The Firefly (Mass Effect Andromeda)

Chapter 24

"All I have is a navpoint." Olivia told her friends. She'd hugged Lyora and Nunok tightly after boarding the Tempest. Scott was busy holding a briefing of his own people separately to her on the Kett problem. How strange it had felt to walk by his side again. He'd kept glancing at her and she had kept pretending not to notice. Nina had given the frostiest reception imaginable. She'd been mad at Olivia for disappearing, but even madder at the person she knew had upset her sister when she'd been in the hospital.

Scott had been his usual charming self and had been wrong-footed by her hostility, which amused Olivia no end. "You were told to come alone too." Vee pointed out.

"That's not an option." Nina cut in. "This could be a trap."

"It probably is." Lyora agreed, "But regardless, it's a lead. We need to hire a vehicle, head out into the Badlands and check it out as soon as possible."

"You guys are going into the Badands?" Scott was lounging in the doorframe. "So are we. We could travel in convoy until we need to split up if you like. It's the safest choice." The others agreed. Olivia quietly wandered off, noting the curious eyes on her. Her feet padded up onto the bridge, greeting Kallo and Suvi.

"Whereabouts is Ryder heading?" She asked curiously.

Kallo tapped away, loading the Ryder's tipoff on the map. Olivia blinked, staring at it. It was the same as her own. She and Scott were both being lured the same place. It couldn't be a coincidence. That meant someone wanted both him and her. It didn't make sense. Unless they knew about her implant, and Scott's SAM, and wanted control of them both. It was the only explanation she could think of.

"You look like you've seen a ghost." Suvi joked. "Ah Ryder!" Scott strode onto the bridge, running his hands through his hair. "Taylor was just checking out our navpoint." He stopped, seeing her face. A frown crossed his face.

"We're going to the same damn place." She told him.

"You're joking."

"No." She shook her head, "This is a trap. Someone is luring us in. I'm guessing you were told to come alone too?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "This is crazy."

They drove out in convoy, just as Ryder had suggested. It was a structure near an acidic lake, large and on stilts, like many dwellings on this planet seemed to be. The two vehicles pulled up side by side. Ryder had Drack with him, as well as Cora and Liam. "What now then, boss?" Liam asked.

"Olivia and I go in." Scott said, "You guys wait out here. If you hear shots, come in."

"That is a stupid plan, kid." Drack drawled. "You both walk in there and get shot...what are we supposed to do then?"

"We're wearing armour, we have shields. They're not going to wipe us out in one hit."

"My sister isn't a soldier." Nina pointed out.

While they argued, Olivia was striding up the structure. She was halfway up the stairs before anyone noticed. Scott shot after her using his jump jets and that ended that. Helmets on, they glanced at one another and nodded, weapons drawn as they opened the door.

It was a large open space, large machines and generators humming. A figure appeared at the top of the central stairs. "I didn't expect you both to arrive at the same time! I bet you're wondering why I brought you both here!" A smug voice said.