MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA HOLLOW WORLDS:

CHAPTER 17

"I would avoid the kitchen," Kallo timidly alerted Torvi as she stepped out on the bridge after removing her armor in her quarters. The rescued salarian pathfinder and awakened salarians were happily settled in temporarily down at the cargo hold with the Nomad, Liam and Jaal. The ark was following their designated route back to the Nexus as the Tempest escorted them. The salarians could not risk another kett attack. Too many lives were already lost to their fiendish hands and tests.

"Drack doesn't wish to talk right now," Suvi whispered gently. Torvi already pretty much guessed that her pilot was referring to her krogan cohort onboard. Due to the limited time they had aboard the ark, she had to make a tough call. Raeka was pinned down with several other salarians and there were several krogan missing scouts being contained for exaltation. She couldn't choose both. The scouts were important to Drack and the krogan on Elaaden. The Initiative still didn't have a foothold on the planet due to severed ties with Nakmor Morda. However, Raeka was the Pathfinder and they needed some sort of stability among the Initiative. It was growing more and more difficult for Torvi to do it all alone. Especially as her pursuit to the Archon was rapidly becoming more dangerous. Drack was tightlipped after the decision was made on the ship and she could see the look of betrayal in his old eyes. He no longer acknowledged her as an ally. Instead, he saw her like Tann. Choosing salarians over the krogan. The same battle that his species endured in the Milky Way. They were new to the Andromeda galaxy and it seemed that the krogan rebellion was on the brink once more. This time, the Turian ark was nowhere in sight to provide aid.

Inhaling deeply, Torvi walked off the bridge in the direction of where the krogan placed himself. She had to get this matter off her chest. Maybe she could talk sense into him and justify her choice. The odds were shifty, but she was willing to chance it. The door to the kitchen was closed and there were no sounds coming from within. Standing outside, Ryder debated if he was really there or left to another part of the ship. Glancing around, she didn't see anyone else watching and opened the door. Surprisingly, the rugged reptilian alien was inside with his back leaning up against the back wall. His yellow eyes glared at her as he faced the door. "This ain't a good time to talk, kid," He snarled.

"Drack…" Ryder took a breath. "We need to."

"It is unwise to push a pissed off krogan." His sharp teeth revealed themselves as he warned.

Meeting his gaze, Torvi pushed one foot ahead and stepped inside. "You know I wanted to save both."

"Yet, you chose the salarians over my scouts," Drack spat. "Different galaxy, same old bullshit."

To his point, he was right. It sure seemed that way so far with his clan. They were betrayed after the uprising thanks to Spender and Tann. Now, little aid was coming to them. "Let's say the roles were different. You were the pathfinder for the krogan- "

"Ha!" Drack scoffed at her comment. "That would be the day. The Initiative didn't even ask for a krogan pathfinder. "

"Just listen!" Torvi snapped angrily. In aggravation, she massaged the top of her nose between the corners of her eyes. He remained silent, so she proceeded. "You needed another pathfinder for stability and you had to choose between Raeka or human scouts…what would you do?"

"The humans." There was no hesitation in his answer.

She contemplated his firm decision. Maybe there was something amiss. "Why is that?"

"They're not salarians." The response was so simple, yet troubling.

"For fuck's sake…" Torvi groaned, figuring out what he was getting at. "You're just as prejudiced as Tann."

"Careful," He hissed. "I'm nothing like him."

Ryder defied his caution. "Yes, you are."

Within microseconds, the krogan was right at her. His sudden quick action totally caught her off-guard. She didn't expect him to move so fast. His right arm stretched out and he tightly wrapped his hand around her throat as the force of his body pressed her hard against the kitchen's closed door. Feeling his hand squeezing it, Torvi struggled to breathe and grasped firmly at the vice, but her efforts were in vain. There was no way she could break free from him. "I did trust you…you're not like the rest of those shits on the Nexus." His hot breath blew on her face as his razor cuspids became just inches from her tender flesh. Trying to suppress fear that was overwhelming her like a dark tide, Torvi made her mind to focus off the rumors that krogan would often tear their enemies' apart with their bare teeth if needed.

She wiggled her body as she continued to press on his arm to provide more air into her burning lungs. Her body was beginning to go into total panic mode as survival was its main focus. "I'm still your ally, Drack," Her voice raspy as she struggled to get the words out from her squeezed vocal cords.

He studied her momentarily before finally releasing his grip. Her body slumped down as she coughed hard over bended knees. Gasping at the air particles to replenish her ravaged lungs. "I'm not leaving. I'll stay to see this through. Killing kett is my sole purpose in life right now." He stood before her as she finally regained her breath. "Just don't come around me off missions." His words cold. "Especially tell that to the salarians below." A beat. "I will kill them."

Standing back up to save face, Torvi squared her shoulders. "Noted." Knowing it was best to just continue the discussion later, she exited the kitchen and saw Kallo peeping down below from the top of the ship through the glass floor. Narrowing her eyes, she found herself becoming angry at him in general. It wasn't his fault that the salarian ark was captured. However, the whole discord that resonated between the krogan and salarian was not truly gone despite the quiet years. The two still loathed the other. How could the Heleus Cluster work in harmony with old wounds still seeping with infection? For now, she would give up on Drack and focus on the matters at hand. It angered her how defiant he was. The skin on her throat still burned from his grip and she was pretty sure that bruising would form on the surface. It would be noticeable and how would she explain to her crew about Drack attacking her? Reckless on her part. Whatever feelings she had for him were forlorn.

Hours passed since they left the salarian ark and their ETA to the Nexus was approximately thirty minutes. Ryder self-confined herself to her quarters, ignoring new emails after sending a message to her ship's community terminal to indicate that she needed some time alone. Everyone was on edge. "Ryder?" SAM's voice in her head disrupted the stillness in her room as Torvi was lying flat on her back on her bed, staring at the ceiling as if the metal frame interior could provide the answers she was looking for. She didn't answer. The AI continued, "Dr. T'Perro has asked for you to be checked out. She has expressed concerns following the event with the Archon."

Rolling over on her right side, Torvi flickered the pillow sheet tail with her fingertips in a soothing manner. She knew that the doctor didn't want to talk about her and Drack. Instead, she had concerns regarding SAM's ability to stop her heart in order to break from the bonds that held her and her team on the ship. It was the only way and a deadly decision. Literally. Plus, it was noted that the Archon administered an injection in her neck. A knot formed in her stomach as she could almost see herself mutating in the grotesque kett physique. Just like what happened on Voeld with the poor angaran that was selected to be a chosen. If she was going to turn into her enemy, the transformation was slower than the angaran's. Was it because of her DNA? The Archon did have human samples from prior teams on Eos before her arrival in the cluster. SAM assured that there were no chemicals racing into her blood stream to turn her into one. However, the idea of her turning into a kett after she closed her eyes to rest would not leave her mind. Despite her fear, she didn't want to talk to Lexi. After all, the asari was always concerned about Drack's well-being. What if she brought up the tension between the two? What if she took his side? An argument that Torvi simply wanted to avoid at the present state. "Thank you, SAM." She somberly replied.

A chirp indicated that someone was outside her door. "It's Cora," SAM notified her.

"I told them I didn't want to talk right now," Torvi groaned.

"It may be best for you." The AI encouraged gently.

This provoked Torvi to roll her eyes as she swooped her legs over the bed's edge and planted her feet on the metal floor. "Since when did an AI understand human emotions enough to provide advice?" She tossed out as she walked to answer the door.

"An observation."

"Right," Torvi sarcastically muttered as she answered the door.

Her second-in-command stood dutifully awaiting her with her almond brown eyes looking at her with deep concern. "Mam, I know you said you wish not to be disturbed, but I needed to talk to you."

"Come in," Torvi moved to the side to allow the blonde to enter. "Just tell me this isn't about the ark."

Cora shook her head. "Not that ark…it's about the Periphona. We never really got to chat after we got back…everything has been so crazy around here, huh?" She inserted a soft chuckle, but stifled herself when she noticed that Torvi stared at her seriously. Feeling embarrassed, Harper cleared her throat. "Sorry."

Guilt overwhelmed Torvi for the rough exterior she was presenting. Mental exhaustion was draining her. She didn't feel like herself anymore. She wanted to head back to Kadara and confide in Reyes. Did she really trust him that much? He didn't seem like the same man she met at the club and Sloane was watching her every step. Heading to the port seemed like a selfish act. "It's okay. What's your concern?" Assuming more bad news.

"I just want to say that you made the right call in removing Sarissa as the Pathfinder." Cora's answer was a complete surprise. "At first, the decision tore me. She was my mentor and idol."

"You worshipped her," Torvi pointed out.

Cora chuckled, "You could say that. I did quote her manuals a lot, didn't I? I just can't believe she would intentionally provoke the kett like that. Many asari died by her action." Her voice shook as anger blossomed. The biotic clenched her fists as dark energy began to surge.

Gently grabbing her arm, Torvi stopped the next action. "Careful. I kind of like my room the way it is," She cracked a smile.

Nervous, Cora relaxed her composure as she took a pause for a breath. "Vederia has a rough job in front of her, but I know she can do it."

"She showed her skills aboard the Periphona when she aided us. Her help was crucial. You know what? I didn't know the line of succession when I made the choice, but now I'm glad."

Cora noted the contusion that formed on Ryder's neck. She leaned in closer to inspect and gasped. "You okay?" She clenched her teeth, "Did the Archon do that to you?"

Ryder lightly touched her neck and winced slightly at the tenderness. Cora was very defensive when it come to her safety. She felt like it was duty as second-in-command to the Pathfinder. She couldn't put Drack out there like that. No more turmoil on her ship. The air needed to be clear. "Yeah," She lied, regretting to change outfits with her scarf to hide the wound.

"Bastard. Remind me to shove a biotic blast up his kett ass when we see him again."

Torvi laughed at the thought. "That amuses me."

Cora smiled. "Good." She moved over to the desk to retrieve a datapad that contained some of the reports that were being transmitted over to Tann. "Two worlds repurposed."

"Somewhat." Torvi reminded her as she looked on. "Kadara will be a struggle."

"You said that about Voeld."

"I think it was just the ice." Torvi sat down on her bed's edge. "No, Kadara will be a struggle. Not sure who should handle that place. Sloane and the exiles or The Charlatan and the Collective?"

"Hard decision."

"Story of my life right now." She tossed a smirk. "I was asking you to pick."

Cora laughed and shook her head. "No way. That's not my job yet."

"Could bypass the planet and head to Elaaden." Then again, the krogan were there. Torvi's mind flashed to Drack. "Scratch that. Don't think I'm ready to face Morda yet."

"Maybe Drack will cool off and help us," Harper suggested as she tossed the pad aside.

Subconsciously touching her neck, Ryder winced. "In time. Two worlds are better than none."

Sitting beside her on the bed's edge, Cora softened her voice, "What was it like? Death and all?"

Torvi lowered her eyes to the floor between her feet. "If you're asking me if I went to Heaven…I don't think I did. Just darkness…To be honest, I can't recall any of it."

"Too philosophical I guess." Cora giggled. "Just curious. I never was big on human religions. They all sounded pretty much the same." She paused as she noticed the trouble look on Torvi's face. "Not saying that they can be wrong."

"Sorry, just thinking about dad and mom…" Ryder's voice trailed off as memories of her family together pained her. "Did you study the asari religion while training with them?"

"Their goddesses were beautiful. Athame, "The woman let out a happy sigh. "I heard stories about her. Pretty captivating."

Feeling more relaxed, Tori moved back over to her email terminal to skim over the unread messages that were flooding her inbox. "I guess I better prep for another lecture from Tann."

"And Addison," Cora spat. Judging by her tone, Ryder could tell that the woman in front of her had no love for Foster. Pre-Andromeda days? She shelved the question till a later time.

"Maybe, he will give me some direction on where to- "The Pathfinder stopped in mid-sentence when she came across a message from Vidal Reyes." The words grabbed her attention. She already knew from a prior vid-con that he wanted her to be his "plus one" to attend Sloane's party on Kadara in four days. A quick detour to the Nexus would still place her back to the port to attend. She agreed to go with him, but she felt withdrawn from the sheer idea. In his current message, he kept hinting that she would live up to her word and go with him. A few other words of endearment were cast in, but she didn't let them go to heart. However, the supposed date may give them more time together and they could work through whatever that was keeping them apart. Sloane may cool off with her being there as well.

"What is it?" Cora asked out seeing the troubling look on Ryder's face.

"Just a message from Reyes," She quickly pressed the delete key to make sure their private exchange would not be seen by anyone else. "A reminder for Sloane's party, "She summed up the contents.

Cora gave her a silly grin. "Uh-huh. I'm sure that wasn't all of it." Torvi couldn't help but to blush and Cora caught this. "Just be careful. I'm sure that he's a great guy and I'm happy for you, I just don't want you to get hurt…Kadara is very dangerous."

"I'm only going there for intel," Torvi explained soothingly. "I'll be professional."

"That I find it hard to believe, "Harper teased. "But whatever it takes to get to Sloane's good side. We need that outpost."

"That we can both agree on." Torvi ran her fingers through the braids on top of her head. Kaetus' strange interest in her was a bit alarming. More than likely, he would be there and right at Sloane's side. Knowing of his attendance formed a knot in her stomach. Just the thought of seeing him there made her grow shy. Not like he wasn't her type and pretty much her focus now was on Vidal. He wasn't the only alien she felt confused about. A grim reminder of the tension between she and Drack.

"Ryder." Suvi's gentle voice beckoned to her over the room's PA speaker.

"Go ahead."

"Kallo is beginning his approach to the Nexus dock. Tann already has reached out to our comms to request a meeting with you as soon as we land."

Torvi exchanged a silent look with Cora. "Of course, he did. Tell him I'll be there."

"Duty calls." Cora winked.

"Always."