The Firefly (Mass Effect Andromeda)

Chapter 9

Prodromos was the Initiative's first successful outpost on Habitat 1, otherwise known as Eos. Ryder had done a good job, improving conditions on the planet significantly by activating a remnant vault, allowing the toxic radiation to disappear. Two previous efforts to settle the planet failed due to the harsh environment and hostile presence of Kett and Nexus exiles. The outpost was constructed in Fairwind Basin, and run by Mayor August Bradley as a primarily scientific outpost.

Olivia had arrived in the Pytheas system with some trepidation. On the one hand, she was excited to have left the Nexus and be able to set her feet on alien soil, also escaping her mother. On the other hand, she knew the outpost was dangerous, and her friend's colleague had disappeared for a reason.

The planet had been named by Jien Garson herself after the Goddess of the Dawn and had been intended to be the first habitat in their fresh start in Andromeda. It was a desert world, rich in natural resources now that the radioactive storms no longer plagued it. When the Nexus had first tried to settle it, high velocity winds damaged shuttles and equipment, and two attempts to colonise ended in disastrous loss of life.

Ryder's interaction with the vault changed everything. The radioactive fallout from the Scourge was being stripped away, and the temperature change was allowing moisture to rise and the winds to drop.

Olivia thought it was beautiful. Prodromos surrounded a crystalline lake. There were already eight large buildings, some single-floor, others multiple and four shuttle landing pads. Most of the buildings had water-silos. One building was devoted to research and development, another for trade, and one of Ryder's carefully positioned forward stations on the north-eastern side. North of the lake was a dedicated landing space for the Tempest, Ryder's ship.

She'd been there for a few weeks by that point, enjoying the sunshine, meeting the residents and filming. It had been intense, and some people still rolled their eyes if they saw her coming with her camera but in general she had produced some good footage for HNS.

Meanwhile, she had begun her investigation into Pavara, and the mysterious project. Asking about her on Prodromos had produced a few blank looks but the woman in charge of trade had recognised the description of her, "You mean the Asari? She's only been here the once. Very cagey. We think she must be an exile though she claims to be Nexus. She certainly had credits for a lot of supplies."

"What did she buy?"

"Mainly food, some power converters, the usual essentials really. But enough for a lot of people."

"When was this?"

"About two weeks ago. She loaded up her vehicle and left."

"Did anyone follow her?"

"How should I know?" She shrugged, a little belligerently. "She took the road north out of town."

That was the last she had heard of Pavara. She wanted to head north herself, to try and pick up the trail but had been blocked by August Bradley, the Mayor. It was too dangerous, he claimed. She had no training, no vehicle, and he couldn't spare the men for a joyride. She couldn't tell him what she was really looking for after all. She was almost ready to give up and return to the Nexus when Ryder arrived.

"Did you know the Pathfinder is here?" Faith, one of the Initiative scientists called over to her.

"The Pathfinder?" Olivia smiled, hurrying to the window. Across the shining buildings of the settlement, she saw the vast sleek shape of the ship that had landed, the word Tempest emblazoned across it. "What's Ryder doing here?"