Chapter 3

"So, this is the Slums," Suvi said as she stepped out of the lift, which had noisily - but safely - delivered them from the level above.

Sara sidled next to her and nodded apprehensively. "Ta-daaaah."

"It's… well…" The scientist tilted her head inquisitively as she scanned the expansive area that was located beneath Kadara Port. "I honestly don't know what I expected."

The lift opened to a large cavernous structure which was comprised of both organic and inorganic pieces in equal measure. The ground was an uneven terrain of rock and soil while the various buildings were a conglomeration of scrap metal, polycarbonate sheets and tarps. To the north was the old Warden's office and the fence that separated the Slums from the badlands.

The most expansive structure was the building complex to the west, the majority of which housed the Slums' nightclub, Tartarus. Of course, calling the structure a "building" was probably too generous, as most of the multi-leveled jumble consisted of stairs, pre-fabricated metal floor plates, and shipping crates that had been re-purposed as shelters. It reminded Suvi of a patchwork quilt she had been given as a child.

Sara watched the redhead silently take in the grimy, broken disorder of the Slums. From experience, she knew the first few moments were shocking. The contrast of the piecemeal world to the sleek lines of the Nexus or even the Tempest was stark.

"It's a lot cleaner than the last time I was here," Sara said after a moment.

Suvi's gaze shifted to the Pathfinder. "Is it?"

Nodding enthusiastically, Sara added, "Oh yeah. You should have seen this place before the Charlatan took over. This whole area used to be littered with mounds of garbage and pools of sewage. Or maybe it was toxic waste… I never got close enough to scan it. The smell was awful."

The scientist took a deep breath as if testing the air quality. "It doesn't seem so bad right now."

The younger woman smiled and pointed to an unlit passageway between two buildings. "Down that alley there used to be a black market dealer. He wore an eye patch which was kinda cool cuz it made him look like a pirate, but he was shifty and his prices were insanely high." Gesturing to the entry south of the alley, she continued, "Through those doors was a drug den. That place was rank, too. And popular. You couldn't take a step without tripping over someone."

"Oh my..."

"Over there…" Sara motioned to the stairwell leading to the second story, "gang members used to hang out and try to recruit anyone passing by. Drack convinced them to relocate. That was a good day. And under those stairs, we found the body of the surveyor who had been mur-…"

The blonde stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening as if suddenly realizing that what she said was the antithesis of being a reassuring endorsement to personal safety. She immediately looked over at the scientist who had an utterly blank expression on her face.

"Oh gosh…. I swear it's not like that now," Sara sputtered, quickly stepping in front of the redhead whose eyes held a far-off look as though her thoughts were caught between two worlds. "Not at all. I super swear. I triple swear. Things are better. Like, soooo much better. Well, mostly better. I only avoid walking around here at night, but that has to do with an awkward incident with a Turian couple looking for a third to spice things up, which obviously in no way has any bearing on you or your overall safety and more to do with me avoiding another embarrassing proposition. So… um… definitely better?!"

"I've read the latest security reports," Suvi remarked, which seemed to mean that she knew things were improving on Kadara, but then she bit her lower lip, negating any assurances the statement had been intended to convey.

Sara placed a hand on each of the scientist's shoulder, and gave them a gentle, comforting squeeze. "Honestly," she said, "things really are better."

Silently, Suvi nodded.

Not convinced that the redhead believed her words, Sara dipped her head, attempting to catch the scientist's gaze so she could repeat her reassurances. But when their eyes met, the Pathfinder found herself staring into pools of luminescent turquoise, both enchanting and hypnotic, and the words that had been on the tip of her tongue disappeared entirely.

Suvi, by all accounts, was just as enchanted.

After the blonde's unfettered honesty about her colorful experiences in the Slums, the scientist began to compare her original perception of the Pathfinder's various encounters while she had been comfortably situated in the safety of the Tempest to her new perception of those same encounters now that she was standing in the actual Slums. Location made all the difference.

The woman standing before her had waded into the thick of this treacherous environment, navigated through drug dealers, murderers and powerful entities who had no qualms about unleashing untold brutality on anyone that stood in their way. She had done all of that without hesitation. She put the needs of the Initiative before her own, just as she was doing now. She could have easily ignored the opportunity to establish trade routes or assigned the task to Vetra, but she hadn't. She had taken the responsibility for her own.

Suvi found the Pathfinder's commitment to the success of the Kadara colony quite captivating. Looking up at the younger woman, she was just as captivated by the intensity held within the depths of those pale blue eyes staring back at her.

Mutually enamored, lost within the nuanced beauty of each other's gaze, neither woman attempted to move as the world around them slowly faded into the hazy periphery.

Then, the lift behind them clanged loudly as it began to rise, jerking them out of their reverie.

Smiling softly, Sara's hands dropped to her sides as she took a deep breath and managed to offer the comforting words that had been stolen a few minutes earlier. "You know, I would never have brought you here if it wasn't safe."

Suvi's head tilted, contemplating the younger woman. "I know," she said as her lips curled into a radiant smile. "So, a Turian couple…"

Sara shrugged. "I told them I don't like to share."

"That makes two of us."

Grinning, the Pathfinder pointed toward the structure that housed the nightclub. "Let's get this done so we can get on with our date."

"Lead the way."

_/\_

"Kian!" Sara exclaimed boisterously as she stepped up to the long, rectangular bar of the Slums' nightclub, Tartarus. The early evening crowd was sparse so there was no need to fight for space.

The bartender, an average-sized human with short dark hair and boyish features, looked up from his task of stacking clean glassware and smiled. "Hey, Ryder! It's been a while. I thought you might have forgotten about us down here in the Slums."

"Forget about you?!" The Pathfinder scoffed. "Never."

"So you've purposely been avoiding us then?"

"As if!"

Kian crossed his arms and leveled a scrutinizing gaze at her. "Were you kidnapped and held for ransom?"

Placing both hands on the bar top, the blonde narrowed her eyes. "Do you honestly think the Nexus heads would pay that ransom?"

"Were you snatched up by the Kett?"

"Is there something that you want to tell me, cuz that's twice you've proposed I'm going to be abducted."

"Did you unknowingly eat some indigenous food, get a stomach parasite and have to be quarantined two weeks?"

"Okay, that was oddly specific, and… ew…" Sara said, making a face. "No. I know better. And if I don't, SAM does."

His arms still crossed, Kian intensified the interrogation by arching an eyebrow. "So what's been keeping you away?"

"I've been busy cleaning up Eos."

"You get that radiation problem solved yet?"

"You know what they say, a day without radiation is a day without sunshine."

Kian snorted. "I'll take that as a no."

Sara huffed. "I'm working on it."

Shaking his head, the bartender returned to the task of stacking clean glassware. "You said that the last time you were here."

The Pathfinder rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. "Are you this demanding of Jeremy?"

"I don't need to be. He always makes good on his promises. Like the time he-"

"Oh my god," Sara sputtered, "don't say another word. I don't need to know what your boyfriend promises you. And don't worry, you'll get another shipment soon."

"That's what I like to hear," Kian said, as he flashed a conspiratorial smile. "You want your usual?"

"That sounds great." The blonde turned to her date who had been quietly observing the playful interaction. "What would you like?"

Suvi met the Pathfinder's gaze, noting the mirth swimming within those light blue depths. When she spoke, she made sure her voice was loud enough for the bartender to hear. "I'll have what she's having."

"That's a bold move, Dr. Anwar." Without breaking eye contact, Sara leaned in and whispered, "You don't even know what my usual is."

Suvi glanced at Kian as he began pouring colorful liquids from many unnamed bottles into a blender, then her gaze returned to the blonde. "I guess I'm about to find out."

With a dramatic flourish, Sara took a step back, rested her hands on her hips and tilted her head as though sizing-up the scientist. "I have to say, I like seeing this side of you."

"And what side is that?" the scientist countered flirtatiously.

Sara arched an eyebrow, a devilish grin curling on her lips. "This carefree, 'in the moment' side."

Although she didn't say it aloud, Suvi was also enjoying the lighthearted, easy-going side of her date. She'd only caught glimpses of this playfulness during their time on the Tempest. Being responsible for scouting uncharted planets, improving the viability of planets with the potential to be colonized, finding suitable outpost sites, and handling any external threats before a colonist touched the soil was both daunting and exhausting. Since Sara Ryder was wholly committed to the Initiative's colonization efforts, it translated into the Pathfinder having a focused, driven demeanor most waking hours.

"To be honest," Suvi said, "it feels like we've been cooped up on the Tempest for months, so being here, wandering around Kadara like we don't have a care in the world… it's nice." Playfully, she added, "And the company's not so bad either."

The Pathfinder stepped next to the scientist and smiled. "I couldn't agree more."

In her periphery, Suvi saw Kian place two clean glasses on the bar top, then he began filling them with a light green concoction. She knew her date was an outgoing individual who had an uncanny ability to make strangers feel at ease. Perhaps they sensed her genuineness or her integrity, or her passion to do the right thing. Whatever the reason, people naturally gravitated towards the younger woman, and in turn, she offered acceptance and understanding.

The scientist found the blonde's natural grace with people intriguing enough to investigate. Leaning over, she playfully nudged her. "So, how do you know the bartender?"

"Kian?" Sara glanced at the man who was topping the two glasses with playful drink adornments resembling umbrellas. "He helped me find someone, and I helped fast-track a few unique supplies from Eos for him."

Bewildered and surprised by the answer, Suvi cocked her head. "Eos?"

Sara nodded. "Turns out there's a native plant that can be distilled into a water-soluble extract which he uses for a specialty drink."

"So that's the shipment you mentioned?"

"Yeah. The radiation zones have kept the colonists from any new harvesting, but hopefully with the vault now active, we'll have that resolved soon."

The scientist frowned. "I haven't noticed anything in the reports to the Nexus."

Grinning sheepishly, Sara said, "I may have forgotten to include those on the reports."

"Don't ever tell Kallo. He'll have a meltdown if he finds out those Nexus reports aren't accurate."

Sara chuckled. "Thanks for the warning."

The main floor of the nightclub was illuminated by a spectrum of ever shifting colors that followed the pulse of the music permeating the air. There weren't many patrons dancing. Few in the Slums had the credits to burn and it wasn't late enough in the day for those that did. A techno dance mix thumped through the bar like a war drum, making tabletops shake, but only the dancers in the private booths that lined the outer walls seemed to be enjoying the music.

After a slow scan of the room, the scientist's gaze returned to her date. "So, why are we here?"

"Because," Sara said as she handed Suvi one of the glasses of green liquid that Kian had placed on the bar, "your friend Vanessa wants an introduction to the guy who came up with a new water treatment process designed specifically for Kadara."

"That doesn't explain why we're at a bar," the scientist countered, ignoring the quizzical innuendo about Vanessa.

"The guy hangs out here."

"I see." Arching an eyebrow, Suvi looked at the Pathfinder, then raised the glass in her hand. The liquid had shifted color and was now purple. "And the drink?"

Smiling innocently, Sara took a sip from her glass. "Well, we are on a date."

Suvi grinned. "That's true," she said as she tentatively tasted the concoction.

While scanning the nightclub for the inventor, Sara stole intermittent glances of the scientist who seemed intrigued by the prismatic drink in her hand, which was now pink. She had been drawn to the Scotswoman the moment they were introduced. During their time on the Tempest, having various opportunities to get to know the woman beyond the bridge had been both exciting and terrifying. The redhead was beautiful, intelligent and witty, with some geekiness thrown in to make her endearingly charming as well. From the way she talked about her family, her life, her friends, Sara knew that the scientist wouldn't enter any relationship lightly, whether friendly or romantic. And for a self-proclaimed romantic freelancer, knowing that information was terrifying.

The redhead pursed her lips and frowned, which pulled the Pathfinder away from her musings. "Something on your mind?"

Suvi looked up, meeting the blonde's inquisitive gaze. "First, this drink is amazing… And I've been wondering who named this place Tartarus?"

[In Greek mythology, Tartarus is both a deity and a place in Hades, the underworld, which was described as a deep abyss that was used as a dungeon of torment and suffering for the wicked.]

Sara rolled her eyes and groaned. "Not helping, SAM."

From the tone of the AI's audio, she knew the comment had been broadcast on the main comm link instead of their private channel, so her date had heard the description as well. She glanced over at Suvi, who took another sip of her drink.

The scientist looked directly at the blonde while she swallowed. "So someone with a flair for the dramatic," she deadpanned.

The Pathfinder laughed and took a drink from her glass. "For Kadara, that sounds about right."

Curious about their current errand, Suvi asked, "Do you know this inventor well?"

Sara shrugged noncommittally as her gaze panned across the nightclub, surveying the room looking for a familiar face. "Not well. I helped him a few weeks back. He was incarcerated and asked me to deliver a message to his girlfriend. Turns out, she wasn't his girlfriend, he was just really drunk."

"Does that happen to you often?"

"What part?" Sara asked, still scanning the room. "Getting asked favors or having them go sideways?"

"Getting asked to do favors for complete strangers."

"More than you can imagine."

Suvi tilted her head and looked at the younger woman with delighted fascination. "I bet that job detail didn't make it into the Pathfinder handbook."

"Wait," the Pathfinder teased, "there's a handbook?"

"You've met Tann, right?" Suvi quipped. "Of course there's a handbook. Probably three teraquads."

"Then I'm sure those particular details are in there. Right after the report on how the krogan are the root of all evil in Andromeda."

Looking thoughtful, the redhead nodded. "You're probably right. No detail is too small to go undocumented for that man… and he does blame krogan for a lot of things."

Just as she was about to take another sip from her drink, Sara spotted her mark standing in a corner on the other side of the room. "There he is."

Without thinking, she grabbed the scientist's free hand, leading her across the bar to a middle-aged human male wearing brown coveralls.

"Jim!"

The man turned and greeted the two women with a smile. "Ryder? This is a surprise." Then, the smile dropped from his face. "Suvi?"

Shocked, the scientist let go of the Pathfinder's hand and stammered, "Jim?!"

"Wait," Sara said, clearly befuddled. "You two know each other?"

"I knew his sister, Janine," Suvi explained. "How is she?"

"She's doing well. Working as a salvager on Elaaden. Still talks about you as the one that got away."

"The one that… WHAT?!" Sara squeaked, then turned to the scientist for an explanation.

Suvi looked confused. "We went on one date!"

Jim shrugged. "I'm just telling you what she says."

"It was a blind date and it lasted less than thirty minutes because she got into a bar fight and was thrown into a containment cell."

"She gets attached quickly."

Suvi's mouth opened and closed. Then, it opened and closed again. She squinted, gulped down the remainder of her drink, and looked directly at her date. "I honestly don't know how to respond to that."

Equally unsure of what to say, the Pathfinder took her queue from the redhead and downed the rest of her drink.

Figuring the introductions were done, Jim said, "So what brings you down to The Slums?"

"Water filtration," the Pathfinder answered hastily, happy for the change of subject.

"The Initiative already has my specs for their new colony…"

Sara stole a quick glance of the scientist who was staring into her empty glass and no longer seemed to be paying attention to the conversation. "I'm not here about that. I'm here because a trader on Kadara would like to meet you."

Jim's eyes narrowed. "If you're the messenger, there must be more to it than that."

"Not really," Sara stated as she watched her date gracefully pluck the drinkware from her hand and place both empty glasses on an unoccupied table next to them. Caught off guard by the simple, yet thoughtful act, the blonde smiled.

"So this trader just wants to meet me?"

Pulled back into the conversation, the Pathfinder nodded. "Yep. That's what she said. Beyond that, it's between the two of you."

"Okay, I'll do it."

"Well," Sara muttered, "that was uncharacteristically easy."

Smiling, Jim added, "On one condition."

The Pathfinder sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Of course, there's a condition."

As she took a deep breath to rein in her frustration, the blonde felt a hand slip into hers and give an encouraging squeeze. Surprised by the contact, she glanced down at their joined hands, then at Suvi. The scientist's turquoise eyes glimmered with something she couldn't identify, but the accompanying soft smile hinted at unassuming support.

Feeling her irritation slip away, Sara returned the redhead's smile.

"Fine," she said, answering the inventor, but still holding the scientist's gaze, "what is it?"