Sulfur Caves: Ryder
Pathfinder, I have restored your amplifier 35%. You should be able to maintain a barrier and a low powered biotic blast. SAM commented over their private channel.
Thanks, SAM, good timing, and that's just what I needed to hear.
Ryder was dimly aware of Reyes and Kaetus' conversation. Kaetus holding them responsible for Sloane's death and her part in it. He wanted to torture her in front of Reyes, let him know what it felt like to lose a friend. To be helpless to do anything about it too. The problem was Kaetus like Sloane were too honorable. Not a bad thing, just on a planet ruled by outlaws and exiles- it was too noble an idea.
Ryder hadn't been raised to be honorable. Her father had instilled in her a sense of whatever it takes.
"What it takes to get the job done," Alec Ryder told his two children one night at dinner. Scott had just asked how dad had survived First Contact and his subsequent N7 missions. "Work smarter, harder, and faster than the other guys. And do whatever it takes to get back home." Dad had smiled over at their mother then. Their mom smiled back.
It was all the motivation Ryder needed. Scott still needed her. Her crew needed her. The Initiative needed her. She had a lot to do. One understandably hurt, pissed off turian wasn't going to stop her. She cracked open his eyes, glancing toward Reyes. His soft brown eyes met hers and she couldn't help the smile that arched across her lips. He needs me to. He might not like it or admit it, but he does.
Blue light cackled to life around her as she threw up her barrier. Kaetus for his part didn't released her throat immediately. No, he turned to look at her and why his hand had suddenly gone numb.
Ryder waited another beat. She blocked out sound and concentrated as she sucked in a breath.
He's going to shoot me, Reyes, or call the krogan. It was a gamble. She exhaled, releasing her biotics in a blue wave that ripped Kaetus away from her, pushed the krogan guard back to the door, and knocked Reyes' chair over backwards.
"Can you get free?" She called over Reyes. She wasn't certain of all the smuggler's tricks, but something told her he might after an ace up his sleeve.
"I've been in worse situations before," He replied from his undignified spot on the floor.
"That wasn't an answer, Reyes," She said turning her attention back to the krogan and turian. The krogan was getting to his feet, a little distorted but otherwise unharmed. "You might want to hurry up with that getting free part,"
Sweat beaded on her forehead and her head was starting to ache again. But the ache was intensifying.
Keeping her barrier in place she gathered more of biotics to her. It wasn't enough to blast both krogan and turian back again, but it would be enough to keep them at bay for the moment.
The krogan shook his head and huffed, eyeing her up.
"About time I get to have some fun," He chuckled, right as it charged.
Great, Ryder thought planting her feet. She waited. Sparring against Drack, had helped her understand krogan fighting a bit more. Especially, since she wanted no repeat of the first time a krogan mercenary here on Kadara had charged her and knocked her across the room. Then she had armor, weapon and full biotics. Now, just her weakened biotics and her arms tied behind her back.
She waited until got within striking distance. She watched as he brought up his shotgun, whether to shoot or use it as a club, Ryder didn't care nor did it matter. She ducked and rolled past himself, coming up on her feet behind him. She let loose a biotic kick to the krogan's mid back.
He grunted as he when sprawling away from her, dropping he shotgun in the process. The weapon slid out of his reach. He wasn't out, yet. Knocking him unconscious would be a difficult challenge even in her normal gear with both her hands and weapons.
Reyes was suddenly there reaching down for the shotgun. He wasted no time picking it up and shooting the krogan. Twice.
Ryder flinched, but she was forced to turn as a bullet bounced off her barrier, just grazing her shoulder. The impact stung, but nothing more serious than that.
Ryder spun to glare at Kaetus. The turian sat up against the wall gun pointed directly at her. His eyes blazed with fury and contempt. Ryder was used to being disliked on principal, but this turian hated her. Her heart ached. He hated her with good reason too.
"I didn't like her, plain and simple." Her own words echoed in her head. She had been pissed at the time. Pissed at the situation, pissed at Kadara, pissed at Reyes, pissed at Sloane, pissed at her own foolish heart. Piss at the lot she had been served thus far since arriving in Andromeda.
"You going to kill me too?" Kaetus asked with a chuckle. "Fitting, I suppose. You never could face me one on one, Reyes. You had your thugs take me out so I couldn't protect Sloane."
"You are right, Kaetus. I'm not an honorable man. I've never claimed to be. I did what I thought was necessary. Sloane was only looking out for her people. She didn't care about Kadara." Reyes responded. Ryder shifted her eyes to him. He stared down at Kaetus, shotgun in hand.
"You think you have Kadara's best interest at heart? You a third rate smuggler. You only became something because you murdered someone else for it." Kaetus shook his head.
"Perhaps, but my people aren't beaten in the streets and then tossed out into the wilds if they can't pay a fee. I'm hoping to make Kadara better than it was. Better than Sloane could have imagined." Reyes lifted the gun. "As I said before it is a shame we're on different sides. You would have made a good friend."
"Wait, Reyes, wait." Ryder stepped in front of the turian. She didn't know what she was thinking in the moment, she also knew that if the turian tried anything she still had her barrier in place.
"Ryder, move, please," Reyes asked firmly.
Ryder shook her head. "No, you can't kill him,"
Reyes sighed. "Ryder, he kidnapped you and has killed several of my men. He was planning on torturing and killing me. I think I have good right to kill him."
"Then you are exactly what he wants you to be. Secrets, information, smuggling, even the Charlatan is this the kind of legacy you leave behind. I thought you wanted more. I thought you wanted to be more." She stared hard at him. "We're supposed to be better than that."
Reyes eyes softened around the edges. "No, you are better than that." He lowered the gun slightly, locking eyes with her. "You know what you are asking?"
"Yes," She knew.
"Call you men off, Kaetus. Let's end this now."
The turian laughed. "I don't think so, Charlatan." He pulled the trigger.
