Note: I edited this chapter a little, I hope you like it.
After the Pathfinder team introduced themselves to Korra and her friends and family, they were taken to the settlement where Tenzin along with Tonraq and others wanted to know where the team came from and what they wanted. It took a lot of time but Jason and his team were able to explain everything, where they came from, and for what reason.
Korra and her friends couldn't believe what they have been just told. The people who saved them earlier were not from their planet, they were from another galaxy. The people sitting in front of them came from very far away to explore their galaxy and learn about their people.
Alec along with Jack and Sumner were very interested in the alien structure near the settlement and where the alien robots came from. They wanted to go to check it out but Unalaq forbade them to because it would be sacrilege. But Tenzin and Tonraq said that they should investigate the Altar of the Ancestors to find out if the settlement was in any danger. Unalaq wasn't happy about it but had no choice but to let the Pathfinder team check out the alien structure.
While they were walking towards the alien structure, some members of the team were having a chat with Korra and some other benders.
"So, what is your world like?" Korra asked Jason.
"It's pretty similar to yours. Except the continents are different and the people back home can't bend elements," Jason explained.
"There's no benders on your world?" Korra asked feeling a little surprised.
"No, but we do have biotics," Jason said.
"Biotics?" Korra asked.
Jason stopped and raised his hand in the air and closed his eyes. Korra wasn't sure what Jason was doing until she suddenly was frightened when she saw blue energy appearing on Jason's hand. This also got the other benders' attention.
"What's that?" Korra asked feeling a little unsafe now.
"It's okay. I just created a little mass effect field," Jason said.
"Mass effect field?" Tenzin asked as he and others walked to them to get a closer look at what Jason was showing.
"A little power based on the mineral named Element Zero that can be used in combat," Jason explained before he made the field disappear.
He wasn't originally biotic but thanks to the SAM implants in his body, he had the access to biotic abilities. Along with other powers and profiles. The Avatar and benders found this biotic power interesting, especially Unalaq because he thought it could be useful to his plans.
"As much As we'd like to explain our physiology, we'll have to keep moving," Alec said.
Everyone nodded and kept walking towards the Altar. While they were walking, Kya couldn't get her eyes off of Jack. Even though he had his armor and helmet on now, she could see how handsome he was. She could also tell that he was a kind and caring man.
"Could he be the one I've been waiting for?" Kya thought.
She suddenly stopped thinking about having a relationship with Jack because there were a few obstacles to that.
"No Kya. You just met him, you don't even know if he feels the same about you. Besides, he's an alien," Kya thought sadly.
While she was feeling down, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Kya looked up and saw Jack having his hand on her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Jack asked.
Kya quickly broke out of her thoughts and answered Jack's question.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine," Kya said as her face began to turn red.
Jack couldn't help but notice Kya's sudden behavior and face turning red. Even though her signs were clear, Jack wasn't sure how to react to them. They were taken out of their thoughts when Jason walked to them.
"You two okay?" Jason asked.
Both adults turned away from each other and blushed like crazy. Even though Jack was wearing a helmet, Jason and Kya could see that he was blushing. Jason smirked behind his helmet because it seemed that his father found someone attractive. Kya on the other hand couldn't help but smile because Jack seemed to be interested in her like she was interested in him.
"Yes, Jason. We were just chatting," Jack said.
"Yes, that's all we did," Kya said trying to back up Jack's excuse.
"I hate to interrupt you but Sumner and the others found something," Jason said.
The two adults nodded and followed him to the altar where the others were. The Pathfinder team along with benders were examining the altar although Unalaq said they shouldn't tamper with it because it's sacred to the Water Tribes.
"We shouldn't be here. This is a sacrilege," Unalaq said.
"We're only taking a look at this place," Jake said while scanning the structure with his Omni-tool.
"The longer you tamper with this sacred place, the spirits will become angrier," Unalaq said.
"You're not scaring us with your ghost stories, sir. This place is worth investigating," Sumner said.
"You should stop before my children and I will be forced to take action," Unalaq warned them.
His threat made the team draw their weapons at him and his children who responded by readying their water bending.
"Unalaq! What are you doing?!" Tenzin yelled.
"These off-worlders have shamed this sacred altar long enough. I won't allow it to continue any longer," Unalaq said.
"We were just looking around, man. No need to get mad," Liam said while aiming his weapon (Charger).
"We mean no harm. We're just curious, that's all," Scott added.
"This altar is sacred. It belongs to the spirits, not you off-worlders," Unalaq said.
"Uncle! Stop this, please. I know we just met them but I can tell they're good people," Korra said.
"They're also off-worlders. They can't be trusted," Eska said joining the conversation.
"We didn't come here to fight. We only want to study this place," Jason said.
"I have tolerated you long enough," Unalaq said.
But they were suddenly interrupted when the structure started moving and the snow began to fall from it. The Pathfinder team and benders took a few steps back to avoid getting buried by the snow. They waited until the tremor stopped and took a look at what happened. They were surprised that the altar now had a roof above it and it revealed some kind of passage leading to the underground.
"What is this?!" Unalaq asked.
"I didn't know the altar had something like this under it," Korra said.
"It wasn't easy but I was able to crack it," Alec said getting everyone's attention.
They saw that he was putting some ancient symbols on his Omni-tool, making the benders and even the team curious.
"Uh, sir. What did you do?" Cora asked.
"I ran override program on the control panel I found and opened the altar," Alec explained.
"You mean we're going down whatever that entrance is taking us?" Jason asked.
"It's the reason we're here. Let's go," Sumner said.
"No!" Unalaq yelled as he jumped in front of the team and prepared his waterbending.
The team reacted by aiming their weapons at Unalaq while Korra and benders tried to keep things getting out of hand.
"Unalaq! What are you doing?!" Tonraq demanded.
"I cannot allow these strangers to enter this sacred place," Unalaq said.
"But they don't mean any harm!" Korra protested.
"She's right. We're here only to take a look at this place, nothing more," Jason said.
"It is still a sacrilege," Unalaq simply said.
The situation was getting worse. Jason and his team had to go whatever the entrance was taking so they could find answers and alternative solutions to their current problem. But Unalaq was so unwilling to let them enter the entrance because of his belief.
The team was about to try to get Unalaq out of the way until he and his children suddenly froze like a statue and then fell to the snow unconscious. Everyone looked behind them and saw Kya who was taking deep breaths after knocking Unalaq out.
"How did you do that ma'am?" Jason asked having a hard time believing what he just saw.
"I used blood bending," Kya said as she was about to fall until Jack got her and helped her up.
"Blood bending?" Cora asked.
"The ability to bend blood. It only works during the full moon," Kya explained.
Everyone looked at the sky and saw that there was a full moon.
"I guess it was good timing," Liam said.
"Indeed," Jake agreed.
After they were done with the blood-bending case, everyone turned to the entrance Alec opened. It was a simple tunnel with a roof on top of it made of some kind of metal alloy and at the end of the tunnel was a metal door.
"Alright, we're going in," Alec said.
"Wait," Jack said stopping him.
"What is it?" Alec asked.
"We can't all go in there. Someone has to stay up here in case something goes wrong," Jack said.
"Someone also has to keep an eye on those guys," Jason said as he pointed at unconscious Unalaq and his kids.
Alec knew that what Jack told him made sense so he decided to leave some of his team on the surface.
"Alright, Kosta and Harper stay up here with others. You, Sumner, Connor, O'Neill, and Scott come with me," Alec said.
Jack nodded and told the others their new orders. While they were getting ready, Korra and her friends walked to the team.
"We'd like to come with you," Korra said.
"We can handle ourselves," Sumner said.
"But you saw what we can do. We can help you if you encounter more of those robot things," Korra said.
Alec and Sumner were about to turn down her suggestion until Jason spoke.
"Uh, excuse sir," Jason said.
"What is it?" Alec asked.
"With all due respect, I think Korra and her friends can help us," Jason said.
"We are well equipped to handle this," Sumner said.
"I know but this is their territory. We can't afford to make them our enemy," Jason said.
Alec and Sumner looked at each other for a moment and sighed.
"Alright, but keep an eye on them," Alec said.
"Thank you, sir," Jason said.
After that, he walked Korra and others who waited to hear what decision Alec made regarding them coming with them.
"What did your leader say?" Tenzin asked.
"He agreed to let you come with us," Jason said smiling behind his helmet.
"That's great," Asami said.
"But some of our team stays up here in case something goes wrong. I think it would be wise for you to do the same," Jason recommended.
Korea and benders looked at each other for a second, they knew that it made sense for some of them to stay behind in case something happens. Then they turned back to Jason after they decided who goes and who stays.
"Alright. Mako and I will come with you while Asami and Bolin stay up here," Korra said.
"Why do we miss all the action?" Bolin asked.
"And I'd really like to see what's down there," Asami said.
"I know you're curious but we need to make sure there's nothing dangerous down there," Jason said.
"And it's possible that there might be more of those killer robots down wherever that entrance will take," Jake added.
Korra and her friends knew that Jason and Jake had a point so they nodded in agreement. When the entrance to the underground was fully open, Jason along with most of the team and Korra and Mako entered the underground tunnel while the rest of the team stayed behind with Kya, Asami, Bolin, and the others.
As they walked in the tunnel to wherever it was taking them, Korra and Mako couldn't help but admire the architecture and technology on the walls of the tunnel.
"This is incredible," Korra said.
"Yeah, hard to believe that we were standing on it the whole time," Mako said.
"Something tells me that there's more ahead of us," Jason said as he looked around the tunnel.
They kept walking for several minutes until they reached the end of the tunnel. It was a dead-end, but a small glowing ball was on top of what looked like a door.
"What is that?" Korra asked.
"Let's find out," Alec said.
They walked close to the ball of light and Sumner used his scanner to find out what it was.
"Looks like some sort of activation mechanism," Sumner said.
"For what exactly?" Mako asked.
"Not sure. But if I'm reading this right, there's a tunnel beneath us that takes deeper underground," Sumner said as he checked the readings of the scan.
"But the question is. How do we get down there?" Scott asked.
"I'm the Pathfinder. It's my job to find that out and we also have SAM to help us," Alec said. "SAM."
"Yes, Pathfinder?" SAM asked.
"Is there a way we can open the door of the tunnel beneath us?" Alec asked.
"One moment," SAM said.
Korra and Mako had no idea what that was about or who or what SAM was but because Alec and his team weren't alarmed or anything, the two benders assumed that SAM was a friend of theirs. They waited until SAM spoke again after a minute.
"The holographic light on top of the door is an activation mechanism. It should open the door and take you deeper underground," SAM said.
"But won't we fall if the door beneath us opens?" Jake asked.
"No. There is a gravity well that will slow your descent to the bottom," SAM explained.
"What are you talking about?" Korra asked.
Jason and his team looked at each other thinking about what to say to Korra and Mako. They knew they had to tell them something but they weren't if Korra and Mako would understand it. But Jason eventually came up with a simple explanation that Korra and Mako should be able to understand.
"What SAM means is that there is some sort of force that will slow down our fall making us land on the bottom safely," Jason explained.
"Is that force related to spirits?" Korra asked.
"No, it's entirely scientific," Jason said.
"Oh," Korra said.
Everyone turned back to the holographic light and Alec walked to it. He carefully touched the light and it disappeared. But instead of triggering booby traps as Korra thought, the door beneath them opened and they fell.
But what surprised them was that they were falling slowly, almost like they were in the elevator.
"Whoa! I didn't expect this," Korra said.
"It's gonna be alright. SAM is never wrong about these things," Jason said.
"Are you sure?" Mako asked.
"Absolutely," Jason said.
It took a minute until they reached the bottom where they landed gently like a feather on the pillow. But when the team and benders took a look around where they were, they couldn't help but be even more amazed.
The huge room they were in had massive metal walls keeping it from collapsing and there was some sort of strange lantern-like things lightening the room. Even though Jack and the older members of the team have seen amazing things such as Prothean technology, what they were seeing now was still very astonishing.
"I've never seen anything like this," Jack said.
"Neither have I," Sumner said remembering his and Jack's time in N7.
"I can't believe that something like this has been down here for long without anyone's noticing," Korra said as she looked around the room amazed by its technology and architecture.
"Maybe whoever built this place used their technology to keep it hidden," Jason said.
"But why would anyone keep something like this hidden?" Korra asked.
"I have no idea," Jason said.
"But the more important question is what it can do and how to use it?" Alec said.
The question Alec asked made everyone turn to him with questionable looks.
"With all due respect, Alec. I hope you're not saying what I think you're saying," Jack said.
"This technology could be the key to our survival," Alec said.
"It could help us to build an outpost and give us a chance to live on this planet until we find the Nexus and other Arks," Sumner said agreeing with Alec.
"But we don't know how this tech works or what it does," Jason protested.
"Not to mention what might happen if we temper with it," Jake added.
They all had good points but the situation wasn't good for the Ark Hyperion and the Pathfinder team had to find a solution to their current problem. If they didn't find a safe harbor for them to settle, they were screwed.
Korra and Mako also didn't think it was a good idea to temper with the technology they just found. Not to mention it might make Unalaq even angrier because he definitely was gonna be angry when he wakes up. The last thing they wanted was for Korra's crazy uncle to start a war with these explorers from another galaxy.
"I understand your concerns. But there's a lot at stake, we'll have to take risks to ensure the survival of our people," Alec said.
"We understand that but isn't there any way we can use this tech without causing some sort of disaster?" Scott asked.
Before anyone could answer, SAM spoke.
"I have completed the analysis of this alien structure," SAM said.
"What did you find?" Alec asked.
"It appears to be a library of some sort," SAM said.
"A library?" Korra asked.
"Yes, but the knowledge contained in this library is limited. This means that this is a likely either yet unfinished library or-"
"Or what?" Alec asked.
"Unknown," SAM simply said.
"Well, if this is a library of some kind. It could help us to get a clearer picture of this galaxy and what planets are habitable," Scott said.
"I agree on that one," Jake said.
"Agreed, but we better head back to the surface. I could use some fresh air," Alec said.
Everyone nodded and headed back to the gravity well but not before Alec told SAM to gather all the intel from the library.
"SAM, get all the data you can from this place. We're gonna need it," Alec said.
"Yes, Pathfinder," SAM said.
Later on the surface
After the team got back from the underground library back to the surface where their friends and the rest of the team waited, Alec and Jack, and Sumner told Captain Dunn what they found and their situation. She was pleased to hear that they made friendly first contact with the planet's indigenous people, despite Unalaq's hostility towards them.
Speaking of Unalaq, he wasn't very happy after he woke up. He claimed that the apocalypse will now fall upon the Water Tribe because the offworlders disgraced the sacred altar by unlocking it and 'stealing' its secrets.
This made Unalaq demand Tonraq and the others turn over the strangers to be punished but they refused, saying that they didn't do anything to harm them. After that, Tonraq told Unalaq to leave. He didn't like it but didn't have a choice since the whole Northern Water Tribe was against him in this case.
While the team was doing their duties, Jack walked to the tent where Kya was resting after her blood bending against Unalaq.
"Hi, how are you?" Jack asked.
"I need a little more rest but I should be fine," Kya said with a smile.
Jack smiled back before he took off his helmet and sat down next to Kya's bed.
"Look, I'm sorry if we got you into trouble. We tried to solve the incident with Unalaq peacefully," Jack said.
"It's alright, Jack. Everything turned out well," Kya said.
"Glad to hear it," Jack said.
They sat there quietly for a moment until Kya wanted to ask something.
"Will your people stay here with us?" Kya asked.
"Sigh, no. With the help from the data we found, SAM was able to figure out where the Nexus is and we'll have to go there," Jack said.
"I think I heard Jason telling Korra about this Nexus. Some sort of space station, right?" Kya asked.
"Yeah," Jack confirmed.
Kya looked at Jack's face and could tell that he was hesitant to go, almost like that he wanted to stay. She wasn't sure if it was because he was interested in her world, people, and culture or if it was something else.
"Could... could he feel the same way about me as I feel about him?" Kya thought.
Since Jack and his team were planning to leave soon, Kya decided to ask Jack something now that she had a chance.
"Look, Jack. Can I... can I ask you something?" Kya asked.
Of course," Jack said.
"When I was younger, I used to travel around the world a lot. But now that you and your people came, I saw that there's a lot more to see than the world I know, Kya said.
Jack wasn't sure what Kya was trying to say but he kept listening to her.
"For all of my life, I have never seen anything like what I saw today. And it made me wonder if there are more wonders out there to be seen," Kya said.
"Not to be rude but what are you saying?" Jack asked.
Kya looked at him in the eyes and asked the question she has kept in her mind for the whole day.
"Can I come with you?" Kya asked.
Jack was taken aback by Kya's sudden question. He never in million years expected her to ask if she could come with them on their journey throughout the Andromeda galaxy.
"What? But your place is here on this planet. You belong here," Jack said.
"I belong to where my heart tells me to," Kya said.
"But what about your family and friends? What would they say or how would they feel if you leave?" Jack asked.
It made Kya feel warm and happy that Jack cared about her well-being but she had decided that she should go with him to see what it's like out there beyond her world. She also wanted to go because she wanted to get close to Jack. And if he felt the same way about her as she felt about him, this could be her chance to find the love she has been missing for nearly her whole life.
"Jack, I'm happy that you care about my well-being. But I want to come with you and I know my family will understand. They may not like it at first but I know they will let me come with you," Kya said as she put her hand on Jack's cheek.
Jack was touched by Kya's words and impressed by her determination. If she really wanted to come with them, he couldn't stop her even if he wanted to. Jack smiled and put his hand over Kya's.
"All right, you can come with us. I'm not sure if Alec and Sumner will agree with it but you can come," Jack said making Kya feel very happy.
"Thank you, Jack," Kya said as she hugged him.
Jack was a little surprised by Kya's sudden action but smiled and returned the hug. Little did they know, Jason and Korra were watching them from the small hole in the tent. Korra found it hard to believe that Kya just asked Jack if she could come with him but it didn't really surprise her since Kya was so attracted to Jack.
"Okay, I didn't see that coming but Kya is a really nice person so I don't mind her coming with us," Jason said with a smile.
"Maybe my friends and I can come with you as well," Korra suggested.
"What?! But I don't think Scott's father, let alone Captain Dunn will approve it," Jason said.
"You and your father convinced the Pathfinder to let me and Mako come with you to the alien library. I think you can convince Dunn as well," Korra said.
Jason knew that his and his father's diplomatic skills were good but he wasn't sure if he could convince Alec and Captain Dunn to let Korra or any of her friends come with them. It wasn't like the journey was going to be easy, they have no idea what they may encounter or what dangers they may run into.
But then again, Korra is the Avatar and most of her friends could also bend elements so they could be valuable allies to the Initiative.
"Sigh, all right. I'll see what I can do," Jason said finally agreeing.
"Yes! Thank you, thank you," Korra said as she hugged Jason tightly.
"Can't breath," Jason said weakly.
"Oh, sorry," Korra apologized after she released Jason.
After Jason took a couple of deep breaths, he looked at Korra again.
"I know you're excited but remember, what we're doing is dangerous. Especially since we're basically in completely uncharted waters," Jason said.
"Don't worry. I know it's dangerous but my friends and I will be ready. And besides, I think Kya wants to come as well so she can see what wonders lie beyond the stars," Korra said.
"And also to be with Jack because she's obviously in love with him." Korra thought.
"Okay, okay. Whatever you want," Jason said making Korra smile.
As they began to walk away from the tent to give Jack and Kya some privacy, Korra couldn't help but smirk when a question came to her mind.
"So, do you think Kya will be your new mother?" Korra asked making Jason sweatdrop.
"What?! Where did you get that idea?" Jason asked while being shocked.
"Oh come on now Jason. I'm sure you'll get along just fine. And besides, I think she would be a great mother," Korra said.
Jason couldn't believe what he was hearing. But then again, it did make sense that Kya wants to be more than friends with his father and it didn't really sound so bad if she would become his mother one day or if she gives him a little brother or sister.
"Let's cross that bridge when the time comes," Jason said.
"Okay, whatever you say, sir," Korra said with a smirk.
Even though Jason didn't show it, the idea of Kya becoming his mother made his heart feel warm. Just like the time when Jason spent time with his real mother as a kid before she passed away all those years ago. But the memories of his mother stayed alive in his heart no matter what.
They didn't know what the future had in store for them, but Jason and his friends knew that they were going to face it together.