Matt shielded his eyes from the bright sun. Stepping off the ship for the first time in months, his senses felt overwhelmed. Sun, fresh air, smells unknown on the sterile atmosphere of their ship.

As his eyes became accustomed to the direct sunlight, he looked around at their surroundings. They were in a large field, a few other landing pads scattered the area, and the whole area was fenced in by sturdy looking grey walls. Two figures approached them, likely their 'escort'.

Jack finished up locking down the ship, Thraak busied himself with a shopping list of sorts. Ked stood nervously beside Thraak. Matt headed towards the approaching figures with Dalie and Neri on point.

As they approached, it was clear to the pathfinders that their escort were Geth. "Greetings" the first Geth acknowledged the pathfinders. We will be your escort. You may address myself as ZX-82 and my colleague as Z7-4A. You are cleared for escorted entry into the Alien market just outside the spaceport. "

Z7 proceeded to scan each of the crew, asked each their name, origin and reason for visiting. Matt replied with a cover story they worked out with Ked, in order to avoid any mention of inter galactic travel. When the Geth arrived at Ked, however, the two synthetics conferred excitedly. The Salarian shifted from one foot to the other, looking around nervously.

"We really need to check out his story" Matt whispered to Dahlie. "Keep an eye on him.". Dahlie nodded in agreement.

Background checks complete, the group proceeded towards the central buildings and into the terminal proper. Long lines of travellers, both Batarian and many other species Matt didn't recognise, filled the spaceport grand lobby. Each Pathfinder gazed about, taking it all in. The two Geth flanked the group on either side, directing their course.

"Did you see that?" Jack muttered to Dahlie. "What?" she replied. "The group of people we just passed. They all looked up in unison looked directly at us, their eyes flashed green, and then they returned to whatever they were doing."

Matt watched the next group they passed, and sure enough, the same reaction. "Creepy" Thraak noted.

Ked chuckled "They are attempting to 'read' you. They cannot since you are not Gifted. "

"They can read you then? What are they reading?" Matt asked. "Y-yes" Ked stammered "They are simply looking for familiar signatures."

"So, are you going to tell me what has you so agitated, Ked? Or do I have to guess?"

"Not now, once back on the ship, I assure you."

Just then, a huge alien trundled towards them, carrying a load of boxes. "Coming through" it growled as it shoved ZX and Neri aside. Matt caught a glimpse of the creatures face, and saw a huge three jawed mouth and huge angry eyes. The others jumped aside to make way for the large creature.

"Yagh" Ked muttered. "Here comes another one"

The second Yagh Trundled past, growling "Excuse me". Just as it passed, it tripped on something, dropping its parcels on top of the group. The Yagh shook itself angrily, and wheeled to look at the Pathfinders. It took a deep breath and started to snarl "Watch wh-"

The Yagh stopped in mid sentence, and its eyes flashed green. "Excuse me, gentle beings. My mistake. I will continue on my way."

The pathfinders looked at each other, stunned, as the giant creature picked up its dropped parcels with a grimace that Mat could only assume was meant to be a friendly smile.

"What was that all about?" Neri wondered. "More creepiness" Thraak responded. "And just as things were looking to get interesting."

"The Salarian, he's gone." one of their escorts noted. "Security alerted" The other replied. They addressed the pathfinders. "Your companion will be apprehended. Why did he run?"

Matt shook his head. "Truth is, he's a hitch hiker we picked up. He's double crossed us as well. I had no idea he'd do that. We don't even know who he is really."

"You must stay with us. Any attempt to leave the group will result in incarceration."

"Agreed" Matt assured the Geth. "We just want to finish our business"

"When I get a hold of that Salarian.." Thraak rumbled. Dahlie nodded in agreement.

They finally left the spaceport proper, proceeding to an open air market. Several tents were set up, with produce on display and terminals one could used to order supplies for the ship.

As they approached groups of people smiled and nodded in their direction, again in unison.

"I'm going to order up some samples" Thraak said, heading towards a terminal. "Supplies, Thraak, supplies" Neri laughed. "Right, that's what I said."

Matt looked over some fresh produce, at another tent. "May I help you?" A Batarian asked. As Matt looked up the Batarian's eyes flashed, then frowned. "Can you tell me what these are?"

"Ah, yes, Kupi fruit. A delicacy among my people. You fry it with Kessar oil, but cook it well, as it is dangerous to humans when raw. " The shopkeeper smiled a toothy grin.

"Thank you, but I'll pass" Matt replied. "You are friendly to aliens, especially humans".

"Certainly, sir, we have no conflict with other species." The shopkeeper's eyes flashed again. "Can I show you anything else?"

Matt declined and turned towards Neri and Dahlie. They were cooing over what looked like a basinet, a female Batarian stood beside them, smiling. Neri looked up and waved him over. "Matt, you have to see this! So cute!"

Matt peeked inside at a baby Batarian. It was indeed cute, for a Batarian. he noted silently. The baby's eyes seemed to wander in four different directions, not focussed on anything in particular. Matt waved his hand in front of the baby, trying to get even two eyes focussed on one thing. Suddenly, all four eyes glowed green, and snapped to his face. "Help us" it said in a squeaky voice. Then its eyes returned to normal, and it giggled.

Matt almost fell back on his butt in surprise. "He can talk?" The mother looked annoyed. "Of course not. Much like humans, Batarian babies can't talk until their second year."

"But I heard him, he said 'help us'". Matt insisted. The mother shrugged. "That is quite impossible, Human" Her eyes flashed.

"Do you need help? Are you in some sort of trouble?" Matt pressed. "No, we are fine, you imagined-" The woman backed away,

"I know what I saw heard" Matt replied, getting annoyed. "We can-"

A hand gripped his shoulder. "Matt, let it go" Jack said. "It was likely the baby passed gas. Come on. We're done here."

Matt started to protest but gave up as Jack, Neri and Dahlie stared at him with looks of confusion and concern on their faces. "I guess maybe .." he sighed. "Never mind, lets go. We still need to locate that damn Salarian before we leave."

"Can't we just leave him?" Thraak asked. "We at least need to try." Matt replied, looking around. "Although security may be holding him."

"There is no sign of your Salarian friend" ZX responded. "He will be detained for questioning once found. Then likely sent for processing."

"Processing? Processing what? Will he be locked up?"

"No, he is dissociated, he will be reconnected"

"What does that mean?"

"He must be reconnected. He is a danger to others."

"What? He's a little skittish sure, but dangerous?"

"Yes" The Geth responded tersely. "Now please move along"

The group trudged back through the spaceport to their hangar, and found a stack of boxes waiting them. "Ah, excellent, my samples." Thraak exclaimed. "Supplies." "Whatever."

Lifter Geth arrived to load the cargo onto the ships hold. Once done all Geth but ZX-82 left the ship.

"I hope you enjoyed your visit. We will notify you once the Salarian is captured. You may leave.". With that the Geth marched off the ship.

"I don't like this." Matt said, "Not knowing what happened to Ked."

"Well, we can sit around and wait, or get on with our trip. " Dahlie pointed out. "He's their problem now."

Matt sighed. "Fine, prepare to launch."

"Hold the holo." Thraak growled. Matt turned to see him dragging Ked out of a crate by the tip of his horns. "Look what I found"

Dahlie, pulled out her pistol, pointing it at Ked as Matt walked up to him with crossed arms. "Should I toss him to the Geth?" Thraak asked, hopefully.

"No! No! Hear me out! Please! " Ked cried anxiously.

"Fine, start talking". All five crew members glared at him.