Habitat 7 nearly killed her. Being part of the Pathfinder team responsible for finding 20,000 people a home? That would surely kill her. But if all that failed to kill her, she was absolutely certain that Scott's impulsiveness would lead her to a sure death. Finding the Nexus appeared to be a godsend. Finding it in shambles and disarray? Horrifying. Learning about the uprising and the loss of leadership? Even worse. Safe to say this was the worst journey she ever made in her life. She could face it all with a still expression as long as a plan presented itself. Scott's creativity allowed for that as they were slotted to land on Eos and determine how to make it a habitable planet after two failed colonizing attempts.

The accounts of those attempts saddened her. She saved the tears for later when no one would see them. Not even Scott. A part of her remained grateful that their father never lived to see how desperate everyone is. Another part of wished that he lived so that he could better help these people instead of relying on second rate experience that would never live up to the N7 that Alec Ryder was.

Sara lingered behind while Scott ventured off to explore more of the Nexus. Of all the leaders to survive, it had to be a Salarian that was in charge. What good fortune for her, as she particularly preferred Salarians. " I want you to know that we're grateful for the support,"

Tann stopped checking the station updates.

" My brother is rash. He's….human,"

" Yes," Tann remarked quietly. " My condolences on your father's loss,"

The silence of the broom closet type area filled in Sara's mind and vaccuumed out any real thoughts she might have had. She and her father were never really close. She loved him, because he was her father and he tried hard to give them good lives, and for a long time, his achievements bolstered their success in their chosen career paths, but his work with AI also destroyed that success. She never really blamed him for that either, but deep down she resented SAM for destroying her career in archaeology.

Given her current adventure, forgiving SAM wasn't so difficult. Nonetheless they first needed to find a home.

Like Mom would say, Home is where the heart lies. And where lies are told to protect the heart.

" Director Tann, I understand how difficult it must've been with the uprising and the introduction to Andromeda. I wish that we knew where the rest of the arks are,"

" As do I, Ryder,"

" Sara, please." Her heart skipped a beat. She didn't know exactly when she started to favor Salarians but she figured it started on one of her expeditions in the Attican Traverse. " There will only be one Ryder that will matter until the chaos is settled, and that's Scott. Besides, I prefer to be known for my exploits, not my family's name and reputation,"

" Yes, especially given your father's reputation for creating SAM," Tann replied without hesitation and without anything resembling disrespect or distrust.

Sara clasped her hands behind her back. " Dad's work pushed Scott and I out of our respective fields. As if we were the ones researching AI. It is unfair, but that's 600 years behind us," Years of being practical and analytical spared her the indignity of a shaking voice.

" To the future you now look then, Sara," Tann obliged as he wondered why she still talked to him instead of at him like everyone else did. Granted, she was not present for the uprising and held no personal grudge. Were she an exile he'd be more cautious. " I trust you will be a valuable asset to your brother,"

Sara laughed. " I hope to ensure he doesn't repeat a Habitat 7. Both the...death of our father and a first contact gone wrong," Relaxing a little bit, she hoped that she could stay on the Nexus long enough to better know Tann. He seemed her sort of person, the type who thought of the mission and not so much the components that made it work or even made it a possible feat.

Was it cold? Yes. Was it uniquely Sara? Most definitely. Few people understood her.

" The Kett attacked on sight?"

" Yes, and no,"

" Explain," Tann frowned. Salarians lacked a defined lip. So when they frowned it was like their face puckered up.

She shrugged and played with her hands. The injuries were still healing from Habitat 7, including the rib that she cracked when she landed. It still hurt to breathe sometimes but Dr. Carlisle was a skilled medical professional and they did have advanced medicine. " You received the reports, right? The Kett wanted something from us and when they couldn't find a way to take it, likely due to the language barrier, they killed us. I'd call them brutes but that would be an insult to any brute in existence. Brutes have more emotion than those things. They even give 'things' a bad name," She shook her head. " Worse than pirates,"

Tann cocked his head. " I recall that your father mentioned you were caught up in a raid once,"

" Dad wanted to rescue our group but in the end it was a group of mercenaries who saved us. They wanted credits, and since we didn't have any other option," Sara shrugged again. Her father never mentioned that expedition in front of her but Mom always reminded her that Alec Ryder was not a man who should be trifled with. Or his family threatened. It never surprised Sara when she was given a 'loan' for the exact amount of credits she had to hand over to the mercenaries. Dad was too proud to talk about it. She was too shy to push the subject. " I wasn't aware you were familiar with my father,"

" I wasn't as familiar as the Director of Colonial Affairs,"

" Oh?"

" Foster Addison worked closely with Alec Ryder,"

" Oh,"

Tann didn't understand Sara's suspicions. " Records indicate that he cared greatly for his children, and when they held skills the Initiative could use, recruiting them - you - was never contested,"

Sara smiled softly. At least someone hadn't written off their efforts. " Thank you, Director Tann. I should probably make sure that Scott hasn't caused too much trouble elsewhere,"

" Is he prone to-"

" No...It's just overprotective sister...Scott's all I have left now," Sara took a deep breath and walked away. The weight of the statement pressed down on her. Mom was dead because of her research. Dad was dead because of Andromeda. If she lost Scott, she didn't know if she would hold together, and for the sake of the universe, they needed to hold together. The storm would not beat them.

Her feet lead her down and out of operations. She stopped by Kandros's station out of respect for his duty in keeping everyone safe. The Turian acknowledged her briefly as everyone under his supervision reported. Sara crossed her arms over her chest. " How much has Director Tann destroyed? The leadership doesn't fracture like that without good reason," Yes, she was attracted to Tann, but the hatred for Tann sent up alarms.

" The uprising left the Nexus in a state of unrest, and our lack of resources hasn't eased the tension," Kandros explained. " The Pathfinder already passed through here inquiring about it,"

Of course Scott did. Scott wasn't stupid. He investigated everything. His curiosity lead to her learning how to encrypt her emails and videos. She often wondered how he didn't enter the same career path as she did. He seemed better suited to it than her, yet he was happy with his former career path.

Sara nodded. " If you need anything, or want to keep Tann in check...or anything like that, let me know,"

" The Pathfinder warned me you would be on his tail,"

She smiled. " He did? Good. Then he knows that I'm going to be doing the rounds the same as him. We're already rock bottom with Batarian oversights keeping us down. We need to rise up on out of it into the highest of the turian heirarchy," Kandros almost smiled. " In all seriousness, I need to get my feet under me if I can help him. Everyone's got their duties. I'm exploring the Nexus and the world it suffers in, as per my duties,"

Kandros nodded. " The Ryder name won't be put down,"

" No, it won't," She held out her hand.

He grabbed her hand, making it small in comparison. " I wish you luck,"

" Keep the luck. I'll use the science," She smiled briefly before deciding to take some down time at the Vortex. " But seriously, anything to do with Tann, keep me in the know," Before Kandros could argue or dismiss her, she made a quick exit and walked to the Tram.