them back and off the platform. When Natalie came to she couldn¡¯t breath, she is gasping for air, she knows this feeling, it is just like when she first crashed on this planet the taste of the air around her SHIT her helmet has fully cracked open and there is no fixing this one...she is going to die...she heard something in the distance and sees a glowing light, she starts to make it out...it''s her father, ¡°I need an emergency extraction.¡± ¡°Shuttle is inbound 3 maybe 4 minutes.¡± Cora stated over comms ¡°We don''t have that long,¡± Her dad crouched over her, removing her helmet tossing it aside, then his own and placed it on her, ¡°Deep breaths, SAM begin transfer.¡± was the last she could make out before she started to fade out and his smile was the last she saw as she drifted off. (Back on the Hyperion) ¡°Lexi! Get Medbay ready!¡± Captain Dunn yelled over comms. ¡°Yes Captain,¡± what has happened she wondered. Then she heard it, comms were left open. (On the shuttle) She awoke a moment with Cora over her, ¡°Move she¡¯s going into Cardiac arrest,¡± they loaded her onto the shuttle. She came to for a second on the shuttle and saw Harry and Cora, ¡°Her pulse is weakening, tell the ark to prep medbay..C¡¯mon¡± Flashes formed in her memory...were they memories...of what...whose... She awoke again this time on Hyperion, ¡°Pulse is dropping, we¡¯re losing her.¡± the memories flashed again¡­ ¡°It''s a seizure the brain can¡¯t handle the connection,¡± Lexi..Lexi was there¡­ ¡°Get her to SAM node!¡± Lexi was now running things and trying to save her, she wasn''t about to let this girl die. ¡°SAM what''s the reading?¡± ¡®Ryder¡¯s implant is overloading, I suggest a hardwire connection¡¯ Natalie reached her hand up¡­. ¡°DO IT!¡± Lexi grabs hold of her hand. Few hours passed, Natalie came to the sound of her heart beating and the buzzing of SAM behind her. ¡®Welcome back Natalie¡¯ ¡°What happened¡± she attempted to sit up, those ribs she forgot about earlier were made known and she had a splitting headache. ¡®You were clinically dead for 22 seconds¡¯ SAM advised her. ¡°Did the rest of the team make it?¡± she held her wounded side. ¡°You¡¯re awake! Guys get to SAM node Ryder is up!¡± Liam stood up from the floor mat he had been resting on, from the looks of it he had camped and slept by her side all night. That was touching. ¡°Look here,¡± Lexi pointed, ¡° and here,¡± Natalie sees her father¡¯s helmet and stopped following Lexi''s finger...her heart was in her throat. ¡°My father..where is he?¡± her head still focused on the helmet. ¡°It was your life or his...and he chose you, I¡¯m sorry Nat...this must be a blow,¡± Cora tried to be comforting. ¡°This isn¡¯t fair, I didn¡¯t get to say goodbye.¡± Natalie reached for the helmet, Lexi handed it to her. Natalie sat there looking at it. ¡°None of us did...but your dad said when his day came he wanted to go out among stars no one had traveled.¡± Liam comforted Cora. Natalie almost forgot out of anyone Cora was about the closest to her father, maybe more so than her. ¡°Why are we in SAM node,¡± Natalie realizing now that they weren''t in the Medbay. ¡°SAM is now a part of you, on a level we don¡¯t entirely understand,¡± Lexi chimed in, ¡°It played havoc with your brain. ¡°SAM?¡± Ryder looked up waiting for an answer. ¡®Your father transferred authority of Pathfinder to you¡¯ ¡°Shouldn¡¯t that be Cora?¡± Confused with SAM¡¯s response. ¡°In theory, in reality you¡¯re the new Pathfinder.¡± Cora sounded defeated. ¡°You can''t be serious,¡± Ryder denied it. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? I think you¡¯re up for it.¡± Liam encouragingly said ¡°That¡¯s easy enough to say, I barely survived the last mission, hell technically i didn¡¯t survive it.¡± Still unwilling to believe it, Ryder sat there. ¡°It¡¯s all academic anyway, SAM¡¯s linked to your brain on a deeper level now, trying to untangle it could kill you.¡± Lexi stated so matter of factly, looking at her board. They all talked about their next step and it was making Lexi angry, Ryder just came back and she technically died and they are already plotting what they were going to need to do, ¡°She needs to rest first!¡± ¡°She has two hours, we¡¯ll be at the Nexus by then.¡± Two hours wasn¡¯t long but at least it was something I guess. Everyone left the room, leaving Ryder and Lexi there, all Lexi could hear was Ryder mutter, ¡°Why me,¡± and a piece of her felt for her. ¡°Ryder I need you to rest now please,¡± she watched her lay down and close her eyes and watched her vitals pan out to a steady pattern that indicated she was sleeping. As Lexi left the room she glanced back at this broken human being who practically has lost everything and yet is so strong and now will be taking on the whole galaxy...untrained and unknowing..what was in store...she closed the bay door. Chapter Two: part one 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¡¯A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. 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? Chapter Two: part two (Deep inside the vault) ''Pathfinder this looks to be the source, all conduits converge here.¡¯ ¡°This must be the heart,¡± Ryder walked toward the console.¡± ¡°I''ve never seen anything like it,¡± Cora amazed that this was under them, under Eos this whole time. Ryder placed her hand on the console, shutting it down. ''System lockdown is disabled. The atmosphere processor should return to full operation¡¯ Peebee came over comms, ¡°Ryder you fixed the lockdown didn''t you? The whole place is lighting up, the whole place is off the charts,¡± some noise disturbed Peebee, ¡°really really off the charts.¡± ¡°But if it''s back online we should be good to¡­¡± the noise now has Ryder and the others attention. ¡°Ryder!¡± Vetra now was yelling. This red mist was coming at them from behind. ¡°GO!¡± Ryder yells as they take off down the now open path that was blocked when they came in, ¡°Peebee get back to the entrance!¡± ¡®I saw it, what is that thing?¡¯ Peebee still over comms confused from the other room. ¡°Don''t risk it, just go now!¡± Ryder sprinted away from the mist back toward the gravity well they came from but that path was blocked, they had to go a different route. ''It would be wise to run Pathfinder¡¯ ¡°I know SAM!¡± Always the obvious it seems with him she thought as she sprinted from death cloud yet again. The air down here was getting harder to breathe, they had to get to the door fast. ¡°Look another gravity well!¡± Vetra pointed out. ¡°We don''t know where it leads!¡± Cora trying to be logical. ¡°It leads away from here, I¡¯m taking it,¡± Ryder jumped into the well and it went up. When they reached the top Ryder could see the door, ¡°you two go! Peebee where are you? Hello!¡± There was scuffling and laser shooting behind her, she turned to she the Asari flipped over one of the remnants blast walls and shot down an Observer with hardly any effort, ¡°Ah it''s right on our heels!¡± ¡°It''s not moving, find an override,¡± Cora and Vetra had been trying to open the door and couldn''t. Ryder looked around and noticed a console that was about to be engulfed by the red cloud ''well shit¡¯ and she ran back. ¡°RYDER!¡± Cora yelled after her. Ryder placed her hand out over the console, ¡°Come on!¡± Just as the cloud is completely around her it evaporated and disappeared. ''Vault restart complete¡¯ SAM informed them. ¡°That was...Talk about a rush,¡± Peebee came running over. ¡°Nothing like out running death.¡± Ryder said leaning over the console trying not to show how shaken up she was that she was scared and wanted to cry a little. ¡°There ya go.¡± Peebee came over and hit her shoulder. ''Atmosphere processor is online, pulling up the last activity.¡¯ ¡°Is that the Heleus cluster?¡± Peebee walked around. ¡°Yeah,¡± Ryder stood up, ¡° Here we are. That''s Eos.¡± Looking at this light up map around her, ¡°if that light is us, then all these points could be vaults on other worlds. Dormant like this one.¡± ¡°Maybe but why is there a whole network of them, what''s it all for?¡± Peebee wondered as she walked into the map. ¡°This tech can create observers from nowhere, or ravage a whole planet and that''s just what we''ve seen?¡± Ryder walked to another part of the map. ¡°That one we saw on Habitat 7 could have malfunctioned.¡± Cora noted. ¡°Is that what these builders we''re trying to do, make worlds habitable?¡± Ryder wondered. ¡°Hey look there,¡± Peebee touched a piece of the map, ¡°it''s different, maybe it''s active? we have to go see.¡± ¡°SAM mark it on our charts we need more to go on. Let''s go I need some fresh air.¡± They gathered what they could from the map and left the vault. They met back up with Drack outside the vault and he reluctantly decided to join the team so they made their way back to the Tempest. Five boarded the Tempest together, when three had left that was going to be a change for everyone but at least Lexi could breathe now because she didn''t have to revive or heal anyone after the vault. She also was slightly excited there was a Krogan on board, on the other hand the Asari that also accompanied them she wasn''t sure about. ¡°Drack, Peebee see Lexi for a physical!...Good meeting everyone.¡± Ryder came walking down from the meeting room and bumped into Lexi, ¡°oh sorry.¡±Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Oh it''s alright...Actually I had meant to talk to you, could you do me a favor?¡± Lexi noticed there was a new abrasion running down the left side of Ryder''s face, she pulled Ryder over to a chair and pulled out her medical kit to take a look at it. ¡°Hmm,¡± she let Lexi walk her over and she obediently? sat down knowing Lexi saw the mark and she didn''t feel like fighting her about it. ¡°Could you keep an eye out on Drack for me? But don''t let him know I asked you too?¡± ¡°Yeah, of course.¡± staying professional. ¡°Thank you Ryder.¡± Lexi finished cleaning Ryder''s face, ¡°I want to see you in a day or so to check that,¡± She watched Ryder stand to leave the Medbay, ¡°oh and it appears we have a stowaway.¡± ¡°You mean Peebee?¡± Ryder stood up to head to her room. ¡°You don''t need a Psych degree, to know that one has commitment issues.¡± Lexi smiled and let her leave. Ryder wondered what Lexi''s reasons were if she could judge others so harshly on commitment. For now she had other things to concentrate on like dealing with this newly forming scar across her face thanks to Peebee...And Tann. They were on their way back to the Nexus, they had accomplished what most didn''t think they would...An Outpost on Eos. Ryder had already seen Addison on Eos now she needed to settle the bet with Tann. Hour or two passed she finally was done talking to the higher ups and decided she had avoided seeing her brother long enough she had to see if there were any improvements to his condition. She was greeted by Harry in the cryo bay who filled her in on things there on Hyperion with him and her brother, ¡°how is he?¡± ¡°Ryan is doing well, his vitals are good. No change in his condition I''m afraid right now. But I''ll keep you posted.¡± ¡°Thank you Harry.¡± She smiled at him and took a seat next to her brother, she felt this is where she needed to be for the next few hours...No one needed her. Lexi went to drop by cryo bay to see Harry since they were on the Nexus and she didn''t know how long they''d be staying or be coming back, she noticed Natalie had fallen asleep sitting by her brother. Natalie looked exhausted, she needed a break from everything and she was due for an evaluation...Since she avoided her last one. Lexi rounded the corner to Harry''s office, ¡°Lexi, how are you?¡± He embraced his friend. ¡°Tired, the Pathfinder, and team keeps me on my toes, and now I have two more to look after.¡± ¡°So I''ve heard, a Krogan and another Asari. Bet that got you going.¡± They both sat down. Lexi about rolled her eyes at him, ¡°The Krogan is nearly 1400 yrs old and missing parts, the old bastard¡­¡± she had a smile for that, ¡°the Asari don''t get me started on her.¡± Harry could feel the tension that brought. ¡°That bad huh?¡± Harry drank his coffee he wanted to comment and laugh at his friend, that she was riled up over this, but he left it alone for now. ¡°She''s immature, delusional, thinks I''m uncaring, and she''s been avoiding me.¡± No one has ever ruffled her feathers as bad as Pelessaria B''Sayle can, how does she let her get to her? ¡°I know that isn''t true, you wouldn''t be this worked up if it was...You''ve just always enjoyed your work, and like you said she''s probably immature. To her we''re old.¡± That made Lexi laugh, ¡°it was good seeing you.¡± ¡°Thank you Harry,¡± Lexi took her leave. On her way out she noticed Ryder wasn''t there anymore. As she walked to the tram she could see her slowly walking to it, ¡°Ryder you ok?¡± ¡°Hmm oh Lexi...Yeah, just tired...Went and saw Ryan, must of dozed off *yawn* didn''t realize how tired I was,¡± she was barely standing upright?. ¡°It''s been a long few days you should take a rest,¡± Lexi was actually concerned something more was going on. ¡°I think I might, thanks.¡± They get off the tram, ¡°Good night Lexi.¡± ¡°Goodnight Ryder.¡± She almost wanted to follow her and make sure she got back to the Tempest, but instead she went up to her apartment and called it a night as well. Ryder even though she was tired knew she wouldn''t sleep thought about going back to the Tempest, she stood at the dock port looking at her ship. Then decided maybe a walk would do her good, she heard the beating music of Vortex, which was the local bar on the Nexus and decided she would go in. ¡°Ryder!¡± Liam, Drack, and Peebee were at a table so she joined them, ¡°you look like Shit.¡± ¡°Well thank you Kosta, much appreciated.¡± Ryder took a seat in the booth, exhausted. ¡°It''s ok kid, you look better than him any day.¡± Drack raised his drink to her. ¡°Aww thanks Drack.¡± Ryder laid her head on Drack¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You ugly backstabbing pjak!¡± Liam hit Drack. ¡°What¡¯ll it be Ryder? You look like you need a kick,¡± Peebee asked ¡°At this point I don''t care,¡± she took what the Asari handed her and the four of them sat there enjoying each other''s company. 0200 Lexi was on the Tempest restocking her supplies before they left and she heard commotion outside across the hall, sounded like drunken singing...Liam, Peebee..And Drack that''s interesting, she peeked her head out to see. They were walking up the ramp of the Tempest, Drack was carrying something, no not something someone...Ryder. ¡°Is Ryder alright?¡± Lexi jumped to Drack''s side ¡°Chill out Matriarch, she¡¯s just passed out asleep.¡± Peebee degraded Lexi, even in a drunk state Peebee was rude. ¡°We were all just having some fun, then Ryder said she was tired and fell asleep,¡± Liam confirmed it, ¡°no harm no foul.¡± ¡°It''s alright doc, she''ll be fine.¡± Drack tried reassuring her. ¡°Drack will you take her to one of my medbeds please, I want to keep an eye on her for the time being at least give her an IV drip to absorb some of the alcohol intake.¡± Drack did as she asked and Lexi follows behind, ¡°Thank you Drack.¡± ¡°You''re a good one doc.¡± Drack said and left her to care for Ryder. Lexi attached the IV drip to Ryder and watched her vitals a moment, looking over at her as she slept. Ryder awoke to the sound of her own heartbeat. She was laying on one of the Medbay beds and not at all to sure how she got here. She sat up and noticed an IV in her arm and just sat there a moment, placing her head in her hands...She let herself come to this, she was better than this. ¡°I see you''re up,¡± Lexi came walking in. Ryder glanced up at her but didn''t respond back to her. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Like I was ran over by a truck,¡± Ryder moved to the edge of the bed and tried to stand. She felt the dizziness overwhelm her and sat back down. ¡°Take it easy,¡± Lexi was there to make sure she didn''t fall, ¡°I gave you some fluid but you''re still lacking in hydration and you need to rest like I told you earlier before you went drinking. You''re exhausted Natalie.¡± ¡°I know¡­¡± Her I know, was weak, a trembling sound came out of her, like she wanted to cry. She curled back up on the bed and let herself have a small cry. Lexi wasn''t sure how to really handle this, professional she should leave her to have her moment but she just couldn''t seem to pull herself away to do that. She sat down on the bed by her, and rubbed a hand down her arm, ¡°Do you want to talk about what''s going on? How you''re feeling?¡± Ryder wanted to, but she wasn''t sure how. She felt bad she let anyone see her like this yet again but if anyone was to see her like this at least it was Lexi, ¡°I''m just tired, and I''m not sure if I''m doing the right thing...Or how to be strong for everyone...All the time...It''s just taking a toll and catching up,¡± she sat up and looked at Lexi, ¡°and I still keep reliving that moment with my dad...At the end..When we got hit by the debris, and I''m suffocating and he takes his helmet off, puts it on me...Smiles and I black out.¡± ¡°It''s a lot for anyone to take on Natalie, I don''t envy you for it that''s for sure. It''s also why I keep hounding you to rest so much because I know this is all wearing you down and if you don''t it will break you...I can already see it and I don''t want that to happen. I care too much about you to watch you fall apart.¡± She moved her hand to lift Ryder''s face so she would look at her, ¡°do you hear me Ryder?¡± Ryder looked up at her, what did she mean cared about her? Because she was the Pathfinder and it was her job or because she was her friend? ¡°I hear you¡­¡± ¡°The question is are you going to listen to me?¡± Lexi got up to undo Ryder from all she had attached her to. ¡°I''ll give it my best,¡± she really would try but she still had a job to do no matter what Lexi said. ¡°I guess for now that''s all I can ask for,¡± Lexi helped her stand up, ¡°come on I''ll walk you back to your room.¡± Lexi walked her to her quarters, got her laid down and made sure she was going to sleep and left her. After the doors closed Lexi walked back to the Medbay and thought about what just happened and decided to jot it down for herself, to keep notes on Ryder''s mental state and also on her own personal attachment as it seemed was becoming more apparent for Ryder. *Gasp* ¡°Transfer codes¡­¡± Alec looks at his daughter on last time and smiled, ¡°deep breaths..¡± *cough* ¡°What?..Dad! NO!...¡± Alec falls over smiling at her, she reaches out to him but he is to far away and she can''t move. It hurts to breathe and she can feel herself slipping away¡­ *Gasp* Ryder shot up in her bed, gasping for breath, soaked in sweat and shaking. She looked around and realized she''s in the safety of her quarters on the Tempest. Managing to settle herself and get up she made her way down the hall to try and find some coffee or something to drink. Drack happened to be up and eating, her Pyjak was there to, luckily he wasn''t eating that, ¡°hey kid you don''t look so hot.¡± ¡°Had a bad dream,¡± she sat down with her coffee and petted her space monkey. He nuzzled into her lap and that relaxed her a little bit, ¡°Drack...Do things get easier with time?¡± ¡°You''re gonna have to be more specific, I''ve been around along time,¡± he chuckled at her question. ¡°I keep having dreams, or flashes...Of when my dad died¡­¡± she fell silent for a moment, ¡°will that get easier, or appear less as it goes along?¡± He could tell that was eating at her, ¡°depends kid, on how long you let it consume you... Before you decide to move on...I know it''s tough, especially with your brother still in a coma also but so long as you hold onto it you''ll never be rid of it.¡± He put his beer down. ¡°Thanks,¡± she scratched her monkey¡¯s ear and gave him a partial smile. ¡°Anytime kid,¡± he got up and headed to bed.