"Ryder, I just received the reports that your team found someone still alive under the Kett base. This is both unnerving and fascinating." The holographic image of Jarun was projected in the meeting room standing adjacent of the human Pathfinder. "Have you any more information in regards of... whoever it is and more knowledge about the alien device?"

Scott nodded, "Yeah, actually. It's damned intense, Tann. I'm still trying to process it! I'll, uh, let Sam do the talking. Sam?"

Sam's artificial voice began, "Upon the study completion my diagnostics program has calculated the age of the device to be nearly ten thousand years old. I can offer theory that either the early civilization of the Jardaan or a pre-existing race may have built this alien artifact."

"TEN thousand years?! I'm surprised that it was still in one piece. Were there any other points of evidence that indicate who or what built it? What about the person or... rather, alien, that you found? Have they provided any useful information for us?" Tann eagerly inquired.

Ryder slowly shook his head, "We've not had a chance to find out from her, yet."

"Her? So it's a she. Amazing! What's the problem?"

Scott continued, "We recovered her from the stasis pod... the recording that Sam made should offer some idea of what it looked like. Doctor T'Perro is working together with Sam and Sky to figure out a way to gently wake sleeping beauty. Sam estimates that she is about four hundred and twenty three years old."

Tann gaped widely to show his surprise, "That's incredible, Pathfinder! You've actually found an alien species predating the Angaran... This is... I can't even put it into words. I don't believe it! Think of the possibilities! She could have the knowledge about the Jardaan and where the Remnant have come from."

"Yeah, everyone on board wants to find out. Including Jaal. He's been pacing in front of the med lab for the last forty five minutes-"

"TINKER! I NEED TO TINKER!" Jaal's shouts echoed throughout the Tempest.

"Uh, is... something going on?" Tann's voice revealed a sense of worry.

Ryder glimpsed over his shoulder as the faint sound of a loud clang hitting against metal posed distraction, "Um, I'm not sure what's going on. I'll send an update when-"

"NO, JAAL! You can't take apart the Nomad!" Vetra's voice raised into a desperate shout.

"Oh shit... I'll get back to you when I can, Director." Ryder charged around the transparent railing, rushing down the descending ramp, and made a direct line for the cargo bay. The human Pathfinder came out of the doorway onto the upper deck above the cargo bay. He turned his gaze down onto Vetra, Liam, and Cora attempting to pin down the Angaran Resistance Lieutenant.

"TINKER! MUST TINKER!" Jaal's voice rang out across the cargo bay.

Gil emerged from the engine room and grumbled from across the way, "He's already tinkered with the engine controls but luckily for all of you I was standing nearby and able to reverse it."

"What the fuck is going on, Gil?!" Scott whipped toward the engineer and nearly snapped.

Gil offered his hands up in defense, "Hey, don't look at me! I had nothing to do with this! I was simply an innocent bystander! A very annoyed one, at that. Jaal's tinkering almost cost me my baby!"

Peebee stood on the opposite side of the upper deck while sipping from a metal cup. Drack, the Nackmor Krogan, was broken down into a growling cackle beside the Asari.

The human Pathfinder charged around the walking deck toward the Krogan and the calm Asari, "WHAT the hell is going on? Peebee, I know you had something to do with this!"

Peebee made a hurtful look and protested innocently, "Aw, Ryder, why do I always get the finger pointed at? I had very, very, little to do with this."

"Little is an underlined word. What did you DO?!"

Peebee lightly shrugged, "I just gave Jaal a cup of coffee.. I thought that it would help him relax, ya know? His stomping in front of Lexi's office was becoming grindingly annoying. So, I thought that coffee would have the reverse affect on an Angara. Maybe calm him down a little."

"Jaal rushed into the kitchen and I watched him guzzle the rest from the pot of coffee. I offered him sugar but.. I guess he's one of those Angara who like it black." Drack muttered between chuckling.

"CAN WE GET SOME HELP DOWN HERE?! This isn't a circus act!" Vetra's sound of voice very bluntly hinted Turian agitation.

Jaal wiggled and squirmed from under the Turian, the human Biotic, and the Initiative operative. He bellowed, "TINKER! TINKER!"

"Settle down, Jaal! How much coffee did you drink?! Peebee, I told you that giving an Angaran coffee was a bad idea!" Liam shouted from the bottom deck. He staggered to restrain one of Jaal's flailing arms.

"Whose idea was it, Liam? Psh, don't pin this on me!" Peebee called over the railing with an annoyed glare.

"What's... uh, going on? Do I want to know?" Sara Ryder gradually walked up to stand beside her sibling, making an anxious look over the room.

Scott splayed one of his hands over his face and responded with a disgruntled groan, "You really don't want to get into this, Sara... I'm starting to feel that Pathfinding also includes babysitting."

"Andromeda's glorified babysitting service call Scott Ryder!" Peebee cheered.

"You're NOT helping, Peebee!" Scott bitterly scolded out loud.

"Scott?" Lexi's voice received directly to the Pathfinder's transponder.

"Lexi? What's up? Please tell me that you have something actually good to hear."

"I do! We were able to pull off the... sac..? Whatever it was made out of it was keeping her vitals up to par when she was removed from her stasis pod. She's in a stasis barrier that is replicating the stasis pod's life support while we figure out if she can breath our air.. And..."

"And?" Scott patiently demanded and slowly dropped his palm away from his face.

The Asari doctor answered slowly, "And I think you should bring Jaal to the med bay... this is going to be quite a surprise... mostly for him."

Sara insisted, "I want to see this-"

"Wait, Sara," Lexi's voice interrupted, "This is a delicate situation. I want to reduce the amount of stimuli as much as possible if she happens to wake up. She's in... something like a rem state as of right now. I'm going to allow her to wake up on her own without our interference. Sam has provided a sound barrier so our voices will not disrupt her."

"Um, Lexi, there's one small problem with Jaal..." Scott trailed off.

"Peebee subjected him to coffee.. I know. I can hear you guys all the way in here." Lexi's voice heavily sighed, "If you can get Jaal to come into the medical bay then I can inject a serum into his bloodstream that will neutralize the caffeine from his system."

"You're well prepared for this, Lexi. I'm surprised." Scott's lips cracked a smirk of relief.

"You've gotta be prepared for anything... including the mishaps of Peebee." Lexi's voice trailed off into dreary sound.

The human man sighed softly, "Alright, one caffeinated-Angara coming up, Lexi." Ryder, together with his sister, rounded toward the elevator lift, and quickly operated the platform to drop to the bottom deck. The twins rushed toward the small group piled atop the jittery Angaran.

Sara announced, "We're here to help!"

Liam was softly panting, heavy beads of sweat running down the sides of his temples, "You're kind of late for the party, Ryders."

Scott offered his hand to Cora Harper, "Here, we got this. Lexi's got a cure for an Angaran caffeine-rush." The Lieutenant reluctantly accepted and allowed Pathfinder Ryder to pull her off from Jaal's squirming body.

"I wish we could say the same for a certain Asari who shall remain nameless..." Vetra muttered and further downed her voice to a whisper, "I'm going to kill Peebee!" The Turian mercenary gradually climbed off of Jaal and stepped back, motioning to the Angara, "He's all yours, Ryder... Ryders." Vetra glanced between Scott, Sara, and down to the Angaran splayed upon the metal floor.

The Angara quickly pushed up and stood to yell, "TINKER! I must TINKER! Things need taken apart!" Jaal's voice varied between lowly and raised pitches. His bright starry eyes quickly moved back and forth as he glanced around the room.

"Whoa! Slow down, Jaal! Lexi actually has something for you to tinker with. We have to go to her office to find it, though." Sara loudly spoke which quickly turned the Angaran's attention toward the human woman. She spun around and motioned Jaal to follow.

Scott Ryder walked behind the jittery Angaran while Sara guided the way to Doctor T'Perro's medical lab. The door slid open upon Sara's approach but the human woman quickly stepped aside and motioned for Jaal to go in first, "Go ahead, Jaal! There's lots to tinker with in here."

"TINKER! Must take apart!" Jaal started his charge into the room but his pathway was interrupted as the Asari doctor came into his way. She swiftly raised one of her fists and plunged a syringe needle into the side of Jaal's neck. She pulled the syringe away, quickly capping it, and grinned slyly.

The Angara stood silently, slowly shaking his head, and quickly raised both of his hands to press against the sides of his head, "Oooo.." Jaal quietly groaned, "Headache..."

Lexi broadly smirked in a coy manner, "There you go, Jaal. You should be feeling better." Doctor T'Perro whirled around before returning her approach toward the medical table. She gave a brief smile up to Sky, whom stood on the other side of the table.

"Impressive moves, doctor." Sky cordially nodded to the Asari.

Lexi bashfully giggled, "Thanks, Sky."

Scott gaped with wide surprise, "Uh, who are you? You're not Lexi... um, are we in the wrong med bay?"

"Oh, stop that, Scott." Lexi lightly laughed. "Come on in, Scott. Sara, sorry but you'll have to wait outside. Okay?"

Sara nodded agreement, "I understand."

Scott remarked in passing, "Smooth, sis. Thanks."

Sara teased, "Just keeping the babysitting service in order." The human woman stifled a giggle and turned away allowing the medical door to shut.

The Pathfinder rolled his eyes. He started his approach toward the medical table but suddenly froze as he took glimpse upon the motionless body.

The Angaran remained in hesitance, coming forward, and expressed a loud breathless gasp, "Is.. is this... she... she's.."

"Take a look, Jaal. She looks very much Angaran." Lexi soothed with an excited smile.

Both Scott and Jaal studied over the feminine Angaran's body build that revealed a smaller bone density and more slender physique. The two immediately noticed that the color of her smooth skin was deepened orange-red. The woman's head displayed similar resemblance to the wide shaped skull of the current Angaran race. The extra appendages on both sides of the neck were disconnected and were instead formed around to the back to adjoin together at the base of her neck. Starting from the tip of her small nose were smooth scales trailing up and became split apart at the bridge of her nose. The smooth scales followed both arches of the brow lines, looping around the widest vertex of the head, and trailed over both of the neck extension muscle tissues. The sleek shimmering scales also covered the Angara's thinner-formed lips. The scales merged together just under her bottom lip making into a new trail running down the center of her chin before gradually fading at the middle of her neck. The female Angaran's body was fully adorned in a black-colored body suit consisting of a glossy material. Dark metal plates covered various areas of her slender body which had the same material composition as Remnant metal. The metal plates were adjoined together over her bust, including torso cavity, like protective chest plate armor.

"Sam?" The Initiative Pathfinder began his inquire, "Are you able to get any information about the type of armor that she is wearing? It looks a lot like Rem tech..."

"A moment, Pathfinder... My scans reveal that the metal has the very same mineral make-up found on Remnant robots. I am also detecting that material that she is wearing contains bioelectric impulses that are attached onto her skin and transferring energy circuits into her body. The electric conduits are providing a substantial system that is operating as a temperature balance and a life support system. Her natural bioelectric field in return gives power to the suit that she wears."

"It's like a symbiotic relationship..." Ryder murmured in realization.

Jaal stilled his breath, locking his gaze onto the mysterious Angaran as if caught into a trance.

"Was she the apex of our people or an inspiration for the Jardaan to create the Angara? I can only wonder..." Jaal softly spoke and gently set down his hands onto the edge of the medical table, gradually leaning over the stasis field that hovered over the sleeping Angaran woman.

Lexi splayed one of her palms on the backside of one of Jaal's shoulders, "We'll soon find out, Jaal. As soon as she wakes up I'll let you be the first one to know."

"I.. want to stay in here. I need to be here the moment she awakens." Jaal whispered insistence and looked toward the Asari with a stern expression.

Lexi's lips contoured into a smile, "Of course you can stay, Jaal." She turned away, dropping her hand from the Angara's shoulder, and approached Scott. The human man was caught in awe-struck but quickly composed himself in front of Lexi. He turned his attention onto the Asari as she continued to speak, "This is a great moment in Angaran history, Scott. There are so many possibilities! She has a history that we can finally discover and learn more about the Jardaan and Remnant. And the purpose made for the Angaran. I'm so excited!"

The human man's lips broke into a grin, "I'm sure everyone is feeling the same. I know I am!"

The Asari medical doctor motioned for Scott to follow toward the other side of the room to remain out of earshot. She softly explained, "Sky and Sam have been most helpful. It's nice to see that they're slowly getting along, although, Sky remains apprehensive.. I remember that I used to be the same way but now it's my turn to offer assurance that Sam can be trusted."

Scott cocked an eyebrow and downed his voice to a curious whisper, "What can you tell me about Sky?"

"Um, Ryder... That's patient and doctor confidentiality. Sam is still not allowed to have the records added to his data files... by Sky's request I have to respect his wishes... I'll let out this bit of information; If I were looking for an attractive mate I'd gun for Sky first... No offense, Scott."

"IS he really that much better looking than me?" Scott gawked in shock.

"By far... and he's not even human. Oh shit! That one slipped... Ryder, stop it!"

Ryder cracked a broad grin, "Can't help it. I'll leave you to it, Lexi. When she wakes up, let me know, okay?"

The Asari made a nod, "Of course I will. See you later, Scott."

Sam's robotic voice broadcast over the Pathfinder's communication receiver, "Pathfinder, you have a message from the Angaran Resistance Leader in regards to the Kett data. Evfra de Tershaav wishes to speak with you in person at the Resistance Headquarters located on Aya. The Ambassador has also arrived on Aya to speak directly with you."

"Kallo, set course for Aya." Scott announced over the broadcast system.

"On our way, Ryder!" The Salarian's voice returned acknowledgement.

.

.

"Ambassador Sjefa, this is a pleasant surprise! I thought that you would have been tied up with Meridian's affairs." Scott exchanged a shoulder-to-shoulder greeting with the female Angaran.

Sjefa gently laughed, "Meridian certainly keeps me occupied but not busy enough to keep an eye on our human Pathfinder and his affairs. Evfra was generous to send me a copy of the Kett data files. It's an incredible find, Ryder! Still, I'm awed that the Kett had plans to set out capture for you specifically. There includes the troubling news that they are planning for an invasion on your Milky Way."

Ryder supplied, "The Cardinal said, in short terms, that'd I'd make a great trophy for their people. I'm actually going to need all of the help that I can get if we are to stop the Kett once and for all."

Evfra stood with a glowering look, "You will have our support, Ryder. The exaltation process must be kept from spreading onto new territories. The Kett empire must fall where it stands here in Andromeda, for good. Which reminds me," He crossed his arms over his chest and continued, "I wanted to talk about the device that your people found on one of our worlds. The Kett data specifies that this artifact is able to control the Scourge. Has the theory been put to the test, yet?"

Scott shook his head, "Not yet, Evfra. Sam is still running a testing program with the different variations between the original copy and the Kett's translated version. We want to make sure we get an accurate method before putting the Scourge through any paces."

Evfra slowly nodded, "Very good. If we can find a way I'd like to use the Scourge to our benefit."

The Pathfinder agreed, "Drack made a good point; we can use the Scourge against the Kett on their home front."

"In my honest tactical opinion, both of our people are not ready to make a strike like that, Ryder. Our ships are not meant for long distance traveling. We are still adapting the stasis pod process into our systems. Won't take long but I don't think we're ready for that large scale to cross dark space. It'd still take us many years before we reached Kett space and by then a lot of change can happen in Andromeda while we are taking the war to the Kett." Evfra replied in a growling sound.

Sjefa injected, "Our focus should remain here in our galaxy before we even think about planning for another war. We are outmatched by numbers, Evfra and Ryder. Your people in the Milky Way galaxy have the upper hand that we had not; military force and an adjoined government system among the different races. I have faith that the Kett will stand no match to your people, Scott. I desire to end the discussion at that and focus on the new discovery that Ryder has made. I'm very curious about the stasis pod that was found and who was found within." Sjefa expressed peaked interest toward the human man, "I want to know more about the alien that you found, Ryder."

The Initiative Pathfinder gladly nodded, "Of course! Anything in particular that you want to know? Sam has the data from Lexi."

Sjefa's lips widened into an overjoyed smile, "I need to know how old this alien is. Does it predate the Angara? Was it also created by the Jardaan?"

"Well, she's about four hundred and twenty three years old."

Sjefa gasped and asked in surprise, "She? Stars! I can't believe we have a woman that has survived... I can only wonder if her people were the first race created by the Jardaan or if her people built the Jardaan."

Evfra huffed, "It'd be nice to find out that we were not created by an artificial intelligence."

Scott slowly shook his head and made a soft sigh, "I'm still waiting on Lexi to-"

"Ryder?" Doctor T'Perro's voice came over the Pathfinder's receiver.

"Lexi? What's the news? Is she awake?"

"I have the good news that she can survive in normal oxygen levels and the more good news; Yes... but.." The Asari's voice trailed off.

"But? What's the problem?"

Lexi worriedly explained, "She's hiding under my desk and... is a state of panic. Jaal and I have backed away allowing her some room to grasp her surroundings. I have a good look at her eyes... they're colored golden yellow. Very interesting. They appear to have the same eye shape and pupil dilation but the coloration is totally different."

"I'll be there, Lexi!" Scott started to turn away but abruptly halted to glance toward the Ambassador. "Would you like to meet your possible ancestor, Ambassador Sjefa?"

"I thought that you would never ask, Ryder. Of course! Evfra?" Sjefa glanced toward the Angaran male.

"I'll pass." Evfra spat annoyance.