Hey there. This is definitely a 'bridge' chapter, setting up Kadara and Reyes storylines. Yes, Reyes. Over the past years women have completely dominated my writings, now for the first time I'm tempted to play with a male character ;-)

Consecutive chapters without smut? Don't worry, I'll make it up to you!

Chapter 9, Kadara

Kadara was not at all what she was expecting. She'd anticipated a smoothly run commercial trading station with perhaps a few disgruntled individuals. They'd been kicked out by Tann after all. Or left on their own. The story varied depending on who you talked to.

What she found was a chaotic, violent settlement.

"Really? She used to be Nexus head of security?" As she looked around the lab, the drugs lab it was hard to believe. The ruler of Kadara was actively manufacturing drugs?

"Correct." he replied with a smooth spanish accent. "That's her. Sloane Kelly, head of the outcasts."

"Damn. That's sick." She shook her head in disbelief. The human ruler of Kadara was a druglord. She felt her stomach turn. What kind of message was that sending to the Angarans? How many lives was Sloane destroying with her drugs? It was extremely upsetting and she harshly bit her lip. A feeling of doom crept up her spine.

She took another minute to inspect the lab and the two dead criminals before turning to him. "Who are you again?" She curiously eyed him up and down. His black hair matched his gorgeous southamerican skintone.

"Reyes. Reyes Vidal. And you are the human pathfinder."

She grinned as she shook his hand. "Stephanie Ryder. Pathfinder. What was your first clue?"

"Your ship landed two days ago, the first Initiative ship in months. You've been busy with supplies and appear to be very interested in Kadara's monoliths. My scout mentioned your attractive auburn hair. In his words, 'she's a fox.' That's definitely you."

She was too serious to pay attention to the compliment. "You've got a scout? And I still don't know what you're doing here." He was obviously not just any guy. She'd seen him single handedly kill two of Sloane's drug runners. She couldn't trust him till she knew more.

"Let's say I'm... an interested party. Who strongly dislikes Sloane." He gestured to the corpses and the destroyed lab. "And I despise drugs. But now I must leave. Goodbye Stephanie Ryder." He snuck through the door and was gone.

Good idea.

Making her way back to the Tempest she was lost in thought. He was an intriguing fellow and somehow she knew she'd see him again. Soon.

7 days later

It had been a hectic week. And she hadn't even visited any Monoliths! Kadara port had kept her thoroughly busy, from silly bar fights to random errands to murder mysteries.

One constant was Reyes. He always seemed to pop up at just the right moment. He was helpful, charming, and she had to admit she was enjoying his company, even though he absolutely overdid it with the compliments and the flirting. He obviously liked her and was not shy about telling her... was it mutual? Over the course of the week she caught herself checking out his impressive physique. She adored his olive skin tone. His jokes and pleasant spanish accent made her smile. Often. She realized she started to trust him more and more.

Now things were moving fast, nearly too fast. She found herself in Kadara's 'throne' room, staring at the woman opposite of her. Sloane Kelly had proven to be an unbalanced psychopath. A criminal, only interested in wealth and power.

What went wrong? Didn't we screen everyone travelling to Andromeda? How did it turn out like this?

Sloane actively manufactured and distributed drugs. Was involved in extortion and murder. A dangerous opponent. She cringed as she pondered the image the Angarans were getting of humanity.

"My team might have found a great location for an outpost-"

"Fuck of pathfinder," Kelly spit out the word like a filthy bullet. She sneered with contempt. "Are you dumb enough to believe your own propaganda? The initiative can go to Hell for all I care. They never did anything for me."

"They gave you the chance for a new life. You used it to become a criminal. How can you blame the initiative for your decisions?"

"What the fuck? You really are a stupid bitch!" Sloane's eyes were wide open. Was she high? "Do you have any clue what happened between Tann and me?"

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Here comes the sob story."

"Fuck you! And fuck the initiative. As long as I'm around there won't be an outpost on Kadara."

Fine. Ryder made a mental note while she lifted an eyebrow. She met Sloane's death stare with comfortable ease. Idiot. We'll find a way to remove you. I'm not giving up on one of the best planets we've seen sofar. Especially not to a damned criminal.

"This conversation's over. Goodby silly girl." Kelly arrogantly waved her hand.

Without a word Ryder turned and left. How could she get rid of Sloane? Without resorting to violence? For a second she pictured civil war between the Charlatan and Sloane. It would get very messy. Bloody. With the crew of the Tempest stuck in the middle. No way. We didn't travel 600 years to start killing each other.

How to solve this? She couldn't see it at the moment. Maybe Reyes could help? Still pondering the issue she arrived at the Tempest where Vetra was readying some supplies.

"Hey Ryder. What's with the frown?"

"Eh... I've got a lot on my mind. Kadara's not exactly what I expected."

"I know what you mean."

"You do?"

"Of course. You want an outpost. Sloane's a criminal. Allowing an outpost here would hurt her powerbase. Would make her look weak."

Ryder nodded. Vetra was spot on. "Correct. I just paid her a visit. Let's just say it was not a friendly conversation."

"How can I help?" Vetra offered.

"Not sure yet. I gotta think this through. Perhaps there's something we can offer in return? What would Sloane be interested in?"

"What are criminals interested in? Weapons. Drugs. More territory. Manpower." Vetra grinned as she studied Ryder's pained look. "You sure you wanna get involved with Sloane? Smells like trouble."

Steph nodded. "It is trouble. We've gotta tread so carefully."

"Assassination." Vetra flashed an evil smile. She chuckled, "that will put a dent in her plans!"

Ryder stared at her turian friend. Was she joking? Knowing Vetra's mercenary past she might just be serious. "What? Did you just...?"

"It could be a solution. Perhaps not the one you had imagined."

"Vetra, I can't shoot people in cold blood!"

The turian's voice was cold as ice. "I know that. But some people can."