Chapter 10: Just another normal meeting…

They were arriving to Kadara. There was still a business of setting an outpost there. It was the best shot as the planet offered a good climate for plantations and water. They needed to feed more aliens because all the resources the Salarian ark had, were stolen by the Kett. Only problem was it was still radioactive, so they needed to find the vault. SAM already marked the locations. Ok, there was another problem there – Sloane Kelly. They were still not on good terms despite she let her have her justice to execute Vehn. It pissed Evfra off, but she really did not care what he was thinking. Moshae was on her side. They had their disagreements on Voeld, but that passed and Sara promised to "cure" Havarl's ecosystem right after this Kadara business. She finally understood that Sara was there to help, and started to treat her with some respect. It was surely a beginning of a peaceful partnership.

Some of the Vetra's "illegal" friends contacted Reyes. He was ready to work Sloane out to find a deal which would secure an outpost in Kadara. First step was still the vault though. She, personally, was hoping that a cleaner water would persuade Sloane to open up a bit. She felt certain respect towards her. She was a "tough bitch" at least that was how Drack called her. How could a former security agent turn to be the leader of the "criminals?" Anyway, she did not perceive them as Outcasts despite it was their official name. Sloane looked as a person who was straight to business and she liked it. It was relaxing after all those mysteries and frauds grouping around her.

"Suvi, please call everyone to the comm room. We need to discuss the mission." She was leaning on the control panel, watching how the distance between the Tempest and the planet was shortening.

"As you wish Sara." Suvi smiled her way. Suvi like Gil was one of those members of the crew she developed friendship quite fast. Sometimes she followed Suvi's breaks to talk about her faith and the mysteries the Andromeda was hiding from them. Sara was a philosophy freak at her school and conversations with Suvi reminded her about those innocent times when she was just a teenager and could spent her time dreaming.

"Thank you Suvi. Please, take Kallo out this time, some fresh air will do him good" She noticed an annoyed stare from Kallo and laughed. Yes, she would definitely die every day for these moments. Since the intimate and bounding moment, she experienced with Lexi, she did not really talk to her. Nor she talked to Peebee… Her two Asari women who made her crazy in different ways. She really should buy some drinks at Kralla's song and think about it. There was no time until now. She moved to the comm room, her crew was already there including Doc and Peebee.

Sara: "We are reaching Kadara soon. I want 100% from all of you. We need to secure an agreement with Sloane fast to get access to more resources. So I will take a small team to reach remnant pillars and activate them." She paused for a moment and looked at them.

Peebee: "Whoa! Ready for action Ryder." Peebee was definitely excited to get to another vault. Sara smiled. She loved that excitement and had a special plan for her gift as well. Until now only Lexi received her gift as the others were usually accessible outside Nexus.

Sara: "Yeah, Peebee. But you will join me when the location of vault is marked. I will take Drack and Vetra with me in case we encounter some of the outcasts or collectives. Maybe it would help with diplomacy?" Vetra laughed and poked sad Peebee standing next to her.

Vetra: "That's smart even for you, Ryder."

Drack: "Yeah… You've got a good night sleep, kid?" Drack traced his eyes on Peebee expecting they were "mating". Peebee had an urge to punch him. She remembered their conversation and was hoping he had not informed Ryder about it.

Sara: "Thanks Drack, the best one…" She winked and wanted to show him her tongue in rebellious gesture but tried to play cool. She tried to avoid looking at Peebee or Doctor. Lexi was sitting on a couch; her legs were crossed and she looked very sexy like this. Fortunately, she did not seem disturbed at all.

Peebee: "Fiiine, fine you two dinos. Shut up. Let Ryder speak, I want to know the boring stuff she wants me to do." Vetra nearly jumped at her with words who you call a dino but Sara raised her hand trying not to laugh. Liam was already touching his belly, so it was quite hard.

Sara: " Peebee you will track any possible remnant tech sold on that market. I need a list and prices to get more funds from the Initiative. We need everything there… It's hard to keep you busy with your energy." Said she jokingly.

Peebee: "But, Ryder you know well how to keep me busy… Always." she winked at Ryder and sent her an invisible kiss which made Sara froze for a moment. Shit. No one paid attention to that because everyone knew how loose Peebee was, but Sara was still nervous. Why? Even if they knew, they were not doing anything wrong. With side of her eyes she checked on Lexi. Shiiiiiit. Lexi was observing her with that doctor kind of roentgen eyes. She was not sure what really happened between them yesterday, but this look made her feel very uncomfortable. She quickly focused on the topic

Sara: "Great then, so I take it you like the job." She tried to play off and looked at Liam. "Liam, please go with her. I really need it done before we finish the vault business."

Liam: "Bet on it, Ryder." He saluted to her and smiled.

Sara: "Cora, you, please, meet Reyes as my second-in-command and discuss with him the next strategy. I still don't trust him, so keep a good eye on him, please. Maybe you'll even be able to get some intel from him on the Asari Ark…" She said and saw how Cora's eyes sparkled. No, She did not forget how much it meant for Cora to find the ark.

Cora: "Of course, Ryder. and.. thank you."

Sara: "One more thing. If he offers you a drink, don't take it. He will make you pay." Cora made a gesture of crushing something small in her fist and Sara imagined Reyes manhood squeezed in the "huntress" biotics and laughed. Reyes liked to flirt a lot, but Cora was not an easy target. She was very curious for that report. Then she looked at Jaal. "Jaal, please. I want you to look at that murder issue of an Angaran in the city and scavenge the slums a bit. Could you do it for me, please? It bothers me for some reason."

Jaal: "Me too, Sara. I am tired of my people dying for stupid reasons." Said he very seriously. He was glad that Sara paid attention to the small "quests" which did not play any importance for the main mission. She always put importance on individuals, including his people. This made Jaal feel he wanted to follow Sara straight to death.

Lexi: "I will help Gil to prepare Nomad for the trip. You all will need that special full-body underwear our technician adjusted last time thanks to the remnant components. It will minimise your chance to get composed in the radioactive water." She was reading something on her data-pad. She did not raise her eyes again on Ryder. It seemed that she was focused on the letters appearing on the screen but the whole movement was only automatic. She was a true professional and knew exactly how to prepare them for Kadara, as it was not the first time. It was easy to hide her annoyance and anger behind the automation. An anger which was hidden deep behind her own persona, because she caught herself being jealous when Peebee sent an imaginary kiss towards Ryder. She nearly crushed the data-pad in a similar movement Cora presented.