Ryder walked to the edge of the plateau that overlooked the first successful Initiative settlement in Andromeda.
Padromos. A scientific outpost. A base from which to build a new home and learn about a new galaxy.
Cora was right. She did feel a sense of pride. Ryder and her team were the reason this settlement was a success where the first two attempts had failed. Looking down at the small port, she could see the shuttles constantly landing and taking off, bringing down new people and fresh resources, and taking back vital research and data that would help create new settlements just like this one around the Heleus Cluster.
It was an awesome responsibility to have. Until the other Pathfinders were found, she and her team were the only ones out here, blazing the trail to a sustainable existence. Countless souls, human and alien, were counting on her.
Standing up here, far above Padromos and far away from the Nexus, far removed from most of those souls depending on her, she could allow herself a moment of self doubt. Why was she in this position? Why did her father choose her to become the new human Pathfinder? Why did he think she was better than Cora, who had trained for the role? Did he know something? What if she wasn't good enough? What if Padromos was a fluke, a stroke of luck? What if she got everyone killed or captured by the Kett?
"Hey Ryder!" Peebee's voice cut into her thoughts from behind, where she waited none too patiently next to the Nomad. "Let's get moving. I see a Remnant construct over that way I want to investigate." She pointed, looking excited.
That was all it took. Ryder regained her focus. That's why we're here, she thought. To explore. To learn. To become better.
She took a final look down at Padromos, seeing the indistinct forms walking around. From this far up it was impossible to distinguish alien from human, but it didn't matter. They were all in this together, for better or for worse. And for the time being, she was the one responsible for making sure it turned out for the better. She turned from the precipice, the weight of responsibility settling heavy on her shoulders.
Drack followed her movements as she walked back to the waiting Nomad. His gaze was thoughtful, like maybe he knew what Ryder had just been thinking. If he did he chose not to say anything. They piled in, Peebee chatting animatedly about what useful new tech they might find, while Drack focused on what new enemies they might encounter.
Whatever happened in Andromeda, they would face it together. She was the leader, but she wasn't alone. She had the best team of scientists and soldiers she could assemble to make this adventure a success. And even if they failed, they would go down fighting together.
But hopefully it wouldn't come to that.