For a week she dreamt of monsters. The faces hidden in the shadows and ripping her limb from limb until only shreds of flesh remained. Her biotics laid bare for the world to see. Each of them, the faceless ones, would take bits of her and hide them far away out of reach. Her heart was always held by a man with his face lit by a sliver of light. The one good thing Sara thought to herself as she woke from her slumber is that she stopped screaming.
Darkness greeted her as her eyes opened. She was in her Pathfinder's quarters aboard the Tempest. She remembered, she remembered it all. The knuckles on her first still bore the bruises. She wondered if the sniper had a matching mark.
Accessing her omni-tool she pulled up all the information she had gathered over the past few days on the sniper. His name was Dixon Wolfram. His files were as Reyes' were: corrupted, and barely useable. There was no origin information and the only thing she could salvage was that he had been assigned peacekeeping duties.
There was nothing there that explained why he had joined the collective, how he had managed to get back onboard the Nexus after being exiled, or why he shot Kandros. The Collective didn't like to bring attention to them, but how much had Sara really know what they were capable of. She had learned about them through carefully devised filters.
Frustration was eating away at her as she paced her room in her pajamas. The last time she felt like this she called Kandros and he died. Ever since she got here things had gone to shit. For a brief moment she wondered what it would be like if she were back in the Milky Way with her research team as they traveled to dig sites and learned. It was all she ever wanted.
She knew the answer to how that would end. She knew it in the silence that surrounded her.
"Stop sulking." Sara chided herself and was almost surprised that SAM let her. They were going to leave in less than twenty four hours for Kadara Port. There would be a resupply mission, a meet and greet with queen Sloane Kelly, and then off to find the origin of the second Quarian distress call.
She hated that they passed the investigation over her head. It was too personal. She was too involved. She had twenty four hours to find Zenari without Kandros and convince her to give her data as well as go into hiding. "This should be fun." Sara scowled and put on her Andromeda Initiative gear. She placed her arm back in her temporary sling. Her hair was a mess, but she wasn't going too far.
The lab was empty by the time Sara arrived. Whatever else had been hidden in the lab was removed. It looked as clean and antiseptic as it could. The only anomaly in the room was a tiny data pad that had been wedged between a desk and a cupboard. Sara leaned down and picked it up. It was a small data disc with a note attached on it
I'm being followed. I've managed to crack a bit of the data, but you will need a cipher to handle the rest– Z
Chills climbed up her spine as she held the disc with her good hand. If they came for Zenari it was only a matter of time that whoever it was came for the Pathfinder.
"Think you can break it?" Sara eyed the disc.
I believe she intended me to break into it, but there is a password protected film similar to that which your father and Jien Garson had devised. SAM informed her.
"Fulcrum." Sara said out loud. She felt a small vibration run through her body in a way she was completely unfamiliar with. "Whoa, SAM what was that?"
It seems the first layer of security was breached. I believe you have to connect certain circuits on the rest of the disc for it to function.
"Cant you just hack it?" She grumbled. "I thought people stopped using these locks the last year we were in the Milky Way."
Sitting down in a corner of the clean lab she fiddled with the circuitry on the disc. She figured out how to raise a Remnant fleet this could not be the same level of challenge. Her first few attempts were labeled "fuck you" and "goddamn piece of shit" as SAM tried his best to lead her through the motions.
"Got it!" Sara preened as it lit up coming to life.
Most of the data is behind an unknown cipher. SAM replied evenly.
"You have GOT to be kidding me." Sara growled and stood up almost throwing the disc at the wall.
I've managed to scrub a portion of a phrase off of the disc 'exo.' SAM sounded as perplexed as she was.
"And?" She pushed.
Nothing more. SAM replied. To further investigate we must locate a cipher that matches.
"Like the Remnant monoliths," Sara grumbled. "Do you think we can just scan around the lab for them?"
I am not detecting any indication of a cipher in the lab itself. Perhaps that information is on another disc entirely.
"Great." Sara scowled and stole out the door she came in. One mystery after another and the truth behind it all always out of reach. Sometimes she wondered if her father planned this all along. It was just another thing on the long list of disappointments that was her life. "So, XO?" She talked as she walked towards the depths of the Nexus.
E.X.O. Pathfinder. SAM mused
"And that means?"
I am unsure.
Sara stopped and leaned against a wall evaluating her options. This was not something she was going to drop. The information on this disc could have been the real reason Kandros was killed, perhaps it would lead her to what she sought, or perhaps it was what the Collective was after in the long run. She swallowed and tugged her jacket closer around her. She didn't like her options. They were all so vague and unsure. "Do you think the Collective agent might have what we need?"
He is currently under observation in the cells by the militia headquarters. You are nervous. SAM observed. Is it because you fear Mr. Vidal may have ordered the assassination.
"Promise not to tell anyone?" Sara whispered.
I will not. With the information we have about Mr. Vidal the likelihood of assassinating a high profile representative from the Andromeda Initiative would not be high. SAM reasoned and it didn't make her heart lurch any less. It didn't bring to mind the secret dread she held in her heart of what she would do if she saw him again. Would she be angry? Would she forgive? The hard parts of her swore no quarter given, but there was a traitorous heart that disagreed.
In the corner of the cell Dixon sat with his back against the wall. He had been stripped of his Collective uniform and in the light of the Nexus Sara could see the full amount of damage she caused. There was a large bruise on his face from where she pummeled him, his nose broken, and his arm in a similar sling. He looked up at her with no fear. "Pathfinder," his clear voice broke through the cell. "I've already said everything I'm going to say to the other guy."
"I have some questions, and you are going to answer them." She hoped her bravado sounded nearly as convincing as she hoped it did.
"Look, Princess," He dismissed her.
"I am NOT a Princess." She glared at him. "Why did you do it?"
"He was getting in the way," Dixon looked away from her and back at the wall, "and now I'm bored."
"You shot me." She stated.
"You also got in the way." Dixon rolled his eyes.
"What was he getting in the way of?" She continued.
"Whatever, Pathfinder, either order my execution or fuck off." Dixon looked at his nails.
He does not want to cooperate, Pathfinder. SAM told her on their private line.
"SAM, can you hack the lock?" She crossed her arms and watched as the fear rippled over his face. "I think he might need reminding about the last time he crossed me and that was with a fresh bullet wound."
Dixon watched her cautiously from his side of the cell. "That would be against protocol and from what you did to the Charlatan I don't think queen of the girl scouts has it in her." He taunted.
"That was before you shot my friend." Sara spat. If her jab carried any weight she didn't see it in his face. He was unnaturally calm and cool. She could hear her brother's voice in her head as it warned her against her impulse to punch him until she got what she wanted. "Like what you did in Draulir was any better."
"Do you know what Sloane did to us?" That got his attention. "Do you have ANY idea what it was like to live under that monster?"
"Sloane is," Sara stopped. She knew the way the woman worked and tenuously she had clawed her way to the crown. "I know what the citizens told me but nobody deserves to die in a duel because Reyes was a coward."
"What is the price of honor when your family gets sent out to die in the badlands?" Dixon roared. "She deserved worse."
"You don't get to decide that." Sara straightened her back.
"Like the Initiative cares about us. They threw us off this boat and cut us off as soon as they could. If you didn't interfere-"
"Then the planet would barely be livable." Sara cut in. "I didn't do it because I wanted to kiss Sloane's ass, or even for the fucking Initiative. I did it because we have to be better than what we were before." She crossed her arms and felt taller than she was. "Sloane's on the Initiative's leash."
The smile he gave her was wide displaying his teeth. "Fat chance on that, Pathfinder," Dixon growled.
"Why would the Charlatan kill Kandros if his goal is Sloane?" Her annoyance was over coming her. She wanted to break the glass and break him to get what she wanted.
"Who said it was the Charlatan?" He gave her a cruel smile and silence followed.
Scott stood out like a sore thumb in the artificial light of the Nexus. It bounced off the red in his hair and his height as Sara approached him. He was waiting for her as part of their age old routine whenever they were being sent off on assignments. "Hey little brother," Sara drew his attention to her. She felt defeated and every step forward she tried to take was into a wall.
"Hey little sister," He smirked and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "I forgot how small you are."
"That is because you've been on bed rest since you got here lazy bones." She smirked. Sara had missed their easy chemistry, and the safety she felt when he was near. They had been a lifeline for each other when things were difficult. Right now he was just what she needed.
"I got cleared to go with you, outside of for traveling purposes." He said proudly pointedly looking at her arm. "Looks like I get to have your six again."
"Jaal is going to be so disappointed when I take you out for our first ground mission as my infiltrator." Sara playfully giggled as warmth began to come back to her.
Scott's muscles tensed. She could feel the ripple as his body locked up and his breathing changed. Before she could make a joke she saw Gil coming carrying a box of parts for the ship. Her engineer was completely in his own head as he walked along. She worried about how many hours of sleep he had.
Looking at Scott's face she could see the worry and… something more. "You know," Sara began, "he looks like he needs some help."
"He looks like he is carrying it just fine." Scott coughed averting his eyes. Her brother was hopeless.
Elbowing Scott in the side he let out a loud squeak that sounded almost unnatural coming from the man. Gil's head snapped up and over to the Ryder twins. He gave the both of them a smile and began their way. Sara almost giggled at how fast her twin's heart was going.
"Hey Ryders." Gil greeted them.
"Whatcha got there?" Sara released her brother to go peruse the box.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" He pulled it away from her eyes as she tried to grab it. "Parts for the Nomad since you are a terrible driver."
"Awh you say that but I'm your favorite."
"No, the Nomad is my favorite and you are the cruel mistress that hurts her." Gil joked. "Got a call from Jill." He added gravely.
"How did that go?" Sara asked cautiously ignoring her brother's shifting from one foot from the other.
"It went," Gil shrugged. "She is getting really pushy about the subject."
"I think the Nomad parts are exciting." Scott finally mustered and the two of them looked at him confused.
"My brother works on a five minute delay," Sara piped up quickly. "He's sweet, and strong."
"Can our fair prince carry this box of parts for us, the poor damsels of the Tempest?" Gil feigned weakness.
"Of, yeah, I'd love to." Scott reached for the box awkwardly and his hands brushed Gil's. He almost jumped at the contact with his face turning a similar shade as his hair.
"I'll show you where it goes," Gil nodded his head, relieved.
Sara watched the two of them walk towards the Tempest. Everyone else would be on board already. She looked around the Nexus one more time. It seemed an emptier place knowing that Kandros was gone and the Doctor she needed to speak to missing. All the citizens on edge with worry and fear that the Charlatan's grip reached that deep into the Nexus. She thought of the man who sat with her as the sunset on Kadara. She thought of the man she saw in the shadows of Draulir.
I do not think Mr. Vidal was behind the assassination of Kandros. SAM assured her. I believe his research into the Geth may have brought attention.
"But why?" Sara breathed. She felt defeated.
Unknown, Pathfinder.
The knot that was tied in her heart wasn't abated. She sighed. "Everyone ready to go?"
Yes, Pathfinder.
"Good," Sara nodded to herself, "I hope I am."
"Still nothing?" Sara asked impatiently. The Tempest orbited the planet Suurico in the Soliminae system. They had been there for 24 hours on what felt like a goose chase for a signal. If the comm buoy had been there for the Keelah Si'yah it didn't seem like it was now.
"Silence on the horizon," Suvi eyed her scanners.
"Perhaps someone took it." Kallo offered.
"Yeah, but who?" Sara crossed her arms leaning back against the email terminal. "Meridian is close by but we would have been hailed if they found it."
"Meridian is the ones that found the signal and alerted the Nexus," Suvi offered. "They knew our orders."
"So we're looking at a third party who would take it for- oh, fuck." Sara swore.
"Ryder?" Kallo looked at her concerned.
It is highly likely that the buoy has been offered.
"We're gonna have to go to Kadara. They are the closest outside of Meridian and who else would take it and probably see if they could either sell it or salvage it?" Sara reasoned.
"I hate that planet." Kallo grumbled.
"Don't worry we'll stay there long enough to get what we need, check in on Christmas Tate and then get out of there." Sara ordered. "Change our destination and alter the Nexus of our change of course… I'm going to call up her highness."
The walk to the meeting room seemed to last for ages. She was dragging her feet, she knew that. The weight of the sniper's words on her mind as she queued up the video call and SAM began signaling. The line gave her a busy signal, part of Sara knew she was just toying with her.
The so called Queen of Kadara had not taken kindly to Sara after she banned all Sloane's favorite past times. Sloane charged the settlement too much for protection fees, Sloane was generally unpleasant, but Sara did not forget that Kaetus and Sloane had come for her when she needed them most. The Collective may look at her as a monster and Sloane had done monsterous things to survive the lands of Kadara, but there was good in her too. There had to be, Sara reasoned with herself, trying to not feel as foolish and naïve as everyone else made her out to be.
Sloane appeared before her. The spiky cowl still wrapped around her neck as Sloane looked wild and filled with rage. "This better be important."
"We discovered a comm buoy signal out here by Suurico. The origin is most likely the Quarian Ark. You hear anything from your people or on Kadara about it?" Sara kept her voice professional.
"No." Sloane grumbled. "We have more pressing matters at hand right now."
"Anything I can help with?" Sara could already feel Kallo cursing her out in his head. "Kaetus." Sloane said nervously, more nervous than anything she had ever seen on the woman. She was furious and deadly and even when she stared the Charlatan in the face she had been unflinching. "The Reyes Fucking Vidal has Kaetus."
There was no way she would ever admit how her heart dropped in her chest at the mention of his name. "How did… Vidal end up with Kaetus?" She crossed her arms waiting for the other woman.
"After the battle on Meridian Kaetus insisted he saw Vidal, no way that coward would show up after all that." Sloane spat on the ground, "the coward lured him to a trap on Elaaden."
"So, Tann was right the Collective did settle into Elaaden." Sara wondered out loud.
"Fuck Vidal and fuck that entire planet. I don't have the men to take him out. Most of them think I'm your fucking lapdog." Sloane paced. "Wish fucking Garson were still here."
"Wait, you know Jien Garson?" Sara interrupted the woman's rant.
"Fuck yes I did. Are you stupid? Who did you think made me head of security?" Sloane rolled her eyes. Sara knew that, she had known that but everything in the last few months came into question.
"Make you a deal," Sara began, "I'll work on getting Kaetus back but-"
"If you bring me Kaetus home and whole I'll give you that damn buoy." Sloane responded. "I don't need to know about it because I have it."
Sara stopped. "I want the buoy and information on Jien Garson."
"Why?" Sloane raised an eyebrow. The mention of Jien Garson seemed to change something within her. Her face softened by only a miniscule, and Sara almost didn't believe she saw it with her own eyes.
"I don't believe the Scourge killed her." Sara offered. "I'm investigating what happened."
Hope made her believe that would be enough. "She was my friend," Sloane sounded defeated. "Boss, larger than life, but kind. You get me Kaetus. I'll give you whatever you need."
The line dropped and Sara leaned against the terminal thinking. She just agreed to disobey a direct order from Tann to not get involved with the Collective. She wondered if SAM had recorded that conversation and sent it to the Nexus. She wondered when this would all drop on her head. She sighed and rubbed her temples the headache brewing.
Do you want me to contact Dr T'Perro? SAM asked.
"No thanks, SAM." She said softly ever so grateful to have him as her constant companion.
Sara didn't mind going against Director Tann. Without Kandros to even out the arguments she didn't think Tann would be as forgiving of her transgressions as he once was.
She walked down to her Pathfinder's quarters avoiding the looks of Vetra and Peebee as she stole inside. She began to formulate a plan. The dread of seeing Reyes Vidal again was only drowned out by how fast her heart was beating.