Scott and the others were making their way to Techiix so they could hand over the data drive that Niilj gave them.
Vetra looked at Peebe awkwardly. "Uh…" she said cleaning her throat. "Peebee? Quid pro quo?"
Peebee predicted what she was going to say. "Yeah, sure, you're sorry for jumping down my throat, when I apologized for jumping down your throat. All good."
Vetra gave a small smile. "The truth is, I really like you."
Peebee smiled back. "Surprising, right? I have to say, I like you, too. You're cool. I mean, for an uptight, overbearing older sister." Vetra looked at her and Peebee held out her hands on defence. "Kidding!"
On the way Scott found out what became of the requisition's offices supplies, the Roekaar had been stealing them. Scott made a mental note in order to report this to the Resistance, maybe this incident would make the angara take action against them.
Scott then found the location of the trading supplies that Sohkaa had asked them to investigate. They found his supplier dead, but the supplies themselves were very much intact. Scott began to scan the wreckage in order to find a clue on what happened here.
"I detect traces of weapons fire consistent with kett technology," SAM informed them.
Scott cursed. "Kett. Great."
They then began searching through the supplies and found it that they contained angara weaponry, not what they had expected.
"Scans reveal these crates contain angaran weapons," said SAM.
"Oh, really now," said Scott.
Jaal looked at him surprised. "Oh. Did Sohkaa not mention he helps us out, sometimes?"
"That sneak!" said Peebee.
Drack just merely laughed.
Scott turned and saw a kett dropship arriving, he had been expecting this ever since they scanned the wreckage.
"And, here's the ambush," said Scott as he pulled out his rifle.
There was only a small contingent of kett, obviously they want expecting such a large force to investigate the supply drop. It in take them long to wipe out all we kett and didn't take Scott to figure out that this was all a test, no doubt set by Evfra. Scott decided that they might as well take all the supplies in the crates and delivered to Sohkaa the next time they were on Aya.
As they were driving their way to Techix, they also discovered what was the cause behind the communication problems at Hjara. They found a meteorite and some Adhi that were in quite a frenzy, but it in take them long to put them down. Jaal then explained that the meteorite was in fact something that they called a Scourge gem, an asteroid that passed through the Scourge. Seeing how dangerous it could be Scott decided that it was best to study it at the Nexus in order to create countermeasures.
They found Techiix and it was certainly quite an impressive set up, the place was far more defended than Hjara, made sends considering that it was three times as big. Scott wasted no time in order to find Buxil, who was in her workshop working on some code encryptions and apparently talking to Anjik.
"Not even a call 'Hello, sister. Thought I'd let you know I'm still alive,'" she said angrily. "Not even that."
"That's between you and him. He certainly had time to call," she said.
She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, thanks for telling me. I'll keep you updated with anything else I find."
"Good. Signing off."
"Are you Buxil?" Scott asked approaching her and pulled the data drive that Niilj gave him. "I have something for you."
Buxil's eyes widened the moment she saw the drive and Scott. "From my brother who can't stop being a hero? Yes, Anjik told me to expect you." She then smiled at him. "My son Skeot said he sent people after Niilj. I thought 'more lives lost,' Nice to see that I was wrong. Thanks for getting him out. Losing him would've set our efforts back months."
"Losing family is hard," said Scott, knowing that pain more than anyone. "I'm glad I could spare you that pain."
"Thank you," she said gratefully. "They talk about your abilities, but no one's said anything about your kindness."
"Oh… pfft," said Scott dismissively.
Scott then handed her the data drive and she immediately inserted in her datapad. "Now, let's see what we have here." She looked at the data and her eyes widened. "Stars and skies. This is… this is a layout of the kett command centre. Entrances, exits, security. We'll be able to cripple their operations." Her excitement however was short lived as she noticed something else. "Wait, there's something else here… oh." Her face darkened she looked up at Scott. "That's not good."
"What?" Scott asked.
"The base entrances are shielded and locked with a code which changes. Often. Metadata tells me they downloaded this weeks ago. That code is about to change again. If an attack is going to happen, in needs to happen now."
Scott got the message, this might be their only chance to cripple kett operations across the entire planet. The big problem was the angara would never be able to rally their forces in time, Scott and his team were far more flexible.
"Let me help," Scott offered. "Tell me what to do."
"The code to disable the security shield is encrypted, but I'll keep working on it," she assured him. She then sent him a navpoint along with some additional map data. "I've sent you a map and a navpoint for side entrance that won't have as many guards. Go, quickly! We'll be in touch."
Scott decided that this was a good time to get supplies, if they were going to make a big move against the kett. While they were sorting themselves out a female angara, walked with authority approach them.
"Buxil says you rescued her brother," she said. "I don't have words to express my gratitude. I am Eska Yeveth, Steward of Techiix. I hope to make your stay here pleasant one. It's the least I can do."
"I am honoured to meet you, Steward Eska," Scott nodded. "I am Pathfinder Ryder, with the Andromeda Initiative."
"Wonderful. As we say here, there are no strangers, only unmet friends."
"Tell me more about Techiix?" Scott asked. "It's the largest town on Voeld. Home to hundreds of my people. We manufacture, we trade, and we try to live good lives, even with the kett presence. I have lived here all my life, and there's no place I'd rather live."
"What about Aya?" Scott asked.
She made a disgusted noise. "Sulfurous air. Not for me."
"You call yourself steward? What's that?" Scott asked curiously.
"I have guardianship of Techiix. I ensure it functions, and it's people are safe. Commander Do Xeel and the Resistance fight the kett with their weapons, with their fists. Myself and others here, we fight by refusing to give in. By living, in spite of them."
No one could deny the angara of courage and determination, but he knew that there was only how much they could endure. Having this alliance with the angara wasn't only important that them, but for the Nexus as well. He knew that there was still a long way to go before cementing a stable alliance, but they were closer than they were a week ago.
Scott then managed to find the gloryseekers that Roshwar mentioned. The eyes lit up the moment he entered the room and they wasted no time in approaching him.
"You're the ailing who saved the Moshae," said one of them stunned.
The only female among them looked at him eagerly. "How many kett did you kill? I hope they screamed."
"Don't know. Wasn't counting," said Scott.
Her eyes were filled with awe. "Wow. That many." She then turned to the oldest among them. "Hey, Kolf. This alien's my hero."
Kolf chuckled. "All right. That's enough." He then turned to Scott, clearly knowing that this wasn't a social call. "I know they call you 'Pathfinder.' What do you need from us?"
"Your priestess, Roshwar Linn, told me about you," Scott explained. "I was just curious."
Kolf narrowed his eyes. "Roshwar Linn is a blind old woman. She cowers with her blessings while kett consume everything."
"She said you were throwing away your lives."
"Nothing is thrown away. It's not suicide. We train as hard as anyone in the Resistance. But when you don't fear dying, that's when there's everything to gain and nothing to lose."
"I can't wait for my turn," the female angara. "But all our blood still runs too hot. Tej is our hope now."
The young male looked Scott. "Tej is going to take down a kett station. We could hear the news soon."
Scott couldn't believe he was listening to this, they were actually looking forward to hear the friend's death.
"You want to hear that your friend's dead?" Scott stared in disbelief. "That's kinda screwed up."
"We don't want it. We accept it." The young male then marched up to Scott and looked him in the eyes. "Just because you don't understand, doesn't mean it is wrong."
"So where's this kett station?" Scott asked.
"You shouldn't interfere, Pathfinder," said the female angara, now not looking as friendly as she did a few moments ago.
Kolf raised his hand. "It's okay, Vensh. As long as kett die, it doesn't matter who's killing them." He then transmitted a navpoint to Scott. "Here's the navpoint." He looked at Scott with some mixed feelings. "It was… interesting meeting you, Pathfinder. Skies be bright for you."
Scott decided to waste no time and he and the others made their way to the Nomad. It was important that they reach that kett station before Tej did something stupid, though attacking station alone was a bit stupid.
Scott just couldn't understand was going through the Gloryseekers heads, he understood the desire to kill kett. However, launching themselves at suicide missions with the belief that they would come back even stronger was lost on him.
They found the kett station and a single angara just outside the perimeter, who he assumed to be Tej. However, when Scott approached him he looked utterly terrified, not at all what he had been expecting.
"I can't do this. Taking this station is impossible," he said to himself.
"Are you Tej?" Scott asked approaching him.
Tej jumped and spun around. "Whoa! Didn't see you there. Yeah, I'm Tej. How'd you find me?" Before Scott could answer, he quickly deduced the question himself. "Wait. Kolf and the others, right? Stars. Don't tell me you found me like this." He then turned towards the kett station. "I wasn't expecting all this security, and the longer I sit here, the more I doubt… everything."
"I thought the whole point was you were supposed to die doing this?" Scott asked raising an eyebrow.
Tej sighed. "People always misunderstand, we don't waste our lives. I could die here, but it wouldn't be a glorious death. It would be sad and stupid and… lonely.
Jaal rolled his eyes. "Such a revelation."
Tej didn't appear to have heard him. "See? The more I think, the worse the thoughts get."
"I've got some experience with kett. I can help with this, if that would… help," Scott offered.
Tef's eyes lit up. "Would you? I think with all of us, we might actually take down this station. Live or die, I wouldn't leave here a failure."
They immediately stormed the place with everything they had. It was a hard fight and it would have been quite impossible for Tej to take down this station. Fortunately, Scott and his team had far more experience with handling kett which tipped the balance in their favour.
After the fight, Tej looked relieved. "Still alive! And honestly, I'm glad. Living and learning is a good way to grow stronger too. And I've never met anyone who had a blessed rebirth. What if it's not real?" He sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "Stars, if my friends heard this talk, they'd turn their backs. Vensh, especially. I'm almost afraid to go back."
Scott placed a hand on his shoulder. "Talk to them. Explain where you're coming from. I'm sure they've had similar thoughts."
Tej looked at him. "You really think so?" He then looked down at the snow. "When I heard about Taand and Aren dying. I tried to be happy but I just… couldn't. I don't want to lose the rest of my friends either. And if I feel that way, maybe they do too."
"Worth asking."
"Thanks, Pathfinder. You've given me a lot to think about. I'll see what Kolf and the others have to say."
Scott and the others and started to make their way back to Techiix they encountered more kett camps and when the access the terminal they discovered manifests of transport vessels. Somehow they managed to send supplies to Havarl and had already set a good number of them to Eos.
SAM managed to obtain a password to a labour camp and they quickly made their way over there. Once the they managed to liberate a good number of angara prisoners and crushed the kett presence. Using the password Scott was actually able to infiltrate the command centre and shutting the place down and bringing down a number of dropships making a major dent in kett in air superiority.
As they were making their way back to Techiix, Jaal was looking at Vetra in deep thought.
"You're afraid your sister will die here," he said completely out of the blue.
Vetra looked at him. "What sort of thing is that to say to someone?"
Turned towards her Jaal. "I see it in your eyes."
Vetra, understandably, looked pretty annoyed. "Just because it's true, you can say it out loud?"
Jaal frowned. "Hm. I've offended."
"I'm not offended. I just want this conversation to be over."
"I've hurt you."
"I said over," Vetra snapped.
Scott then encountered a historian by the name of Rjoek at Techiix, he pleaded with Scott it to make his way to a destroyed daar in order to locate a priceless ancient map of Voeld. He had already sent to colleagues to retrieve it, but he feared that they were in trouble. According to him kett had returned in order to finish what they started and its people are caught right in the middle of it.
Scott promised him that he would find them and he handed Scott a navpont of the daar's location. They started to make their way over their Scott managed to run into more kett camps and discovered more angara bodies with chips in them. SAM was able to calculate the location of these angara and followed the signal he was able to extrapolate.
It led them to escape southeast of Techiix where they had a tangle with a few kett, not to mention reinforcements by dropship. Though it appeared that the kett had been expecting any visitors and so they were easily crushed. Inside they found only one cage containing an angara named Maaravet. He was extremely grateful about been rescued and said that he was going to make his way to Havarl to have a chip removed.
They eventually reached the daar and the price was an utter wreck, the kett receded a heavy number on it.
"Damn. It's a smoking hole," said Vetra.
How they made their way inside and found that the kett were shooting at some turians, who could have only be Rjoek. Scott was rather surprised by this, but he decided that taking down the kett was the main priority here.
After they killed the kett the female turian looked at him. "Rjoek send you to help, right? We found the ancient city map, but the kett keep attacking."
"More kett incoming!" said the male turian.
Reinforcements then appeared by dropship forcing Scott to wait for the answer his questions, but it was only a small contingent so it in take them long to wipe them out.
"You okay?" Scott asked looking at the turians.
"Look, I don't know what Rjoek said to make you help us, but he lied," said the female turain.
Her partner looked at her. "Astra. Don't."
Astra turned on him. "Shut up."
Her partner sighed knowing that there was no point in arguing and walked off. She then looked back at Scott and began to explain the entire mess.
"Rjoek's a smuggler from Kadara," she explained. "We all are. Flew here when we heard the kett were picking up villages. He wants to sell the ancient Voeld map to the highest bidder. It's worth a fortune."
"I knew something was up as soon as I saw you weren't angara," said Scott folding his arms.
"I figured. But that's not why I'm telling you."
"Then why?"
She began to look at the ruins of the daar. "When I got here… when I saw what the kett did to this place… These people are dealing with enough. They don't need looters taking what little they have left. I want you to take the map to the Resistance where it will do some good."
"What about Rjoek?" Scott questioned.
"He's not a bad guy. Just has bad ideas. When we tell him about this place, he'll see reason. Don't be too hard on him, okay? Just take them up to the Resistance."
"He made it personal when he lied to me," said Scott firmly. "We're going to have a chat."
Astra sighed, clearly expecting this response. "Worth a shot. Either way, thank you."
Before leaving they had discovered a survivor from the attack a female angara. Scott wasted no time in order to apply some omni-gel on the wound and she was internally grateful.
Scott made his way back to Techiix and had a few words with Rjoek, who wasn't pleased that Astra had divulged everything. He was even less too pleased that Scott intended to hand the map over to the Resistance, but he let it slide.
Making their way back to the resistance based hand off all the medical supplies as well as the ancient Voeld map they discovered made them cross a bridge. It turned out that this bridge was rigged with charges sent by the kett.
And they quickly stop the nomad in order to disable the charges and dealing with the kett who had placed them. It was a good thing for according to Jaal this bridge was essential to transfer supplies to daars that were under siege.
When they got back to the resistance base Scott immediately handed the Voeld map to Kaas. He was absolutely amazed that they were able to find it and according to him they could use it in order to move through all trade routes that the kett were unaware of.
The chief medical officer was also pleased with the supplies he received and he said a few things aside from the shipment for them. He also mentioned that the female angara they found was recuperating nicely.
On the way back to Techiix, they Scott managed to activate one of the Remnant Monoliths. He knew that it was too dangerous to reactivate the vault now, not with the kett present so high in the area. He had no doubt that it would cause the snowstorms to dispel and could possibly reveal the Resistance base headquarters.
Fortunately operating the Monoliths was no different from the other ones they encountered. All it took was for Scott to locate the cliffs and play some sort of sudoku game on a terminal.
As they made their way Cora, couldn't help but eye Jaal's rifle.
"I like your rifle, Jaal," she said
Jaal smiled as he added a few mods. "I built the modifications myself. Once, it was kett. Now, it kills them for me."
Cora was now polishing her shotgun. "Back home some people name their favourite weapons."
Jaal pondered for a moment. "Hm. This one is a darav."
They were approaching Techiix when they got a call on the comm.
"Hey, can you help me with something?" said an angaran voice. "There's a Wraith cloak near you. I lost its movement. Will you scan for it and let me know where it's hiding?"
Scott couldn't see the harm in it, who was properly not a good idea to allow a Wraith to wonder near the daar. Of course finding it was not an easy task, but eventually he found it and it didn't appear to have noticed him.
"Got it. Over here," said Scott.
Then suddenly there was a gunshot and the Wraith fell to the ground, whoever fired the shot was a skilled sniper to say the least.
"Nice!" said Peebee.
"Been tracking that thing all day," said the mystery sniper. "Thanks for the help."
"Do I get to meet the mystery sniper?" Scott asked.
He laughed. "Only right. Come find me."
Scott approached the mystery sniper, he was slightly younger than Jaal, but he was nowhere near a kid.
"There you are," he said.
"Nice shot back there," said Scott impressively.
"Thanks. My father taught me as soon I was old enough to hold a gun."
Scott could tell that he maintained his sniper rifle with great care and maintenance. "I'm glad I'm not on the business end of that thing."
He smiled. "As long as you're not kett, you're safe."
Scott asked him if he shot any Remnant, that it in ran into anything though he had heard stories of a pretty large somewhere in the area. Scott also asked if kett appeared here often, but he admitted that the Resistance kept the main body away and he usually took down stragglers.
Scott remembered that Anjik was looking for some more recruits and he was probably one of the best snipers he had seen in his life.
"You ever think about joining the Resistance?" Scott asked. "They'd be lucky to have you."
"I want to," he admitted. "But my family would never allow it. Not after my brother."
Jaal looked up. "Your brother was a sharpshooter too, Neraav."
"How'd you—" He stopped and it appeared that he recognised Jaal. "Jaal? Stars, you were his friend."
"He was a good man. Fought hard for his people."
"I want to follow his example. But my family…"
Scott decided that this would be best in Jaal's hands. "This is your call."
Jaal nodded and looked at the young sniper. "This is what you truly want?"
"It is," he nodded. "I want to help."
Jaal placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then tell them. I've met your father—he'll listen."
He nodded. "You're right. It's time that I speak to my family."
Scott then had a talk with two scientists, who weren't in the exactly the best mood. Apparently some exiles were poaching and endangered species called yevara. Apparently these animals were very precious to the angara as the tales were one of the few things that managed to survive after the Scourge.
Scott did a little investigating and it turned out that these poachers were actually hired by an angara scientist. Apparently she had discovered that the yevara held medical properties that were beneficial to the angara. Jaal was certainly conflicted about this wasn't quite sure which course to take.
Scott had to admit that this research could help the angara, but he knew that back on Earth many animals were drove into near extinction due to these hunts. Scott wasn't about to allow the angara do the same and immediately reported her to the Resistance.
Finally they got themselves sorted for the big track for the kett base on Voeld, they would certainly need the supplies. Then suddenly an angara approached him, though he didn't look like a soldier and more the scholar.
"Pathfinder Ryder, it's wonderful to finally meet you in person," he said with a small twinkle in his eye. "I am Ari Vesjek, scholar and chronicler. I have followed your activity with great interest."
"Chronicler? Like a historian?" Scott asked.
He nodded. "Quite so. Denied memory of the past or hope for the future, we become dust in the void."
"That's a wonderful sentiment."
"My grandmother's words. She set me on this path. It is my life's work to document the events that shape our world. The arrival of visitors from beyond the galaxy is a significant development, of course."
"I'm just hoping that we don't become a significantly bad development," said Scott, knowing the damage that the exiles have done to their reputation.
"Nothing you've done approaches the damage caused by the kett," Ari assured him. "And speaking of kett, I wish we knew more about how their invasion started. They must have records of first contact, and we have none of our own."
"Where would you get that information?" Scott asked curiously.
"The kett are a military people. They must have logs," he said and then he turned his eyes to the kett base on the mountain. "Perhaps they can be accessed from the base on Voeld. Approaching it would be foolhardy. Still, if you find yourself there, please, see what you can find."
Scott still little surprised that the angara had no records of first contact, he had expected that the angara would document the first alien species they made contact with, especially after the kett reveal their true intentions.
"Why don't the angara have records of the first contact with the kett?" Scott asked.
"Those who were there cannot tell the tales," he said regretfully. "Dead, enslaved or exalted. There are stories. Rumours. No one knows for sure what happened."
Scott knew that he was about to make his way to the kett base and he might as well download the historical records while he was there.
"I'll leave you to your work," said Scott.
Ari nodded. "Of course. I hope to speak to you in less frantic times. I would love to hear about your people."
Scott and the others started to make their way towards the kett base and that where they found a massive shield generator covering a large section of ice. The shield generator appeared to be powered by the kett base and whatever was inside they wanted guarded. Anjik contacted him and explained that it was Ja Niihk Dig Site, an ancient angara city that was currently under kett occupation.
It was a good thing they had a Nomad, because with the sheer cold, the powerful winds and the rough terrain there was no way they would be able to get there on foot. Eventually they reached the Kett Tactical Operations Centre forcing them to make the rest of the way on foot.
They managed to surprise the kett guarding the entrance, it appeared that Buxil's information were quite accurate there was little resistance. Once all the kett outside were dead they made their way deeper into the caverns and that's where they found a shield generator blocking their path along with a squadron of kett soldiers.
Scott looked at Jaal and gave him a small nod, he then overloaded the Aointed's shields and Cora quickly launched herself with a biotic charge followed by a powerful Nova. The result caused the kett to be sent flying and Scott and the others immediately opened fire before they had a chance to recover.
"Buxil, I'm at the entrance to the base," said Scott contacting Buxil. "Have you decrypted the code for the shields?"
"Yes, and not a moment too soon. Transferring it to you now! Stars be bright to you, Pathfinder!"
Scott made his way to the console and uploaded the code.
"Here we go," said Scott in within seconds the shield was deactivated. "We're in! Time to get to work."
They made their way deeper into the cavern and encountered more kett along the way, though apparently they caught them by surprise. It would seem as if the kett believe themselves so superior it's never occur to them that someone could infiltrate the strongholds. Due to this the kett forces they encountered were completely overwhelmed by the superior firepower.
Eventually they got outside and began making their way towards a kett command centre.
"The command base is just ahead," said Scott looking at the others as they kept low to the ground to avoid detection. "I know it's already pretty cold here, but stay extra frosty."
"Pathfinder, I recommend you head towards the primary tower," SAM advised. "It appears to be the core of the base."
It was a hard fight throughout the entire command centre, the kett were not about to give it up and so they were fighting extra hard. To make things even more complicated the primary tower was protected by a force field and according to SAM they needed deactivate three separate shield generators.
Drack was proving himself extremely useful with kett tactics as it was almost as if he was predicting the movements. Jaal was enhancing the weapons and shields thanks to his electromagnetic abilities, making it harder for the kett to counter-attack. Peebee and Cora were throwing some powerful biotics which was adding to the confusion and Scott and Vetra were fighting back to back laying down covering fire.
With alas the shield generator is now deactivated all they had to do was destroy the kett security terminal. Destroying the security terminal also allow them access to a kett storage centre and allow them additional access to the terminals.
Scott also managed to find a terminal and was able to download a good piece of information which contained logs that might hold details of first contact with the angara. However upon closer examination it appeared that some captured angara providing them with some useful information in exchange to stay alive.
"Wow, it sounds like some of the first angara the kett found we'd coerced into working with them," said Scott.
Jaal's eyes widened. "Some of my people sell out our entire species?"
"Looks that way," Scott nodded. "We should show this to Ari Vesjek."
Scott and the others quickly made their way towards the tower and managed to gain access to the command centre. They had a fight their way through even more kett as they try to make their way to the hangar bay in order to prevent the escape of the Prefect.
Once they reach the hangar bay they immediately began to overload the fighters that were currently on the platforms. Unfortunately, accessing the platforms was not as easy as they had predicted.
"Damn, the controls are locked!" Scott cursed.
"Pathfinder, I have located several overrides terminals in the vicinity," SAM informed him.
Scott quickly made his way to the nearest override terminal and managed to override the security protocols. He then returned to the platform console and managed to override one of the fighters that destroyed the platform.
Unfortunately, this gained the kett attention meaning they had to do two things at once, staying alive and hack the terminals. The kett were throwing everything they had left at them and Scott had to admit that it was impressive that they were able to mount a powerful counter-attack. However, they managed to persevere and destroy the last of the platforms.
"All hostiles down," said Scott.
"Pathfinder, the controls to shut down the kett base are located at the top of the tower in Zenith observation room," SAM informed him. "There is an elevator access nearby that you can take."
Sadly Scott was not able to take this elevated due to the small fact that the Prefect decided to join the battle. She was fighting the same manner as the Cardinal and Invictor, meaning they knew exactly how to take her down.
They quickly scattered and began concentrating on her shield generator. Once it was down they slammed her with everything they had, concussive rounds, biotics and fists. She was putting above valiant fight, but a strength was beginning to fade and eventually she fell and when she did the other kett were disheartened and practically lost the will to fight.
With the kett eliminated Scott took the elevator to the observation room and deactivated the base. He then immediately sent word to the Resistance but they managed to take the base.
In no time at all Buxil and a group of angara Resistance fighters landed and began to occupy the base. No doubt they were going to see what they could scavenge and download from the kett computers. The kett no longer had the superiority in this area of the planet and now the ground forces were in disarray, meaning that they had scored a massive victory.
"We try to take down this place for months, and you made it look so easy," Buxil smiled as she approached him. "Destroying the command structure and systems leaves the rest of the kett vulnerable. Remember Ja Niihk? The shield around it came down."
"The frozen city?" Scott blinked.
"That's the one," she nodded. "This is the perfect opportunity for a final push, while they're still dealing with the chaos."
"Tell me about this ancient city," said Scott.
"They say was abandoned when the Scourge hit. The cold came, and it was trapped in ice. The kett learned we were investigating, and took it. They think they can plunder it for Remnant secrets. Let's hope they haven't completely destroyed everything."
"I'll deal with it," Scott promised.
Buxil nodded. "In the meantime, I'll see if there's anything I can find here. Be careful, Ryder."
With that they started to make their way to Ja Niihk and on the way they found more kett camps and more those strange bugs. SAM was able to extrapolate the source of the transmission of these bugs and it seemed to be heading towards the direction of Ja Niihk.
Scott wanted to find out who was placing all these bugs and wasted no time getting to the coordinates. Unfortunately, the kett had been able to trace the source as well and killed the angara intelligence officer and Jaal recognised him as Talvor. However, before he died he left a datapad and it explained that he had to shut down the communication link to prevent the kett from using it to attack the scouts, he had survived the initial attack they had placed of rounds on him and he knew he was dying. He detailed instructions to anyone who found the datapad to bring it to Davja saying that he would know what to do with it.
They proceeded to go in deep into the ice caves and found the place was littered with kett tech, it was clear they had done some excavation.
"This is some heavy excavation equipment," said Scott and that when he found some explosives. "And explosives. The kett were trying to blast their way to something in here."
As they made their way deeper they found what appeared to be angara infrastructure indicating they had just entered the ancient city.
"I wonder what happened to the people," said Cora.
"SAM. Do we know how long this place has been trapped in ice?" Scott asked.
"Angara researchers hypothesised over 500 years, as a result of the Scourge event," said SAM.
"I believe it," said Peebee.
They soon entered some sort of icy chamber and found that it was filled with kett. However, they had a high ground and the element of surprise and they were quick to act on it. They immediately gunned down the kett below before they knew what hit them.
Scott knew there was probably more kett nearby and they may not have the advantage of the high ground next time. Unfortunately he was proven right, but then they discovered more cages containing angara slaves.
"They have enslaved people here," said Jaal horrified.
"Get them out!" said Drack.
Scott agreed and wasted no time in freeing as many angara as possible and they needed no convincing helping in the fight. With the assistance of the former angara slaves they were able to overpower the kett further back in the ancient city.
When the last of the kett were taken down Scott immediately approached one of the former slaves, he wanted know what was going on down here.
"That's all the kett," he said as he tried to ponder the prospect of being freed. "And… we're really free.
"Can you make your way from here?" Scott asked.
"Yes," he nodded. "With the kett gone, I can leave the others safely back to Techiix. I don't know how to thank you. I can tell you what I know about this place, if that would help."
"That would help a lot," Scott nodded.
"The kett are trying to get into a room behind that wall," he pointed. "Some time ago, they detected something and focus their attention on getting to it."
"How? It looks like solid ice," Jaal frowned.
"The kett made us carry explosives. They were preparing to blast through," he explained. "You could do the same. Is then anything more I can tell you? If not, I ache to see the sky again."
"Why were you captured?" Scott asked.
"We were taken during a raid on our village. They took us to a camp, put us in groups. And then there was… some kind of process. Blood-taking, examinations… I can't even remember all the tests. Eventually, they split us into groups. They said my group was 'flawed,' or… maybe it was 'unworthy.'"
Scott and Jaal looked at one another and they had the same thought.
"Unworthy of exaltation, I assume," said Jaal.
Scott asked for more details about what could be behind the wall, but he had no idea. He did mention that kett were excited about something and mentioned that indicated it was some sort of machine.
Scott nodded. "There's nothing else I need from you. Good luck."
He nodded and began to guide the former slaves away. "I hope you find what you're looking for. Be careful."
Now with the kett gone Scott could have a much more thorough examination of the ancient city and that when he discovered an ancient angara figure.
Jaal looked at it. "Is this… angaran? It looks strange."
"Maybe Avela will now more about it," said Scott. "Put it in cargo."
Scott eventually found his way to the blockage that the angara mention to them.
"We need to figure out how to get behind this wall. A scan might help," said Scott as he began to scan the large chunk of ice.
"Pathfinder, I detect a strong unidentified energy signature emanating from behind that wall," SAM informed him.
"So there really is something back there," said Scott looking intrigued. "It also looks like we're going to have to blast our way through with the explosives around here."
With that they began placing explosives around the blockage and immediately backed away to a clear distance. Once they were safely away Scott pressed down on the detonator and the blockage immediately exploded creating a passage for them.
"Everyone okay?" Scott asked looking at everyone. "No one crushed by falling ice?"
"All accounted for, and the blast brought the wall down," said Jaal.
They didn't waste any time making their way into the chamber that was now open to them and a few angara that volunteered to stay accompanied them. It was certainly strange as the was no indication of any kind of living quarters, in fact if Scott didn't know better it looked like some sort of generator room. In the centre of the room was some strange device with bright blue glow in the centre like some sort of eye.
"It's beautiful, but what makes this place so interesting that the kett would fight for it?" Scott frowned.
"Greetings. How can I assist?" said a female voice from out of nowhere.
Scott immediately approached the device with this voice came from. "What are you?"
"An interface for the power grid of this city," she said. "I have been operational since the city was encased in ice."
"She is lying," said SAM. "This is an AI and her origins appear to be angaran."
Scott wasn't entirely surprised that the ancient angara were able to create an AI. "Makes sense considering how advanced the angara are."
"True," SAM agreed. "I have no evidence the angara have hidden this knowledge."
"This is amazing news," said one of the prisoners that accompanied them. He then immediately looked at another. "Go get the commander."
Scott approached her. "So tell me—why lie?"
"As you can see, I am currently vulnerable," she said.
"What happened here?"
"The kett aliens talked as though I was evil and disgusting. They plan to take my knowledge and then kill me. I fought them off, but my energy stores are now drained. I am near death."
"Another lie," said SAM. "She is tied to a deep power grid."
"I beg you! Have pity on me," she pleaded. "Do not take me from here I would rather die. I am tired. I am done."
"That's insane," said the angara looking up at her AI. "You're an extraordinary find—a key to our past."
"Am I?" she said with scepticism. "You are not the ones who designed me. I do not trust you anymore than I do the kett aliens. Or these other aliens. I would rather die."
"Ryder, she has now blocked my attempt to scan her," SAM informed Scott.
Scott was in a rather difficult position on what to do with the AI. "Okay, this is… I'm open to suggestions here. Options? Thoughts?"
"Thoughts?" said the angara as he approached the AI before Scott could stop them. "I'm taking her out of here. That's what—"
He then suddenly screamed in pain as a massive jolt of electricity caused through his body. Scott immediately held out his pistol and aimed it towards the AI.
"No! I am tired! I will not go!" she yelled with a combination of anger and fear. "I am afraid—so afraid… and angry!"
"Help me… please… I have a family…" the angara pleaded.
"A life for a life," said the AI aiming her response to Scott. "Is mine really more valuable than his?"
Scott didn't know what to do if he freed the angara he would kill the AI. Unfortunately, eliminating the AI could hurt the angara quite a lot and it able to coax some sort of information from her that could go a long way of understanding the angara's past.
"You're way too valuable," said Scott looked at the angara as he lowered his pistol. "I'm sorry." The angara overcome by the US shark fell to the ground and Scott immediately turned on the AI. "You really didn't have to do that."
"With my feet now in your hands, consider it… a warning," she said.
"But your future is exciting. You can help the angara recover what they lost to the Scourge."
"I. Do. Not. Know. Them," she said plainly. "I owe them nothing. But your AI. I do understand him. Placed me in his custody."
Cora quickly approached Scott. "Ryder? Wow. Let's pause and think about this."
Jaal shook his head. "Must everything always be about borders? If, at the moment, SAM can best help this AI—then let's share her."
"Sure, but the optics are bad. Plus we already know there's anti-AI sentiment on the Nexus," Cora pointed out.
"I want to be with SAM," she pleaded. "I have a consciousness. I have desires and feelings. Please, Pathfinder."
Ordinarily Scott would entertain the notion of entrusting the AI to SAM, but Cora wasn't wrong about the anti-AI movement on the Nexus. Also complicating things was the fact that they still were working out relations with the angara and this could set them back several years.
"She belongs to the angara," said Scott. "Contact Commander Do Xeel and Evfra. At least the kett didn't get. Okay, team… what's next?"
Scott and his team soon returned to Techiix and they were given quite the hero's welcome. Eska was the first to congratulate them and wasted no time in pull Scott away from the celebrations.
"What you found at Ja Niihk was amazing, Pathfinder," she said. "We will be able to excavate the city, reclaim our lost history. These recent victories against the kett have open so many possibilities. Rebuilding, even expansion. There is a place for your people in this, if you desire. I'd like to extend formal welcome, as Steward of Techiix."
"I appreciate your generosity."
"I am being practical. Many feel our people are stronger together than apart. You have had success with Remnant vaults. There is one on Voeld. I would suggest investigating it before you make plans to build a permanent outpost here."
On the Nexus, Adam had just received Scott's latest report on Voeld and he was presenting it to Addison along with Isa, as this concerned his people.
"I'm not entirely comfortable about sending Initiative forces on Voeld," said Addison.
"We have permission," Adam pointed out.
"If you have permission I don't see any issue with electing an outpost Isa, it would only strengthen the trust between our people," said Isa.
"What a situation of the ancient AI that Pathfinder Ryder found?" Adam asked.
"Were taking it to Aya in Resistance Headquarters, but it's not been very cooperative," said Isa regretfully. "Any attempt any kind of communication is met with spat."
"Considering that the AI was alone in the frozen city for about 500 years and considering what the kett were going to do to her, I think it's quite understandable," said Adam.
Isa nodded. "One could only imagine that kind of isolation."
"If we are going to set up an outpost on Voeld, I take it that you already have the ideal personnel," said Addison looking at Adam.
"Their mostly former Alliance and their main priority would be to mine water," said Adam. "It will be mostly military personnel, due to the kett presence."
"I just hope this doesn't blow in our faces," Addison sighed.