We travelled up the gravity well in silence. As we neared the door to the surface I noticed that we were all slowing down. Nervous yet curious at what we were about to see. We opened the doors and walked out onto the desert, the Nomad still parked to the side. The sky was clearer, the wind slower. The sun seemed to shine brighter and I noticed that the area was clear of radiation. The vault was already at work.
"Well, would you look at that. It's looking like a beautiful day now," Vetra remarked.
"But… how… No atmosphere processor works that fast…" Peebee muttered.
"Well, this one does," Liam chuckled. We were all looking around, seeing the brightly lit landscape. I hadn't taken the time to appreciate it earlier but, this place had quite a beauty to it. And the heat was splendid as well.
Eos would make a good home.
"If this effect is representative, Pathfinder, air and moisture patterns will show noticeable improvement," SAM explained. "Eos could support an outpost." I got down onto one knee and grabbed a handful of sand.
"A foothold." I remarked, lifting the hand and moving the palm so it faced me and opened my fist, watching as the sand fell back to the ground. "That's all we need-just enough to begin." I smiled again. I stood up and turned back to face the squad and Peebee. "This Remnant tech could be the key to our survival, if we can control it."
"Which you can. Kinda. Still, wouldn't mind if we found a manual somewhere," Liam joked. I let out a small chuckle, nodding my head in agreement.
"We've got a lead. SAM marked it on the charts down there," Peebee began. We huh? Guess that saves me the trouble of asking for her help. "That site is active, whatever it is. Who knows what we'll find there?" She looked at me.
"We? Guess that's your way of asking to join us then?" I smirked.
"If you want to be an ass about it, yes," she chuckled. "I want to know what makes the Remnant tick. You've got a key to their tech… or a crowbar, at least," she joked.
"Well then welcome aboard. We'll see about getting you a fancy job title over your bunk," I teased.
"I only need a footlocker," she clarified, seeming as if she was trying to reinforce her point when I already accepted her. She ran over to her shuttle which was beginning to warm up. "Data pad, toothbrush, clean underwear. All I need. I'll catch up with you!" She called out as the door closed and the shuttle began to lift off.
"She is a handful," Vetra chuckled as we began walking back to the Nomad. "But hey, she knows her shit. Could use the help."
"My thoughts exactly," I told her. "Now, let's go get us an outpost," I smiled.
"Pathfinder, logs from Site 1 include coordinates for a potentially suitable site. However, they never had the time to investigate further. And the Nexus lacked resources to attempt a third outposts when the same risks still applied, I suggest we begin there," SAM explained.
"Ryder, the Nexus just received word, already they're on pins and needles. They're prepping the pods now. Just awaiting coordinates and outpost specialization," Suvi informed over the comms.
"Then let's not disappoint," I remarked, as we all climbed back into our Nomad seats.
"This isn't really happening, is it? Am I just about to wake up back on the Nexus, no arks, nothing, and this planet will still be a hellhole?" Vetra muttered. "After all this time…" I placed a hand on her shoulder as I drove towards the outpost site.
"This ain't a dream Vetra. This is happening," I smiled at her, and she turned back to look at me. "I you want I can pinch you to prove it," I joked. She let out a small laugh, her mandibles flared in a grin, her emerald green cat-like eyes looking right into mine. Had that weird feeling again. Still not an unsettling feeling, just unfamiliar. As if she was feeling the same way she looked forward as I removed my hand from her shoulder.
"Finally," she let out a breath, just looking out the front of the Nomad. "Heh, you know I kept a few of those 'golden world' brochures. I used to look at them, hoping that we'd still find one out here. But after site two… "she sighed. "It's good to believe that we actually have a chance again."
"Never again Vetra. This outpost will not fail. I promise you that. The next one won't either. Or the next one, or the one after that. We weren't given golden worlds, but damn will we work to make them," I told her.
"Thanks Scott," was her reply as the ride descended back into silence. We were on the same ridge as the second monolith now. As we neared the other end of the ridge, towards a large basin like area where the coordinates lie, we spotted a Kett dropship lifting into the air.
"Pathfinder, I detect the Kett are engaged in combat. With a Krogan," SAM explained.
"Lemme gu-" I began.
"It's Drack. Don't even bother. It's Drack. Come on, let's go help the old bastard out," she suggested. I could have taken the long way down, finding a ramp or something to lead us down there safely. But that would also be the boring way. Besides, this might win us a few points from the old man. I boosted off the ridge, a large drop waiting. Several profanities were shouted by Cora while once again Vetra, Liam, and I just yelled out in fun. We hit the ground with a thud and drove straight towards the Kett lines while they were distracted by the Krogan. By the time they noticed us it was too late as we ran right over a pair of Kett and jumped out of the Nomad. Drack already giving us covering fire.
"Nice entrance kid!" he laughed. "The hell are you doing here anyway?" He asked as the rest of us took cover.
"We were in the area, thought the old man could use a hand," I teased.
"Bah, these bastards were fucked the moment I found them, don't need your help, but only an idiot turns down free help," he grumbled. Looking up from my cover I counted only three Chosen Kett remaining. They were already up and firing so I couldn't take aim yet. After another burst from the trio they stopped, I immediately stood up, and noticing none were quite visible, I instead primed an incinerate and locked on to the signature of one of the Kett, who I could partially see. Aiming upwards it arced down. The Kett stood and screamed as the flames engulfed him. Before I could finish the job, Drack yelled for me to get down, which I did. A mass of metal shot over my head and right into the head of the burning Chosen. The force of the impact knocked him to the ground, still screaming as the mass of metal detonated into shards of shrapnel, tearing itself into the burning Kett and his two buddies standing next to him, both of which were undoubtedly dead as they both had screamed for a moment as the shards buried themselves deep within them.
It wasn't over yet. Another dropship appeared, this time behind us and the small field of Remnant structures we were fighting within.
"I think I made the bastards angry, good," Drack laughed, eager for more slaughter. As one moved to the ledge to jump down he pulled a large knife from his belt and threw it at the unfortunate Chosen. The knife… hell, it's a Krogan knife, it's more like a Machete, embedded itself into the Chosen's left eye and he fell, landing with a thud, dead.
"Hey, save some for me old man!" I called out. Drack just laughed in reply, clearly enjoying himself. He charged the closest Chosen and impaled the poor fucker on the massive bayonet attached to his shotgun. He turned to face the rest of them, using the Kett's still barely living body as a meat shield and charged. He got in front of one and pulled the trigger. The shot obliterated the torso of the Kett embedded on the knife and went straight through into the Chosen behind him. The remaining three chosen turned to face him to open fire. I put one of them down with a burst from my Valkyrie and Liam sent a burst from his SMG into the other. I managed to kill mine before he pulled the trigger but the second managed to get a shot off before he died. And the third had just fired a second burst. The combined first two rounds had managed to break the Krogan's shields, and the third hit him right in the shoulder.
The force of the shot slightly rocked the Krogan to the side, and he let out a small grunt in pain as the energy shot attempted to melt through the thick armor and thick skin. He growled and turned to face the utterly doomed Chosen. Lifting his shotgun to fire a round at the Kett. The distance between them wasn't large but the shotgun must still have had a tighter spread as he was knocked flat on the ground dead, utterly covered in bullet wounds. It seemed as if Drack had completely forgotten the wound in his shoulder, as he readied himself once more.
Another dropship had appeared, releasing another squad.
"Don't worry about me kid, shot barely burned me at all. Hell, it's already healed back up," he called out as we readied for a new wave. I had heard Krogan had a fast healing rate, as if it was regeneration, guess now it confirmed what I've heard. This dropship released a squad of four more Chosen and an Anointed.
"You kids focus on the Chosen, I'll take care of the big fucker," he called out. The chosen were still grouped up so I had an idea. I launched an Incendiary round at one, and then immediately charged him as he began screaming. The force and dark energy from the biotic attack reacted violently with flames, just before I "re-appeared" the flames detonated into a large fiery explosion, igniting the rest of the Chosen and knocking them to the ground, the original one was no-where to be found. Quickly I put a burst into each as Drack engaged the Anointed. He knocked the gun out of his hands and drew his knife, intending to play with his victim.
The Anointed drew a blade himself, like a kind of short sword and charged at Drack. Big mistake. Effortlessly, he parried the attack to the side, slashed at his throat, slicing it open and green blood spurting out. Quickly he changed his grip on the blade as the doomed Kett dropped to his knees, Drack was holding his knife in a backhand and sent it straight into the back of his head, the tip of the blade appearing right between the eyes. He removed the blade and the now dead Kett dropped to the ground.
"Well, well, well, color me impressed kid," he chuckled. "That, was fun." We walked over to each other, both of us catching our breath.
"That it was Drack, that it was," I let out a small laugh.
"You can really handle yourself kid," he sounded genuinely impressed by our display. "So, I hear you're the one to thank for clearing up the sky? Had your number all wrong," A smirk came across my face as I remembered what he told us earlier.
"So, the clouds parted. And these Kett look pretty keeled over. Maybe us humans can pull our weight after all," I teased.
"Ha, Smartass," he grumbled. "Well, clearly you at least can pull your weight. But there's a helluva lotta shit to do before I'd be that smug about it." Vetra saw her chance and walked over. Mirth in her voice.
"That almost sounds like a compliment," she teased. "Come on, what do you say? Wanna help us do some good?" she asked, placing a hand on her hip. He looked thoughtful for a moment.
"You know what? Fuck it, I'm gonna ignore my gut and join up. This was a good fight, and we can do it again. And before you go saying you don't need a Krogan-believe me, you do," he remarked.
"Would never turn down help, Krogan or otherwise," I told him.
"Hmph. Well I have a few things to gather, once I've got them I'll just head over to your ship. Shouldn't take long," he informed.
"Sure thing, I'll make sure SAM lets them know to expect you. Just comm in when you've made it there," I told him. He visibly grimaced at the mention of SAM, but said nothing for now. Simply confirming he'd do that. Now with the area cleared, I marked the coordinates and placed a beacon on the ground.
"This is it. This is where we place our first outpost," I stressed "our" to imply that I meant those established by our team, not ignoring site one and two. "A real, new beginning."
"Prepping deployment order. You must choose what purpose this new outpost will serve," SAM informed.
"It's my choice? Would have figured that would be Addison's job," I remarked.
"Resources are at a crisis point. Protocol states this judgement call falls to the Pathfinder. With current supplies, you could build a military outpost focusing on defense and militia training. Alternatively, a scientific outpost could advance the Initiative's research and discoveries," SAM explained.
"Well, this is quite a choice. Big. Opinions?" I asked, turning to face Vetra, Liam, and Cora.
"I say scientific. We are here to explore, aren't we?" Vetra cast her vote.
"Gotta be science. Our colonists need to understand their home," Liam agreed.
"While that's all nice and idealistic, we have the Kett to worry about. We can worry about science after we've dealt with them," Cora argued.
"Be advised, the first outpost placed by a Pathfinder will be a statement in itself. Fair, or not, your choice will represent the Initiative and its intentions in Andromeda. Consider carefully," SAM warned.
"SAM's right, the message. What happens if the Kett aren't the only natives here? The others might be a bit suspicious if we go military," Liam pointed out.
"I don't want this outpost failing. But… SAM, the outpost can still focus on science yet be well defended, yes? Guards, weapon emplacements, that kind of thing. Keep the place safe but not a true military encampment?" I asked.
"Affirmative Pathfinder. Regardless, the Nexus had already ordered that defensive turrets be placed around the outpost' perimeter as well as some security personnel," he answered. I thought for a moment longer, making sure that my choice was what I truly wanted.
"Prioritize research and discovery. That's our foundation. Our future. We came here to explore, to learn. Not to conquer," I stated. I could barely hear Cora sigh yet I noticed both Vetra and Liam smile and nod at my decision.
"Orders prepped Pathfinder. Relayed to the Nexus. Ships loaded with colonists and the pre-fabricated buildings en-route to Eos. ETA, two hours. In the meantime, I suggest looking into site two, and the Nilken Rensus murder case. The site of the case is not far from site two," SAM suggested.
"Alright, you hear that?" I asked the squad, turning to face them. We have two hours until the colonists arrive, I want to be here when they do so let's go wrap up here so once that's done we can head back to the Nexus, then investigate that other vault. Let's move," I started, moving into the Nomad. We all got into our seats and set off for Site two. The way there was essentially the same way we took from the Site one all the way to the second Monolith, with Site two rather close to one.
The ride there was one of silence. Likely as we all knew it was the site of a slaughter. The Kett left the outpost standing, left the vehicles we had there as well as their own fortifications. Like a message. A warning. We drove down a ramp-like hill to the main complex of Resilience, the name of site two.
"Woah, hold on Ryder, stop the Nomad," Vetra called out. We hadn't reached the shield masts yet. "Look, to the left of the trail. The hell… is that… a body? The fuck happened to it?" She pointed out. The body was mangled to hell. Legs and arms are not supposed to bend the way they were. I parked next to the body and scanned it. There was not one bullet wound on his body. As I looked closer, his skull appeared caved in, blunt force trauma. The hell did this? Shaking my head, I stood up and we walked into the perimeter.
"This place looks like a warzone," Liam grumbled, clearly furious at the Kett.
"The few who survived told us it was a massacre. Kett attacked from all sides," Vetra muttered.
"But why? Why the hell would they do this?" Liam asked. Vetra just shrugged. We walked up the steps, the door there was locked. Not without power, just locked. Maybe we could find a way in through another door. Walking around the pathway, we came to the other two doors. One was locked just like the other, but the other I could open. It was locked from the outside, wouldn't keep anyone out but would keep anyone in. Disconcerting. The four of us drew our weapons as I opened the door.
The first room was clear, a console next to a desk and papers strewn across the floor. Moving along, the next room was also clear, yet the door to the next was locked. Hopefully, main access would be here however. I noticed that most of the equipment was left.
"They sure left a lot of supplies behind. Kett bastards cut off the evac," Vetra remembered. I found the terminal for main access and activated it.
A large guttural sound, like a roar, filled our ears as SAM began speaking.
"Pathfinder, a maintenance bulletin was issued at the time of shutdown. It includes only one word," SAM began.
"Run."
All doors within the site opened, I stared down the corridor to find the next door was blocked by large crates and grates, yet I could see through the top. At the other end of the hallway, was a large creature, covered in an armor that looked to be bone, just like the Kett. The creature had large, meaty arms and a large, round head. It roared again and I could see row after row of very sharp teeth.
"SAM, OVERRIDE NOW, CLOSE THE DOORS NOW!" I ordered. Fortunately, the doors did just that.
"What the shitting hell was that!?" Liam yelled out.
"I got no fucking clue but get outside and climb the building now, we gotta kill that thing," I responded. We began running out the door we came in through as I noticed the creature lumbering out of the door we tried first.
"Pathfinder, we don't know what you did but Kett are inbound on your position," Kallo informed over comms.
"Well that's just fucking perfect," I groaned. I would not have minded having Drack around for this. Activating our jump jets, we climbed to the top of the site as a pair of Kett dropships descended towards the back of the site. I counted five Chosen and an Anointed. But that wasn't the worst part.
The beast completely ignored them and the Kett completely ignored it.
"Well Fan-fucking-tastic," I groaned. I needed to make a call. "SAM? Can you raise Drack for me?" SAM didn't respond, instead I heard Drack's voice on comms.
"What is it kid?" he asked.
"We're at Site two. We're being ambushed by Kett but they have some kind of… monster with them, covered in bony armor an-" The beast stood on its hind legs and a sac at its throat extended as a vile green liquid spewed from its mouth straight for me. I ducked and it hit the side of an antennae on the roof, burning right through and causing it to collapse. "AND IT JUST SPIT FUCKING ACID AT US!" I yelled.
"Damn it, that's a Fiend. Whatever the hell you do, do NOT get close to that thing, and don't let that acid hit you. I won't be able to reach you in time, take out the other Kett, then focus fire on that thing. Fire and explosives work well. And if you can, get a shotgun out and get to its side or back, shoot at some red fleshy things on its sides. If you can't flank it just shoot it in the face. Good luck kid," Drack informed as he closed the call.
"Hear that? Take those Kett down ASAP so we can all send that big ugly motherfucker to hell. How many have already been brought down?" I asked the squad.
"Got one!" Liam called out, as he dropped to the ground to avoid incoming fire.
"I got one confirmed kill and I think I got another with it. Biotic detonation," Cora informed, on her knee as she waited for her shields to regen. Vetra was currently standing and unloading as her power armor absorbed a pair of rounds.
"Just got rid of that Anointed shields but I can't take any more fire, Scott, take him out before his shields come back!" she called out. Running to the edge I took aim with my Valkyrie and fired, all in record time thanks to SAM boosting my sight and reactions. I removed my eye from the scope to witness a horrifying sight.
The fiend could climb.
It had just climbed the roof of the first floor and was now moving towards me to climb up to the rest of us.
"Damn it, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!" I called out as we began running to the right side of the building. To buy some time, I quickly pulled out my Widow and took aim at one of the chosen still alive near the other side of the building. As he turned to face us his head popped in a mass of blood and bone and brains as his body went limp, falling to the ground. The Fiend had just climbed to the second level and a Kett ran out of cover to head our way.
I used a pull to pluck him from the ground but instead focused the biotics so instead it was if I had pulled him right at me, and then threw him at the Fiend. The Kett hit the Fiend with enough force to break bone at the least. However, it was as if the beast had just received a slap to the face, no real damage, it just rocked the head back. The beast roared in anger and smashed its fists into the wounded Chosen that was struggling to get to its feet. Instead the Kett was pulverized, left twitching, dead on the ground.
The beast than charged at me, remembering that by now all the Kett SHOULD be dead I just jumped off the roof in the same direction the squad had ran, using the jump jet to prevent a hard landing. Just to our shitty luck, another dropship was descending. This time, I counted four chosen and two Anointed.
"Fuck, LIAM, GRENADES, NOW!" I ordered. The two of us threw a grenade right where they were landing. We were still trying to gain ground on the Fiend and had to risk running. Before the smoke even cleared, one of the Anointed, hopefully only one was left opened fire on Liam. It shredded through his shields and I knocked him down to the ground behind a pipe, hoping he was now in cover. He yelled out in pain and I turned him over, noticing two large scorch marks on his abdomen. I slapped a globe of Medi-gel onto it as he kept suppressing a cry of pain as the shots finishing burning into his flesh.
"Gah, hah, hah, go, I think I'll be fine, AUUUGH! SONUVA BITCH!" he cried out. He'd need Medical attention.
"Can you crawl under the building? I don't want the Fiend getting you while we're distracted," I asked. He nodded and turned onto his stomach, grunting in pain as he dragged himself underneath. I looked back up to see that Cora and Vetra were in cover exchanging shots with an Anointed, seems only one had survived, and a single Chosen. I was angry, and did something stupid, but had just enough sense left to keep it from being entirely stupid. I pulled the Piranha shotgun from my belt and biotically charged the large Kett brute.
The force of my impact staggered him and I shoved my gun right against his abdomen. His shields wouldn't protect him from a shot like this. I pulled the trigger and as the corpse fell to the ground I noticed a large gaping hole in his stomach, straight through his back, pooling with blood and chunks of flesh. Turning to face the Chosen, I pulled back my fist, the cryo gauntlet forming around my arm and sucker-punched the bastard. He was flash frozen and fell to the ground. Knowing it wouldn't last long I quickly shot a round from my shotgun into his head, obliterating it.
Turning around, I noticed the fiend had re-joined us on the ground, heading straight towards me as Vetra and Cora opened fire. I pulled out my Widow, knowing it could pierce armor. Before taking aim, I launched an incinerate round at him, hoping it might burn a hole in the bone for me to shoot through. It hit the fucker right in the center of its forehead and it roared out in pain. A moment later, the fire dissipated and I thought I saw flesh in the newly formed hole. Quickly, I took aim and fired. Thanks to SAM's enhancements I knew the round went exactly where I wanted and saw as the massive Fiend's head was knocked back, and then fell to the ground, limp. A bullet straight to the brain.
I ran back to the beast's corpse, as it had died just near where Liam crawled under the outpost. Already, I could hear him grunting in pain as he tried to crawl his way back out. Gently, I used my biotics to lift him off the ground just slightly, and pull him out from underneath.
"Come on Kosta," I spoke as I lifted him onto my back, "Let's get you to Lexi." The squad moved to the Nomad, Vetra getting in the back this time as I placed Liam in the passenger seat. "SAM, get Lexi ready to receive Liam. He needs medical aid for two Kett rounds to the abdomen. Unsure of the extent of the damage," I ordered as I began the drive.
"Affirmative Pathfinder. Dr. T'Perro is standing by. Also, Peebee has arrived," he informed.
"Good, we aren't done here yet so I'd like to not head out without a full team. Tell her to prep to head out with us."
"Affirmative." Aside from Liam's grunts from the pain and the occasional Medi-gel applied the ride was both quick and silent. We parked just in front of the Tempest's loading ramp back at Site one as Lexi rushed out with a gurney, followed by Peebee.
"Place him here," she ordered, I lifted him from his seat and onto the gurney. She ran a quick check. "Should be fine but I'll need to take a closer look to assess the extent," she informed, and began pushing the Gurney back up the ramp.
"What happened?" Peebee asked.
"Kett ambush, killed the fuckers but he took a few hits," I explained. "Come on, we have a few more things we need to do out here before the colonists arrive."
"Colonists? You mean…" she looked a bit stunned. I smirked but Vetra spoke before I could.
"That's right. We did it. My visor says that the new outpost should be here in an hour," she confirmed.
"Wow… that's… that's still hard to believe…" she began, and then shook her head to refocus herself. "Come on, you said you still had a few things to do, let's get to it." I simply nodded and we got back into the Nomad, Peebee taking Liam's place in the back with Vetra in the front. It was a quick drive back to Site two. We picked around for any remaining tech and found two other bodies. A Turian male, who clearly died fighting, and an Asari. We were surprised of the lack of bodies given the reports. Almost seemed as if some bodies must have been moved. And we already know the Nexus didn't bother coming back… Vetra told us we had around 45 minutes until the colonists arrived so I got to work on the Rensus case. We drove to the site near site 2, where Chief Reynolds was killed, allegedly by Rensus.
When we arrived all that was left was a bit of leg armor with some flesh and bone still there. Seems the body had become food for Kaerkyn, a large insectoid creature with pincers similar to a scorpion or crab. Fortunately, SAM could pick up slight signals from the various pieces. We found the helmet next, but no evidence. Driving East we found his chest piece buried in the sand. There was clearly an opening in the armor on both sides, however, the entry wound was undoubtedly from the back. Rensus was in front of Reynolds. This proved that Rensus' shot hadn't killed Reynolds, but it would be wise to find the Omni-tool to leave out any loose ends.
We followed a trail of armor scraps to a cave. A Kaerkyn nest. No clue how many would be in there.
"Alright, we'll play this safe, Vetra, front and Center. The moment they start coming at us I want that Cyclone working overtime, shooting everything there is. The rest of us will make sure none of them touch you," I ordered.
"Count on it," she nodded. We lined up left and right of her, and she led us in. After a few paces, a wave of Kaerkyn spilled out. At least ten of them. Vetra opened fire and we gave supporting fire. They hadn't even gotten within five feet when the last one crumbled. We found the Omni-tool quickly enough, and SAM analyzed the data.
"The omni-tool recorded two separate shots. One from the back, and one from the front. The first shot was a standard Initiative rifle, which missed. The one from behind was a Kett pulse weapon," he stated.
"Well, we just proved the man innocent. That feels good," I smiled. Eager to get this back to the Nexus to help him out.
"Pathfinder, there is also an audio recording," SAM continued. Maybe I spoke too soon.
"Play it," I sighed. The log began with Reynolds screaming no, followed by a gunshot. Cassidy Shaw called out, asking where Nilken was.
"Sorry, old friend-had to do it. I'm not dying on this rock," Nilken's voice played on the log.
"Sonuvabitch…" I muttered, I felt disappointed at first. Then I felt furious, that bastard knew he shot at Rensus, believed he killed him, and then lied to my face about it hoping that I'd find something he could use. "That lying bastard," I growled. "He's not walking free, I won't have him face a murder charge but he sure as hell is getting whatever punishment they have for attempted murder." The rest stated their agreement and we began driving back to the new outpost site. A bit less than thirty minutes till they arrived. Given the distance, the trip took only left us with a minute to spare before the colonists arrived. We parked along the outskirts to that we wouldn't be in the way, and Vetra began typing a message on her Omni-tool, mentioning it was a message for a friend among them. I noticed that before she finished her message, she had glanced at me and chuckled, typing out another quick line before closing the tool. The countdown struck zero and I opened my comms to relay a message.
"Andromeda Initiative, this is Pathfinder Scott Ryder. Eos is ready for deployment," I stated, a large grin breaking out across my face. A man's voice, older, a bit gruff, replied:
"Copy that. Outpost Block inbound, and ready as hell."
At that moment, at least a dozen large shuttles carrying the Pre-fabs descended from the sky, placing them in specific locations forming the bulk of the outposts. A few of which bringing large pieces of the wheel-like structure that would serve as water filtration. And another released a bridge that spanned the small lake in the middle of the outpost. To finish off, a pair of slightly smaller shuttles released a pair of defense turrets at the two entrances to the basin.
Then came the Colonists themselves. Almost a dozen transports appeared, each undoubtedly packed to the brim with eager Colonists, awaiting the start of their new lives on a new world. The first. One shuttle landed near our position. Among the stream of colonists two headed straight for us. One of them I didn't recognize. An older man, dark skin, slightly shaven beard. The other I did recognize, but was certainly not pleased to see. Addison. Blegh. The man reached out a hand to introduce himself, which I shook.
"August Bradley. Operational head for this block. 'Mayor' now, I suppose. We're ready to make the most of what you delivered."
"Good to meet you August, Scott Ryder. I almost feel like I should toss you the keys," I joked. "Be nice, it's been through a lot."
"Understood Ryder, we won't forget One and Two, I can promise you that," he replied. He moved his arms to the side in a bit of showmanship as he continued. "Prodromos. That's what we're calling her." Odd name, almost sounds like it should mean something.
"Prodromos?" I asked.
"Heh, it means Forerunner, I think you can see the reasoning why," he chuckled, as he walked away to oversee his outpost. Leaving me alone with Addison. At least she was smiling and seeming friendly.
"They're eager. I haven't seen 'eager' for months," she began, gesturing for me to follow her in a walk through the outpost. "Eos is far from golden. But now it's a producer. A real and reasonable first step. They think you did the impossible. The Nexus-I warned them. Hoping was… irresponsible. You proved me wrong, Pathfinder," she held her hand out for a shake. I don't like that she told people not to hope, they need it after all. Given her sudden change in attitude towards me I couldn't help but feel suspicious. But at the same time, I recognized that might be some bias on my part. Might as well be friendly for now at least.
"I appreciate your candor. We're all on the same side," I shook her hand.
"I wouldn't go that far," she warned. Leading me further away. The hell does that even mean? There goes the benefit of the doubt I was giving her. Political games and bullshit I'm sure. We made our way to a ridge overlooking Prodromos, shuttles already flying in to drop off supplies. "The reality Ryder, you bought us time. But one outpost on a longshot planet won't stop us from starving," she explained.
"I know that Addison, don't think I'm standing here believing that my job is all done and that it's all sunshine and rainbows. We've already got a lead on more planets with vaults, like the one that cleaned up Eos, and after a stop on the Nexus I fully intend to immediately follow that lead. If I'm right, then there is a whole network of these vaults spanning the cluster," I explained.
"Well… now it gets complicated. The others are ready to officially sanction your efforts. To be part of your success. We all want the Initiative to succeed. But after failing for so long, no one agrees on how to do it," she explained.
"Well I got a pretty simple first step. Let me get at those vaults and get us planets. And as a second step, I can work with Kandros to take out Kett positions. Hm, you know what? I got a third and fourth step too. Improve relations with the exiles, and improve relations with the Krogan who got fucked over by Spender and Tann's stupidity," My voice gaining slightly more anger and annoyance as I continued.
"Noted… Just go talk to Bradley. We'll discuss the extended job of Pathfinder on the Nexus," she stated, beginning to walk away. "Which is also where Tann is waiting," she warned. Yeah, I'm making his ass wait. I took another moment to just look out at Prodromos from the ridge when my head surged with pain.
"Agh, SAM the hell was that?" I asked.
"A memory trigger Pathfinder. However, my memory array remains locked, I require more triggers," he informed. Well, my curiosity is peaked at least. I returned to Prodromos, making my way towards Bradley, slowly but surely. As I walked down to the new colony I noticed the Tempest fly overhead, a new landing zone within the perimeter. Assuming the others had either gone to walk around themselves or return to the ship I looked around the buildings myself.
The first building I walked towards I saw Vetra talking with a woman. I walked over to see what was going on and when the woman noticed me she gestured for Vetra to pause, turning around to see who the newcomer is. The redheaded woman introduced herself:
"Hello, Kim Connor. Supplies, trade, procurement. Anything you need, I can provide," she held out a hand which I shook. "Though I doubt you'll ever need me, with the Queen Quartermaster on your crew," she chuckled, glancing at Vetra.
"You know each other, I take it?" I asked. Vetra stepped forward to speak.
"Back on the Nexus, Connor worked with me to get everything for the Tempest," she explained.
"Well then, my thanks for helping her out," I remarked. She nodded and continued:
"But I need ground under my feet. And soon, hopefully, trade will flourish on Eos."
"From everything I've seen so far, if you're good enough for Nyx, Prodromos is lucky to have you." I noticed Vetra's mandibles flare ever so slightly and Kim looked up with a wry smile, thinking something, that's for sure. But what? I honestly don't have a clue. "Well, I'll leave you to it. Vetra, gonna explore the colony for a bit, talk to Bradley than head back to the ship. We won't leave anyone behind but just be ready," I told her.
"Sure thing Scott," she nodded, the two women returning to their conversation. I took a quick look inside that building, noticing air mattresses and cots being the beds for the time being, a few colonists thanking me. Exiting the building I entered the building to the east, nodding at Vetra and Kim as I walked by. This building was largely being used for storage. There was a terminal within and I uh… I might have read what was on the screen, an email.
Congrats.
Hey, Connor.
Heard about the new position Prodromos just gained one hell of a business woman-they're lucky to have you. If we ever find ourselves on the Nexus at the same time. I'm buying you a drink to celebrate.
-Vetra
And Ryder-I know you're going to get nosy and read this. Hi.
I had to step back and just… re-think my life. And then I nearly died of laughter. That must have been the message she sent earlier. I immediately left the building and returned to my Turian friend and her friend.
"Vetra… you…" I began, trying my damndest not to burst into laughter. "You read me like a fucking book," I rested my face into my palm and just began laughing. She looked confused for a moment before a look of realization crossed her face and she began laughing, joined in by Kim after she remembered the message. "How did you know…" I asked through the laughter.
"You're curious, Scott. You searched everything in the Vault. You even went to grab some of that Remnant tech that was shielded when we were running from that death cloud. You can't help it," she chuckled.
"Well… guess I've learned something about myself," I chuckled. "Well, I'm going to move on then."
"See you on the ship Scott," Vetra replied, turning to face Kim. Kim nodded a goodbye with a wink as she turned to talk with her friend. I continued walking along the colony, entering the lower level of a two-story complex. Against my better judgement with the lesson in humility I just received, I took a look at the two terminals in there. One was off but the other had a message. A log.
Formal request for Darket Tiervian, #28
Making the request again, Bradley. I know it's not your fault. I know she's supposed to be second wave. But I want a trail so that when all this calms down in a few years, we can get proper outraged about how long it took to reunite families. Especially ones hurt during the Site ½ mess. You know 'Broken Promise' is a thing right?
Requesting the deployment of Darket Tiervian, W-84-Krispin. Exo-studies specialist
Reason: she's an asset that will help viability. She's also my daughter.
Reading this, I felt for the man. It's not right that families are separated like this. Not saying that we should just open up every single cryo pod, but I understand. Sarah's coma makes me feel a similar way to how this father must be. I decided I'd take her info and arrange to wake her up under my authority. She'll be an asset and she's going straight to a colony anyway. I continued south, Bradley was standing outside the building anyway so I decided to simply cut my nosy exploration short.
"Mayor Bradley," I greeted, holding out my hand.
"Please, Pathfinder, just Bradley. Good to see you," he shook my hand.
"Then in that case it's just Scott," I smiled.
"We're busy as anything, thanks to you. Bit dusty, but we can adapt. It's worth it when it's your own," he stated.
"Let's not drive people too hard. It's already been rough just getting this far," I suggested.
"Nothing you see here came from cracking a whip. Everyone is just ready," he assured. "You go do what you need to on the Nexus. Follow that dot. I'm sure Eos will have plenty to do later. Some key positions: Connor manages our supply, Ramirez, Medical. Abrams, science. Fawkes, engineering. With them and my Majordomo, we won't end up like One and Two."
"They never knew what was waiting for them. But don't dismiss their efforts, I saw both sites. They died trying," I reminded.
"And they deserved better from the Nexus. That's where I point the finger. We'll remember," he assured. It irked me as well that the Nexus just left those bodies there. Didn't even try to recover them. "You changed this planet, but that doesn't make it easy. We'll both use the efforts of those who went before," he remarked. Referring to dad, even gesturing at the armor I was wearing. Dad's armor. I nodded a silent thanks as he continued. "Good people, every last one. I'd have been honored to fail with any of them." Bradley's already gotten on my good side. Doesn't like the bullshit and still values and respects the efforts of those who tried yet failed here.
"Good to hear Bradley, I know not everyone died outright."
"True, I did hear there were staggered evacs. If any of them want to try again, they're welcome. Oh, and Pathfinder? This is for you. It's our flag," he stated as he handed me a rolled up blue cloth. The flag, as he stated. "Hang it where the Nexus can see. It's touched the soil of our first outpost in Andromeda, make it real," he requested.
"Can do Bradley, can do." I returned to the Ship, Vetra noticing me as I walked back and ending her conversation with Kim to make her way to the ship, walking up beside me.
"You know, I think it's starting to kick in Scott. It's starting to feel real," she remarked.
"The outpost?" I asked, as we began walking up the cargo ramp, the Nomad already parked inside the Tempest.
"Not just that. It's a helluva big part of course but… It's starting to set in that… that I think we can do this. We have a chance. Hope. We did it once, we can do it again. Thank you." I placed a hand on her shoulder:
"Come on Vetra, this isn't all me. I would have died at the first Monolith if it wasn't for my team. Which you're a part of, in case you've forgotten," I joked.
"But if you never showed up we'd still be sitting on the Nexus with our thumbs up our asses," she pointed out. "Thanks to you, we have this. Thanks to you, we have hope. A hope of a home."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Slight bit of curiosity on my part for my viewers, (btw, we've reached 6k views. Holy fucking shit) With the name of this chapter, and the name of the story, who can figure out where I got inspiration for the name of this story from? The name of the chapter? I'll give y'all till next upload to figure it out. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!