The next morning Ryder was up by 7, eager to get started and down to Voeld. A message from Gil put that off, there were repairs needed to the Nomad before it would be safe on the planet. The extreme cold had taken its toll on some of the more delicate equipment. She tried to go back to sleep, but it was impossible. She went to the kitchen and got some breakfast, eating with Drack and Vetra. She decided to take Vetra with her that day, wanting to rotate the crew to determine their fighting style, strengths and weaknesses. She gave Vetra a run-down of the prior day's events on Voeld.

Vetra nodded, "Yeah, Cora let us know what happened. So today we're going to check out the monoliths?"

Frowning, Ryder shook her head no, "We have to prioritize the Moshae. I told her that."

"Oh," Vetra looked surprised, "She said it was the monoliths. Well, anyway, whichever we decide to take on first, I'll be ready."

Feeling frustrated, Ryder went to Cora's quarters after breakfast. She was up and absently misting her plants as Ryder spoke to her.

"- and, I'm taking Vetra today."

Cora stopped for second, then nodded, "You have to rotate the crew, I get it. That will give me some time for more research, and reading." She smiled.

Ryder leaned against the metal wall, "Did – you tell Vetra we were going to focus on the monoliths today?" There was no way to say it that didn't sound questioning.

Cora looked at her, "Yeah, I guess I did. I still think that's the best way to go."

Ryder took a deep breath, "I'm open to opinions shared with me, however I specifically told you yesterday we were going to rescue the Moshae today." She shook her head, "I don't understand why you would state the opposite."

Cora looked irritated, "What difference does it make? You set the mission when we get there anyway, everybody knows that."

For a few seconds Ryder second-guessed her reaction, then decided to follow her gut feeling. "It makes a difference when as my second you are openly talking to the other crew and giving them misinformation. It undermines my role, and yours as well, as a support."

Cora wouldn't meet her gaze, moved to another plant and started misting it forcefully, "So, no one can disagree with you? Sounds like a dictatorship to me."

Ryder moved quickly to where she was standing and got between her and the plant, "That's not what I'm saying and you know it. I welcome appropriate debate, discussions and ideas, but not snide comments and subterfuge."

Cora put the mister down and crossed her arms, "But you have no problem with having all these talks with the Angara, with Jaal, but not us."

"I tried to talk to you guys, remember? Nothing has been done in secret. I'm forging a new and very delicate alliance with a different species, who are integral to our survival out here. I need to get to know them, and get them to trust me, trust us. Major dissention within our crew will not help us meet that goal." She looked critically at Cora, "What is this really all about, Cora? Me being the Pathfinder and not you? Because that's what it seems like. But here's the facts – it's done, we can't change it now, even if both of us wanted to, so we have to move forward and be successful – as a team."

"I – fine. I get it. And – so, maybe there is some resentment on my side. I trained for years with Alec Ryder, and now he's gone, and you obviously don't have any idea how to be a Pathfinder. No offense, it's just a fact." She paced around her quarters, "I'm trying to go along with my training, how Alec wanted things to be, how it had been planned."

Ryder interjected, "But nothing has gone to plan, none of this was foreseen, it couldn't have been. I know my dad, better than you, and I'm not saying he would be doing everything like I am, or have my opinions, but he would have adapted the mission to the challenges we're facing just like I'm doing."

Cora sighed, her hands on her hips. "Look, just – do me a favor, okay?"

Ryder nodded.

Cora softened her expression, "Please keep me informed. We don't have to agree, but at least if I know what your thinking is, your goals, I can get behind them. Deal?"

"Yes. I'll start putting out a short written report daily for Suvi to send out to all the crew about that day's events and the next day's plan. I'll give you a more detailed one, if I can't meet with you in person to discuss it."

Cora looked relieved. "That sounds good. Thank you."

Ryder nodded and turned to leave, realizing she had always worked alone, or in a small group where she was not in charge. She couldn't now go about her business and expect everyone to be left in the dark and just agree in silence. Not that she had to explain herself or be a people pleaser, but she couldn't be a lone wolf and tell the crew to shut up and obey. As she had this last thought, she was struck by the realization that her father had been like that. She'd found it condescending and superior when she'd worked with him. She was determined not to repeat that behavior

She spent the rest of the morning making a point to talk to everyone on board to touch base and try to find out a little bit more about them. Suvi had interesting thoughts on the Angara, as did Drack. She found everyone pretty receptive and excited to contribute to the mission. She tried not to be critical of herself, I'm still figuring this out, she said to herself. At least she was open to improving, her dad had not been so.

She'd saved Jaal for last, and went to the tech lab where he was working on his desk in the back.

"So – Jaal." She smiled.

He barely looked up. "Yes?"

"We've got some time before the Nomad is ready. Gil said probably at least another hour. I was hoping we could talk, you could tell me some more about yourself."

He finally turned around to face her, "Why?"

"Um, why not?" she smiled, "Are you hiding something?" she teased.

He did not smile back, "Maybe. That would only make sense."

Her smile faded, "Wait – you're messing with me, right?" she knew he had a sense of humor.

"Possibly. What does that mean?"

She shifted uncomfortably, he seemed serious, "It's a saying. It means you're joking, trying to make me uncomfortable."

"Then no. Evfra instructed me to be cautious. I'm – not very good at being cautious."

"Oh," she nodded. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense, but I -."

He interrupted her, "That's enough until we've established a better trust with each other." He turned back to his desk, picking up some parts and examining them.

She felt like she'd been smacked in the face. "Sorry, Jaal. Of course. In your own time. Remember I'm available whenever you need me." She turned and left. She walked quickly back to her quarters and replayed the conversation over in her mind. She felt surprisingly deeply hurt by the harshness of his rebuke. She frowned as she sat at her desk and tried to think it over. Shaking her head, she thought more specifically about what he said. "He came right out and said that Evfra commanded him to back off." She put her hands together and brought them up to her lips, looking down. "He also said it was hard for him." She put herself in his place. If an Angaran ship came to Earth and she went on board as their emissary, what pressures would she be under? She could imagine being told she was getting too close and might lose perspective. Cora had pretty much accused her of that already, and Jaal was in a much more precarious situation that she was. Jaal said it was a mandate from Evfra. Maybe he'd threatened to take him off the ship. Evfra had seemed irritated with Jaal's effusive praise for her. She crossed her arms down on the cold table and thought it through some more. The best course of action would be to trust him, and follow his lead. To jeopardize the fledgling alliance between their species would not be wise.

She thought about how her dad would be acting if he was still there, still in charge. She couldn't imagine him ever taking Jaal on board. He would have enlisted Angaran help, but been much more like Evfra. Was she making a mistake? It was impossible to know. She took a deep breath, the only thing she could do was do her best, which she always did, or tried to, at least. She wasn't afraid to say she'd made a mistake and change course or ideas. Her dad's inflexibility had been a detriment, she'd always thought. At this point, she was their only hope, and actually, so far, she'd done more than anyone else – Eos was viable, there was an outpost with real hope, and she'd made positive contact and gains with an Alien species. She stood up a bit straighter as she walked to the bridge.

Gil let her know the Nomad was ready, and she met Jaal and Vetra in the cargo bay as they landed.

"Ooo, Turians don't like the cold, Ryder." Vetra shivered as they stomped down the Tempest's walkway.

She laughed, "Do you want to go back on board?"

"Not a chance. Just – let's keep moving."

They stocked supplies at the last medical cache, and made their way back to the Resistance base to meet with the pilot and his team to rescue the Moshae.

On the small flyer they joined with a small team of Angara Resistance. The gave them what intel they could, but it was sketchy.

"So you're telling me that no one's ever been in one of these places? Really?" She was surprised.

Jaal, leaning on the wall, looked down at her, "No one who's lived to tell. Prisoners who go in are never seen again. They are the 'Disappeared'."

Ryder thought about the ramifications of that. It happened so much that they actually had a term for them. What were they doing with the Angara? Killing them? Processing them?

Commander Heckt brought her out of her disturbing thoughts. "We've tried, but we lost so many, many fighters. The cost was too high."

She shook her head, "Taking the Moshae, are they trying to lure you there?"

"Unclear," Commander Heckt replied, "that does not seem to be their goal. They take great pains to keep us away, actually."

She leaned against the wall of the shuttle, "With my AI processor, we should be able to break through that shield."

Skaelv spoke up, "That's what we're hoping, Pathfinder. We're anxious to see what's inside."

Owwin said, "I like to believe that the Kett take important Angara from here to their home cluster." His voice sounded optimistic.

Ryder snapped her head up, disgusted by his romantic naiveté. She frowned, "What do you think they are doing, selecting 'special' ones? That it's some kind of honor?"

Owwin stammered, "I –uh-"

She shook her head as Vetra crossed her arms and looked around the room for reactions.

Jaal recovered from his shock, "What do you think they go there for, as slaves?"

Owwin looked down, "I – guess."

Jaal stared at him, punctuating every word, "Death is better."

Ryder chimed in, "Life without freedom is – pointless. That kind of thinking is dangerous." She leaned forward, "What you guys are going through is a nightmare." She started to get choked up.

Jaal saw that flicker of strong emotion and empathy before she quickly covered it up. He cocked his head to the side, watching her as she discussed their strategy with Commander Heckt. This human was very intriguing. Her loyalty to their cause was beyond what her species could get out of it. She was proving it, with everything she said and did. He was impressed.

They landed by the base and the immensity of the shield and the Angaran teams' comments about its impenetrability gave her a small fear the hacking program wouldn't work. After her optimistic and confident promises to them all, what would happen if they ended up in the snow, staring at the glowing blue shield. They found the interface point.

"You can access it here," Skaelv showed her.

"She's our top kett code hacker." Owwin said admiringly.

"Ok," Ryder brought up her omni-tool, "Run Angaran shield disable program."

Adding my process accelerator, Sam replied.

Ryder waited. Hands on her hips she looked down at the node. Nothing. She looked up at Jaal and smiled.

Stand by, Sam said.

Ryder nodded and breathed out cold air.

Continue to stand by, Sam said.

She looked at the team and nodded, confidently. She glanced at Jaal and raised her eyebrows a little. He nodded at her encouragingly. She took a deep breath.

"Sam, please don't embarrass me in front of our new friends," she said under her breath jokingly, but at the same time not.

I have created a small hole in the shield, Sam said.

It opened up before them, and Ryder ran in, relieved.

The team quickly followed her, a palpable change in the air from their new success in finally getting into the base.

They fought kett and made their way in.

"I can't believe I'm in here!" Skaelv said with glee.

The Angaran yelled out in excitement as they thanked her, cursed the kett and talked with pride about being able to breach the facility. Ryder was struck with her own feeling of pride in being able to be a part of their team and their cause. To be able to make such a difference, she realized was thankful for the first time that she was the Pathfinder with her AI. This felt like a huge turning point for her. "I can really do this," she said to herself.