Codex Entry: Element Zero (Eezo)
Also known as 'eezo', the rare material known as element zero generates a field when subjected to an electrical current which raises or lowers the mass of all objects within it. This 'Mass Effect' forms the basis of modern technology, from weapons and manufacturing, to enabling faster-than-light travel.
Element Zero is generated when solid matter, such as a planet, is affected by the energy of a star going supernova. The material is common in the asteroid debris that orbits neutron stars and pulsars, though mining such regions is extremely hazardous and requires significant investment. Various isotopes of element zero have been identified, though the rarest have only been observed in laboratory conditions.
Surveys of the Heleus Cluster suggested the region is rich in element zero, which was a deciding factor in the Andromeda Initiative's decision to settle there. Without eezo, the Initiative's technology would quickly become obsolete.
Codex Entry: FTL Drive
A starship travels faster than light using an element zero drive core. In special relativity, an object approaching light speed effectively gains in mass, until it would take infinite energy to propel it. But a negative electrical current running through an eezo drive core lowers the starship's mass, allowing it to travel at FTL speeds.
Motive force is provided by the ship's thrusters (chemical rockets, commercial fusion torch, or military antiproton drive), in addition to the FTL drive core. Without thrusters, the ship has no ability to move.
Standard drive cores build up a static charge during operation, and must be discharged periodically. Otherwise the core discharges into the ship itself, with catastrophic results. The Initiative's drive cores, intended for long-term voyages, are designed to recycle or reduce static buildup.
Chapter I – The Tempest
"You know that moment when you realize you're just getting too old?", Dr. Carlyle answered with a sad sounding voice.
"Uh…", was Scott's reaction.
That put a smile on the other human's face. "Ha, right.", he chuckled a little bit, "Look who I'm talking to.", he became a little bit more serious, "Trust me, it happens. For me, it was Habitat 7.", he shook his head, "Watching you guys running around, dodging lightning and the Kett…it's a young man's game. Pains me to admit it, but it's passed me by."
"I see.", Scott replied, "A shame you will not come with us anymore. What will you do on the Hyperion?"
"We still have thousands of people taking a nap here, and they need tending to.", the physician answered, "And this way I can help looking out for Alec."
Scott's mien darkened a little bit. "How's he?"
"His condition's stable…for now.", Dr. Carlyle answered, crossing his arms, "We are still working on a cure.", and with more conviction in his voice, "We will not lose him, I promise you that."
"I am glad he is with somebody who cares.", Scott replied, "Thanks for that, Harry. I'll stay in touch."
"Don't be a stranger.", the physician answered, "If anything changes with Alec, I'll let you and your sister know."
Scott nodded and turned around. He was in Cryo Bay again, there where he woke up – seemed like a lifetime ago. He saw some familiar, some unfamiliar faces being treated by the physicians around here. He went to Fisher, whose head was bandaged and he was talking with a female doctor. "Leg's feeling a little better.", he said to her, while Scott approached them.
"The bruise of the muscle seems to heal pretty well.", the physician replied, looking at the data projected by her Omni-tool.
"Fisher, glad to see you're doing better.", Scott attracted his attention, smiling.
The other human returned the smile. "That was some expedition, huh?", he asked, "Captain said I'm going in the log as the first human to make contact with the Kett.", and he added sadder, "And Kirkland's the first casualty. Wish it could've gone differently."
Scott crossed his arms. "Wasn't your fault.", he responded, sounding sternly, "It's obvious the Kett aren't friendly. Nothing we did could've changed that."
Fisher nodded. "I suppose you're right.", he looked down, "It's just not what you dream about – meet a new species…and three seconds later they're trying to kill you."
"I hear you.", Scott answered, "But I guess that's life: not everyone will see things our way. In the meantime, chin up. It'll get better."
"I'll try.", Fisher answered and turned back to the female doctor.
Scott on the other hand turned around and saw the last familiar face in the bay. "Hayes, how's the wound?", he asked, approaching the other injured member of the original Pathfinder-Team. She was sitting alone, looking kind of lonely.
"Doc says I'll live.", she replied, looking up and with bad attitude in the voice, "So this goes from a life-threatening gunshot to a story, I'll tell my grandkids someday."
"With no need to exaggerate.", Scott replied, smiling again to lift her spirits, "That was a tough fight on Habitat 7."
She smirked. "Just glad to be on the other side of it.", she stated.
"Ryder.", a voice called out for him, coming from the entrance of the Bay. When he turned around he saw Cora approaching him. She has changed her uniform to one with more black and blue – so the Initiative's colors – than white on it.
"Pathfinder.", he greeted her, with a nod.
"Only temporally.", she replied, stopping in front of him, "I was looking for you and Sara. You know where she is?"
"Yeah, she is…", Scott replied, turning his head in the direction, where the door towards the Pod Chamber opened right now, "…WAS with dad."
Both of them saw her leaving the chamber and seeing the two together. "I see…", Cora replied, when the other Ryder approached them. "What's up?", Sara asked, smirking.
"Oh nothing special.", Cora replied, crossing her arms, "Only that we finally got our ship."
"Really?", Scott asked, with excitement in his voice.
"Finally.", Sara added, sounding as excited as him.
"With a full crew.", Cora replied, turning around partially, "Want to take a look?"
"You can bet on that.", the twins replied at the same time.
The three left the Cryo Bay, going towards the tram. "How was Tann?", Sara asked, while moving, "Did he continue to grill you after we left?"
"What?", Cora asked, sounding surprised first, but then regained control, "I need to admit that I haven't thought about Tann the last days. You could think the lieutenant of the Pathfinder has more work to do then the Pathfinder itself. Think again. I barely had time for something else.", she shook her head, "What's your opinion on him?"
"He is a politician.", Sara replied first, "As slippery as a professional liar."
"He is an asshole.", Scott replied on the other hand, "The Initiative couldn't have a worse leader right now."
"I think he was simply unprepared for this role.", Cora added, when they reached the tram, "But you're right: the reputation of the Initiative seems to be more important for him right now, than the actual success of the colonization process."
"I know Garson was killed, but when he was her successor, he should have been prepared for even the worst outcome.", Sara countered.
"Not when he wasn't part of the senior leadership originally.", Cora objected, "All of them died, not only Garson. Her whole inner circle died due to the Scourge or the Uprising. Some even never made it out of the stasis.", she started to tell the tram their direction, "Originally he was Deputy Assistant for Revenue Management, before all seven leaders died. He was simply next in line."
"He was the 8th?!", Scott asked, sounding shocked.
"He is an accountant?!", Sara asked, equally shocked.
"Something like that.", Cora replied the second question, "Although he stressed the fact that every member of the Initiative is capable of more – and there he's right. Garson looked for such people by design.", the tram started to move, "But in the end it isn't important. He leads the Initiative now, even when the other three directors always argue with him. We'll need to deal with this, if we like it or not. But much more important is what he said about the missing Arks."
"What did he say?", Sara asked, crossing her arms.
"There is no information.", Cora started to answer, "NO information AT ALL. No communication attempts, no sensor data, no debris – nothing. As if they've vanished. We don't even know if they have reached Andromeda or the Heleus Cluster."
"Perhaps they have met the Scourge as we did.", Scott alluded.
"If they had the same or worse problems than we had, I fear the worst.", Sara added.
"Not only you.", Cora replied, "Part of our mission is to find clues. ANY clues. Otherwise the Initiative's mission as a whole is in jeopardy.", the tram stopped and the Pathfinder looked at her lieutenants, "But try to keep it to yourselves, ok? The people here on the Nexus started to gain hope again after we arrived – it would be better that they keep it."
"Agreed.", Sara nodded.
"You can count on us.", Scott added, when the three left the tram, being back again in the Docking Bay, where they have arrived on the Nexus. It looked – obviously – quite similar to when they arrived few days ago. But the differences were easily seen: it was brighter, because the lights were switched on; the other end of the bay was seen in the distance even; earlier it looked like a warehouse, with stored devices everywhere, but now somebody seems to have cleaned up everything, because it could be called indeed a public space now; and people were running around everywhere to prove this, doing some kind of jobs.
"Looks much better.", Scott commented the sight, stopping.
"Pathfinder en route.", Cora started to talk in her Omni-tool, "How's the ship?"
Both Ryders looked at her, while the answer was received. "In final checks and looking great.", a turian sounding voice replied, even when it was less clangorous than Kandros'.
"We won't be long.", Cora replied, looking up, "The way things are going, we'll be on our own out there."
"In other words, we're making this up as we go.", Sara replied, smirking.
Scott chuckled. "We used to call that 'tactical improvisation.'", he commented.
"But at least we'll be doing it in style.", Cora added, "Let's go."
They moved across the bay, passing the lowered part of this section. They noticed that some of the Nexus crew stopped working and looked up. The ceiling was far away from these people and there was enough space for real vehicles – like ships. Everyone started to move towards the railing at the end of this section and the three started to see the reason at the horizon: the silhouette of a ship was flying across the space there.
"They call her the Tempest.", Cora commented, seeing the ship descend on the right side.
Both Ryders could only watch, when they reached the railing as well. The landing ship had a longish design, with the bow being stretched forward and away from the engines, as far as possible. There were four thrusters, all of them installed at the bigger wings found at the stern of the ship, while another, smaller pair of wings was found close to the bow. The dominant color – at least at the bottom of the ship, which was seen right now – was black, with white stripes and sections here and there, while the bottom of the bow itself was painted crimson red. The name 'Tempest' was written at some of the sections as well, being hidden by the nozzles found at the bottom, which allowed the ship to land. The whole design looked elegant and curvy without any noticeable edge, looking flawless.
The Tempest landed on a platform, seen across the railing and a ramp opened up at the bottom, while undercarriage was driven out as well. The landing was slow, but confident and the ship touched down without noticeable shaking. People, found close to the platform, started moving when the engines where switched off or at least throttled, so that they could transport the missing cargo onboard.
"Let's go take a closer look!", Scott suggested and moved right already, where an elevator led down to the landing platform. The other two followed him quickly and they didn't need long to pass the platform. They saw already the people storing the cargo via the ramp, while a female Turian oversaw everything. She looked similar to the one from the Militia HQ, but wore different clothes: she wore an armor suit, ready for battle, but opposite of Kandros' one it looked tighter and due to her more slender physique, smaller, while being dominated by black, white and blue colors; even a jump-jet was seen on her back.
When the three came closer, they could hear her instructions to the storing crew: "Let's pick it up a bit, people!", she replied, sounding turian, but also quite female and above all impatient, "We're fourteen months late!", she lifted another box and gave it to one returning crew member.
Then she noticed the newcomers. "So you're the one who's making everything happen.", she commented with her quiet, but easily heard voice, turning around fully to them now, before introducing herself, "Vetra. Vetra Nyx. Initiative wrangler, provisioner, gunner, and everything in between."
Her whole skin color was darker, more grey than the one of the last turian woman, but her facial carapace was brighter. From her mandibles, across her eyes, towards her forehead two purple lines were drawn diagonally, one thicker, one thinner, before merging on her forehead and progressing upwards for a short while – her colonial tattoo. From right to left a thin visor-HUD was seen worn across her eyes, so that they could hide behind the blue, transparent holo-display.
"Are we ready?", she asked impatiently, but also quite excited and she put one arm on her hips, "The sooner we get out of here the better."
"You're coming with us?", Scott asked bluntly.
"Yes.", the turian woman replied, looking sternly at the human male, while her voice was snappy, "Otherwise, there's no way they're letting this ship off the station."
"What's the rush?", Sara inquired, sounding curious.
"Just don't want to waste any more time.", Vetra replied, turning around partially already, "I took the liberty to pick up Liam Kosta on the way, as well as getting all the stuff from your cabins onboard."
"The quick one, huh…wait, what?!", was Sara's reaction.
"I knew you wouldn't object.", Vetra interrupted her and turned around fully now, moving up the ramp.
The humans looked at each other, completely perplexed – even Cora was taken aback by these quick developments. They followed the turian up the ramp, when suddenly another voice was heard from the back: "Hold it. Hold it!", a male voice said, "You're not going anywhere!"
"Damn it.", Vetra replied meekly, while everyone turned around one by one.
"Whatever happened, it wasn't me.", Scott replied first, sounding guilty, "I just got here."
The human administrator shook his head, while stepping forward. "Director Addiosn wants to see a complete report of the Tempest's supplies, munitions, and crew.", the man explained.
Cora crossed her arms. "Director Tann overruled Addison.", she reminded him.
He shook his head another time. "The ship's loaded out with equipment for outpost discovery – squarely under Director Addison's purview.", he explained, while Vetra stepped forward. She passed the three humans, indicating with her hand to wait for her.
"Seen you around.", she started to talk with the human, while approaching him, "Ben, right?", she grabbed him by his shoulder and led him away few steps. What are they talking about? Sara asked herself and bended her head forward to eavesdrop.
"Came here with a family, didn't you?", Vetra continued talking, while taking Ben for a walk, "Son still in cryo? I could pull some strings, get him to the front of the line…", she alluded, stopping and looking at the human.
His face looked surprised. "Really?", he asked, sounding hopeful.
Vetra nodded, stressing it: "Yeah, really."
He started to look around and Sara immediately started to look elsewhere. He whispered something to the turian woman and she whispered back, although this part Sara could hear: "…I got family too, Ben."
Afterwards the human looked down at his Pad, pushed some buttons and both of them nodded. "Addison is going to kill me.", he muttered loud enough that the others could hear him.
"Thank goodness.", Sara commented this, sounding really relieved, "For a sec I thought I was going to have to deal with Addison again."
The human left the platform, while Vetra turned around to the others again. She chuckled, while walking back, saying: "And no one wants that.", and while passing them, "All things considered, it was an easy ask.", and then turning around only to go up the ramp in reverse, "And right now, you need people tearing down obstacles, not putting up more."
"Can't argue with that.", Scott stated, before everyone went onboard.
"Finally.", Cora added, sounding happy, "Someone who cares about doing stuff, and not just talking about it."
"Mass Effect Andromeda", all copyrights reserved for Bioware and Electronic Arts
But the changes are mine.
Author's comment:
Welcome Vetra Nyx onboard, the first original new Squaddie from Mass Effect: Andromeda since the Prolog. So expect to see more of her – also because she is my personal favorite. ^^