The little revelation at the Outpost didn't need much explaining.
And our little exploration didn't last much longer anyway.
We were surprised to see that Doctor Ryoto had moved in as the Outpost doctor, having the information be leaked to him by the Collective, he was on site, with his bags, waiting for the Outpost to arrive. In addition, he was allowed to treat any exiles who came for care in a true medical center for free. That's doing wonders for the Initiative's reputation on Kadara.
It was getting late in our sleep schedules, and we still weren't absolutely certain what we'd be doing next. If nothing decided to pop up, we honestly may just wait for the Resistance scouts on Havarl to finish their reports on the Roekaar presence, and the Tempest would remain docked in Kadara. My dreams that night were… not dry, let's put it. And also, very pleasant. I woke up, making sure I'd have a clean pair of underwear after my morning shower, then after the shower and getting dressed, went to the mess for some breakfast. I wasn't the only one present. Gil, Drack, Jaal, and Liam were all having their own meal. Jaal had a knowing grin, still rather pleased with himself.
"So, sleep well?" Jaal asked casually. I saw the ghost of a smile on Liam's face.
"Well, I'm awake and my eyes don't feel crusty. Don't feel tired, so," I shrugged.
"Any dreams?" Jaal questioned innocently. Jackass.
"I don't really remember most of my dreams when I wake up," I avoided the question.
"Oh? Did any of them involve someone? Maybe… oh, I don't know, Vetra?" he smirked. Gil's eyes widened, quickly followed by a grin of his own. Drack was slightly grinning himself now.
"You having any dreams of Peebee?" I retorted, placing a bowl of cereal on the table.
"Why would I? I don't need to dream about that. I'm perfectly happy with what happens while I'm awake," Jaal remarked. The others chuckled, and I just flipped them all off as I took a bite.
"Bout damn time you two figured it out," Drack grumbled.
"Hold on, this is news to me. What happened, and how? I want details," Gil requested.
"Yesterday, Vetra invited Scott for some mountain climbing. Apparently, that ended with them revealing their feelings. And more," Jaal explained casually. Well, there I go getting beet red again. Gil laughed.
"I knew something was going on, but not this much. So, have a full home run, or…?" Gil asked me.
"Jesus guys, come on. No, we didn't do that," I answered, lowering my head in my hands.
"Call it payback for your jokes about Peebee and I," Jaal teased. "No, Gil, the conversation the two had when they forgot about Liam and I behind them revealed that while they didn't do that, they did 'make out.' Which I believe is simply a lot of kissing."
"Guys, please, can you just… wait for it to settle in? Just still feels weird right now," I requested meekly.
"Of course. When I seemed uneasy, you dropped it. Only fair that I do the same," Jaal nodded.
"Alright, fair enough. But just you wait until it 'settles in,'" Gil warned teasingly. The others remained silent, and left the mess as they finished their own meals. Soon, I was the last one.
As I finished the last bite, the door opened. Vetra.
"Morning," she greeted, getting her own cereal out of the dextro cabinet.
"Morning. So, word spread," I remarked. Still… an odd feeling in the room. Maybe not uneasy, but… I don't know. Feelings are weird.
"Well, we did forget we had two people behind us yesterday," Vetra muttered. "And I told Sid…"
"And?" I smirked. Can only imagine her reaction.
"Possibly the worst thing I've ever done. She won't shut up about it," Vetra groaned, beginning to eat her own meal. I chuckled in response. "She thinks it's the cutest thing because you're 'soooooooo tiny,'" Vetra quoted, using a higher pitched voice. Well, Vetra does have a head on me height wise. "And I'm probably going to regret telling you the joke she at least got out of the way immediately. 'Scott Pathfound the way to your heart… and other things," Vetra sighed, her eyes closed. She opened them again, gazing at me. And a slight smile. "Worth it though. Cuz of you." Vetra had left her hand resting on the table. I smiled. A real, genuine, happy smile. My brows even raising a bit.
"Definitely worth it," I stated softly, and placed my own hand on top of hers.
Vetra's mandibles flared further in a smile of her own, and she turned her hand so that it could grasp mine, and continued eating. We both stayed there, in silence. Just enjoying the feel of the other's hand, enjoying being in the same room as the other.
She finished her meal and stood, without letting go to put her dishes away. I had yet to put mine away, and stood to do the same, still holding onto Vetra. When that was done, I tapped her on the shoulder with my other hand. She turned her head, and, maybe or maybe not on the tip of my toes, gently held my forehead against hers, like she taught me. I couldn't see it, but I know her mandibles were flaring. I moved my head back, and Vetra wrapped her arms around me. Both arms over my shoulder. One hand on my back, the other on the back of my head. Instinctively, I held her at her waist and back, as she drew me in for a kiss. It was gentle, and our lips parted, gazing into one another's eyes. Without words, we had another. This one had more… energy, about it. Our hands exploring the backs and sides of the other. My own back was turned to the door, and Vetra spun us around, then slowly began pushing me back. My calves made contact with the seat, and I sat, Vetra's lips and tongue still interlocked with mine, and Vetra straddling me. Vetra and I both were still just wearing clothes. Not armor. And I had sweatpants on! She could definitely feel that one part of me getting active. It was feeling hot in here, and both our breathing had slowed, and grown more labored. Letting out large breaths through our noses, and taking in smaller ones.
"Uh, you know, your quarters are a lot more private."
We immediately stopped, our hearts stopping in our chests. Vetra spun off my lap and onto the seat beside me, staring at the figure that just broke us out of our little trance. She was standing at the door, a hand on her hip, and incredibly smug. Damn it, Sid.
"When you said you were going to get a meal, I didn't think it was going to be him," Sid teased her sister. I was even redder than Sid's face paint. Vetra's eyes were wide and her mandibles twitching. Neither of us really had a response. "Hey, this is gonna be what happens when you're not somewhere private and the door is unlocked," Sid shrugged. "So, should I come back later?" Sid grinned
"N-no, no, go ahead and eat," Vetra muttered.
"Alright, but-"
"Sid," Vetra warned. She didn't need to say what she was warning Sid about, the tone said it all.
"Alright, fiiiine," Sid answered, getting her own bowl for her own breakfast. She sat, and began eating, the cereal crunching in her mouth. "So," she swallowed. "What's next on your plans?" Vetra looked at me for an answer.
"Depends. Not much else we can do on Kadara. Apparently Roekaar are mobilizing on Havarl, Jaal is waiting for scout reports for us to move on that. That might be next for us," I answered.
"What about after that?"
"Eh, probably go to Elaaden. Drack got a message about some issues at the Krogan colony. Could be another potential outpost world. And I remember a message from Avitus Rix, the second to the Turian Pathfinder. There's a lead there for Natanus," I explained.
"Hope we can find them," Sid murmured, taking another spoonful of cereal. There weren't any more questions, we just kinda sat there. Though Vetra had taken hold of my hand again under the table. Sid finished the last of her food. "I'm not trying to tease or anything. But you guys should probably talk to Lexi, right?" Sid recommended.
"We have it under control," Vetra answered, and left it at that. Sid shrugged, put her dishes away, and let us be.
"I uh… did have a chat with Lexi," I murmured as Sid left.
"That quickly?" Vetra asked, a brow raised.
"Well, I didn't exactly know if I was going to react negatively to just kissing," I defended awkwardly.
"Yeah, and I'm sure that's all you talked about," Vetra grinned. "Guess it means you care enough to make sure the both of us are fine." I couldn't do much more than simply shrug. "Well," she began, turning my head to her and tapping her forehead to mine. "I want to call some of my contacts. See what they can do for Ditaeon. Talk later?"
"Sure. Should probably figure out what exactly we're doing anyway," I answered.
"Sounds good," Vetra nodded, and then leaned forward, whispering into my ear.
"And if you want, I might be persuaded to do a bit more of what we were up to before we were so rudely interrupted. In the meantime, you… seem a little stiff. Why don't you go take care of that?" Vetra suggested, heavy and hot breath brushing past my cheek. I was speechless. Simply staring at Vetra as she placed her head back in front of mine. She snickered, and tapped our foreheads again, before standing and leaving. The air in the room felt heavy. I was prepared to take her suggestion, but Jaal called. I wonder why he didn't come looking for me or send a message. I answered.
"Scott? The scouts have finished their reports on the Roekaar mobilization," Jaal informed. I went business mode.
"Tell me everything."
"They're camped at a place called the forge. It's believed to be the birthplace of our civilization. Akksul likely believes that this bold move will rally followers. Normally, the site is filled with research teams, but the scouts have seen only Roekaar. And I doubt so many of them were recruited. Evfra has agreed to have a shuttle on Havarl take us there," Jaal explained.
"Any sign of your family?" I asked gently. Jaal sighed.
"The scouts would not know them. But… I KNOW that's where they are."
"How are we going to handle this? Sacred site, people we don't want to kill shooting at us, maybe indistinguishable from the others?" I questioned cautiously.
"Very carefully. Akksul will know that they are family of mine. I suspect he will keep them close. Not out of distrust to them, but as a way to get to me. As for the rest of the mission, it won't be a stealth op, but the preference is to be relatively quiet. The Resistance wants us to get in, and see what they're planning. Thin out their numbers, maybe even get to Akksul. At least for the forge itself, we can't damage anything. No explosives, no heavy hitters, like Drack," Jaal answered.
"You have a specific team you want to bring along?"
"We'll be in a shuttle, so we won't be limited by space in the transport. Perhaps just bring everyone but Drack. I like him, and he's a good fighter, but I'm skeptical about his subtlety. And again, the risk of collateral damage," Jaal stated.
"Then that's how it will be. I'm sure Drack will understand caution around something so important to your people. I'll make sure we start making our way there immediately," I nodded. Jaal gave me his thanks, and ended the call. And I ordered Kallo to run a check for everyone being on board, then fly us to Havarl. Meanwhile, I had to go take care of something in my quarters…
Hormones. A goddamn pain in the ass. And it doesn't help when your crush turned girlfriend is teasing you like this. I threw away the make-shift rag and covered myself back up, went to the bathroom for a quick hand wash, and came back to my quarters. My Omni-tool rang again. Wait, SAM? Fuck. He's in my head. Right. So, he knows exactly what I just did. He knows everything Vetra and I did in the mess, and everything I felt during that. I hope I can at get used to it.
"Uh… yeah? SAM?" I asked, more than a bit embarrassed.
"Scott, may we discuss your romantic attachment with Vetra Nyx?" the AI requested. My head fell into my hands. He knows what I just did, and he's following it up with that question. Well, he doesn't have a concept of timing. But at least he didn't just say my name to make me shit myself. Well, he is learning, I suppose I should answer his question…
"Uh… ok… I don't need to tell you the birds and the bees, do I?" I asked with a half smirk and partially fake chuckle.
"You do not. My experience of such attachments was a long-established relationship. Cherished, familiar, but tragic. I have never known the beginning of an attachment, let alone one which cannot possibly produce offspring, which in my early years, I had wrongly assumed to be the sole reason such relationships are formed. Your perspective, why it is you are in a relationship with her, would place it in context," SAM requested.
"Huh. Well, it's a lot of things, I suppose. She's witty, smart, completely selfless, and overall a great person. Me, being someone who appreciates wit, smarts, and selflessness respect her a lot. Then, our personalities, how we act? It just clicks. We just… connect. I support her, and she supports me, and I'll always be grateful for that. I… I really care about her, SAM…" I murmured. "She makes me feel at peace, and… I hope she feels the same."
"All life strives for connection. The connections of friendship, the connections of family, and the connection of love. I understand better now. Thank you, Scott," the AI stated. Huh, we haven't used the L-word yet, it is a pretty… serious word, to me, at least, after all. But… yeah. I do think I love her.
It was not a short flight. Havarl was practically on the other side of the cluster. Took up about half the day just getting there. At least we spent it power napping or staying relaxed to preserve our energy. Wouldn't be a good thing to arrive at Havarl and start yawning, ready for a night's sleep. Though Peebee had some trouble with that. She was still concerned about Poc, who we hadn't found a lead on yet. Her scanner was at work, but it can only scan so quickly.
As I had predicted, Drack was unfazed by the request that he stay behind. He grumbled at not getting to shoot shit, but didn't argue. Our landing site on Havarl was Daar Pelaav, where we had first landed on Havarl, and where the shuttle would be waiting to take us to the forge. Kiiran Dals was pleased to see us again, and not short on praise for the scientists working alongside them. We didn't have long to chat, however, as the shuttle landed minutes after our own arrival. The doors opened upon our approach, and we all entered. The pilot quickly shut the doors, and took off. The pilot would be able to drop us off at a clearing close by the Forge, but that would be it. Evfra was still uneasy, even with them stealing supplies on Voeld, murder on Kadara, blatantly attacking the Initiative, to make explicit enemies with the Roekaar. Can't say I blame him, how many Angara would be uneasy with the prospect of declaring a whole faction of their people enemies? Fortunately, our presence means that even if indirectly, Evfra can still act.
"So, if we find your family, how do we get them to stop shooting? With us all being outsiders…" I cautioned.
"It will give them a different perspective. If they see me with you, I know them. They will stop," Jaal reassured. "Just trust me. Follow my lead. No matter what. Especially, if we encounter Akksul."
"Well, then I suppose I officially transfer operational command to you. I'll still throw out tactical orders, but everything else on this op? That's you," I nodded. "Hear that everyone? We follow Jaal's lead. What he says, we do," I ordered the others. The sea of heads nodded acknowledgement. "Good. We're in good hands here." The shuttle soon came to a stop, and lowered over a clearing in the dense, rocky jungles. The doors opened, allowing us to jump out and onto the ground below. There was daylight creeping in over the mountains as the shuttle sped off, and our feet splashed from a small river we needed to follow. Jaal took point, rifle out and ready, so we all followed suit with our own weapons.
"Move carefully. We don't want to alert the Roekaar," Jaal cautioned.
"You been here before?" Peebee questioned.
"The Moshae brings all her students to the Forge. I know my way around. The Govataan, a welcome center, is up ahead," Jaal answered.
We followed the river, and came to a rocky ledge, an Angaran ghost town greeting us amongst the bioluminescent plants. "Just like the scouts said. Deserted. The Govataan is usually filled with travelers. Where have they all gone?" Jaal muttered.
"And why aren't there any guards?" Liam remarked.
"Guarding something of value further in? Keeping eyes off something?" Cora theorized.
"Going further in would only bring you closer to the Forge itself. Why would Akksul want to keep others from seeing it?" Jaal countered. "Search the buildings, maybe we can find some clue."
The first building we searched had a log of arrivals. Steady until a week ago. And a terminal of the head of the Forge site notifying everyone of an important visitor, and then a mandatory meeting. The second was a storage building, still fully stocked.
A console showed that one of the workers here was complaining about the Roekaar having supplies left in the supply room that they wouldn't let anyone near. And an audio log of, assumingly that worker, saying that she told someone named Droka to make Akksul leave. The third building had a blue stain on the floor. Small, but clearly visible. Angaran blood. SAM was able to determine that the amount was non-lethal, from blunt force trauma to knock someone out cold. But why?
"Akksul doesn't kill Angara," Jaal had murmured. There were other oddities. Plants that the researchers would have never have neglected, dying of dehydration. Another building of scattered supplies and furniture, and a broken vase. Either someone had left in a hurry, or were forced out.
"Do not be fooled by kindness. The Milky Way Menace are just as evil as the Kett." A pre-recorded message, playing on the site's loudspeaker system? Really? Blaring propaganda all day long, Akksul?
"He really likes the sound of his own voice, doesn't he," Vetra muttered. We were now at the last door in this area of the site. Likely a way to the next. Jaal led us to the door.
"Stand to the side, don't take your weapons out unless they start shooting," he ordered. We nodded, and stood at the sides of the door, like a breaching maneuver. Anyone inside wouldn't see us. But they would see Jaal. He placed his rifle on his back, and opened the door.
"Thought you said you got them all!" a woman exclaimed.
"I did! He must've-" a man began. I turned the corner, as did Peebee, followed by Liam, turned the corner. Myself followed by Vetra and Cora.
"Aliens! Kill them!" The woman ordered.
A shot rang out, striking me in the shields. Without hesitation, I used my biotics to lift the woman in the air, then slammed her into the man next to her. The force shouldn't have been lethal to either.
"Shit, hope no one heard that," Vetra murmured.
"They're not dead," Jaal stated, having checked the bodies. "Unconscious, but alive. Thank you, Scott.
He grabbed their weapons and went back outside, dumping their clips out onto the ground, and tossing the weapons up over the ridgeline, along with the knives. He pulled what seemed to essentially be zip-ties from his belt, and tied their hands together. Wouldn't hold them that long, but will do well enough. Jaal led us through the hallway, and to another door. He opened, revealing a rather nice courtyard, an almost glowing waterfall at the center. We had remained at the sides once more, but again, the Roekaar out there had seen Jaal.
"There's too many to sneak by. Show yourselves, and… we'll fight through," Jaal ordered sadly, stepping forward so that he could quickly take cover behind a metal crate.
I ordered the others to let me show myself first. I did, with my Sweeper out, but holding it level to my thigh. And it was accompanied by gunshots. Bullets striking my shields. Jaal and I both dove into cover at the same box. Vetra, behind us, got on a knee, her power armor activated, Peebee and Cora funneling their biotics to a barrier to protect her, and she opened fire on Roekaar. I wouldn't imagine the weapon to be that reliable on most of the Roekaar, but it would suppress them, allowing Jaal and I, Liam if he can get a good shot, to fight back. And Vetra had quickly taken down the two Roekaar down by the waterfall anyway. Jaal and I pulled out snipers.
"So much for going in quiet," Peebee exclaimed.
"We have a plan B?" Cora questioned.
"Surrender is not an option with Roekaar. Take them out!" Jaal ordered, pulling the trigger, killing a sniper on the ridgeline by the waterfall.
"Kill them! Bring their bodies to Akksul!" one of the Roekaar called out.
"What would they want with our bodies?" Liam asked, as I had put down another sniper, and Jaal a rifleman.
"I think we'll learn soon enough," I remarked.
I really hope none of these Roekaar are Jaal's family. Roekaar began jumping down to our level, as if trying to charge. That simply made it easier for Vetra to mow them down. Until some Roekaar who stayed above focused fire on her, and she retreated to cover, Peebee and Vetra readying their own weapons.
"Don't give them an opening!" Jaal ordered. I took a grenade, and primed it, counted down to three, and threw it at the Roekaar. It wasn't exactly a long throw, and I even saw an arm fly past me and onto the metal ground beside me.
"Shields recharged!" Vetra called out, and got back into position, the biotics supporting her. We took down another sniper and rifleman above as they attempted to focus Vetra, and then they began playing defensively, retreating to cover.
"Push, quickly yet carefully," Jaal ordered. "Get to the ramp, and the second level. Can you be ready to quickly form a barrier?"
"We can. Peebee, Cora, form up on me. Keep those biotics flared, make that barrier the moment you see someone peek us," I ordered.
We ran close together, the three biotics on the outside edge, closest to the Roekaar. We saw a pair of Roekaar peek us the moment we reached the ramp, and immediately the barrier went up, rounds pinging off it. The Roekaar set themselves around the railings and barriers of the next building firmly. Their fire had yet to break our barrier, and we all safely took cover.
"Keep fighting, they're breaking," Jaal ordered.
With biotics and gunfire, the Roekaar simply couldn't keep up. Someone went into cover? He was plucked into the air by an invisible hand. He tried to charge us, he got riddled with bullets, or slammed back into the side of the building with enough force to dent the wall. They stood to fire, and were rewarded with a shot to the head. The area was clear.
"So… they weren't among them, were they?" Liam muttered.
"I… do not believe so. And we don't have time to check. But the Roekaar know we're here now. Perhaps that will flush them out," Jaal theorized.
He led us into another building. Looks like a kind of cafeteria. A kitchen at the back, tables with half eaten food throughout the main room. Another pre-recorded message. About how the Angara are being invaded. Losing their homes. Kadara, Elaaden, and even Aya being at peril. His arrogant voice was grating.
"I really want to punch him in the mouth," Vetra grumbled.
"You should hear him in person," Jaal remarked. "Elaaden is only inhabited by scarce few Angara. It's too hot, and scarce in water for us to bother truly settling it. So why he bothers including it, I won't understand."
Outside, as the mess hall was a dead end, and more messages. One that states how it's hard for the Angara to put aside their Altruistic nature, as with us, it will lead them to ruin. Another about how the Milky Way could be allies, but asks of the cost. How often it would come to be collected. That they have fought valiantly for so long, and don't need the help now. A society can't be Altruistic. It's too much. An individual can be altruistic, and a society can be generous. But an entire, altruistic society? I've seen enough of the bad sides of the Angara to understand that's false. That's just part of being people. There's some shitty ones.
"He really hates us," Liam muttered.
"The Kett made us fear the unknown. And your arrival is bringing about change. Akksul fears that change," Jaal explained.
We found another terminal in a side building. It revealed the fate of the researchers. They were gathered and sent away. Akksul claimed that it was for their own safety. Someone had resisted, but they were struck in the back of the head, knocked out. Explains the blood stain from before. We came upon a locked door, but that didn't do much to stop us. SAM scanned, and found wires beneath the ground. And those wires led me to a generator, which powered up, and unlocked the door.
"There's a bridge to the ruins beyond these doors," Jaal informed, leading us along. "Hopefully… my family should be there…"
Peebee grasped his shoulder gently, and Jaal's hand had raised to grab hold of hers, giving it a squeeze. And he led us out.
The sun was in the sky, lighting up the ridge we'd walk along and the canyon separating this side from the forge. An ancient stone bridge connecting the gap. Then there were explosions along the bridge's support beams. And the entire structure crumbled into the canyon below. Jaal roared out in anger.
"SAM, tell me you have a recording of that," I growled.
"Affirmative," the AI answered.
"Send that shit to Evfra. Right now. Hell, why not the Moshae too?" I ordered.
"At once. I will include that they shouldn't reply or contact you until after the mission," SAM stated.
"Good, don't want a call in the middle of a firefight," I remarked.
"What now?" Cora asked. Jaal calmed himself down, breathing hard.
"We'll need to jump. There's a ledge below the bridge we can reach," he informed.
We now stood at the base of what remained of the bridge. The forge must be located in that mound ahead. A large mushroom tree was growing out of a rocky hill, and branches covered in moss were sticking out from the mushroom tree and into other further away rocky mounds. We jumped down to a ledge on our side of the canyon, and then across to the other. Laser sights greeted us as we began the climb along a natural, curving ramp back up by the bridge.
"Snipers! Take cover!" Jaal ordered.
We all took cover, Jaal and I taking out our rifles. "Give our shields everything you can!"
Cora and Peebee nodded, supporting both of us as we engaged the snipers. One shot pinged off the barrier and it flickered, but our combined fire broke through his shields and skull, leaving two more. Another shot, and the barrier collapsed, and drained my shields halfway. Another sniper down. We both took cover again, and the two prepared their barriers once more. The last sniper didn't stand a chance. A shuttle arrived, just slightly up the hill. We'd all be able to take on those Roekaar.
"Take them out! We can't let them reach the nest!" a Roekaar ordered.
The shuttle dropped off a squad of five soldiers. With biotics and firepower, they couldn't keep up. Either thrown off the ledge into the canyon, or found a bullet in a vital organ.
"Ammo check!" Jaal called out. Those Roekaar were dead, yet we had seen another shuttle.
"Brought plenty of clips. Can share if someone needs them," Vetra informed.
"What's ammo?" I joked, holding out my Sweeper.
We climbed the hill and… well damn. There was a lake with plenty of rock formations out ahead. Mushroom trees of their own reaching into the sky. And the sunlight made it stunning.
"I can see why Akksul wants this place to himself. It's gorgeous," Vetra remarked.
"Hm, just wait till we get inside. There's a cave ahead, where the forge itself is," Jaal smirked.
"Why's it called the forge?" Peebee asked.
"The stones used were shaped from Havarl's bedrock using extreme heat. But, history lesson later," he suggested.
We readied our weapons, and continued up. Jaal led us up another ledge, and bullets found themselves bouncing off the dirt at our feet. Almost like warning shots. We flew into cover, and these Angara were without helmets. And they were continuing their fire. I was about to call for a barrier, so we could retaliate.
"Intruders have breached the nest!" a woman called out.
"I count six, we should fall back," a man suggested. Jaal grabbed my shoulder, his eyes wide.
"Wait!" he exclaimed to us. "I know those voices," he murmured, shocked.
"Lathoul, go for backup," the woman ordered.
Lathoul? That's one of their names, isn't it?
Jaal raised his hands into the air and dashed out of cover. Just to be safe, I began giving him a barrier. Peebee was clearly nervous, and doing the same already.
"Lathoul! Wait! Stop!" Jaal exclaimed. The three Roekaar stood, lowering their weapons.
"It's Jaal, a blue skinned Angara," called out. "Jaal, is that you?" He holstered his weapon, a broad grin. He mantled the stone he was using for cover and ran towards Jaal, who met him halfway. Both were chuckling, and Lathoul had his arms wide for a hug.
Then Jaal punched him. Twice. And hard. It appeared as if the blue Angara was about to fight back, but then the two brothers embraced.
"Uh, what the fuck?" Vetra muttered. The other two Angara approached. His family.
"Baranjj. Our mothers sent me," Jaal stated calmly.
"All of them?" he asked, confused.
"Did our mothers send these aliens too?" the woman growled.
I stood from cover, stepping out with my hands raised. She stormed right towards me, glaring me right in the eyes. Well, she has balls, I'll give her that.
"Huh, Jaal, you didn't tell me your sister was a badass," I remarked. Returning the stare, but without her aggression. I didn't think she was a badass of course. More like a hot-head kid. But hey, maybe an ego stroke could help.
"Your people are a joke," she sneered.
"Trust me, he's the joke. The rest of his people are alright," Vetra joked, arms crossed over her chest.
"Hey! I have my moments," I joked back.
"Eh, sometimes," Vetra smirked. "You're a good kisser…" I know I blushed, meanwhile, the Angara woman in front of me just had a look of disgust.
"Teviint… please…" Jaal requested softly. She turned her back to me and shoved her way past another of the siblings, Lathoul, I think, the purple male. Now Jaal was in front of me.
"Why'd they send you?" Baranjj questioned.
"Because we've lost enough to the Kett. They're afraid to lose you to this insane cause," Jaal explained.
"A few days ago, the Roekaar tried to attack one of our outposts. You know, filled with civilians just trying to grow food and research. We countered with a trap, fought them off, and then Akksul said that HE'D be the one coming for vengeance," I remarked.
"I didn't hear about that…" Lathoul murmured.
"But… Jaal…" Baranjj stuttered, doubt in his eyes.
"I want you to meet my friend, Scott. So you can see that Akksul is wrong," Jaal interrupted.
He turned, and grabbed me by the arm, dragging me forward. I know I must have looked a bit surprised, but managed to retain my balance.
"Uh, hi. So, we need to work together against the Kett. We're here to stay, gave up everything we ever knew, after all. I want us all to get along," I stated.
"Who cares?" Baranjj muttered.
"The Angara don't want anything you have!" Teviint growled.
Well, there's the medical advancements, the tech, the numbers and weapons to use against the Kett, so on so forth. Those so far seem to be things the Angara have been interested in.
"Jaal, our mothers want us to live truthfully," Teviint argued.
"It's because I love my mother that I will die for this cause," Baranjj stated firmly.
"Akksul is going to blow this place up," Lathoul revealed. I hadn't even seen the torn look in his eyes.
"Lathoul!" Teviint exclaimed as he pushed his way through.
"That's why he sent the researchers away," Lathoul continued.
"Stop. Talking." Teviint warned. She was behind him now.
"He has bombs. Stolen from your people," Lathoul continued.
He looked very nervous. And bombs from our people? He's willing to blow up a sacred Angaran site, and frame it on our people? You might as well say 'He's been poisoning our water and killing our crops! Well, not really, but are we going to wait around until he does?!'
"Those bombs go off, it'll look like the Initiative did it," I murmured.
"We have to disarm them," Jaal nodded.
There was a gunshot, and Lathoul fell forward, Jaal catching him. I could see the wound, burning. Plasma round. At least it cauterized the wound. Not in the center of the back, so it missed the spine, see an exit wound at the other end, smaller. And it's the lower back, should have missed the lungs. Lathoul had an expression of pure shock on his face as he struggled to breath.
Baranjj almost looked as shocked, rushing over to help his brother. While Teviint, had her arm outstretched, holding a pistol with a smoking barrel. She had a face of anger, that shifted to realization, and then horror. The pistol fell from her hand. And she screamed. She was twitching, hyperventilating. Baranjj ran back from his brother and held her still, ensuring she couldn't do anything else.
"No, no, no," Lathoul groaned. "The bombs. In the forge. I'm ok, Jaal. I'll be fine," he breathed. We set him down against a stone.
"Baranjj, round went straight through his lower left side, looks cauterized, can you keep him stable?" I questioned.
"Y-yes, I can," he stated.
"I can leave behind someone if you need. They may be able to help," I suggested.
"N-no, I can do it," Baranjj murmured, he let Teviint go, who was now sobbing, curled into a ball on the ground, and helped his brother.
"I hate Akksul," Lathoul growled through the pain. "Don't let him win."
"You got it," I nodded, clasping his arm. Jaal was barely able to leave him, but he, the rest of the team, and I began running.
"I'm glad you're here," Jaal murmured. "If Akksul's willing to blow up the Forge, there's nothing he won't do. If he shows up," he spoke louder, ensuring everyone would hear. "Scott, Pelessaria," he spoke gently. "Let. Me. Handle him. No matter what," Jaal reinforced.
I nodded. Peebee did as well, but nervously. We ran through the cave to the forge itself. A central stone structure with two large pillars, with a bomb in the center. One right against our drop off. One in the back left by a corner piece, and one to the right in another corner piece. Roekaar were still down there, securing the area, securing the bombs.
We opened fire, mowing down any not by the central structure per Jaal's orders. Quickly, only two remained, taking cover behind those pillars. Cora and I used biotics to lift them out of the way, and they were put down. SAM led me to get to work on the bombs. We had three minutes left when we first opened fire, and had used thirty seconds.
I had begun defusing the central bomb when reinforcements arrived. Fortunately, the others were ready, waiting for any sign of hostiles. They began mowing them down, and I'm betting Vetra had turned off her safeties. I moved to another bomb, a minute and a half left. More Roekaar being mowed down. Another bomb, and another. We were clear, and the bombs offline. I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Jaal! Jaal!" Teviint cried, running out from the same entrance we did, followed by Baranjj. She seemed hysterical, embracing Jaal. "I killed Lathoul. I killed him. I'm so sorry," she cried. Jaal's eyes fell.
"I stabilized him, he's fine," Baranjj stated.
"He's not dead," Jaal breathed. "You're lucky," he murmured to Teviint.
"I lost my mind, Jaal. I want to go home…" Teviint sniffled.
"I joined because of you," Baranjj muttered to his sister.
"I shot our brother!" Teviint exclaimed.
"Don't leave me," Baranjj pleaded. A familiar figure strode out from behind him.
"Let her go. I only want soldiers who are committed to our cause," Akksul scoffed. There was cold fury in his eyes. "Not weaklings who stand by and watch the destruction of our people at the hands of aliens!" he growled.
"Looks to me that if these aliens stepped in there would have been some hefty destruction of your people by yourself," I retorted, arms crossed over my chest.
My weapon stored. He wants to be a martyr. I know that. My team knows that. I made sure they all understood just what martyring him would do. More Roekaar, weapons drawn, appeared on the ledge above us. Well, we'd have to be very quick to shoot our way out without casualties to our own squad. I have doubts if we'd be able to keep Baranjj and Teviint alive.
"You recruit kids and make them fight their family. Your cause made Teviint shoot her own brother in the back," I stated loudly. "It's sick. And so are you."
"I speak for our people!" Akksul stated loudly, dramatically, his arms out to the sides, and he turned back to his troops above us. "And I say: You're done in Heleus."
Liam raised a pistol, and I slammed his hand down. Fortunately, he didn't pull the trigger. Goddamnit Kosta, keep your cool.
"Liam, don't!" Jaal exclaimed, staring right into his eyes. Akksul laughed, and waked right up to Liam, grinning. I kept holding his gun down. I could feel him resisting slightly.
"Go ahead. Martyr me. I dare you," he whispered.
"We don't kill unarmed psychopaths," I spoke for Liam. He stopped resisting, and put his pistol back. Akksul glowered, and turned.
"They move onto our planets. They take our resources. Make us weak," Akksul spoke loudly.
"I've watched Scott make planets habitable!" Jaal exclaimed. "Havarl. Voeld. Even Kadara."
"Exactly. And they'll never let us forget it," Akksul countered.
"He rescued your beloved Moshae, and everyone imprisoned alongside her!" Jaal continued.
"I know…" Akksul murmured. The Roekaar above were glancing among each other now.
"Saved her life," Jaal emphasized.
"I know… Stop defending them!" Akksul demanded.
"The Moshae trusts Scott and-" Jaal continued, facing Akksul.
He pulled a pistol from his thigh, and pointed it right at Jaal. His hand twitching ever so slightly to the left. I heard Peebee gasp quietly.
"Stop! We've been fighting the wrong enemy. Maybe the enemy is this traitor!" Akksul exclaimed.
Jaal simply stared at him, unfazed. He looked at us, at Peebee. He shook his head to the side oh so slightly. The message is don't. And… I think he's bluffing. The twitch of his hand was giving it away. I could see the looks of the Roekaar above. They wouldn't approve. Akksul should know this.
"Easy…" Jaal muttered. Not sure if that was meant for Akksul or us.
"Don't you dare hurt him," Peebee growled, raising her pistol.
"Peebee, don't." Jaal stated firmly, a hand raised and lowered slightly. I placed a hand on top of the barrel of her gun. And gently lowered it. She glanced at me.
"Think Poker," I whispered. She seemed confused, but thought about it. It seemed to be catching on. It's a bluff. Call the bluff.
"The Moshae trusts Scott. Evfra trusts Scott. You have been stealing supplies on Voeld. Murdering Angara on Kadara. And you were about to destroy our history. You've become a danger to your own people," Jaal stated calmly. "Walk away."
"Or… I kill you, and reveal the Resistance for the traitors they are," Akksul growled.
How the fuck does that make any sense? How does killing your own people reveal the other faction as traitors? Peebee almost raised her gun again, but I held it down. I saw the pistol twitch to the side again, and then the pull of a trigger.
Shit. Was I wrong in the bluff?
Time seemed to slow down in my vision. Peebee began screaming, I saw the plasma discharge around the barrel of the pistol. Jaal's eyes didn't widen at all. I watched the green bolt of plasma travel towards my friend's head. Jaal's head began turning to the side. The bolt of plasma brushed past his cheek, burning, scarring it, and passed by his neck flaps harmlessly. Jaal did not even grunt out in pain, though he was grimacing. The scar still glowing. Peebee's scream stopped immediately, and Jaal stared back at Akksul. Teviint and Baranjj were both shocked behind us. As was my squad. The Roekaar above began turning to each other, whispering amongst themselves. Akksul looked up at them all, pleadingly, almost. One shook his head, and left, dropping his rifle. Followed by another, and then two, then four, eight, and so on, until all were left. Akksul had revealed just how far he had fallen.
"The alien is not the monster here," Jaal stated.
"I love my people," Akksul murmured.
Jaal simply stared back. Then turned to his family.
"Come on, let's get you home. Leave him," he suggested.
"You ok?" Peebee asked, concerned, as we began leaving the cave.
"Yeah. Thanks." He grunted out in pain, letting out what he had held in. Peebee just latched onto his arm. We left Akksul all alone.
The shuttle had landed back at Daar Pelaav. Lathoul was alive, but had given a dose of medicine that had knocked him out to help with the pain.
Now, he was awake, and Teviint was still a mess. Hell, Peebee was close to being the same, clinging to Jaal. The doors opened allowing us to exit. Teviint helping Lathoul along.
"I'm so sorry Lathoul. I never-" she murmured.
"Couldn't even kill me at short range," he teased. A pair of Angaran women stepped up to the landing pad.
"They're here," Jaal murmured to his family. The women and Jaal's siblings raced towards one another, embracing. "Let's give them a minute," he suggested. He led us along to the edge of the landing pad.
"Thank you all for trusting me. Killing Akksul would have made the Roekaar stronger," Jaal explained.
"He shot you," Peebee argued.
"I'm glad he did. It exposed how far he'd fallen," Jaal retorted.
"I've got to admit. You were pretty badass," I remarked.
"Can't let you be the only showoff," Jaal chuckled. He turned towards me, arm out for the Angaran salute. I smiled, and returned the salute as best I could.
"You've been practicing," Jaal laughed.
"Well, I have had plenty of opportunities for it," I smirked.
"I'm just glad you're ok," Peebee murmured.
"As am I. It means a lot that you trusted me," Jaal replied. "Come, I want to say goodbye before my family heads home."
"Gonna tell them about…?" I gestured between the two of them.
"Not today. They've… had a lot going on. I'll wait for things to calm down," Jaal answered.
