"I say this out of love, because you're my sister and all that, but here: you're mad. Insane. Certifiable." Scott glared at Sara across the Hyperion's Pathfinder quarters. "You're lucky you're not dead!"
"I died twice already, remember?" Sara shot back, crossing her arms and barely concealing the stress she felt. "I'm more or less invincible now. At least, I'm pretty sure how that works."
"Oh, now that's just not fair. Does Harry know you're using your twisted sense of humor as a coping mechanism?" Scott flopped on the couch and buried his face in his hands, then looked back up at Sara grumpily.
"I haven't seen him yet today. Does he know you were out late last night with my Remnant expert?" She didn't bother suppressing her strained giggle at her twin's expression. "Gil caught her sneaking back onto the ship. He thought it would freak me out to know you went on a date."
Scott shook his head. "No deflecting! What you're talking about is crazy and you know it." His glare cracked, and for a second Sara could see the worry behind it. Relenting, she sat down next to her brother and gave him a squeeze.
"Sorry, Scott. It's just...for a second we had the Archon running. And if Suvi's right about this, we can get to Meridian before he does, stop him from using it against us." She bit her lip. "I have to take some risks, little bro. I know it's hard for you, and trust me, if you were fit for duty there's no one I'd rather have backing me up on this one. But we need to move fast."
"Yeah, I know. It's just hard to be left behind." Scott's voice was soft, and Sara's heart twisted. "Harry and I talked about that, you know. I told him that I feel like I ought to be doing more."
"And what did Harry say about that?" Sara had a guess, but she wanted to hear her brother say it.
"That my job was to get back to full health and strength. And that I couldn't measure my own success against anyone else's, or I'd drive myself even crazier." He sighed and his shoulders slumped even further. "Easier said than done."
"I believe it." There was a knock on the door, and Sara glanced at Scott for approval before calling them to come in.
Cora entered, with Suvi hot on her heels. "Ryder, Director Tann wants to see you. Immediately."
"Can it wait for a little over an hour? I have an appointment with Dr. Carlyle, and I'm pretty sure Lexi will back me up on this one." Sara groaned in disgust when Cora shook her head, her lips almost white. "Suvi, can you keep Scott company?"
"Normally I'd say yes, Pathfinder, but I'm to accompany you." Suvi's eyes were wide and her voice shook slightly. "Cora will stay with your brother."
"He's right here, and he doesn't need a babysitter, you know," Scott grumbled. Cora arched an eyebrow. "Not that I don't appreciate the gesture!"
"Come on." Sara gestured to Suvi. "Let's see what Tann wants."
Keema was sitting on the throne as Reyes crept into headquarters, wincing at the early hour and thinking longingly of his coffeemaker. And of Sara, in his kitchen in only his shirt.
"Good morning, old friend," Keema greeted him. Although she hadn't completely abandoned her usual posture, there was a tension in the way she held her cigar and a stiffness in her neck that told him something was wrong. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Reyes eyed the two guards, then gave the simplest answer he could think of. "Checking stocks before assignment today." Her jaw tightened, subtly for an angaran. Reyes doubted the guards noticed, but continued anyway. "I have this evening free. Meet me in Tartarus for a drink tonight? You've probably been working too hard." He was relieved to see her pose loosen just a tiny bit, and waved as he retreated to what had functioned as Sloane's office.
Reyes hadn't been lying. As a rule, telling a partial truth was almost always preferable to making something up. Keema knew it as well as he did. But before he could dig into Sloane's personal console again, a chime from his omnitool let him know that Keema had sent him a message.
Your lover is planning something insane. You should talk to her.
A knot formed in his gut. Sara hadn't called him since she'd returned from her chase for Meridian. All he'd gotten so far was a note saying that it wasn't what she'd thought, but she was alive and relatively unhurt. His worry for her clashed with his anger at finding out she was up to something through Keema.
How much do you know?
Reyes concentrated on keeping his face neutral as he sauntered out to the storage closet to double-check supplies for the day. He grabbed a canteen, a couple of protein sludge packs, and a spare magazine before slouching down onto a crate, only a few feet away from the spot where Sara had kissed him. The memory assaulted him, and for a moment he was sure he could smell the vaguely floral shampoo she used, could feel the warmth of her back under his hands. He missed her, plain and simple.
Her friend Jaal is worried about her. Stay clear, Vidal.
That in itself wasn't unusual. Sara had mentioned that Jaal could be a bit fussy when it came to the crew. But that Keema had seen fit to pass it on to him worried Reyes more than he would admit. Opening his omnitool again, he penned a short message to Sara.
Keema says you're up to something crazy. I'm heading into Draullir with the mining team. You'd better still be alive to call me tonight.
Reyes gritted his teeth and strode back toward the slums. Focus, he told himself. She promised she'd always come back.
Sara raised her chin and met Tann's gaze, but resisted the urge to step protectively in front of Suvi. "You needed to speak with me?" She immediately regretted her tone, if only for her friend's sake. Beside her, Suvi clutched her datapad but didn't flinch.
"Pathfinder," he acknowledged her, though the lines of his mouth indicated some distaste. "And Dr. Anwar. It's been brought to my attention that you disobeyed direct orders by trying to find Meridian."
"That's true." Sara wasn't about to give him an inch. The smaller woman, however, trembled noticeably. "Though I think your problem may be with me, and not my science officer."
Tann's mouth thinned even further, and he drummed his fingers on his desk. "I should apologize. It is clear to me now that going after Meridian was the correct thing to do." Swallowing as though he was trying to rid himself of an unpleasant aftertaste, the director forced out two more words. "Forgive me."
Next to Sara, Suvi let out a tiny sigh of relief. "While your apology is appreciated, Director, I'm not sure why I'm here. The Pathfinder is the one who made the decision." Sara smiled inwardly at the flustered expression on Tann's face.
"I've asked you both here because I understand that while Ryder made the call, you are the one who is mapping the Scourge, Dr. Anwar." Tann clasped his hands behind his back. "I'd like to know what sort of resources this project will require, and if anything can be done to fast-track it."
Sara watched as Suvi's eyes lit up, and excused herself as the little scientist began to rattle off a list of supplies the Tempest would need in order to probe the Scourge. She waved to Sid as she walked back to the tram, then focused on her omnitool. Reyes had emailed. Somehow (she was certain either Jaal or Vetra had spilled the beans), he'd been made aware of her latest mad scheme. Her insides churned with guilt, knowing she hadn't called him in a few days. She responded, asking when he'd be available to talk.
When she reached the cubbyhole that was masquerading as Dr. Carlyle's office, she was still anxiously tapping at the screen. Sara knew Reyes wouldn't answer while he was in Draullir, but a certain small part of her hoped anyway. "Hi, Harry. Sorry I'm late, Tann wanted to see me."
The doctor laid down his datapad. "Does that explain why you're so tense?"
Sara blinked. "Wow. I guess we're jumping right into it today. Yes and no." She settled herself into a chair, sparing a thought for how much Harry could communicate with silence. "It wasn't the lecture I was expecting, but the pressure's on anyway."
"Is this a different sort of pressure? It seems like you've been operating under a lot of stressors since we arrived." Harry looked expectantly at Sara.
"It is, actually. You know, it seems like every single day I've just been reacting to all the shit that's gone wrong, which is exhausting in and of itself. But now it feels like I have a real chance to get out and accomplish something." Before she could think better of it, she plowed ahead. "Of course, my brother thinks I'm completely off my rocker for trying it and my boyfriend is warning me to not get killed."
"This is the first time you've mentioned a boyfriend."
"Shit. Yeah. He's an exile and for some reason Tann and the rest get kind of squeamish about that." Sara sighed. "I know they're both just worried about me, but I'm scared enough without their reminders that yes, what I'm doing is in fact crazy."
"Family and relationships can be stressful even without the pressures of your job. I'm glad you recognize that they're concerned because they care."
Sara shifted uncomfortably. "I wish they knew that I care, too."
Reyes squinted into the setting sun as the mining team filed out of the cave. Apparently there was enough baryte in there to keep the outpost busy for weeks without even coming close to Collective operations. He wanted nothing more than a hot shower, a cold drink, and a call from Sara.
However, business had to be attended to. Most of the daily reports were routine, but one or two required an extra bit of attention. As Reyes made his way back to Tartarus, he noticed a line from Keema.
Taking you up on that offer. Will be at Tartarus in an hour.
At least he'd be certain of a drink. His omnitool chimed quietly as he unlocked the back room of Tartarus, alerting him to Sara's call.
"I don't have much time," she began, breathing quickly, "but I'll be on Kadara in two days and I really need to see you."
"Why, Sara, how forward of you."
"Reyes." Despite the annoyed tone, he was sure he heard her stifle a laugh. "How did today go?"
"Not nearly as bad as it could have been," he admitted. "I won't have to go back any time soon."
"I'm glad to hear that." Sara paused. "Look, I have to go talk to my team, but Reyes?"
"Is this where you explain to me why I found out through Keema that you're planning something insane?" Reyes hadn't meant to sound so accusing, and when Sara responded, it was in a tone he hadn't heard her use before.
"I wanted to tell you in person. But Reyes…" Her voice caught.
"I know, Sara. I'm sorry."