Bridge of ARNV ( Andromeda Republic Naval Vessel ) Tempest

"...commend you on that last op. Its the biggest jump-start to the formation of a sovereign human navy to date ! ", congratulated a distinctly impressed Governor Augustus Bradley, with a clearly triumphant grin affixed to his face. " I've already issued orders for a salvage crew to depart Eos, and begin securing the site. "

" Efficient as usual, Mr. Bradley " , Scott Ryder, Pathfinder for the " Andromeda Republic " observed. He leaned against the central holotable's edge, palms down, with the pale cyan glow it was giving off bathing his face- highlighting how that goatee he'd gotten going was still progressing.

" Appreciate it. Anything of note happening over there ? "

Standing just across from him, barely 6ft away on the opposite side of the table, Cora did her level best to ignore how deeply attractive she found it, and the palpable tingling sensation wrapping around her spine that arrived, even momentarily, whenever she glanced at that fledgling beard of Scott's. It wasn't...technically a surprise, as she'd always harbored a preference for bearded men, but with these newfound feelings of genuine romance blossoming from her towards him, that extra bit of spice was really pulling its weight.

So much for Huntress Discipline, the lifelong spacer's child ruefully reflected, as she sternly commanded herself to stay focused.

Ogling her superior could wait- they were still on the clock, after all. Besides, it'd get easier to stay on task ( and carve out more room for actual, proper appreciation )...once she actually confessed to him that she'd...well...fallen for him. Hard.

Butterflies and all-

Oi ! Shut it...!

Just...not now, ok ?

Sternly, she finally silenced ( for the moment ) the schoolgirl ramblings going on at the back of her mind, as the bald man Scott was speaking to responded.

" Business as usual , frankly. Even that Mercenary commander, Messani, has been surprisingly well-behaved...though, that's mostly because he spends most of his days out on the desert dunes hunting for Kett remnants. Other than that...smooth sailing. "

" Water resinous still high ? "

" Roger that. "

" Food stores ? "

" Enough to last till the next resupply a couple months from now. The Nexus just sent a freighter , but it was mostly carrying spare electronic components, despite our specified request.."

There was a note of annoyance with that last few words, and neither of the Tempest's command staff members listening had a problem with it. The Andromeda Republic was, to nobody's surprise, still reeling from the long-term logistical effects of colliding with the Scourge Cloud, and the critical destabilization of its whole leadership structure with the death of Gien Garson. Chairman Tann was still running the show ( God help them ) , but his shortcomings as a leader were dragging the Republic down more and more with each day that went by...

Hence the whole premise of the Human contingent that'd come here via both the Hyperion, and any aboard the Nexus who hadn't been exiled ( or accepted the one-shot amnesty and returned ) forming their own nation. With their own government, codified laws and justice system, currency, and overall... their own society. And, perhaps most pivotal of all...their own armed forces. The recently conducted raid on the Remnant shipyard had been, as they'd already discovered from even the cursory findings of an even-more-hyperactive-than-normal Pelesaaria ( to a point where it actually seemed like Dr. T'Parro might have to give her an examination ), quite the boon .

And one that could be even more of one, once the Eos team of Xeno-archeolgists arrived. It was likely to become a major undertaking, and one that the Tempest would be center stage for.

Maybe I should be grateful...

..Something to distract me. Or...wait, no. No, I wanna take care of this sooner.

Sooner rather than later...terrifying though it already is. Keep getting icewater though my veins at the thought of it...but I still want to..

Gotta do it soon, as well.

Soon...

As her mental ruminations ran full-tilt , such as they were, she still at least had enough mental focus left to keep track of the exchange between the Pathfinder and the Governor...just as the conversation entered its next step as the former had a flicker of matching frustration cross his own features, followed by a , " At least tell me that doesn't surprise you. "

" At this point ? Hardly. Another reason, as well, why we're still reliant on the smuggler freighters arriving from Kadara Port...seems Reyes is still good for something. "

" Well, he's doing a better job of running that place than his predecessor ", pointed out Cora, finally spotting a good opportunity to speak. " Only about half as many muggings per week going on there over the past year, as opposed to Sloane's handling of it. "

A low-gear hmmm from Bradley signaled his tacit agreement with that truthful statement. " Still don't fully trust him, but better the demon you know than the one you don't. As long as he keeps coming though for us...we can coexist. "

" He knows he has more to gain from working with us than against us, after all ", the former ( or still current ? ) Huntress reminded him. " We all know Outlaws won't ruin a good deal they've got going, which something else he has over Sloane. She was greedy. Self-centered . "

" And he isn't ? "

" Oh, he is. But, also just enough common sense to avoid rocking the boat. "

The Governor's hologram nodded, once again recognizing the truth. He was a rational man, after all- one of the top reasons why he'd gotten the position of Eos' leader. That, and as a former N7 Operative ( much like the late, and dearly missed Alec Ryder ), he possessed a sense of decisiveness and foresight that someone like Tann just didn't have. Overall, with all that going for him, he was a vital jigsaw puzzle component for the yet-to-fully-get-realized Human-led government that was still some ways off from completion...

Day by day on that, naturally. Cora understood that such things took a while...and judging from Scott's approving gaze from across the table, she knew that assessment of hers was still accurate.

Also, it set off a brief fireworks show across her spine, top to base, but she managed to ride it out without showing it...aside from a surprisingly pleasant burst of more stomach butterflies..

" Couldn't agree more, both of you. ", he concurred. " Bradley, speaking of which- double check secuirty for your teams. On our side or otherwise...we don't need or want Reyes getting hooks though this operation. The less he knows, the better. "

" For certain. I'll attend to it personally. ", Bradley assured them with what was, they all knew from his proven track record, genuine confidence. " And I will entrust keeping Tann off our necks to you, Pathfinder.."

"...Might need to change that soon ", the son of Alec Ryder mused by way of response. " Less of a ' Pathfinder ' these days, and more of a rouge. "

" Hardly.. ", Cora objected. " If Tann and company won't cotton onto the fact that we can't let aliens rule us, regardless of what flowery notions Garson may have had about it- God rest her soul- that's for him to worry about. Not us. "

" Spoken like an ambassador, Miss Harper ", Bradley stated admiringly. " I'll have to remember that ".

Just getting compliments from all kinds of guys today...

High school me was already crowing about it. Wish I could go back and tell her to shut it...

Not that she'd listen, though..

Out loud, though, she sensibly only went with a suitably modest, " That's your wheelhouse, Governor. I'll stick with 2IC for the Tempest for now. Thanks for the vote of confidence, though..."

" You earned it- like he did ". Bradley nodded Scott's way.

" Well...if there's nothing more, Pathfinder, I'll leave you to it. And, I trust you'll contact me the moment you need to again. "

" Likewise , Governor. Till then, and Godspeed. "

" Same, Pathfinder, same.."

With such an amicable goodbye thus said, the bald man running things on the desert world of Eos nodded once more, as Scott terminated their end of the vidcall. The shimmering cyan hologram vanished, leaving just empty air.

Well, tangibly empty, that is. There'd been a lot said, and much left unsaid as well...all still hanging there , filling the space where the hologram had once been just moments ago..

"...Well..." declared Scott.

"...I'd call this a decently successful day, all things considered. "

" NPR ! "

"...NP- Oh.."

Cora couldn't suppress a chuckle at how Scott did, for sure, recognize the familiar catchpenny of that ancient radio station- or maybe she could've, but didn't care to. Probably that one, actually. Scott was her superior, yes, but they were well-acquainted enough so that such exchanged were not only normal, but actually expected, even..

..Plus, it kinda greases the wheels for...

...Well, you know, Harper.

You know...

Speaking ( or, more accurately, thinking ) of such a thing, the platinum blonde biotic shrugged. " One of the many knickknacks that made their way over here from the Milky Way. Recording as old as the Remnant tech by now, but still...cultural treasure. "

A smile-not wide, but its lack of that made it seem more real- graced the face of the Pathfinder, as he looked her away while stepping away from the Holotable. " That could've filled two Arks, on its own. ", he philosophically remarked.

" Speaking of filling- I have an hour or so to kill before the next Vid-call is scheduled, if I recall right..."

" Mind walking with me then, Lt ? I think I'll pay the armory a visit. "

...Walk with you..?

Just-

You fool, Harper ! You..you know what to say !

Say it !

Hastily burying a flash of heat that surged to her cheeks, Cora nodded crisply like the good officer she ( on the outside ) was: " You didn't need to ask, sir. Sounds like a good usage of empty clock space to me "

Again, though...whether Scott noticed that or not was too well hidden from her ! Where had the man gotten it from ?!

A Salarian ?!

Just...just more questions, and Cora couldn't even afford to dwell on those now..!

Because...Scott was still on the move, and briskly so.

He kept going, leaving the table behind as he headed back toward the elevator ( a recent addition to the Tempest's design, along with the litany of badly-needed weapons systems that should've come with the ship as it'd been delivered to them ) that would take him down to any of the lower decks. However, that rapidly became " they ", as Cora, dutiful 2IC that she was, soon matched pace with him.

Rather closely, she rapidly realized. Not unprofessionally, but...it was still pretty close regardless.

Maybe more than just pretty, actually...tantalizingly so.

Deep breaths, Harper...

Deep. Breaths.

" Just another reason why we got to go our own way. Still can be friends with them, but we're going our own way. ", he confidently maintained, as the elevator smoothly ( as smooth as a good shaving lather ) began its descent.

Our way...I like it.

..Oh. Oh, he said " our " referring to humanity...ok.

I knew that ! I knew that...!

...You are a sad and pathetic loser. Thank God almighty Scott doesn't know that..

Wild mental gymnastics aside, at least she was presenting a calm exterior...which is what counted when you were someone's second.

Used to do that for Alec..

May God be merciful to him...he went out protecting his kid.

A coldly familiar series of thoughts and emotions, those were...

A chilling shadow, that draped itself over her whenever any thoughts related to the late N7 Operator entered her mind, for any reason...

Thankfully, though it didn't last, and like kicking off a sheet, it was soon gone, as the elevator glided to a halt on its destination deck and the doors opened. Off stepped the Pathfinder, and she walked with him as they began making their way down the well-lit corridor that was typical of Human-designed vessels-and a bit of a curious contradiction, some might've argued, given that the Tempest was technically a stealth vessel , given that it possessed the same Heat-Sink-Suppressor Tech as the Milky Way-bound Normandy-class frigates.

Then again, though, needless to say...all this light wasn't on the outside, and there weren't any windows ( The Geth didn't use them, so why would anyone else ? ), so ultimately, there was nothing to worry about when it came to that. Who said you couldn't mix style with practicality ? Some stoner hanging around a Washington State park, cira 1986, probably...

It was through such a passageway that the two highest ranking members of the Tempest strode through, their utility boots clacking sharply against the cool metal plates. Moments later, they'd arrived at the armory doors, and a quick scanning of their biometrics by the automated security system granted them both entry.

" Vetra ! ", called Scott, as soon as they entered. " Arms Master Nyx, do you have a moment ? "

A split second pause followed, and then itself by an extremely familiar voice ( And considering it was a dual-toned, flanged voice, that was saying something ) from somewhere ahead and on the right calling back: " Sure thing, Pathfinder ! One second..."

Technically, it was several, but close enough. At the end of them, there was the rustle of non-Human footwear on armored metal deck plates, and then a tall female Turian appeared from around a stack of crates. She carried a datapad with one three-fingered hand, and had a Scorpion pistol holstered on one hip.

Keep forgetting how much taller she is than me, Cora mentally sighed. A good 5'10, to my 5'6...and Scott's outright 6'1, so...yeah. Knee high to a skyscraper.

Maybe that's why I was issued these 36-D tits. Compensation...

" Pathfinder Ryder...what can I do for you ? ", the former Freelancer asked with a superbly calm, almost lazy tone. Which was quite deceptive, as they all knew she was one of the most diligently busy members of the crew. Top 5, easily.

Something Scott was well aware of, because casually replied with , " There is, actually. Where's my Mattock ? I'd like to add some mods to it- oh, and Lt. Harper wants to clean her Scimitar . "

" Still don't trust me to touch your beloved M96, eh ? "

Despite the words, there was 0 animosity carried with them, and everyone could tell. It wasn't personal ( or speciest, like that ). It was, however, just a case of Scott really having a preference of handling that highly venerable, yet still remarkably lethal rifle he'd brought all the way from the Milky Way himself. " The M14 of their era ", he'd once fondly called it. An apt name, all things considered, given that powerful semi-auto firing mode and heavy rounds of it. Hardly a wonder, then, that it had so many kill marks on it..

Completely understandable, actually. Cora didn't much like the idea of anyone touching her personal grove of Mango plants ( another carryover from the Milky Way ) aside from her.

Or Scott, obviously. He wasn't a botanist, but he could be surprisingly gentle...

" One of these days, Vetra. That's a definite...maybe. "

" Till then, though..."

" Its all good, Pathfinder. Its all good. Your M96 still on Rifle Rack 3...and Lt. Harper's Scimitar is on Shotgun Rack 5. Right where they've been all day. Nobody's laid a finger on 'em. "

Scott nodded, visibly impressed and respectful. " Tight operation, as usual. Good to know. "

" Only kind I run, Pathfinder. If there's anything else I can help you with, just holler. "

" I'll remember that, Nyx. Bye for now "

Having thus closed the conversation on that, Scott began to pace forward again, and Cora once again began to follow- but it was right then that the presence of the height-gifted Turian reminded her of something...

Something important, worth at least mentioning now, if not discussing.

Oh ! Right...!

That thing...

"...Nyx ! "

Pivoting as she said it, Cora successfully got the other ( tall alien ) woman's attention, who also stopped and turned around.

" One more thing, actually...", the Biotic/Horticulturalist continued, as Scott ( who'd momentarily continued on, but had quickly turned back to join her ) got back to standing at her side.

Hard to read as Turian expression were known for ( what with all those hard, angular bones, the lack of soft skin tissue, etc ), you could still get a handle on it with enough ( a lot of, basically ) experience. Based on how much of that she had, Cora was ( mostly ) sure that Vetra looked mildly surprised, but still ready.

How very Turian...

The good kind, though..

" Oh...Ok ! All ears, Lt..."

" Figuratively speaking..."

..Ha ha ha. 'Cause Turians don't have visible ears...

...Yeah. Dad joke of the highest order, and from you. That's a milestone for the record books.

..Anyway

Momentarily pausing to exhale with mild annoyance at the standup comedy comment from the Turian, Cora went on regardless. " There's a Council meeting with Governor Bradley set for as soon as his recovery team is done with the Shipyard Op. We'll let you know the exact date, and we expect you there. "

At first glance , it might've seemed like a severe mismatch to have an alien anywhere close to the whole ( and one with a highly volatile potential ) process of forming a counter-Government to what already existed, which probably could even be considered a coup. Except, not really, because they weren't gunning for Tann- just out to establish their own multi-planet nation. A human-dominant one, ruled by humans.

But, such a fledgling state would still need outside connections during its opening years, and few Andromeda Expedition members had better ones among the shadow market for technology, weapons, ammunition, and such, than Vetra Nyx. Or Reyes Vidal, obviously.

Thus, the nascent nation had what basically amounted to a " shadow ruling council ", so to speak, for the moment. Nyx was the only non-human on it, and she wasn't under the illusion that she'd have a spot with them when the formation process was complete. But, that was ok. She was well aware that the crew of the Tempest ( all of them, even Dr. T'Parro ) all considered her a trusted friend beyond her value as a racketeer and fixer. There was even a chance she could continue serving aboard the vessel as its Arms Master after the new government was fully constructed, which was also one of the final bulletpoints that needed attention: whether non-humans could be allowed to serve on human-commanded vessels...

All of that, and more, was on the docket for the impending conference...

" Roger that, Lt. Just say when. ", she affirmed with a palpable note of confidence. " I don't wanna sound like an-"

Stopping midsentence, she frowned ( Turian style, so it was kinda hard to spot, but still visible if you knew what to look for ), as if stymied by lacking the right words. "..Like a....agh, what are those furry Earth animals called that you keep saying are always really busy... with the wide tails..? "

" Beavers ", Scott helpfully supplied. " Eager beavers. "

" Beavers ! That's what I was looking for..! ", exclaimed a clearly grateful Vetra. " Right. Well, I don't want to sound too much like one, but I'd say its well past due someone got something going on a nation-state level that could show Tann how its done. Sure doubt it could go any worse than him..."

" That, and I get it: You gotta rule yourselves. Kinda wish, honestly, that the Turian Ark-members would rally and do the same...ah well. "

With a shrug, she let it lie. " Till then, you got me. "

" Truer words haven't been spoken among these stars ", philosophically remarked Cora, allowing some of her embedded Huntress-ness to come out. Somehow, it seemed fitting.

Which, soon enough, became obvious that it wasn't lost on the other two.

" Hahaha...ohhh...you truly are a Huntress, ma'am ", the Turian pointed out.

" And honored by it, as well ", the aforementioned Huntress reminded her, with a slight grin. " Long as you remember that, we're good. "

" Allright...with the Pathfinder's permission...".

She left it hanging there, just long enough for the Pathfinder himself to ( rather formally, but that was a good thing. Showed discipline ) declare : " I concur. Arms Master- dismissed. "

" Pathfinder ".

Vetra nodded dutifully, then smoothly strode away.

"...You know, on some days, she reminds me of the most lawful pirate ever ", Scott bemusedly remarked. " Bringing her along when Liam convinced me to raid that Kett cruiser only enhanced it, I think. "

" Oh you mean " Kosta's Klassic Krazy ", as Pelessaria called it even before we were done ? ", asked Cora rhetorically ( on purpose ), feeling a smile also beginning to pull at the corner of her mouth.

" The one and only ! ", confirmed the Pathfinder, as he began heading toward the previously described weapons racks deeper within the armory's depths. " It proved profitable for us at the end, though, so I suppose I can overlook it. Long as such ridiculous escapades like that don't become the norm from him..."

" Amen on that ", Cora agreed, following Scott along past and around more stacks and piles of weapon components ( after, needless to say, having gone through another set of doors that required the proper biometrics to open ), cleaning supplies ( for both the floors and the weapons, which carried a rather sharp, chlorine-esque scent ) , and raw materials for all purpose crafting. It was a formidably stocked , if Cora was honest about it, and yet more proof that the under-the-table connections they had with the likes of Vidal and even Vetra were still paying dividends.

Something that would only prove more vital, as they entered the final stages of establishing their own state...

But, imminent as that was , it was still a ways off, and for the moment...they had something actually tangible to do. Well, everything else was as well, but this was happening now.

Some ( relatively ) routine weapons work ? Sure...that fit the bill nicely.

But, even as they finally got to where they were going, and began to deftly remove the weapons from their storage racks ( after yet more biometric unlocking, plus actual physical locks that they both carried keys for )...the real point of all this began to assert itself.

...She had feelings for Scott. Outright loved him, actually, and only hamstrung ( slightly ) by the lack of confirmation that it went both ways.

Strong, deep and romantic feelings, specifically. Tingling feelings, heat on her face, accelerated pulse...at least one of those 3 whenever she was near him.

But...now...now she and him were alone. Technically, it was for a purpose, yes ( doing actual weapons checks/ modding/ cleaning ), but...the armory was pretty big. Even where they were at the moment ( a set of tables, side by side, with the weapons racks storing the litany of firearms the Tempest carried standing tall on either flank ) was pretty secluded...mostly.

It sure wasn't helping those " symptoms ", so to speak. The racing pulse one, especially. It was only getting worse, as Scott set his much-used ( and just as much cared for ) M96 Mattock Battle Rifle down on said table..

Really distracting, actually. Maybe it was the relative solitude , or maybe it was just those naturally changing-constantly female emotional spectrum things...or, most likely, both. Either which way...

...Now...?

Do it...do it now, Cora's subconscious suddenly became loud, as she retrieved her MW-designed Scorpion delayed-detonation-rounds-sticky-bomb pistol from where it'd been kept, and laid it on the table.

...God, she wanted to just blurt it out...right here. It'd be so simple: Just stop what she was doing, turn around, face Scott, and just say the words: " By the way...Pathfinder...I've been harboring a serious crush on you. "

...What ?

Crush ? What are you, a High-school girl again ? Might as well be, with a goofy-ass line like that...!

Ugh...get real.

" Ok..."

"...Let's get you all opened and properly disassembled. I have plans for you.."

Ok...

...Cora had literally watched Scott begin to undo the retaining clasps on the M96, right as he said that, so there shouldn't have been any confusion- and , technically, there wasn't..

...But...

Good Lord, was it ever an eye-opener. A crystal-clear reminder...that she needed to get this off her ( ample ) chest yesterday. It was driving her crazy, like walking barefoot on asphalt that'd been baking under the summer sun of Eos ( Or Dubai ) for several hours. Something she couldn't put off for more than another full day/night cycle..

Even as experienced hands began to lift loose the housing covers for her pistol's main capacitors, so she could begin to replace them with some of those new Mk25 ones they'd secured by way of Reyes...the truth of the matter finally hit her like a round from a dreadnought mass accelerator cannon:

Just ...just go for it. Right here, right now, at this exact moment and place. To heck with any more delays, deliberations, excuses, or anything else she could think of that might delay her actually telling this man right here, just how much, how deeply and how sincerely she truly did-

" Would you marry me, Scott Ryder ?! "