Surphlur Caves: Reyes
One moment, Ryder was standing in front of him. The next her eyes widened in surprise and confusion. Before she fell . Reyes could do nothing, but watch as the world slowed around him. Those brilliant eyes focused on him.
Reyes wasted no time. Once Ryder was clear he raised the gun and fired twice at Kaetus. Much like the krogan, he didn't hesitate. Blood and a rattling laugh left Kaetus one final time. Reyes waited a beat to make certain he was dead, before rushing to Ryder's side. She was still breathing but he could see blood pooling from a bullet wound to her shoulder.
"Shit," Setting the gun down, he knelt beside her gathering her in his arms. "Danica," he whispered. His heart rushed into his throat as he glanced at her closed eyes. Her breathing was labored, but the bullet wound only seemed to be in her shoulder. His hand cupped her cheek. Brushing the hair out of her eyes. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Dammit, Reyes," She breathed,
He smiled at her. "It's only a shoulder wound,"
"I've also used to much of my biotics on a faulty amplifier. Couldn't keep my barrier up. He must have noticed."
"You should have stood in front of him, Ryder. He wanted to die."
"Normally, I shrug, but that would hurt a lot, I suspect."
Reyes chuckled and traced a finger down the side of her face. "Probably,"
"I had to try. I couldn't do it for Sloane or for you, I had to try with him."
"I know, Pathfinder, you can't save everyone,"
She chuckled and flinched. "I know, but I have to try."
"Come on let's get out of here,"
"I need to find Cora. Liam's back in the holding area. Some be able to get the codes from one of these machines. SAM, can you manage?"
"I believe so, Pathfinder," SAM artificial voice chirped over Ryder's comm link.
Reyes frowned at the AI's voice. He wasn't against SAM, but it reminded him about what Liam had said about Ryder dying.
"Hey, a little help here?" Ryder teased.
"Certainly," He moved to stand and helped her up as well.
"Shit, that stings." Ryder gritted her teeth. "Lexi's going to kill me."
"Not if the rest of Kaetus' groupies doesn't first."
"Fair point."
"Pathfinder, I have the door codes and I have the location of Cora and Liam. Cora is in what appears to be an interrogation room and Liam is still in his cell." SAM informed both of them. I also managed to find a rudimentary map of the complex."
Reyes nodded. "Good, send it to me, Ryder. I'll go bust our friend out of prison, if what to swing by and pick up…"
Ryder raided her hand cutting him off, "Probably best if we stick together for this one. I can't say that Cora's amp is working properly. I've been shot and my amp isn't functioning properly," She walked over toward Kaetus, picking up his pistol. She fiddled with it for a moment. Reyes gazed at her, taking in the depths of the moment. She was amazing. She didn't hesitate. Not even to step in front of Kaetus to try and save him. She was trying to make up for not saving Sloane, but still. She didn't seem to hate him for shooting Kaetus afterwards either. Ryder took everything in stride. She was open and honest letting people know exactly how she felt at the time.
It's no wonder the angaras get along with her. Reyes thought as he accessed the map SAM had just sent them. His eyes skimmed the compound's layout. It was a fairly simple and straightforward. They were deep in a set of caves. That would be the trickier part. Navigating the treacherous system of natural tunnels, narrow passageways, and it looked like pockets of sulfur springs. Especially, considering he would traversing them with an injured Ryder and a possible unconscious Cora.
"Very well," A part of him wanted to leave them all behind, but he noticed it was a small part when it came to Ryder. The instinct to preserve himself and to stay by her was starting to blur together. Ryder could take care of herself, but being the one she trusted to have her back, did have a certain appeal. But getting away from her meant he might be able to think and do something productive besides think about her. "Shit," he uttered.