A/N: So this is my first foray back into writing (actual writing) in some time. I'm not going to ask for reviews, though they are certainly most welcome and I will note that I have a tendency to work with greater verve when given feedback. I will ask that reviews are constructive, seeing as how that's supposed to be the point: Just point me in the direction of improvement. As an aside, I did my best to make Future Pathfinder Ryder's gender a mystery for the time being, hence the Prime and Squared thing.
Disclaimer - Mass Effect: Andromeda and everything therein is the property of Bioware and its affiliates. I own only my Ryders. That said, enjoy.
Andromeda
Prologue, Part I
Or, Exodus
Exodus: noun - A going out; a departure or emigration, usually of a large number of people
From the memoirs of Alec Ryder:
Every great moment in our history began with a dream. Each bold leap forward was achieved by those willing to do anything to attain it. We are, all of us, leaving behind families, homes, the very birthplace of our species. Some for discovery, to see the unknown. Others, for a new start. But today, whatever our reasons, we take the first steps toward a new future for humanity. Today we begin to make our dream reality.
The shuttle trembled with a bit of high-atmo turbulence as it cleared Earth. Ryder looked out the viewport at humanity's cradle, contemplative for the first time in a long while. Europe twinkled on the night side, a jeweled spider's web that stretched further to Africa, Asia, even a slice of India way down there.
Never to be glimpsed again.
A quick reaction captured the image via omni-tool, stored it for posterity. A hand thumped against Ryder's shoulder. Ryder Squared looked back from the left. In that way that only twins have, information passed between them without a word spoken, ten thousand subtle cues that only those who have shared a womb just get. Ryder Prime nodded and continued watching home dwindle. Alliance fighters buzzed by as they hit the First Fleet's picket screen, then the slower cruisers and even more sluggish dreadnaughts. Ryder Prime placed a hand against the viewport and then moved to the back of the shuttle's compartment. Seats were taken as the inertial dampeners kicked in for the hard sub-light burn to the moon.
Most of the faces were recognizable, if minimally. There was Harper, vaguely recalled from the ceremony they'd held for Mom. Harry, too. A jumble of unfamiliar names and features filled out the rest of the Pathfinder team. Why Dad had invited them to join the Initiative so late would forever be a mystery. Whatever. Time enough for team-building exercises on the far side. Centrifugal force built as the shuttlecraft rounded the moon. Faces plastered against the port side viewport in anticipation. Ryder remained seated, watching as the gargantuan construction rings appeared. They passed Luna, and there... Hyperion awaited.
The brassy orchestral could almost be heard.
In the year 2185, humanity lives in a golden era of interstellar travel. Our discovery of ancient alien ruins on Mars propelled our understanding of science and technology ahead by thousands of years. While many now enjoy the newfound freedom and challenges offered by exploration in the Milky Way, others look to even more distant stars.
For the hundred thousand travelers embarking on this one-way voyage, the future begins in... Andromeda
The Hyperion was eerily quiet. Late-stage preps had been completed, and nearly all of her inhabitants were already dreaming of frozen sheep. Most of the personnel who were still awake were senior bridge staff, some medical personnel, and the last of the Pathfinder team.
Three persons, to be precise.
Ryder Senior, Ryder Prime, and Ryder Squared all watched as the construction rings were disengaged. There was a subtle background vibration, up through the deckplates and into the legs, as the engines spooled up and the ark began to make headway.
It was a bittersweet moment; the last time the Ryders had been together... well, it hadn't been a barrel of monkeys, that was for damn sure. Now they were leaving Earth, leaving their entire galaxy behind; everything that they'd known, everyone they'd loved. But the alternative was to stay in a place that was no longer home, even if those pesky emotions told them otherwise.
"All remaining personnel are to proceed immediately to the cryogenic bay for suspension. Repeat: All remaining personnel are to proceed immediately to the cryogenic bay for suspension," someone declared over the ark's comm.
Ryder Sr. exhaled and pushed off the rail he'd been leaning against. "Come on," the old man groused. His progeny fell in behind him. The tram ride was as quiet as their time together on the observation deck.
Awkward, thought Ryders Prime and Squared. Senior either didn't notice or didn't let it show. Or maybe he didn't care. He had always been distant, at best. It had long since faded from irritation into jaded acceptance. The twins shared a look and understood each other instantly.
When they reached Cryo they were ushered into a rapidly-dwindling line. Senior waited until it was his turn before touching a shoulder apiece and giving them what was supposed to be a smile, but in actuality looked like his mouth trying to claw itself off his face. Well, he was trying. Maybe.
"I'll see you both on the far side." And then he was gone. Prime faced Squared and did a better job of smiling. "What he said. Except in the singular." They hugged, knowing beyond their bones that they'd see each other again. And give the old man hell, if for no other reason than because they were Ryders.
The smiles turned wan as they parted and were placed in their pods. The hatch closed with a moment of claustrophobia, then the hiss and cool feeling of air against bare skin as somnolence stole up silently.
Were they supposed to dream while frozen? Would there be dreams of Mom? Of the happier days with them all together? Of Andromeda? Would there even be dreams at all?
The answer, it turned out, was "yes".