Chapter 5, Aya

Vetra studied the aliens on the screen. "They don't look friendly. Surely you're not not going out there by yourself?"

Ryder touched her cheek as she thought on it. Going out there alone did NOT sound great. And somehow she sensed it was important to show they were a diverse crew.

"We're multi-racial. I'd like to emphasize that."

She looked at Peebee. "Walk with me?" The Maiden's eyes brightened, she nodded in response.

"Sure."

Good. One more. Not human. Drack? No, he's too big and menacing. We need someone not too intimidating. Someone cute and cuddly.

Grinning, she scanned the room. "Kallo? Could you please join us?"

"Hurm!" Mumbling something incoherently he blinked at her. "I guess..."

"It will be good for you. You need to get out more."

"Ryder, I'm the pilot. My job is here."

"Obviously. But that doesn't mean you have to be in that chair 25 hours."

He was going to explain that there are only 24 hours in a day, but seeing her cheeky grin he threw up his arms in defeat. "Fine. I'll come on your little expedition."

"Excellent. I need you out there with your cute big bug eyes. I just know you'll be a good representation of the noble Salarian race."

He blinked at her, trying to discover if she was making fun of him. "Was that sarcasm? Too subtle for me."

Laughing out loud she patted him on the back. He jumped forwards and she could swear it looked like a frog's movement.

"Allright. That's settled. Any last words?"

Peebee smiled at her gratefully and Stephanie knew she'd made an excellent choice. Discovery. First contact. New species, new technology. She lives for this.

Kallo squirmed and looked at the ramp. "Well... maybe... perhaps we should-"

"Great. Let's go. And if something embarrasing happens, or if we get eaten, erase the vids."

"Being eaten!?" Kallo quacked. He gripped the bulkhead, terror in his eyes. "That's not in my job description! I can't even -"

"Relax. I'm joking. I hope."

Peebee just giggled and started walking down the ramp, eager for a new experience. She glanced over her shoulder, "You guys coming?"

At the edge of the airstrip they were greeted by a group of the odd-looking aliens.

"I'm Paaran Shie, Governor of Aya. We are the Angara."

"I'm Stephanie Ryder. Pathfinder with the inititaive."

"Yes. You crossed dark space. I've heard of your journey." She curiously eyed Ryder's companions. "Your crew consists of several species?"

"Absolutely. This..." She nudged Peebee, who took a small step forward, "is Pelassaria B'Sayle. She's an Asari from the planet Thessia. And this..." She pointed at Kallo, "Is Kallo Jath, a Salarian from the planet Surkesh."

"Interesting. I'm curious to hear about your backgrounds. But first we - wait, Jaal..."

One of the large males broke from their group and approached them. His eyes were burning with contempt and mistrust. Kallo hid behind Ryder and Peebee who faced him with nothing but a smile.

"Aya is hidden. Protected. What do you want here?"

Ryder took a deep breath. She looked Jaal and Paaran up and down. If Andromeda was going to be their new home, she had to start with giving honesty and trust. Something deep inside herself whispered that she could trust these creatures. And the Nexus needed allies. Badly. Starting out with lies would be the worst thing she could do. Making her voice as open and friendly as she could she faced the aliens.

"We followed a trail found in Eos's vault. There is a vault here on Aya. We would like to visit it."

"I knew it!" Jaal growled in anger. "They've come to take something."

Paaran was a lot milder. "What do you hope to gain by doing so, Stephanie Ryder?"

Peebee spoke, her voice loaded with enthusiasm. "The vaults are huge terraforming machines. We believe they are linked into one large network. We need to learn more about them."

Jaal grumbled, "Send them to Evfra. He'll decide."

Paaran nodded. "Please follow me. Don't touch anything, and don't interact with anyone. Is that clear?"

"Yaaak!" Kallo screamed out loud, eyes full with fear. "By the great amphibian! Don't point that at me!"

It was a long walk through the beautiful, lush city. While Kallo trembled at every corner Peebee cherished the moment. The maiden nearly glowed with excitement, her curious eyes never resting, always searching for something new. Five minutes into their walk she slipped her hand into Ryder's and held it. "I'll forever be in your debt for this moment. Thank you."

"You're very welcome." Cherishing the unexpected, pleasant contact Steph caressed the gorgeous pebbled skin. The small gesture of holding hands, almost like girlfriends felt fantastic. She glanced at Peebee. And hoped for a day when they would be girlfriends. Her heart longed for that day. The asari smiled back at her and she felt extremely light, as if she could fly. "So glad you're here."

Evfra was being a bully but with Jaal's help he softened up a bit. The outcome of the whole conversation was something like this: They were supposed to help out on two Angaran worlds, Havarl and Voeld. The Vault on Aya could only be accessed through the Moshae, but she was lost somewhere in Kett captivity. Ryder locked that name in the back of her mind, perhaps a rescue was possible? Oh, and Jaal was gonna join her crew. Which was a good thing. Seeing it as a link to a better understanding of the angarans Steph agreed. Hopefully all this was the first step towards an Alliance.

"So," she started as they walked back to the Tempest, "where do you recommend we start Jaal?" Either planet was fine for her and she wanted to give him the feeling of being included, being part of the team.

The Angaran stared at her in surprise. "Well... we just received a distress call from a science team on Havarl. That could be our first stop."

"Sounds good." She stated, "Havarl it is. Now let's go introduce you to the rest."

"Thank you Ryder. I am... pleased that you ask my suggestion. It is shocking because you've only known me for a few minutes."

"We have to work together Jaal. And from all my crew you best know the situation in Heleus."

"Yes. You are a remarkable person, I can feel it. Now, I am eager to meet your team. Our team."

A/N: I never liked Ryder going all by herself to meet the Angarans. So I fixed that : ) Next weekend there'll be a longer, smutty update.

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