It was easy to find an ideal location for the outpost, there was a lot of open ground next to the colony. Once the outpost blocks were set up Scott was facing Addison's hologram and she looked quite pleased.

"You really did it," she said impressively. "Almost a civil war, and you brought them back."

"But it's all about the resources. No poetry, right?" Scott questioned.

"I consider the krogan a permanent loss. Too many egos involved. Thankfully my ledgers don't care how they get filled. If I can retroactively call the krogan colony an outpost, that's a win. But that practicality is not universal. Tann will hate this."

"I'm not interested in opinions that don't see the value here," said Scott bluntly.

"Good," Addison nodded. "Because there will be a lot of them. But not for me. This will be our last outpost to find, but New Tuchanka helps immeasurably. And… it will undoubtedly draw one of Dr Kennedy's trackers. Search the Zaubray system. She and her child are still a priority. But for now, I need your voice. To remind them what this meant. Get the flags waving."

"This seems more important than that."

"It's about settling a tone, not telling the whole story."

"Thanks to the krogan doing what krogan do—survive despite and in spite of everything—we have another home. It's not tame, it's not safe, but it brings the dream back. New Tuchanka."

"One for the record's Pathfinder. Addison out."

Scott then began making the rounds to see how well everyone was doing, he found a former scavenger named Boomerang. He was in charge of getting the resources they needed, he was grateful that the Initiative allowed him a second chance and he mentioned how his old smugglers again just couldn't get rid of him no matter how hard they tried.

Scott then found Anixian, who was studying the weather patterns on Elaaden.

"You're the one that got the vault running, right?" he asked. "I have to say, when I heard about this place, I didn't think it would be viable. But now that I've seen what the vault's already done, I'm daring to hope," he said.

"A few more years here, and you'll think of Elaaden as home," said Scott.

"I believe it."

"What are you studying here?" Scott asked curiously.

"The evolving climate of Elaaden and the possibility of water," Anixian explained. "There are already underground pockets. Nasty, brackish stuff, but it can be purified. My job is to see if it can someday reach the surface. Can you imagine? Rivers—maybe even lakes—on Elaaden."

"That would be huge," Scott admitted.

"Clouds—and soil that can hold water. That's all we need. Let's hope the vault provides."

"Sounds as if the vault's made a big difference so far," Scott noted.

"That is an understatement," said Anixian as he continued to go through his findings. "Since you activated the vault, either observed the beginnings of cloud formations. Some of them are even nimbus clouds. Rain-bearing. Months from now, we could see real rainfall."

"Rainy weather on Elaaden. Can't even picture it," said Scott stunned.

"I can. And it's beautiful."

Scott then found a female salarian doctor running tests on the krogan. She turned around the moment he entered the block and judging from the look on her face she had been expecting someone else.

"Oh. I thought you'd be my patient from the colony. She's 20 minutes late," she said.

"The colony?" Scott frowned. "Do the krogan really need a doctor?"

"Not for injuries. A fertility specialist. Dr Mesha Lannok," she said shaking his hand. "I'm working with the krogan to maximise their new, more lenient birth restrictions? But I can't do anything if they don't show up for their appointments."

"I'm surprise you're working to help krogan fertility," said Scott rather surprised.

She narrowed her eyes. "Why? Because I'm salarian? I want the krogan to thrive here just as much as they do. The Initiative may not agree with me, but I'm doing whatever I can to lessen the genophage."

"Don't worry. I want the krogan to make a live here just as much as you. I didn't mean any offence," he said apologetically.

"Sorry. I'm so used to defending my stance. But I'm glad you agree. The krogan have a real shot in Heleus. Better than they had back home. It's up to the Initiative to help them along."

"Have you had any births in the colony yet?" Scott asked.

She shook her head. "No luck so far. But it's early. Believe it or not, there's a deep ingrained psychological pattern to colonisation. Birth won't happen 'til the krogan feel secure. It's a biological reflex. Fortunately Administrator Kingsman has provided me with a stepping stone on a cure for the genophage."

"How did you manage to get his hands on that kind of information?" said Scott rather surprised.

"Apparently he got it for me salarian doctor by the name of Mordin Solas," she explained. "Apparently one of his apprentices was working on a cure, though his methods were extreme. They managed to stop the tests and saved the data, it's not complete, but it makes my job easier to find a cure."

Scott decided to make a mental note to ask Adam more details about this cure.

He found the outpost engineer Jonah Park, who was assisting the with the krogan colony with growing crops. Apparently both he and Vorn went down like a house on fire, it was reassuring to know that the Initiative and the krogan were working together harmoniously.

Scott then met up with the outpost leader, an asari named Kariste Archana. Apparently part of the deal that was made between the Initiative and the krogan was that while Morda has sovereignty, it had been agreed that the outpost would have its own leadership.

"Kariste Archana, Andromeda Initiative," she said shaking Scott's hand. "Here to oversee operations—and attempt to repair relations between the Nexus and the Nakmor clan. It is a tremendous accomplishment, securing their cooperation."

"We can't afford to stay divided. We need to work together to survive."

"I understand, and I promise to do everything I can to maintain relations," she promised.

"How's the situation?" Scott asked.

"Actually, I have a concern. There's a Remnant Architect in the area. You might have even seen it on your way in. If it detects us, or the krogan, it's going to attack."

"I'll see what I can do," Scott promised.

"Thank you, Ryder. In the meantime, I'll have our security on alert. It comes down to a fight, we'll fight."

Scott decided to waste no time in dealing with the Architect, it would appear that activating a Remnant would awaken an Architect. It was paramount that they took down the Architect before it caused any problems to both the outpost and the colony.

Stars and the others got into the Nomad and began tracking down the Architect, which wasn't difficult. The Architect was currently flying over some Remnant ruins and it appeared to have some form of control over them as they kept on forming barriers and platforms out of nowhere.

They began to engage the Architect using the same principles as they use with the previous ones, aim for the conduit on its legs. This Architect appeared to also drop several grenades down on top of them forcing them to give a wide berth before they exploded.

Scott managed to get in close towards one of the conduit on its legs and tossed several grenades and then fired his Remnant altered assault rifle cutting a beam right through its armour. Once the continent was destroyed the Architect took off into the air, but it landed only just a few hundred yards away.

Scott got as close as he could and Jaal improved their shield with his electromagnetics which was a good thing considering it started a fire lasers down on top. To improve their odds Scott immediately sent Zap to give them a little extra firepower and Cora and Peebee performed some extra strong barriers improving their chances.

The Architect also sent some Remnant bots to attack them, but Drack immediately charged in towards them smashing them to bits. This allowed the others to focus on the Architect's head conduit and they managed to achieve some massive amount of damage. They then focused on its second leg component and managed to destroy it.

Just like before the Architect took off into the air and began chasing after it. Scott then quickly activated his cloak in order to get in close towards the conduit and used an overload and concussive round combination to create a massive electrical explosion.

They eventually managed to destroy the leg conduit and then focused all their remaining firepower onto it head. The Architect kept on firing lasers and dropping grenades down on top of them, but Scott and more manoeuvrability and managed to outflank it and eventually destroyed its head conduit.

He then collapsed Scott immediately rushed over towards it interface with it and just like before it dropped a cache of Remnant tech before it flew off into the atmosphere. Inside the cache was another Remnant data core.

Scott then went back to the outpost and informed Kariste that the Architect was now pacified and she was immensely grateful to him.

Scott then decided to head out deep into the desert and on the way he and Nexus scientist called Nora Tallis. Apparently her shuttle had crashed down a few days ago due to overheat and then she ran out of water. In desperation she traded a part of the ship for some water to a bunch of scavengers, but then she realised that she had sold her thruster.

Scott offered to take her back to the Nexus, but she was adamant about not leaving her shuttle behind. In the end Scott had to agree to reacquire her thruster and she happily gave him the navpoint to their camp.

Unfortunately when Scott reached the camp he found that all but one of the scavengers had been killed. According to the survivor a smuggler by the name of Axius had slaughtered everyone, remembered Boomerang mentioning the guy. Apparently Axius and his gang made a living by raiding other scavenger camps killing everyone and stealing everything not nailed down. The survivor was more than willing to give him the navpoint, but claimed it was nothing more than a fools errand.

They managed to find Axius camp and he immediately attacked them the moment they came into sight. Unfortunately for him Scott and the others were far better equipped and have a lot more discipline, plus they had an large angry krogan on their side selected tip the balance more into their favour.

They managed to locate Tallis shuttle thruster inside some shipping containers and elimination of Axius would certainly make the situation on the planet better. They returned the thruster to her and she immediately began to install it on her shuttle.

"You have a huge task, to responsibly settle all your people in Heleus," said Jaal as they dried over the dunes.

"It seems incredible sometimes, the idea of making places to live?" said Cora. "Even though we've already done it. There's so much hope riding on us."

Jaal nodded. "Hm. Speaking for the resistance, I know what that's like."

They kept on going but then when they went over dune something affected the Nomad engines.

"Whoa," said Scott as he looked the others. "Feel that? The Nomad's really struggling."

Scott kept on pressing forwards, but after every few seconds the engine kept on cutting out. Eventually got so bad that Scott had no choice but to stop and call the Tempest.

"Tempest, this is Ryder," he said. "The Nomad broke down in the middle of nowhere. We're stuck out here. Could use a pickup."

"Sure thing, Ryder," said Kallo. "Just let me… oh, that's not good."

"What happened?"

"Not sure," said Kallo sounding confused. "Problem with one of the thrusters. You'll have to hang tight while we figure out what's wrong."

"Great…" Scott moaned.

"Hello there!" said a voice over the comm. "Looks like you can use a boost!"

"Who the hell is that?" said Scott as they got out of the Nomad.

"Vehicle trouble, huh?" said the mysterious voice. "Gotta be careful in these parts."

Scott couldn't help but notice the timing and he had a feeling that this mysterious voice had a hand in their breakdown. "We're armed and ready for any trouble we might come across," Scott warned.

"Oh don't worry. So am I. I've seen this before. Pretty common out here, what with all the scavengers. I may just have the part you need to get you up and running. I'll give you a navpoint to my camp. It's just around the bend."

"We're in the middle of nowhere. How did you just happen to see us?" Scott suspiciously.

"There'll be plenty of time for questions at my camp."

Scott didn't really like the idea, but it was better than hanging around in the desert for who knows how long into the Tempest was up and running.

"Thanks for this. I guess we owe you one."

"Don't worry about it. Happy to help a fellow human."

Drack frowned and gave a suspicious grant.

Before Scott made his way to this mysterious helper, he decided to contact the Tempest.

"How's it going over there? Can we get left?" Scott asked.

"Gil decided to make some… adjustments while we were docked," said Kallo sounding annoyed. "The ship's grounded until further notice."

"Ryder, it's Gil," said Gil sounding a little guilty. "Sorry about this. Thought you'd be gone a while and… yeah…"

"This is why we have protocols, Gil," Kallo snapped. "Maintenance is scheduled."

"If you'd come down and help me…"

"Someone needs to turn the key—so to speak."

"This would never happen to angara tech," Jaal grumbled.

"Patience is a virtue… or something," Scott sighed.

Unfortunately, both Gil and Kallo hand switched off their comms meaning that they could hear the argument as they walked.

"Great. Now the consoles blinking red," said Gil.

"Did you try turning it off and on again?" Kallo asked.

"Don't you think that the first thing I'd tried?"

"Hey, don't get testy. I'm just trying to help."

"Something is up with this guy," said Drack as they approached their mysterious callers encampment, who was wearing scavenger armour.

"Components are scarce out here, but this board should do the trick. My backup," he said as he pulled out the component for them. "Just swap it out with your old one. She should stay as good as new."

"Thanks. A friendly face is the last thing I'd expect out here," said Scott looking at him suspiciously.

"Wow, your nice one," he said sounding rather surprised. "Listen, though, before we go any further… Maybe you can tell for my fancy suit, but I must scav, same as any other out here—except I'm better with my hands than most. Even build a special EMP. I push a button, it fries any vehicle that gets too close."

Scott wasn't entirely surprised. "You don't say…"

"Then I strip the vehicle, and, um, 'dispatch' anyone who doesn't want me to strip said vehicle. Quite the racket."

"Why are you admitting all this?"

"Because look at you," he said gesturing to their armour and weapons. "Good as I am, I can't handle that fight. Figured I'd offer what I can do help you back on your way. No fuss, no mess, no hard feelings. For a price, of course."

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

"Do you pull this scam often?" Scott asked.

"I don't usually wait long enough talk. The dead go all in, so consider yourself lucky."

Sadly for him Scott had a counteroffer. "We need that board. And I can't let you keep doing this to people."

"If not me, someone's gonna profits. But suit yourself."

He then immediately went to retrain his rifle, but Scott was too quick with his pistol and fired a bullet in his stomach killing him instantly.

"Let's collect that board and get out of here," said Scott as he put his pistol back in its holster.

The immediately grabbed the board. "I bet he has a whole case of the somewhere."

"It's sad how some choose the live," said Jaal.

They made their way back to the Nomad and thankfully the new board worked on the soon back on the move again. Also they could no longer hear Gil and Kallo complaining to one another indicating that they had switched off their comms.

They continue to scour the desert when suddenly they saw something that gave them chills. Laid out in the sand were dozens of stasis pods.

"Damn," said Cora.

"Stasis pods from Ark Natanus," said SAM.

"Are any of them alive?" Scott asked.

"It's difficult to obtain a clear reading on all pods at once," said SAM. "We should investigate." When they got closer to the stasis pods SAM had even worse news. "No lifeforms detected, Pathfinder."

"They're gone," said Cora.

"SAM. We should have Macen's genetic profile in the Initiative database," said Scott as he began to scan the stasis pods. "Let's check it against the pods."

Scott continued to scan all the pods, but none of them had a match to Macen's DNA. However, one of them was still operational and Scott wasted no time to get it open.

"Help me get it open," he said as he tried to fiddle with the controls.

"Pathfinder, the body has no vitals," SAM reminded him.

Scott sighed, but he remained focused on the mission. "SAM, check the pod's history."

"According to the final log, this stasis pod was jettisoned from Ark Natanus," said SAM.

"Because of the Scourge?" Drack assumed.

"The timeline doesn't match," said SAM. "This pod was rejected long after Natanus was reported missing."

"The stasis pod were dumped for a reason," said Scott.

"Could've been dead already," Drack pointed out.

"We should update Avitus," said Scott. "He'll want to know what we found."

They went deeper into the desert and then found an old angara ruin, which was a bit of a surprise. They scoured the ruin and found what appeared to be an ancient star map, at least according to Jaal. Scott decided to keep the Star map in order to present to Avela the next time they were on Aya.

They started to head out of the desert and Peebee looked at Jaal.

"Jaal, your people have been fighting the kett for a long time," she said

"Since long before my birth."

"Are you encouraged that you have allies now?" Peebee asked. "Us, I mean."

Jaal pondered for a moment. "Mm, it's better not to die alone. Yes."

Peebee stared at him. "Wow. You don't think we can win?"

Jaal shrugged. "This isn't a typical war. Therefore, winning won't be typical."

Scott decided to check on that outpost that Barrett wanted for him to secure. It was certainly a very defensible position clearly the scavengers inside weren't using it to its fullest potential. So they started to hit them hard and quick before they knew what hit them.

The scavengers did call for reinforcements but they weren't much help as Scott and the others had managed to secure key positions within the outpost. Scott then located a locked door, curious to see what was behind it you managed to unlock it and discovered a hoard of weapons.

There was some debate whether Barrett knew about this arsenal were not, but Scott decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. They returned to Barrett and his crew and informed him of the weapons, it was a good thing they did because no sooner had they moved in that they were immediately attacked and those weapons provide them with additional firepower.

They had also heard rumours of scavengers messing around with Remnant tech and Peebee much insisted that they investigated. They soon reached the site of Remnant ruins were scavengers were busy dismantling the structure.

"Ryder, the scavengers are dismantling the Remnant tech," said Peebee.

"Is that a problem?" Scott asked.

"Normally, no. But if they get their hands on a Remnant core, it could become unstable and attract the Scourge."

Scott had just managed to fix the planet he wasn't in a bunch of stupid scavengers wreck everything he had accomplished.

"How do we stop it?"

"I have no idea."

"Pathfinder, I could modify your omni-tool to disable the cores and prevent them from reacting," said SAM.

Scott nodded. "Do it. Let's go fix this."

Of course before they could reach the cores they had to fight against the scavengers and they weren't about to give up their territorial. It was a hard fight, but it was nothing that Scott and the others can handle.

One of the scavengers were taking care of he began to jump from platform to platform in order to getting close towards the cores. Unfortunately reacting with the cores awakened Remnant bots which immediately attacked them.

"There that should do it," said Peebee one Scott activated the last of the cores.

"Pathfinder, I detect scavenger interference at additional Remnant sites," said SAM.

Scott sighed. "They never make it easy for me. Let's go to these other sites."

They follow the navpoints to the other Remnant sites where the scavengers were operating. It was basically the same drill with the other side, kill the scavengers, deactivate the cores and fight against the Remnant bots that were awakened.

"We did it," said Scott as he deactivated the last of the cores at the last of the Remnant sites. "The cores are safe."

"We dodged a big one, Ryder," said Peebee relieved. "Thank you."

They soon returned back to the Paradise and found that it was under new management. The man in charge of the Paradise now was called Callingwood and under his management place a change completely.

"Good to see you, Pathfinder," he said. "Director Addison and Superintendent Kesh gave me the task of overseeing operations here. With luck, we'll soon see some changes on this trading post."

"Now that Annea's gone, what are you trying to do here?" Scott asked.

"I'm sorting through Annea's books and forwarding what I can to the Nexus," he explained. "The plan is to maintain this trading post and offer support to the krogan colony. Later on, we may use it as a base to expand Nexus mining operations on Elaaden."

"What are you going to do about the water situation on Elaaden?"

"The water you found is being distributed fairly. People can expect to receive as much water as they need when they come here. Regardless of who they are."

"Even the scavengers?"

"Even them. They have been advised that any abuse of the privilege may result in it being taken away. They seem to understand, for now."

"Have you encountered any resistance? Any violence? Is everything okay?"

"We have enough guards and soldiers to put down any violent opposition. For now it seems to be working. Perhaps we can rehabilitate the population of the planet. But that is a long ways off."

Scott nodded. "Well, I'll leave you to it."

Scott then met an angara engineer by the name of Sjaan, he had previously assisted Annea with the water dispensers and he admitted that he had like the way that she had run things. Of course now with the Initiative taking over the outpost, there wasn't much for him to do.

"If you want to make a difference again, the Resistance needs recruits on Voeld," Scott pointed out.

"The Resistance? It's a nice thought, but I doubt they'll take a lowlife like me," he said doubtfully.

"With your skills, Evfra will welcome you," said Jaal. "We don't turn away those who want to fight."

Sjaan looked at him stunned. "You're a member?"

Scott plays down hand on Jaal back and smiled. "You're looking at one of the best fighters in the Resistance."

"Is that so…" He loved his chin pondering. "Voeld, huh? Guess it'll be a change from all this sand." All right, fine. I'll checkout the camp. See what I can do."