Note: I made little changes to the previous chapter regarding the 'rush romance', it should be good now.
A few days later
A few days have passed since the Ark Hyperion left the world of benders towards the Nexus. It wasn't easy but Korra and Kya were able to convince their families to let them go with Jason and the others, it didn't take a lot to convince Mako, Asami, and Bolin to come because they were really excited about adventuring in space. It was sad for Korra and Kya's families to watch them leave their world and go to the stars, but they were assured that they would come back one day.
Alec, Sumner, and Dunn weren't very approval at first about Korra and the others coming along with them but it was surprisingly easy to make them change their minds when they were reminded that Korra, Kya, and most of their friends can bend elements which was a huge tactical advantage as Sumner would say.
Even though they haven't seen the best part about the Initiative, Korra and the others were amazed by the technology the Ark's crew used and what the Ark was made of. When Kya took a look at the stasis pods, she could literally feel the people sleeping in them thanks to her healing abilities. Korra wasn't sure how it was possible but Kya theorized that it might be because there was a little ice on the people in the stasis pods.
They flew in space for a few days but everything looked good for the crew. There were no signs of danger and the ship's systems were working properly. While they were flying, Jason was talking with his friends on the bridge.
"How long until we're there?" Korra asked as she yawned.
"We'll be there shortly," Jason said.
"But it feels like forever," Korra complained.
"We can put you into the stasis pod, it makes the journey feel going faster," Jason said.
"What?! No! No way you're gonna put me into one of those things," Korra said. The idea of being frozen in the box felt kind of creepy to her.
"Come on, it's not that bad. I slept in one of those things for over 600 years," Jason said.
"600 years?!" You were sleeping for that long?" Asami asked.
"Yep," Jason simply said.
Asami and her friends just couldn't believe it. Jason and his people slept over 600 hundred years while crossing the dark space knowing that they would never return home or see their families again. They had to admit that it took a lot of guts to take such a risk.
"Wow, you guys are really brave," Korra said.
"It's what we do, explore the unknown," Jason said.
They kept drifting in space for a few more hours until they finally reached the part of the galaxy where the Nexus was located. Luckily they were now close enough that they had a visual on the Nexus.
"What's that?" Bolin asked.
"That my friend is the Nexus, the forward hub for the entire Andromeda Initiative," Jake explained.
"And if we're lucky, the other Arks should be there as well," Jason said.
While they were approaching the Nexus, the crew on the bridge noticed something strange. Some parts of the Nexus were still under construction and there were no signs of other Arks. And when they asked for the docking clearance, they only received an automated approach channel. It was strange but Dunn told the pilot to dock the ship.
While they were docking the ship, Alec and the rest of the team walked to the bridge.
"What's the situation?" Alec asked.
"So far we haven't received any contact from the Nexus. Only the automated response," Dunn said.
"And there are no other Arks?" Jack asked.
"No I'm afraid," Dunn said.
"I thought the construction would have been finished by now," Cora said.
"Something must have gone wrong," Sumner said.
"We'll find out for sure when we're in the station," Alec said.
After they docked the ship, the Pathfinder team along with Korra and her friends entered the station via tram. While they were on the tram, Korra and her friends wanted to know a little more about the station.
"So, is this place full of aliens?" Bolin asked.
"Yeah. Asari, Turians, Salarians, mostly the Citadel council species along with humans," Jake said.
"But try not to mock up the other species' looks or call them ugly. They don't like it" Cora said warning Bolin to keep his mouth shut when it comes to the aliens' looks.
"How can anything this big even exist?" Asami asked.
"You should see the Citadel, it's even bigger," Scott said.
"your people do keep this place up and running, right?" Mako asked.
"The Nexus runs a support crew. Just enough to finish building the station and provide safe harbor for the Arks," Cora explained.
"Which means that we can start waking our people out of stasis," Jason added.
"That's great," Korra said with a smile.
They soon arrived at the station and exited the tram. But when they entered the Nexus, they didn't see anyone there greet them and it was dark. All they saw was just some area still under the construction and there were supply cases everywhere.
"Okay, I didn't expect this," Jason said.
"I thought you guys said that this place would be full of people and aliens," Bolin said.
"We do, but something must be wrong here," Jake said.
They started to look around and search for clues why there weren't any people around and why it was like everything was still on standby. While Bolin was checking some device on the floor, it suddenly turned on and a blue figure appeared.
"Eeek?!" Bolin screamed.
"Welcome, I am Avina," the figure said.
After they heard Bolin's scream, everyone ran to him and saw the blue holographic figure in front of Bolin.
"Who's that?" Korra asked.
"That's not a person, she's a VI. We call her Avina," Jason said.
"VI?" Asami asked.
"Virtual Intelligence, she helps people by answering their questions," Jake explained.
"Oh," the benders said.
After that, they turned back to Avina.
"Uh, hello," Korra greeted.
"Hello, how can I help you?" Avina asked.
"Where are the station's crew and the colonists?" Jack asked.
"Unknown," Avina said.
"What is the status of the station?" Sumner asked.
"Ongoing preparation," Avina said.
"What current year is it?" Alec asked.
"The year is 2819," Avina said.
Everyone looked at each other processing the answers Avina gave them. Her first two answers raised more questions but the only thing she got right was the current year. But it made them wonder what happened in the Nexus while they were on their way.
"Well, at least she got the date right," Cora said.
"But where is everybody?" Scott asked.
"We better keep searching," Jason said.
But they suddenly heard what sounded like a weld coming from close by. They carefully walked towards the sound and when they got there, they saw a human construction worker working on some power conduits.
"Uh, hi there," Jason greeted.
The worker got up and turned to them with a curious look but didn't say anything.
"We're from Ark Hyperion. I'm the Pathfinder and this is my team. I need to know what is going on here and where is everybody," Alec said with almost a demanding tongue.
The worker didn't say anything but he took a step back and looked shocked.
"Uh, did you hear what he said?" Korra asked politely.
"Did you say an 'Ark'?" The worker said.
"Yes, we just got here," Jack confirmed.
"But... we thought you were all dead," the worker said shocking the team.
"What?" Cora asked.
"Or captured, or lost in dark space, or... But you're here. You have no idea how much this means," the worker said with a spark of hope.
"I don't believe it..."
The team turned to the source of the voice and saw that it was a turian who looked as surprised and then hopeful as the worker did. Korra and her friends took a step back because this was the first they have seen an actual alien that was different from a human.
"Who are you?" Alec asked.
"I'm Tiran Kandros, I lead our militia on the Nexus. And I recognize you, sir. Alec Ryder, the human Pathfinder," Kandros said.
"I see your friend have quite a reputation," Kya said to Jack.
"He plays a key role in the Initiative," Jack said to Kya.
"Forgive me but the director wants to see you," Kandros said.
Everyone nodded and followed Kandros to the tram. While they heading to the command center, Kandros told the team what happened during over the year of waiting. How they hit the scourge, monthly chaos that led to the armed rebellion that was crushed with the help of the krogan, and about some hostile aliens called 'Kett'.
It didn't take long until they arrived at the command center where people monitored the docking procedures and prepared to merge Hyperion's power to the station's power grid. But when the team appeared, everyone in the center turned to them and the leaders walked to the team.
"I'm Jarun Tann, Director of the Initiative. You have no idea how much your arrival means to us," Tann said introducing himself.
"You're the Director? But Jien Garson had that position when we left," Alec said
"I'm afraid she's dead, Alec. It happened when we hit the scourge," the woman next to Tann said.
"This is Foster Addison. She oversees colonial affairs," Tann said introducing Addison.
"We'll help you the best we can but we need to know everything that has occurred here while we were on route," Sumner said.
"Of course," Tann said.
Then he and Addison looked at Korra and her friends who stood there watching them and of course, Bolin couldn't help but say 'more aliens' quietly so he wouldn't get in trouble with them even though it was a habit.
"Who are these people? I don't believe they're part of your crew. Why are they wearing primitive clothing?" Tann asked making Asami a little angry.
"Hey! Who are you calling primitive?" Asami said feeling greatly insulted by the Salarian's question.
"My apologies," Tann apologized.
"Where did you find these people?" Addison asked.
"We found them on the planet SAM found when we were lost," Jason said.
"You were lost?" Tann asked.
"Yes. We don't know how it happened but we're working on it," Jack said.
"These people are native to this galaxy?" Addison asked.
"Yes, and they also have a... unique ability," Jason added.
"What ability?" Tann asked.
Jack and Jason signaled to Korra and her friends who smirked. Korra and Kya showed the people waterbending, Mako firebending, and Bolin earthbending, Korra also showed them the other elements she could use. Everyone in the command center was taken completely by surprise because they never expected this, they didn't even think that controlling elements would be possible.
"What the hell?! What did you just do?" Addison asked.
"We can control elements. Most of us can control only one element but Korra can control all four of them because she's the Avatar," Kya explained.
"Controlling elements? Fascinating," Tann said as his 'Salarian science mode' turned on.
"We can discuss that later. Right now you've got to tell us what's going on so the Pathfinder team can assist you," Alec said.
Tann and Addison nodded and started telling them everything. They told that the entire Initiative was at risk because none of the golden worlds panned out, they were bust. And there's been no word from the other Arks. They needed desperately more resources but they needed people for that, the only problem was that they couldn't wake them up because they didn't have planets to live on.
Alec and the former members of N7 wanted more details and wanted to discuss their next course of action. Jack wanted Kya to join the meeting as well even though Tann wasn't very thrilled about it but Jack was able to convince him to let Kya join the meeting.
While the older members were talking, Jason and Jake decided to take their friends for a little tour of the Nexus. Of course, Korra and the others were more than happy to go for a tour.
But after several minutes of being on the tour, they come across an asari (Treeya Nuwani from Mass Effect Paragon Lost) who was checking some info on her Omni-tool. But when she noticed the small group walking to her, she turned to them. But when she looked at them, her eyes widened when she saw Jason among them.
"Ja... Jason, is that really you?" The asari asked.
"Treeya?" Jason said not believing who he just saw.
A few seconds passed until Treeya ran to Jason and pulled him into a hug he gladly returned. Everyone except Jake was a little surprised by the sudden reunion, but Korra for some reason felt a small spark of jealousy when she saw an alien girl hugging Jason. After they broke the hug, they looked each other in the eyes.
"Jason, I thought I'd never see you again," Treeya said with tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
"I promised to come back to you on Fehl Prime and I kept it. The promise I made before leaving the Milky Way was no different," Jason said with a smile.
"Hey! Am I invisible or something?" Jake asked jokingly.
"Jake? You're here too," Treeya said.
"Wherever Jason goes, I go too," Jake said.
"Uh, excuse me but who is this?" Korra asked as she pointed at Treeya.
"Oh. This is Treeya Nuwani, an old friend of ours from the Milky Way. She joined the Andromeda Initiative at the same time as Jake and I did," Jason said.
"Nice to meet you miss Nuwani," Asami said.
"Please, call me Treeya," Treeya said with a smile.
"Where did you two meet exactly and how?" Korra asked with suspicion.
The three old friends looked at each other for a moment until they decided that it was better to show them. They went to Treeya's quarters where she kept various artifacts she had collected back in the Milky Way.
But what got Jason and Jake's attention was that she had the old Alliance armors they used back on Fehl Prime when they were part of Delta Squad (Jason and Jake's armors consists of Serrice Council chest, Kassa Fabrication legs, Ariake Technologies arms, and shoulder plates. Jason has a Death Mask and Jake a Recon Hood. Both of their armors are black, have a dark blue line on their right arms instead of red, and dark blue lights. I'll send a picture of my OCs' armors to my Deviantart profile JasonConnor19 when I get Mass Effect Legendary Edition).
"You kept our old armors?" Jason asked.
"Of course. But they're still in good condition so you can still use them if you want," Treeya said.
"I could add some upgrades to our old armors the Initiative have. Like a jump jet for example," Jake said.
"If that's okay with you, Treeya," Jason said.
"Of course, they've always been yours," Treeya said.
"Uh, I hate to interrupt but you promised to tell us about how you met," Korra said.
"Oh, sorry," Jason, Treeya, and Jake said.
Later
It took a while but the old friends told everything about how they met and what happened after that. Jason and Jake used to be members of the Delta Squad under the command of Lieutenant James Vega in Alliance special forces. Their first mission was when a mercenary group called 'Blood Pack' attacked the colony called Fehl Prime, the team defeated the Blood Pack and took one of their leaders as a prisoner of war.
While being stationed in the colony for two years, Jason met Treeya while she was doing an archeological dig near the colony. At first, she wasn't very happy about a soldier watching over her but as time passed, she and Jason became really good friends.
But then came a day the aliens called Collectors attacked the colony and took its people to their ship. The team fought the Collectors to save the colonists but most of the team was killed. They eventually blew up the Collector ship but they were forced to make the ultimate sacrifice. Vega chose the intel Treeya had over the colonists that got the colonists killed along with the Collector ship. It was understandable why Vega made that decision and it pained him like hell but in the end, he moved on but kept the memories of friends and loved ones he lost alive in his heart.
Shortly after that, Treeya left the Fehl Prime and moved to Illium where she was recruited to the Initiative. Jason and Jake on the other hand got to the Initiative by inspiration from Jason's father. Treeya and Jason had a friendly dinner on Illium before she went on with the Nexus and Jason with the Ark Hyperion.
Korra and the others were saddened by what Jason and his friends went through on Fehl Prime and what they lost during their fight against the Collectors.
"We're very sorry, guys. We didn't mean to bring up bad memories," Asami apologized.
"It's alright. You would have found out eventually," Treeya said.
"If you don't mind me asking. Why didn't this Citadel council help you on your fight with the Collectors?" Mako asked.
"Fehl Prime was the Alliance colony and it was an Alliance mission so it was fully on our responsibility. Besides, they were busy," Jason said.
"Luckily the old council wasn't around at the time," Jake said.
"The old council?" Asami asked.
"The one Commander Shepard let die during the Geth attack on the Citadel," Jason said.
"Why did he do that?" Korra asked.
"The old council was arrogant and was always holding the human race back. After they got killed in the battle, humanity took the control of the council by adding a human chairman to lead it," Jason explained.
"I know you and a lot of people didn't like the old Citadel council but was it really necessary to sacrifice them to the Geth?" Treeya asked.
"There was no other choice. We had to save our ships to attack Sovereign and it worked," Jason said.
"Who's Sovereign?" Korra asked.
But before they could answer, Jason and Jake were called through their comm-links and were requested to Director Tann's office immediately. Jason and Jake let out sighs before leaving Treeya's quarters while Korra and the others decided to stay with their new friend.
While Treeya and Korra were sitting in the living room, they both felt something. Every time they were with Jason either talking or hanging out, they felt their hearts getting warm and faces heating up. They weren't sure what it was but they thought that they probably liked Jason more than a friend.
"Could it be? Could I have fallen in love with Jason?" Korra and Treeya thought.
But when they looked at each other, they felt a great amount of anger and jealousy towards each other. It was clear that they were becoming rivals for Jason's affections.
"That's it. The race is on," Korra and Treeya thought.
Meanwhile with Jason and Jake
After they got to Tann's office, Jason and Jake walked to their 'elders' as Korra would say.
"Aah, we've been expecting you," Tann said.
"You wanted to see us," Jason said.
"Yes, it regards our new mission," Alec said.
He activated his Omni-tool and showed them the holographic images of two planets that looked habitable.
"These planets are potential golden worlds. The one with a desert is called Eos and the other has no name yet," Alec said (the other planet is Aya).
"And you want us to go to both of them?" Jake asked.
"Not exactly. We want to check out both planets but it must be done by two Pathfinder team," Jack explained.
"But we have only one," Jason said.
"Not anymore. We have decided that there now two Pathfinder teams. The other consists of me, Jack, Kya, and John," Alec said.
"And the other one?" Jason asked.
"That will be you, Jake, Scott, Liam, and Cora. We also talked to Tann to let Korra and her friends join you," Jack said.
Jason and Jake were taken completely by surprise. They expected to be part of the Pathfinder team but never to be the ones leading it.
"Wow. We didn't see that coming but are we really ready for that kind of work?" Jason asked.
"You and Jake were trained for this for years and by the best. You're more than ready," Jack said feeling proud for his son.
It was a lot to take in but Jason and Jake smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Which planet you want us to go to?" Jason asked.
"We want you to go to Eos while we check out the other planet," Alec said.
"Yes, sir," Jason and Jake said before leaving.
"I'll start upgrading our old armors, they should be ready before the mission," Jake said.
"Understood," Jason said.
But after Jake left, Jason turned to his father with a small request in his mind.
"Is there something you need, son?" Jack asked.
"Uh, yes. I wanted to ask a favor," Jason said.
"What is it?" Jack asked.
"Can you convince Tann to let Treeya come with us?" Jason asked.
"Miss Nuwani? She's a brilliant scientist. I'm not sure if Tann will agree but I'll see what I can do," Jack said.
"Thanks, dad. You're the best," Jason said with a smile before leaving.
While Jason was leaving and Jack standing there watching his son doing a man's job, Kya couldn't help but think if she could still have children despite her age. The very thought of having a child of her own just made her feel so happy.
"Maybe if Jack feels the same about me and Jason wants me to be his new mother. Maybe Jack and I could give him a baby brother or sister," Kya thought happily.
She knew what she was thinking was a little rush and going too fast but she couldn't help it. She was so in love with Jack that she wanted to make plans for her future with him. But those plans had to wait because they had a job to do and the Initiative to save.