The following story assumes that the following choices were made in a play-through of Mass Effect: Andromeda:
*Ryder is male and the "legendary" Commander Shepard was female.
*Citing the need to protect the Initiative's interests in the Heleus Cluster from the Kett and other future threats, Ryder chose to make the Prodromos settlement a military outpost.
*Ryder opted to tell Sara the truth about their father's death on Habitat 7 and the failure of the other "Golden Worlds."
*Ryder opted to destroy the Kett exaltation facility during the rescue of Moshae Sjefa. This decision caused Ryder's relationship with Jaal to momentarily deteriorate. However, during a later conversation, Ryder and Jaal patched things up.
*Ryder opted to retrieve and return Dr. Nakamoto's "Oblivion" formula. In return, Dr. Nakamoto became head of the Initiative's Kadara settlement's medical staff.
*In the "The Firefighters" quest, Ryder opted to talk Knight down peacefully. Alain, Knight's son, later joins the Initiative's science staff.
*Ryder chose to let Reyes' sniper kill Sloane Kelly during their confrontation. As a result of Sloane's death, the Collective takes power on Kadara. Rather than rule openly, Reyes placed Angaran representative Keema Dohrgun in power as his figurehead. Reyes promised, though, to provide protection to Kadara's Initiative settlement.
*Citing the fact that Sarissa left her predecessor as Asari Pathfinder, Matriarch Ishara, to die during a kett attack, Ryder recommended that Vederia replace Sarissa as Asari Pathfinder.
*Ryder opted to give the Remnant drive core to Nakmor Morda for powering the Krogan colony. In exchange, Morda permitted the Initiative to build a settlement adjoining New Tuchanka.
*Due to achieving 100% viability on all UNC worlds, Habitat 7 was re-designated "Ryder-1" by unanimous vote of all Initiative colony worlds and allied territories.
*During the "Hunting the Archon" mission, Ryder opted to save the Krogan scouts. As a result, Salarian Pathfinder Raeka was lost and Ark Paarchero Captain Hayjer took her place.
*Ryder chose to enter into an exclusive romantic relationship with Cora.
*Ryder was able to convince Avitus to replace Macen as Turian Pathfinder.
*Ryder decided not to kill Akksul at Jaal's request. Akksul did fire at Jaal; however, Akksul's shot was only a glancing blow that caused a scar on Jaal's cheek. However, according to Jaal, Akksul's shot proved how far he had fallen in the eyes of his fellow Angara.
*Ryder nominated August Bradley as interim Nexus Ambassador following the defeat of the Kett Archon and the foundation of Port Meridian.
Movie Night
A Prequel to 30 Worlds: Royal Megaforce, Episode Final: "Masters of the Ultimate Power"
by William "Blissey" Raymer
Based on the Electronic Arts, Inc. video game
Mass Effect: Andromeda
This story takes place three months after the events of Mass Effect: Andromeda.
CHAPTER ONE
It was the beginning of another sunny day on the artificial planet known as Meridian, homeworld for the human settlers of the Andromeda Initiative. In Port Meridian, seat of government for the human colonies and settlements throughout the Heleus Cluster (and formerly the Human Ark, Hyperion), life went on without a hitch since the defeat of the Kett Archon and his forces.
In the quarters of human Pathfinder William Scott Ryder, William woke up and smiled when he saw the woman laying naked next to him in his bed. Cora Harper, William's second-in-command and girlfriend, stirred and looked at William. "Morning," Cora said.
"Morning yourself," William responded. "We gotta wake up. Ambassador Bradley is supposed to be arriving from the Nexus with a important request." Cora pushed her way out of William's bed and moved over to the closet, where she had put a change of uniform the previous night.
An hour later, William and Cora were drinking coffee when a chime sounded. "Port Meridian Control to Pathfinder Ryder," a voice called out. William turned to his computer monitor and tapped a control. "Go ahead, Governor," William said.
Governor Nozomi Dunn, former commander of Ark Hyperion, appeared on William's display. "William, Ambassador Bradley's shuttle has arrived," Dunn said. "On our way," William said. "Let's go, Cora."
In the Atrium of Port Meridian, William and Cora watched as the doors to a shuttle landing pad opened to reveal Interim Human Ambassador to the Nexus August Bradley and a tall, thin, blond-haired man. "August, how have you and Eos been?" William asked as he and Bradley embraced.
"Busy, Pathfinder," Bradley said. "More so since you activated Meridian and defeated the Archon." "Who is this?" Cora asked, gesturing to the man standing next to Bradley. "Oh, this is retired Alliance Captain William Raymer," Bradley said. "He was sent by the Nexus to discuss a cultural exchange proposal with you and Governor Dunn."
"Welcome to Port Meridian, Captain Raymer," William said, his hand extended in greeting. "Thank you, Pathfinder," Raymer said before shaking William's hand. "It is an honor to finally meet you in person. The 'Path of a Hero' documentary on HNS doesn't do you justice."
A few minutes later, William, Cora, Governor Dunn, Ambassador Bradley and Raymer sat in Dunn's office. "Our Angaran allies have become fascinated with Jaal Ama Darav's missives about your weekly movie night aboard the Tempest," Raymer said. "And to tell you the truth, people within the Initiative are intrigued as well, owing to how you saved us from the Kett Archon."
"What are you suggesting, Captain?" Cora asked. "I have been asked to cover a movie night from planning to execution as a special for HNS," Raymer said. "That is, if your crew will allow it." "I'll discuss it with my crew tonight," William said. "If they agree, I don't have any objections."
While Raymer and Bradley retired to VIP quarters, William walked onto the Tempest. From there, he walked onto the Bridge to find science officer Suvi Anwar and navigator Kallo Jath. "Evening, Pathfinder," Suvi said.
"You too, Suvi," William said. "Listen, I need you two to come with me to the meeting room." "Why, Pathfinder?" Kallo asked.
"I'll tell you when everyone is present," William said. Confused by the possible implications of William's sudden call for a meeting, Suvi and Kallo followed William off the Bridge. By the time William, Suvi and Kallo arrived at the meeting room table, Cora had gathered the rest of the Tempest's crew.
"Ryder, what is this all about?" Pellesaria B'Sayle (hereafter referred to as "Peebee") asked. "I asked everyone to be brought here, Peebee, to discuss a request from the Nexus...a request of a cultural origin," William said.
William discussed the proposal from Ambassador Bradley and Captain Raymer. "I am sorry to have made our times of private relaxation a matter of public interest," Jaal Ama Darav said. "However, when Evfra permitted me to join your crew, Ryder, he ordered me to gather information about you and your peoples."
"It's all right, Jaal," William said. "So, how about it?" Each member of the crew gave their consent. William smiled then tapped a control on the control panel he stood in front of. "Pathfinder Ryder to Port Meridian Communications. Call Captain Raymer and route the transmission to the Tempest's meeting room vidcomm system," William said. "Yes, sir," a voice said. "Please stand by."
A hologram of Captain Raymer appeared. "Pathfinder, what's the word?" he said. "Captain, you're welcome to join us," William said. "We'll begin planning this week's movie tomorrow here on the Tempest. Meet me in my quarters on Deck 2 tomorrow at 1300."
"Understood," William said. "See you then. Raymer, out."
In his visitor's quarters, Raymer pulled off his glasses and tapped a control on his desktop terminal. "Cinnabarian Shadow Guard Mission Report, The Alternate Eighth Doctor recording," he said. "Mission progressing according to parameters. Expect to declare mission complete before the end of this week, providing that the A.I.C. does not show up, of course."
The Alternate Eighth Doctor sighed as he leaned back in his chair. As he did, he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "On a personal note, I find myself missing Katie. While Henrick and Bernice are suitable companions for this mission, I believe that Katie Tollinger will be the companion I miss the most of in my travels going forward," he said. "End entry and transmit to DDV Enterprise."
As soon as the panel noted that the transmission had been sent to the Enterprise, the Alternate Eighth Doctor sighed, then put his glasses back on, returned the panel to its normal Initiative configuration, then exited his guest quarters.
::TBC::