The Firefly (Mass Effect Andromeda)

Chapter 33

"The Archon saw my memory flashes through what he injected into me?" Scott asked in concern, speaking to Suvi, his science officer.

"His device went deep." She replied in her lilting accent, "Our connections were wide open when...when SAM killed you."

"He'll know how much we need Meridian then. We have to warn the Nexus. We have to move."

"He doesn't have the location." Suvi pointed out.

"But he knows that we do. He knows that Olivia and I can use the map." Scott sighed, "We may have a little time."

They landed on the Nexus, Scott summoned immediately to a meeting. He could hear the others already arguing within Tann's office. "Ryder made a sentimental choice saving those Krogan." Tann's voice sounded unpleasant, "He looked at them and thought of you."

Kesh, the Nexus Superintendent bristled, "Ryder's his own person. Just admit you don't like Krogan."

Addison cleared her throat as he entered. "The Pathfinder..."

"It's true that I couldn't save all of the Salarians, Director Tann. I'm sorry about that."

He sighed. "It is good to see the Salarian Ark finally here at the Nexus."

Kandros, the leader of the militia on the Nexus turned to him, "I have to ask though, was it worth provoking the Archon like this?"

"He had a map with the location of Meridian. The center of the terraforming network is there. We have a short window to get there."

"So where is the location of this Meridian!"

"Olivia Taylor has it. Once she recovers from her injuries, we'll know everything we need to. The vault on Aya suggests that Meridian is the key to everything."

"And then what?" Kandros said. "The Kett will follow you there and destroy you. We're not equipped for a war."

"The Archon can do nothing without me or Olivia. We're the only ones who can activate it." He did his best to persuade them but the Nexus leaders wouldn't budge. They all but declared him a fool and said they couldn't support any plan to provoke the Kett further.

Scott ducked his head, angry and upset as another voice cut in. "I'll support Ryder." Captain Hayjer said, entering the officer.

"So will I." Said Asari pathfinder, Vederia.

"And I too." Avitus Rix, the turian pathfinder agreed.

"Ryder deserves a chance to try." Hayjer continued. Tann still stressed his own authority, and the four Pathfinders left the room together, seething.

As they stood, discussing together, an aide entered. "Apologies, Pathfinder, there was an urgent message for you. Your sister is awake."

"What?" Scott's face shone with hope and disbelief. Making his apologies, he fled for the cryobay.

He ran into the room, seeing the knowing smiles on staff member's faces as he passed by. Inside the cryobay, he spotted Harry first with his trusty holopad, and on the bed, sitting up, was Sara Ryder. Dressed in white, her dark hair in a messy ponytail, she beamed at the sight of him. "Scott!" She called out.

"Bring it here," He said, leaning over to hug her tightly. "Man, it's good to finally see you."

"It's good to see anything." Sara smiled wistfully, "I was starting to think I'd never wake up."

As Harry wandered off to give them some space, Scott took a seat beside her on the bed. "Well I sure missed having you around. We've hit a few rough patches along the way."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there when dad died." Sara's hands clenched and unclenched.

"There's nothing anyone could've done. I wasn't even sure I should tell you."

She glanced at him, "I'm glad you did. It gave it time to sink in. I'll miss him, but I also know he'd the first to tell us to get over it and get on with it." She added dryly.

"There's been plenty of that." Scott sighed.

"So I hear...Mr Pathfinder." Sara nudged him.

"Not by choice."

"Uh huh." Sarah raised her eyebrows. "Then I guess I'll overlook your little embellishment. You told me we found home. I know you meant well." She said to Scott's sheepish expression. "But no more lies, okay? I'm a big girl, I can handle it. From the sounds of it, you're going to need all the help you can get."

She rose to her feet, immediately swaying. Scott leapt up to steady her as Harry simultaneously lunged in. "Careful!"

"No way are you fit for duty miss." Harry told her sternly. "That stubborn skull of yours needs a chance to heal."

"Says who?" Sara said irritably, sitting back down.

"The Pathfinder, that's who." Scott said jokingly, "Time to rest up. That's an order, Specialist Ryder."

Sara yawned, swinging her legs up and lying down. "Yes sir." She said sarcastically.

"If you two want to catch up more, then that's fine, but no getting out of bed." Harry warned. "I need to go and check on Olivia."

"So, you're probably wondering about a lot of things." Scott started.

"Well I know that you're Pathfinder. Did they make you president of the universe yet, too?" Sara's customary sarcasm made him smile.

"Well the vote is tomorrow and I'm here to make sure all comatose patients have their say. Vote Ryder." He smirked.

"Hah-hah." She grinned. "What have you really been up to?"

"We found a terraforming network throughout the cluster. We're going to reactivate it at a place named Meridian. Oh and there's a race called the Kett that wants to turn us all into them and their leader wants to kill me."

"Uh right. Maybe my nap wasn't so bad." She grinned, "So has it been all work, you haven't had any fun?"

"Well I mean, we've seen some pretty extraordinary places." Scott smiled. "And my team are an interesting bunch."

"No girlfriends I'm going to have to meet?" Sara raised an eyebrow.

"No." He hesitated, "No, it's nothing."

"Little brother, are you blushing?" Sara mocked. "Come on then, who is she?"

"There's nothing going on." Scott felt his cheeks going warm. "I did meet someone but she and I both have enough issues of our own. And I have no idea if she had any kind of feelings for me. She's my friend."

"So you're not even going to give me a name?" Sara teased.

"Not at the moment." Scott smile faded as he thought of the state they'd found Olivia in. He wondered if she'd ever be the same, if you ever could be the same, after what she had been through.