A/N: Man... I really hope you guys are still out there. My absence from this story has been way too long and I apologise for that! I promise, I'm back in the game. So... without dragging this AN out too much, here's the next chapter. Enjoy :)

Zheng He System, Nexus, Security HQ, 06:00

I watch Cora take a violent biotic-charged swipe at the robotic dummy, her fist connecting to artificial material with crunching force. The dummy staggers backwards, head glitching in an endless loop.

I cringe, but force my feet to move. "A little harsh, don't you think?"

Cora, shoulders heaving with the exertion, shoots me a glare. "They're artificial for a reason."

"Well, I'm sure I can give you a better run for your time," I shrug, trying to ignore Cora's hostile tone. My second in command stares at me for a few moments, her hazel eyes unflinching. I meet her gaze head on, realising that this moment was inevitable. For a few weeks now, Cora's demeanour has shifted from dutiful second in command, to a fragile emotional wreck almost overnight. Two weeks ago, when we made it back to the Nexus, her behaviour only worsened. Between worrying over Peebee and my never-ending Pathfinder duties, that proverbial wire snapped. And when it became obvious that I was her object of frustration, I resolved to remedy the problem.

"Just stay out of my way, Ryder."

"Come on, this'll do you some good," I flex my shoulders, already making my way into the arena. "Besides, I could do with some stress relief."

Cora shrugs. "Fine," she grumbles. With a smirk, I move into a relaxed boxer's pose. Cora mirrors my position. Without any warning, she lunges forward with frightening speed. My years as a soldier kick in as I side step and grab for her arm. Grunting, I pull her arm in, only to slam my other hand against her chest. She staggers, eyes glinting.

"I figured I wouldn't have to go easy on you," I snigger.

Cora growls, sprints into a flash-step. Fire rips through my shoulder blade. I stumble, catch Cora's next blow just in time. "What's your problem, Cora?"

Cora takes a knee-jab to my stomach. I cough, the breath trapped in my chest for several seconds. Panting, I pin her with a questioning glare. "If you have a problem with me, spit it out, already!"

"My problem?" Cora growls. She takes another lunge. Her fist smacks into thin air as I flash-step to the side. "My problem is you, Ryder. Prancing around as the Pathfinder must be tiring, huh?"

We circle each other, now, arms raised in defence. "I don't prance. And frankly, I don't understand where you're going with this."

"What exactly do you think your duty as Pathfinder entails, Scott?"

My circling slows. I clench my jaw.

"Because, last time I checked, it didn't mean gallivanting across most of Andromeda, having fun," Cora continues, her voice dropping an octave with every word. I come to a stop, my hands still raised. So, this is the issue.

"You think I'm not taking my Pathfinder duties seriously?" I ask, my voice a calm before the raging storm within. Cora doesn't know it, but she could be treading into very dangerous waters. Now, at this very moment, at this exact date and time and place, would be the worst possible time for one of Cora's 'Harper-heart-to-hearts.'

Cora drops her arms with a frustrated sigh as she paces the length of the arena. "Scott, this… all of this, it isn't a game. Andromeda is far from being perfect. And what do you do?"

I drop my hands. "I round up the last factions of any remaining kett."

"No! You were playing at doing that! It's an insult to your father's memory."

"Don't go there, Cora," I warn.

"And look where it got us, Scott! On the frontlines, with one less soldier to aid the fight."

Without thinking it through, I snap forward and grab Cora by her arms. "You don't think I know that? You don't think I lie awake at night, agonising over Primus's next move? Peebee is in that infirmary because of my mistake! My mistake, Cora…"

The arena rings with a painful silence. Cora stares up at me, eyes glistening, mouth agape. I swallow hard and take several steps back. "I made a promise to Peebee two weeks ago. And I made that same promise to myself. No more. No more joking around. Those days are gone, just like the Milky Way." I rake my hand through my hair. Suddenly, I feel the weight of the entire Andromeda galaxy on my shoulders. If dad were here, he'd know what to do. He'd be meticulous, calculating and utterly affective. How do I compare to that? Even after he's gone, his shadow still looms over me.

Cora sighs, drops her face into her hand. "I'm… I'm sorry," she mumbles through her palm. "I was-I just… you seemed distracted and…"

"Afraid. I was… I am afraid, Cora," I help her. I drag my feet to the outer ring of the arena. I lower myself against the arena side-panel, lift my legs and hang my arms over my knees. Why does the world feel so heavy? Almost apprehensively, Cora mimics my actions, with only an arm-width to separate us. "You know, I eventually came to deal with mom's death. It took me a while; she meant everything to me. Finding out that she never died was the best thing Andromeda could have offered me. Sara ending up catatonic, dad dying… I dealt with that. But, just because I coped with it, doesn't mean I wasn't afraid. In fact, I was petrified. I didn't know who to turn to, what to do. All too suddenly, I was thrust into a world that needed me more than ever. How do you deal with something like that? And then…" I snort, shaking my head as a smile pulls at my lips. "And then, there she was, knocking me backwards with that big, goofy grin."

Cora chuckles beside me. "Peebee…"

"The one and only," I respond with my own laugh. "Peebee made everything bearable again. For the first time, in a very long time, I was happy. Nothing could get in the way of that, not even the kett."

Cora takes her time in answering. I see it, in the corner of my vision, the way she starts and stops, until finally, she squares her shoulders and takes a deep breath. "You know, your father was an inspiration to so many people. He led by example; he was perfect in every way. When I became his second in command, that image I had of him, it… shattered."

I raise surprised eyebrows at Cora, her gaze fixed to the arena floor. "Behind his mask, he was just a normal person. He was afraid, he was a coward, he was selfish… but underneath it all, there was one thing that never changed – his will to protect. Yes, he was flawed, but he used that to his advantage."

Finally, Cora lifts her eyes. "Somehow, I guess I just projected that image onto you. I expected to see the same in you."

I reach over and grab hold of her hand. Gently, I run the pad of my thumb over her knuckles. "And you did… well, at least that's what you thought."

Cora frowns. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You knew my father, but you never really knew me," I smile patiently. "You expected the Pathfinder to be someone like my father, because that's what you knew. Dad was the Pathfinder Initiative. It meant everything to him."

Cora meets my gaze. "But… not to you, right? You never wanted this."

"I'll admit, it was difficult shoes to fit in… but over time, I learned to accept it. I had to, there was no choice in the matter. Cora… what you were seeing, it wasn't me shirking my duties, or being a coward. It was apprehension, fear, self-doubt… Actually, it was mostly that last one."

Cora shakes her head. "God, I'm such an idiot. Ryder…"

My omni-tool chirps incessantly. Kesh's voice booms over the comm. "Pathfinder Ryder, we have a problem."

I share a quick glance with Cora. "Go ahead."

"Assemble your team, Prodromos is under attack," Kesh snarls, her krogan eyes glinting with anger. I feel my own rage boil to the surface.

I jump to my feet, pulling Cora up with me. "Those bastards, that's a scientific outpost!"

Zheng He System, Nexus, Med-Bay, 09:00

A disembodied voice floats over flashing images of pale faces, sparkling vistas of awe-inspiring cities and strange quadruped creatures.

"… Too late. I'm so sorry, I didn't… someday… They're here, they're… please, if anyone is receiving this…"

Blaring sirens. Flashing lights.

"… Please -

A sharp ringing cuts over the voice. I snap awake to a blaring siren and the glaring red of the emergency lights. My chest heaves with constricted breaths, my vision swimming, my head pounding.

What the…? Where am I?

I look around; cold, metallic slabs, medical machinery. The Nexus med-bay. How did I get here? Where is everyone?

The med-bay shudders violently, swings hard to the left. Unprepared, I slide off the slab, barely breaking my fall with trembling hands and feet. I regret my natural instincts a few seconds later as searing pain lances up my left arm cradled against my chest in a soft immobiliser. And then, my addled brain takes in the stark white, form-fitting medical garb and my bare feet. How long have I been here?

A deafening boom sends the med-bay door spiralling across the room. It slams against the opposite wall in a crumpled heap. A kett Destined strolls in, flanked by two Chosen. I unsteadily jump to my feet, calling on my biotics. A low, barely-there energy thrums through my being.

Shit.

Not even enough to sustain a small shield. I try to hide my grimace, but the Destined takes notice. It's bone-like lips curl into a menacing smile.

"Not so strong now, are we?" It gloats.

I take staggering steps backwards. The kett advance, their guns poised, smirks growing. Until…

BANG! BANG!

The Chosen fall like limp rag dolls, chests ripped open. The Destined spins around. Gunfire rips through the air. I dive behind the nearest medical slab, momentarily forgetting about my arm. A plume of blue smoke bursts into the air. The gunfire stops.

An invisible arm wraps around my throat, rips me up. I struggle to breathe, clawing desperately at the kett's arm.

"I will kill her!" the Destined roars.

Through the smokescreen, Lexi and Sara come to an immediate stop, their eyes growing wide in fear. The kett's grip around my throat tightens. Spluttered breaths make it past my lips.

"Let me go, or I will kill her," the kett reinforces.

Lexi lowers her rifle. "You can't kill her. Primus needs her alive."

"Her wellbeing is of no concern to us. We only require the information she holds."

Information? Could it somehow be related to the strange images in my head?

Lexi sends Sara an urgent look. Sara smirks, her arm moving to casually rest her gun over one shoulder. "Well… you should've thought of a better plan, then."

Seconds later, a bullet tears through the Destined's head, kett blood splattering the side of my face. I fall forward, clutching at my throat. Lexi holsters her gun, rushes forward. I take an agonising breath, my lungs seemingly on fire. "Peebee, thank the Goddess you're all right," Lexi whispers, throwing an arm over my shoulders.

Sara returns the rifle to her back holster. "Nice shot, Kandros, although… you had me worried there for a second."

Kandros steps into view, a leisurely smirk plastered over his face. "Oh, come on. I had my sights locked on him the whole time."

Sara punches Kandros in the arm. "Don't get too cocky, mister." Sara turns a worried frown on me. "You okay, Peebee?"

"What… what happened?" I croak, my voice barely recognisable to my own ears. Lexi helps me up, her hands soft and sure. For a split second, the warm gesture irritates me, but I quickly discard the feeling when I sway violently on my feet.

"There's no time to explain now," Lexi says, her grip on my good arm becoming urgent. Kandros's omni-tool flashes. He steps aside to answer it. Sara moves closer, her brow pulled into a tight frown.

"Lexi's right. Our number one priority is getting you off the Nexus safely."

I manage a weak chuckle. "You make me sound so important." I notice Sara and Lexi share a loaded look before my knees buckle under my own weight.

"Dammit, I knew this wasn't a good idea," Lexi grumbles. I lean forward on one hand, struggling to catch my breath.

"Waking her up was our only chance at survival, you know that, Lexi."

"I know! But, prematurely waking coma patients has its own side effects. There's a reason the body retreats into this state," Lexi's tone becomes increasingly frantic. My brain only seems to latch onto the word "coma," my thoughts swirling around at maddening speeds. What the hell happened to me? Why is everyone so concerned over my safety?

Kandros makes an urgent beeline to us, his face hopeful. "That was my team. They've managed to secure a shuttle, but we have to leave now… they have incoming."

Sara sends a frustrated kick at the nearest medical stool. "Fuck… how long do they have?"

"They'll hold out as long as they can," Kandros sweeps a critical gaze over me. Somehow, I already know what he's about to say, before the words even clear his mouth. "I can carry her." My heart plummets into my stomach. We'll never make it to that shuttle in time.

I shake my head. "No, I'll just be slowing you guys down. I have an idea…" I lift my gaze to find Lexi's concerned eyes flitting over my form."But, I don't think you're going to like it."

Lexi frowns, tilting her head to the side.

"Epinephrine," I mutter.

"Adrenaline? Are you insane? Peebee, your body can't –"

"When we get to the shuttle, you can argue with me all you like, but we have to get out of here… and fast." As if to reinforce my statement, the Nexus takes a shuddering blow, the floor beneath us rattling at dangerous frequencies. I force myself up onto shaky legs, hoping to assuage Lexi's concerns. "See, I'm just fine. Although, I'd be a lot better if I had some energy flowing through these stiff limbs," I say through a chuckle.

Lexi's face settles in a stern frown. "It's only temporary."

"Temporary enough to get us out of here."

The distinct garble of kett speech echoes outside the door. Sara's eyes widen. "Shit… We'll cover the entrance. Lexi, get that shot and hurry it up!"

Lexi grits her teeth and motions for me to sit down. I find the nearest medical slab, my heart pounding in my chest… wait, maybe this wasn't such a great idea… Lexi pulls the cap off a terrifying-looking needle, her movements marred by only the slightest hesitation. Next, she makes an incision in my pants, just above my knee, ripping the fabric open a little wider. "When this wears off…"

"It'll feel like I'd been mauled by a Fiend?"

Lexi poises the needle above my leg. "Something like that, yes." Without any preamble, she slams the needle into the soft skin of my upper thigh. I slam my good fist onto the medical bed. "Fuck," I hiss through my teeth. "Did you have to do it that hard?"

Lexi flings the empty syringe aside, her eyes flashing with irritation. I grit my teeth, biting through the momentary pain. "Wait, don't answer that." It doesn't take long at all for the epinephrine to kick in. Almost immediately, I feel my heart rate pick up speed. Suddenly, the pain in my arm and head wears off to a barely-there throb. I rip the immobiliser off my shoulder and jump to my feet. Lexi watches all of this with a concerned frown pulling at her brow. I shrug it off with a grin and grab her hand. "Let's roll!" I shout over the din of gunfire. Sara and Kandros cautiously peek around the med-bay entrance, sending out small bursts of gunfire. No time for that.

I take a deep breath and summon a wall of biotic energy. With massive effort, I slam the wall forward, without stopping my urgent strides to the med-bay entrance. The incessant kett fire stops as a set of pained grunts echo down the stairs. Kandros shoots a smirk over his shoulder. "Now, that's what I'm talking about."

"Come on, I doubt they'll stay down for very long," Sara urges while reloading her weapon. I come to a sudden halt as I remember something.

"Wait, what about your mom?"

Sara sends me an appreciative smile, her eyes sparkling. "Already taken care of."

I return her smile with a grin. "Great, because I have a faster way out of here."