While playing the game, I got an idea to write about Ryder's experience from the moment she wakes up and discovers she is the new Pathfinder. Whenever I think about how stressful that must have been, I think of all the things a video game leaves out because it's a game, not a movie. The characters are usually pretty perfect in order for the story to flow. I wanted to add to that with this story and make Ryder a little more human and realistic. A lot of the dialogue will be changed, but the general storyline will be followed.

Please read and review. I really want to write a story worth reading and one that you all will enjoy.


Ryder blinked repeatedly, the dim lights in the room burning her eyes.

"Welcome back, Ryder," SAM's electronic voice sounded through her comms. Attempting to sit up, Ryder winced, grabbing her side as she finished the task.

"Thanks, SAM. How long was I out?"

"12 hours."

Shit, that long? Ryder thought as she looked around, realizing she was in SAM node.

"Did the others make it?" Ryder's memory of the accident on Habitat 7 began to come back. They had crash landed on the planet. Lightening had struck her shuttle, breaking it in half and scattering the team. After fighting their way through the immediate area, she eventually met up with her father and attempted to interface with alien tech. Before her thoughts could wander to her father's whereabouts, Liam's voice cut through.

"Hey, you're awake," he spoke softly, concern coloring his expression. He immediately opened his omni-tool and called the others. "Hey guys, get to SAM node. Ryder's awake." He stood and gave Ryder a once over, clearly looking for permanent damage. "Who were you talking to before?"

"SAM."

"I didn't hear SAM," Liam replied, a puzzled look on his face. A soft whoosh broke the silence and both Cora and Lexi rushed over.

"How are you feeling?" Lexi questioned, using her omni-tool to scan Ryder.

"Sore," Ryder complained. She glanced past Cora and Lexi, looking for her father. Then it hit her, he had given her his helmet before she passed out. She vaguely remembered Cora and Liam standing over her body on Habitat 7, calling for the evac. Then Lexi and Harry working on her, discussing something about her brain overloading. Ryder turned her head, catching sight of her father's battered helmet on the table next to her. "Where's my dad?"

Cora, Liam, and Lexi all shared a look. Fear, sadness, and avoidance appeared on their faces within a matter of seconds. Silence fell over the room briefly. Ryder felt her chest constrict as Lexi spoke.

"There was an accident, Ryder. Your father didn't make it."

Tears threatened to burn her eyes as Cora spoke.

"It was you or him... and he chose you," Cora couldn't even look her in the eyes and Ryder dropped her head, trying to maintain her composure. "You're the new Pathfinder."

Ryder's head shot up so fast it hurt her neck. "SAM?"

"Alec authorized the transfer of Pathfinder authority to you."

"Uh... shouldn't that be Cora?" It took all her strength to not let her voice crack. She felt overwhelmed. So much had happened in the last minute.

"In theory," Cora said, her voice trailing off. She could hear it in her tone, she was upset.

"It's all academic, really," Lexi casually responded, clearly trying to change the subject. "Look here," Lexi instructed Ryder, moving her finger in front of her face and assessing her cognitive abilities.

"What was dad thinking?" Ryder could feel her heart rate increasing and the lump in her throat growing.

"He obviously had faith in you. I say, run with it. You got this." Liam sounded so damn confident in her. She looked up at him, trying to figure him out. He barely knew her. Habitat 7 was the extent of their time together. Hardly what she'd call a good assessment of her abilities.

"We'll be at the Nexus soon. We need to figure out the plan." Cora instructed.

"She is in no condition to get right back into the thick of it." Lexi scolded Cora.

"She has 2 hours." Cora glared at Lexi before turning to Ryder. "We'll need our Pathfinder for this." She emphasized. The rejection Cora felt was dripping from every word, every look, every breath. The last thing Ryder wanted to do was have an insanely powerful biotic pissed at her. Cora and Lexi walked out, a hushed and seemingly heated conversation ensuing.

"You got this," Liam said, giving Ryder a soft pat on her shoulder before leaving her alone in SAM node.

"SAM, what is going on?" Ryder asked, her heart rate elevating. She could feel her vision closing in, her hands beginning to shake, and her stomach churning.

"Alec made you the Pathfinder."

"Why?"

"Unknown."

"I..." Ryder sucked in a ragged, deep breath. "I can't believe he's gone." A tear slipped down her cheek. She felt her chest begin to tighten further.

"Alec will be missed." Ryder closed her eyes, agreeing silently with SAM's final comment. When she opened her eyes, her tunnel vision became worse and her breathing was more erratic. "Ryder, your heart rate is elevated and your serotonin levels have changed. Are you feeling well?"

"Fuck off, SAM." Her harsh tone surprised both her and SAM.

"I will leave you to your thoughts, but Lexi has been alerted."

"Great," she groaned, wiping her eyes and attempting to calm herself. She knew what was happening. A panic attack. She'd gotten them a few times before, like when her mom had died.

Lexi rushed in, carrying a bottle of pills, attempting to get one out. "Here Ryder, take this. SAM informed me that your may be experiencing some anxiety-related symptoms."

"Thanks," Ryder took the pill, popping it in her mouth and swallowing without any water. The powdery taste from the tablet made her nauseous, but she didn't care. She just wanted to chill out.

"You need to rest." Lexi was stern. "Go use the Pathfinder's quarters and get some rest. Captain Dunn has issued a release of the quarters to you."

Ryder nodded and lid off the table, wobbling a bit from all the information. Lexi steadied her and followed behind until Ryder made it to the doors of her new quarters. The doors softly slide open, revealing a room filled with her father's belongings. She felt sick, walking into the room that was meant for her father. The bed was directly in sight. Ryder walked straight over and dropped onto the bed, pulling a pillow down and hugging it, laying in the fetal position. The tears began to overwhelm Ryder and she cried, hard and ugly into the pillow before she fell asleep from the medication.