The Firefly (Mass Effect Andromeda)

Chapter 50

           

Hey Readers! I'm thinking of starting to wrap this book up and I don't want to go down the Meridian route in the same way that the game does. Maybe if I ever write a sequel I might have them finally reach Meridian but for now, I'll leave things kind of open after one more adventure.

Kendra knew William Spender from their first arrival in Andromeda. He was handsome, ambitious, ruthless, the Deputy Director of Colonial Affairs beneath Foster Addison. Addison had had him awoken during those first days during the crisis when they'd struck the Scourge, when Sloane Kelly had been Security Director and not a pirate and they'd been holding out hope for Jien Garson's survival.

She'd been woken in those early days herself to serve as part of the medical personnel. Dr Gaari, Dr Calon and the others of the Science team had worked night and day to save lives, to make the Nexus habitable.

There'd been mutiny in the end, and she had used to it to her advantage for supplies for her own pursuits of power, only to be spotted and exiled. Gaari had always been sneaky.

It hasn't fazed her. She'd found greater time for her own projects cut loose from the Nexus. And despite some setbacks, she'd made more money than anyone could have guessed. She had contacts everywhere. Spender was going to be the latest.

He was a nasty piece of work. The Krogan detested him and with good reason. He'd stabbed them in the back after their work during the mutiny, promising Nakmor Morda, their leader, a council position and then reneging. He'd played both sides throughout the mutiny and was still working with rebels even now.

From her new camp in the ruins with supplies salvaged from old Nexus research stations, she'd reconnected with some of her informants and had enough evidence on Spender to have him imprisoned or exiled if she so wished.

He was close enough to the top to help her.

And so she called him.

"Spender, how can I help?" He said, not even looking at the screen. His dark hair was immaculately groomed, and his fingers flicked through a report on a datapad.

"It's been a while, William." Kendra said briskly.

To her pleasure, she saw shock cross his face that he covered up quickly. "Dr Croasdale." He blinked, composing himself. "I never expected to see you again. Frankly, the Nexus leadership thinks you long gone."

"I'm afraid the Pathfinder's imprisonment of me was not as thorough as he'd hoped." She said smoothly. "Instead, he just handed me a powerful resource."

"A resource?" She had him piqued. Always so quick to play both sides. It made her want to laugh. Perhaps she wouldn't even have to use her leverage.

"Almost infinite power, and resources. Healing capabilities beyond our own doctors, strong enough to preserve life longer, weaponry unlike any I've seen and much more." She paused, letting her words sink in.

"So what do you need from me?" Spender finally said.

"Preferably Olivia Taylor, but Sara Ryder would do." Kendra smiled. "She's not as reliant on her implant as her brother for survival, and I'm confident I could make her abilities work in this new...habitat."

"Taylor's not here." Spender replied. "She's meeting some Angaran diplomats on Aya. Won't be back for at least a couple of weeks. Ryder is here though. Her brother is on Kadara."

"Then she will have to do." Kendra said sweetly.

"What do you expect me to do?" Spender said irritably. "And why should I? If the Pathfinder's sister goes missing he'll move heaven and earth to find her. Besides that damnable AI is watching her every move. The Pathfinder would know immediately if something happened. I'd be caught instantly."

"I expect you to deliver her to me. Otherwise, I will send the location of Meridian to the Archon and then collect one of the three people I could use from the ashes of your petty civilisation." She smiled at the horror on his face. "And as a little extra incentive, I have evidence of all your dealings during the uprising, and could just release them to the Pathfinder."

"No need to be hasty." He scowled. "I'm sure we can come up with something."

****

The plan was not simple. Spender had to somehow singlehandedly take down Specialist Ryder and disable her SAM implant. All without being seen. And her implant had to be disabled before the AI could alert anyone.

Dr Croasdale had something that she seemed sure could block it. She didn't want Ryder's implant ruined, only temporarily disabled.

So it had to be a convoluted plan that may or may not work. He didn't want to get his hands dirty, but if he didn't Kendra would share things he didn't want sharing. He wandered through the Nexus offices, putting his hand on the shoulder of a nervous young aide. "Jenkins," He said quietly. "I need a quiet word."

He'd used Jenkins a few times for discreet, illicit operations. The young man was a gifted hacker.

"I need to get into an email account. Security reasons. I need to check something."

"Of course sir." Jenkins said, face carefully blank. "Whose account?"

"Dr Lyora Gaari."

Jenkins worked quickly, efficiently, accessing Gaari's emails before Spender had time to make a drink. The young man rose from the chair. "Call me back to close it all down when you're done, sir."

Spender nodded, briskly composing a new message, inviting Sara Ryder to the rally scheduled in the docks that afternoon, saying that she had something important to say.

'Don't call me. It's important news about Olivia. I need to tell you in person but we need to meet covertly. Come to the rally this afternoon, I'll message you. It's dangerous so I'll use an unknown number.'

Now he just needed her to take the bait.

It was a tense few hours while the crowds gathered for the rally. Tann had organised it as a support rally for the Nexus, as a big event for people to come together. There were speeches and presentations going on, games for the children. Spender had had a big hand in pulling it all together. He was expected on the stage soon enough.

It seemed to be going well, people of all races mingling and laughing. There was a band playing on the stage, and a live singer. He almost wanted to enjoy, to stand soak in the happiness. It was a sight to behold after all the madness of their arrival and missing Arks. Yet he couldn't stop, not even for a moment. Not until Kendra had what she wanted.

But there was Sara Ryder. She had come. He watched her, on the edge of the crowd, watching with tight, cautious eyes. He sent the first message.

'Get past the stage if you can. I'm in the cabin on docking bay 12.' He had already disabled the cameras all around the area.

Sara hurried towards the cabin, pushing her way through the crowds, who hampered her progress. Spender followed her, knowing that he was invisible in the crowd.

She left the cabin door open. He heard her voice, "Ly?" Her hand was twitching on the gun at her belt. She wasn't an idiot, she knew that something was off about the whole situation. He would have to be quick.

Spender raised the dart gun. Kendra had sent it. He didn't know how she had this much power. She should be broken, defeated, and yet the insidious woman just kept on returning with a new plan.

"Aim it at the back of her neck, just at the base of the skull. And for goodness sake, do not screw this up or I will end you." He heard Kendra's voice in his head.

He pulled the trigger. His aim, thankfully at such short range, was true. The dart took her in the back of neck. He saw the look of her surprise as she tried to turn and then jerked as if electrocuted. Her whole body trembled like a leaf before she hit the floor.

This was the crucial moment. It was a good job she didn't weigh much. He hoisted Sara Ryder into his arms, staggering a little under the weight. He carried her from the cabin into the waiting shuttle. He didn't see who was inside it. It was better not to look and just let it go.