Initiative Outpost: Ditaeon (2 weeks Earlier)

"So tell me again, exactly what happened?" Reyes Vidal gritted through his smile. Christmas Tate, mayor of the Imitative Outpost of Ditaeon on Kadara, sighed and scratched the back of head.

"Look, just because the water's less toxic with the Vault up and running doesn't mean people's habits die. I get that." Christmas replied, staring out across the deep blue lake of water near the outpost. The filtration system hummed quietly in the back ground creating a strange soothing mixture that didn't quite jive with the faint odor of rotting eggs. Reyes wrinkled his nose.

Christmas took the gesture as something else. "Look, I wouldn't have called, but this is the third body dumped in our water supply."

Reyes waved his hand, both to dispel the stench and the argument, but Christmas hurried on before he could speak.

"I won't have called you, but you see, this body isn't ours,"

"What?" Reyes raised an eyebrow, "Is it a scavenger then, plenty of those still running across Kadara."

Christmas shook his head, "No, pretty certain this one is from Kadara Port," He motioned for the men standing near the covered body to step away. Reyes watched as Christmas leaned down and drew the sheet away from the victim's face.

"Shit," Reyes whispered, the face was human, bruised and bloody missing an eye. Christmas pulled the sheet down, revealing the armor of one of the Collective. The logo of the rising white sun loomed into view—scratched and partially peeled—but still noticeable.

"Don't think the Charlatan will take kindly to one of his men ending up dumped in the Initiative's water supply." Christmas declared, straightening up.

Narrowing his eyes, Reyes skimmed his eyes over the body, "No, The Charlatan wouldn't, I think,"

"Look, I know that the Pathfinder said the Collective would watch out for us out here, but this has me worried," Christmas rubbed his chin and looked back over his shoulder at the outpost's silhotted in the setting sun. "I've sent the Pathfinder a message. Just as a precautionary. I don't want to cause any problems, but I think she should be aware of the situation here on Kadara."

Reyes sighed. Christmas's heart was in the right place, but the Pathfinder had other problems to worry about. He had told her that he could handle Kadara. Give his word that he would. Now this.

Kaetus. That bastard was going to pay for this. It was bad enough he had killed three of Reyes men during his escape, but now he was declaring war on the Collective and the Initiative. What's the point? Reyes wondered. The turian wasn't stupid. He knew tactics. This didn't seem like a bright idea to have both the Collective and Initiative hunting for him.

"Smart move to notify the Pathfinder. I will update her as well," What he was going to say? He'd come up with on the fly. When it came to Ryder he preferred letting his mind act in the moment. Speaking to her again, wouldn't be bad. Maybe he'd hear her laugh or see that huffy smirk cross her lips again. His lips twitched at the corners, wanting to smile at the thought of seeing her again. Even if it was business related it wasn't his business that would be pulling her here. It would be more or less the outpost need to have her investigate these murders. It wouldn't like before where he had needed her cooperation.

Reyes opened his omni-tool and typed out a quick message:

Ryder,

It has been a while. Hopefully, the galaxy has been treating you well. I'm working with Christmas on the murders happening near the outpost. Would love your help with the matter. Meet me at Tartarus. We can discuss details further in person. Looking forward to seeing you.

Truly Yours,

Reyes