And now it's time to begin the next chapter post Meridian. This is going to take a bit of a breather episode, at least for the time being, because after everything in the last few chapters, it's safe to say that everyone has earned a bit of a break.
Disclaimer: Ah, you know the drill by this point.
Celebrations were happening all across the Heleus Cluster, with Angara, Initiative and even some Imperials joining in on the festivities. After all, with Meridian and thus the entire Jardaan Vault network under their control, fixing the Golden worlds ruined by the Scourge was already being done.
There were still things to do, of course, especially with the crashed Hyperion being renamed "Port Meridian" and serving as an outpost for Meridian as a whole. Ryder had also been involved in picking an ambassador for the Nexus as a whole, a thankless job that no one really wanted.
The names put forward had been Nakmor Morda, August Bradley, Pathfinder Raeka and Moshae Sjefa, and because of several factors, the Nexus leaders had wanted Ryder to pick.
Admittedly, the Jedi had also been suggested as potential candidates, but Kota had been present at the meeting, and shot down that idea immediately. Neral had also been present and didn't even try to nominate any Imperials for the job.
In the end, Scott had chosen August Bradley, and while not everyone agreed, it was still approved by the Nexus leaders as a whole. And with that out of the way, the Rempest crew had stayed behind for a little bit to ensure that things were running fairly smoothly.
In the end though, despite having technically completed their main goals, Ryder and the rest of the team decided to stay on the Tempest for now, knowing that there was still work to be done.
Kett Remnants were still around in the Cluster, and even despite the alliance that had won them Meridian, it wasn't hard to tell that tensions between the various groups had the potential to cause problems down the line.
Still, as Ryder looked over the galaxy map as they cruised through space, the reports showing that the remaining Golden Worlds were well on their way to recovering, he definitely couldn't help the feeling of pride at the sight.
"Like I said, there's a reason everyone on this ship would follow you." Ahsoka spoke up as she walked onto the bridge, causing Ryder to turn and smile.
"Did you see any of this in your Force visions?" The Pathfinder asked.
"I might have." She shrugged. "Mostly just bits and pieces. It's hard to tell sometimes."
"So you've said." Scott shook his head with a smirk. "Still, I can't thank you enough for coming along for the ride. It means a lot."
"Glad to help." Ahsoka said graciously as she walked up beside Ryder. "So, now that Meridian is under control, what are we going to do next?"
"First things first, shore leave." The Pathfinder replied. "The team has definitely earned a break after all this."
"So we're heading back to the Nexus then?"
"Back to the Nexus." Scott confirmed. "The Tempest does need some extra supplies and maintenance as well, so we'll get a few things done while we're there."
"Sounds like a good idea." Ahsoka shrugged. "Provided things don't get too out of control, at least."
"C'mon, what's the likelihood of that happening?"
...
"We came, we saw, we kicked the Archon's ass!" Liam shouted, to the cheers of everyone in the Vortex Lounge, while Ahsoka shook her head in bemusement while Ryder sighed.
"Well, this is going about as well as expected." Ahsoka snarked, while Ryder grimaced.
"Fair point, but can you really blame them?" The Pathfinder asked, gesturing around the room. "Given how everything's been going since we got here, I'd say a respite and a little cutting loose is well earned at this point."
"Fair enough." Ahsoka shrugged, taking a sip of her own drink as the partying continued. "Though it seems like the owner isn't thrilled with the excess people."
Ryder looked at Dutch Smith behind the counter and winced, knowing that the owner wasn't particularly thrilled about the crowded place, given his own personality. Hopefully his fellow bartender, Anan T'Mari, could help smooth over his ruffled feathers more than usual today.
"Dutch will get over it." Scott replied, looking around at the crowd. "Besides, business is doing pretty good, so I doubt he'll be complaining all that much."
"He might if his bar gets trashed in the process." The Jedi Knight countered, and Scott had to conceed that point.
Though like he told Ahsoka, it was hard to blame the Nexus inhabitants for how they were acting. Taking Meridian and the Vault Network was the biggest gain the Initiative had gotten since they arrived here.
After a year of setbacks and minimal hope, combined with the fact that the Archon was dead and the Kett had had their back broken in Heleus, and well, it was easy to celebrate such a victory, hence the large crowds here.
And it wasn't just the Initiative; Scott could see a number of Angara in the crowd, and even what seemed to be off-duty Imperial troopers relaxing and enjoying themselves here.
Unsurprisingly, the crew of the Tempest had been treated like celebrities the moment they walked in the door, and while the Jedi were content to stay out of the spotlight, many of the others were living it up, enjoying the praise they were getting.
"I'll be honest, I'm kinda surprised you're not up there with them." Kota sat down next to Scott, drawing the Pathfinder's attention to Drack on the stage, giving an embellished story about how they kicked the Archon's ass.
"Maybe later." Scott shrugged as he took another sip of his drink. "Besides, someone's gotta keep them in line, and I'd hate to have to leave you both to do that job... again."
"Scott, they're not the only ones who need to relax." Ahsoka smiled softly. "You were the most important part of the Archon's defeat, and you deserve to take some time to relax yourself."
"Maybe you have a point." The Pathfinder replied, glancing at Cora, who smiled at him in return and beckoned him over.
"Go have fun." Kota grinned as he spoke. "And you can consider that an order if you like."
Without another word, Scott got up from the table and moved to join the rest of the crew. This left the two Jedi to watch over what was happening with their own content expressions as they watched.
"You do know we are going to be stuck on babysitting duty, right?" Ahsoka pointed out. "You pretty much volunteered us for that."
"It won't be so bad." Kota countered, though he sounded less than confident. "I think our biggest issue is really Drack, and a drunk Krogan shouldn't be too difficult." A loud crash and Krogan laughter erupted at just that moment.
"Ah, the glamourous life of a Jedi." Ahsoka snarked, before glancing at Kota. "You get to watch Drack, then." That was the moment the Krogan in question started singing, deciding to use the Karaoke stage for more than it's intended purpose.
"It's going to be a long night." Kota sighed.
...
And so the team continued on with their night, eventually leaving the Vortex lounge and making their way back to the Tempest. Fortunately, the Jedi (Kota in particular), made sure they didn't do anything too crazy on the way back.
Though it wasn't completely successful, as Drack ended up wrecking a shuttle with a bottle of ryncol. While Ahsoka ushered the rest of the team back to the Tempest, Kota had been left with the unenviable task of explaining what happened to Kandros.
The next day, most of the crew woke up with a hangover, with Kota and Ahsoka being the main exception. Despite the punishing headaches, no one could argue that the night had been anything but a success, with even the Jedi admitting they had enjoyed themselves.
And they still had one more day of R'n'R, which led to the crew debating what they should do tonight, all while gathered inside the Tempest's briefing room (once everyone was actually capable of doing so).
"Might I suggest we don't have a repeat of last night?" Kota said, drawing a chorus of groans from those still hung over. "As amusing as it was, I don't think the Nexus could survive."
"We'll do it if you would please not talk so loud." Suvi groaned. "My head is pounding."
"Did you really have to set that shuttle on fire?" Vetra asked, turning to Drack. "What, did it look at you funny?"
"Yes." Was all the old Krogan said. "Wouldn't be the first time a vehicle did that."
"Was Drack also singing?" Peebee asked, trying to recall the night. "I swear I remember hearing him try to sing."
"The key word being 'try'." Gil snarked, causing the Krogan to growl.
"Kids these days have no appreciation for the classics."
"Getting back on topic." Ahsoka interjected. "Any suggestions?"
"Movie night!" Liam snapped his fingers in a eureka moment, drawing another chorus of groans from the loud noise. "Ryder and I have been trying to set this up for so long now."
"I was able to get the last pieces we needed." Ryder confirmed, looking around at everyone else with minor annoyance and exasperation. "And yes, I was able to get what everyone asked for."
"I don't see why not." Cora said, before remembering something and glancing at Kota. "Though... it might be an issue for General Kota..."
"Don't worry about me." The Jedi Master replied. "I can certainly manage just fine."
"Then it's settled." Liam clapped his hands together. "I can get things set up in the cargo hold and we'll be good to go."
...
Eventually, after all the hangovers had cleared up and they had finally gotten all the required materials together in the cargo hold, the Tempest crew came together to watch the movie in question, which turned out to be "Last of the Legion", a movie that was panned on release but gained a considerable following among turian military bases.
Ahsoka had to admit, it was a fairly novel experience. She hadn't exactly been much for watching holodramas, given how most of her life had basically been one from beginning to end. Though from what she could tell, there usually wasn't this much criticism while the movie was running.
"So, we can either watch a boring training montage filled with what critics describe as an excessive amount of turian flexing-"
"No such thing." Vetra cut off Liam.
"There really is." Kallo countered as Liam spoke up again.
"Or we can fast forward to a ship crashing into an asteroid crashing into a moon."
"Meh, seen that before." Ahsoka shrugged, causing Peebee to sigh.
"We get it, you Jedi live in holodramas." The asari deadpanned.
"Fast forward to this crash!" Jaal called out excitedly, but Drack was quick to reply.
"Keep the montage, don't cut bits out." The Krogan protested.
"I vote for the crash." Cora said.
"Forwarding to the action scene, going once, going twice..."
"Skip to the good stuff, Liam." Ryder said while Vetra booed in response.
The screen quickly shifted to a ship exploding in space, the effects creating a loud boom. Kallo was quick to protest about how that didn't make scientific sense given that it would be silent in a vacuum.
"I hope that's not the voice of experience talking." Gil snarked, before Liam pointed out that they actually blew up a derelict vessel for that shot.
"Seems rather wasteful." Kota pointed out. "You could get more value out of that as scrap."
"You Jedi really never have watched movies before, have you?" Lexi looked to Kota as she said that.
"Never really had the time." The Jedi Master replied with a shrug as the movie continued, this time as turian forces were talking about sending a strike team to the enemy cruiser.
"Why a strike team?" Cora asked rhetorically. "Torpedo the cruiser."
"That's overkill. Send an engineer to cut the life support and power." Gil countered. "Problem solved."
"And leave them cut off on a hostile ship?" Cora replied. "One torpedo, over by lunch."
"Agreed." Kota nodded. "Sometimes the simple solution is the most effective."
"Fry their sensors, spacewalk on the hull, cut life support, rappel in and take them hostage." Ryder suggested, which caused Ahsoka to shake her head in bemusement.
"That really sounds like one of Anakin's plans." The Jedi Knight said.
"Besides, I've done it, it's less exciting than it sounds." Drack spoke up.
"Seriously?" Lexi asked.
"Got the scars to prove it." Drack held his arm up for Lexi to look.
"I assumed you'd gotten that falling off a barstool." Lexi snarked, causing Drack to laugh.
"Speaking of, it's time for another round." Peebee offered to pick up more drinks, but Suvi interrupted as the movie had one of the characters get shot and die while the main character screamed out in anguish.
"He was a sidekick, they die like goldfish." Liam scoffed.
"No acting like overacting." Cora agreed, before glancing at her boyfriend. "Even Ryder could do better."
"If I wanted to." All eyes turned to the Pathfinder when he said that.
"Oh, this I have to see." Cora chuckled, while Kallo volunteered to play the corpse.
Ryder got up and... well, his acting was atrocious. Admittedly, Kallo's performance wasn't much better, especially with their forced dialogue and painful acting on both sides. But Ryder easily was the worst.
"Oh brother." Ahsoka murmured, face palming and cringing at how painfully bad his performance was. Granted, it was definitely better than the acting from the movie itself, which still wasn't saying much.
Still, everyone gave a round of applause once it was over, some more sarcastic than others, before resuming the movie once again. They kept watching the film, with positions on and around the couch switched as Peebee got more drinks and people needed bathroom breaks.
Cora took the opportunity to sit next to Ryder when Drack needed to pee, her head on Ryder's shoulder as the movie's climax happened. Ahsoka took the opportunity to rest on one of the couch's supports, while Peebee leaned against Kallo's back, fast asleep to the ire of the Salarian.
Ahsoka smiled as the team watched the movie's end in silence. It felt nice, with no major missions to complete, no real threats to deal with, and just time to relax and enjoy life. The Jedi Knight couldn't remember the last time that happened.
...
The rest of the night passed rather contently, with everyone enjoying the film and all it entailed. After that, there was an after movie party where drinks were brought out again, though Ryder and Kota specifically made sure to set limits on how much they could drink, not wanting a repeat of the previous night.
But otherwise, everyone was content to simply enjoy themselves however they could. After countless setbacks and losses since arriving in Andromeda, it was impossible not to take the opportunity to enjoy themselves.
Even Ahsoka couldn't deny that she was feeling a lot more elated than she had in a long time. Between defeating the Archon, and knowing of events back home like the death of the Emperor and Anakin's return to the Light, she felt like a massive weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
A part of her still yearned to go back home, to see the changes for herself, but so far there didn't seem to be any way of accomplishing that. She had accepted that possibility the moment she realized she was in another galaxy, but every so often she felt a twinge of regret for what she had lost.
Still, there was no use in focusing on what ifs, so Ahsoka refocused on what she could accomplish now. And right now, she and Kota intended to focus on what had happened in this galaxy.
It was clear that whatever that Rakata machine was, it was designed to send people here, to this galaxy in particular. The Sith corpse and holocron was proof enough of that fact, and so far it was their only lead as to what and why it was created.
Then there was also the matter of this... Perversion. Whatever it was, it had caused some sort of cataclysm that had laid waste to Andromeda and the Jardaan, and caused the Scourge to be unleashed. The fact that something like that had apparently just vanished was also alarming.
And then of course, there was the disruption in the Force, the biggest issue for a Jedi that showed just what kind of damage had been wrought. There was clearly some connection between all of these things, that much was clear.
And one way or another, Ahsoka and Kota intended to figure out that mystery. Though whether they would ultimately get actual answers or just more questions remained to be seen.
...
An individual watched through dozens upon dozens of security cameras, eyes narrowing and widening as calculations were made and plans were considered as well as some were discarded.
So much had changed for the Initiative and Heleus as a whole, leaving the Benefactor struggling to figure out how to work with all this. The arrival of the Impassive threw a major wrench into their schemes, which was already fraying as a result of the Scourge and the Kett.
Even with their strange powers, the Jedi at least were mortal and could feasibly be dealt with. A massive warship the size of an Ark with a much larger complement was much more difficult to plan around.
So far, the Benefactor hadn't been detected yet, but it was now a much riskier prospect with all these Imperials around. Of course, as much as the Imperials were a threat, they also represented an opportunity, especially with such a unique tech base to study.
There was also some good news to consider, of course. Meridian had been located and with the Hyperion functioning as an outpost of its own, the Initiative had a foothold inside the Jardaan construct and thus had complete control over the Vault network.
Gaining access to it would be simple enough for the Benefactor, of course. Not to mention that the battle for Meridian had resulted in most of the Kett's naval strength in the Cluster had been utterly broken, leaving the dogmatic aliens severely weakened.
Of course, it was doubtful that they would take this lying down, and it was clear to everyone that they would need to be prepared for the inevitablity of the Kett returning. Something the Benefactor certainly didn't plan on interfering with.
After all, they hadn't gone to all the trouble of fleeing the Milky Way to escape the Reapers, only for another alien race to conquer and assimilate them all into their own. The Kett could not and would not by allowed to jeopardize their plans.
Speaking of plans, there was also the matter of the information still hidden by SAM. Despite the Archon's interference, the security protocols held firm, and the Benefactor still had no idea what the AI was hiding from the all.
But if Alec Ryder considered it necessary that no one knew, then it had to be incredibly valuable. Figuring out how to access it would be key, but the solution for that problem was obvious; the Ryder siblings would undoubtedly prove very useful in the future, as would the crew of the Tempest as a whole.
It was only a matter of time.
...
Omake:
Ahsoka woke up with a pounding headache, one which she used the Force to try and soothe as she got her bearings. As she groggily shifted into wakefulness, she noticed two things; the first was that she wasn't in her room, but an escape pod, Peebee's to be precise.
The second thing she noticed was that she was naked, and with the asari in question lying beside her, also naked and an arm wrapped around the Jedi's waist, she suddenly remembered what had happened last night and groaned.
It admittedly was mostly a blur, thanks to all the alcohol that had been consumed, but she did remember getting goaded by Peebee, then kissing her and after that... well most of it was blurry, but the Jedi Knight didn't need to remember all the details.
"So..." Ahsoka turned to see Peebee was now awake, an insufferably smug grin on her face. "Has anyone told you that you're really good in bed? Because wow, did the Jedi teach you how to-"
"Not a word of this. To. Anyone." Ahsoka interrupted, already getting out of bed and grabbing her clothes.
"Pretty sure they already know." Peebee pointed out. "We weren't the only ones there, remember? Plus, SAM's always online."
"Oh, that's just great." Ahsoka groaned and covered her face with her hands. "SAM, any chance you could delete the logs of what happened last night?"
"I'm afraid that's impossible, Lady Tano." The AI replied. "The logs have been uploaded around the station."
"Great." The Jedi drawled, sighing heavily.
"Oh come on, don't tell me you didn't have fun?" Peebee teased. "And y'know, if you feel up for it again, my door's always open." She winked, causing Ahsoka to flush.
"I'll... keep that in mind." She admitted. Even through the embarrassment, a small part of her couldn't deny that it had been fun. "Now, I just have to get through the day with my dignity intact."
"Soka, I'm pretty sure that ship has long since sailed."
And I think we're going to end the chapter right here. As I said at the start, this was just a bit of a breather episode chapter, though there were some plot oriented details sprinkled in at the end there.
I'm not sure how well this chapter came out compared to previous ones, but hopefully it was still good. I am feeling a bit of writer's block on where to go next, but hopefully it passes. And no, that omake is not actually canon to the story itself, it was solely there as a joke.
With that all said, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter and reviews are always welcome.