A Hope Built on Vengeance
The turian VI in the newly opened cultural center said definitively, its holographic eyes staring at Sabinus Tannyx without truly focusing on him. It was very likely that this VI, standing in line with others representing the other species of the Milky Way, would be the very first impression that new aliens visiting the Nexus would be receiving of their new neighbours. While nothing it said wasn’t necessarily dishonest, the turian felt it was far too sanitized, it all was. The Citadel VI told a bold-faced lie about conflict being rare, and that everyone was peaceful by nature, and the krogan one failed to mention they were responsible for Tuchanka becoming a barely habitable hellhole and subsequently trying to invade the rest of the galaxy. It wasn’t that Sabinus was concerned about the krogan, or anyone, coming to Andromeda as a group, but with one uprising in less than a year and the krogan subsequently abandoning the Initiative, he doubted any angara visiting the station would buy what the VI were saying.
”I see your krogan VI, but why are they not on the station?” one will inevitably ask.
”Oh, that’s because our leadership betrayed their trust after setting them loose on a bunch of disgruntled and starving mutineers who ended up experiencing what it must have been like to fight during the krogan rebellions. It was a bloodbath!” the Cultural Center attendant would cheerfully explain, undoing what little trust the angarans would have of anyone of the Milky Way ever again.
Personally, Sabinus would have had the VIs explain the bad and good, whatever the visitors could have wondered about, no nonsense or sanitized garbage. Just honesty. How else were they going to earn the trust of the only group of people who weren’t actively trying to murder everyone in the initiative? It would go a long way in explaining why there was now a military encampment on Eos and why the Milky Way colonists all seemed to have guns permanently attached to their persons.
And now Sabinus had to go meet an angaran who was putting his life into the turian’s hands. No pressure.
A now familiar salarian approached, taking in the Cultural Center in much the same way Sabinus did, only with salarians it was hard to read expressions most of the time. He’d learned the hard way to never gamble against one.
“You know Tazen, I don’t see why we needed to leave the Milky Way after all. All of these friendly VIs assure me everyone here is a peaceful and thoughtful people who never once raised a voice in anger.” He greeted the salarian, smiling tersely at the turian VI, who was now droning on about Palaven as if he was still paying attention.
Tazen smiled at Sabinus, chuckling slightly at the Turian’s comment on the messages spouted by the VIs. “Indeed the Angara must think we are some madmen to have abandoned such a utopia, don't you think?” The Salarian commented, his eyes briefly darting towards the VI of his own species which was spouting the same sanitized message of his kind.
He let out a soft sigh, shaking his head slightly. Like Sabinius, Tazen didn't like the cultural center or, to be more precise, the sanitized message it spouted about the Galaxy. It all reminded him too much of the way Salarians, and indeed the Galaxy at large, conducted their politics, always behind a veneer of pleasantness, trying to hide the ugliness in the galaxy for one gain or another.
“Speaking honestly, I
despise this… all of this, Sabinius.” Narok said, motioning to the wider cultural center with his hand “When I joined the Initiative it was for a chance to build something new, something different from what we were leaving.” He spoke honestly, feeling that the Turian understood him to some extent “But instead we get here and the same mistakes repeat themselves.” The Salarian finished, his thoughts briefly turned towards Jien Garson and the original promise of the Initiative before he shook his head to dispel such thoughts.
Lingering on such things would do no one any good, especially not now that he, along with Sabinius, were in charge of two APEX fireteams. “But I believe that we've gathered today to discuss other things than our displeasure at this so called cultural center, didn't we?” Spoke Narok, motioning towards the exit of the cultural center and waiting for Sabinius to follow him before exiting the place. After all, they had to review the dossiers of the teams that would be assigned to them and then after that they had to meet the liaison from the Angaran Resistance.
“Oh, I don’t know if it’s all bad.” Sabinus mused.
“That krogan seems like the kind of guy I’d grab a drink with, although the human makes a strong case of why the Relay 314 Incident was necessary.” He said with a knowing wink. With a gesture, the two began to make their way to their liaison, who was probably wondering what he’d gotten himself into.
“I know this place is designed by people who probably never stepped foot outside of a university, but I’d argue it’s necessary, even if we don’t agree with the execution. It’s kind of like how you generally let your child splash in the shallow end of the pool before tossing them in the deep end to see if they learned anything. It probably can’t hurt that a lot of angarans are going to hear nothing but sunny things about all of us, but we have to start somewhere. Case in point, we’re both about to meet an angaran for the first time and hopefully make a fine impression that we’re not just more of the same as the Kett.” Sabinus said, pulling up a datapad as the automatic doors slid open to let them back into the commons.
“Noratus put together our dossiers for Fireteam Echo, so have you seen any of these candidates before?” Sabinus asked, opening up the first portrait.
Tazen couldn't help but chuckle slightly at Sabinius first comment, nodding in agreement as the two walked towards their Angaran liaison. On his second comment, however, the Salarian couldn't help but sigh a bit “Yeah, I know, I can understand the need for such a place, first impressions are important and all and yours is a sound argument but that doesn't means that I have to like it.” Said the Salarian “Though I guess it was naive of me to think that there wouldn't be need of such a place, one would think that after years of working at STG that sort of thing would have been long gone, huh?” He quipped, his eyes turning at the data pad that Sabinius had pulled. He shook his head slightly at Sabinius’s question “Apart from that little farewell party held in Luna? No, I haven't seen them before.” He said, looking as the portrait of one Clyfford Ward sprung to view.
“I do have read their dossiers however. For example, Clyfford Ward, the subject of our first dossier, served in the Alliance for a number of years, the file even says he took part of the retaliation at Torfan. Apart from that there isn't much to say, his dossier didn't go into all his time serving the Alliance after all, but it seems that he has a daughter in cryo on the Hyperion still, I expect that he’ll be a solid member of Echo in the fight against the Kett, he has something for which to fight and he obviously went through Torfan which was a bloodbath from what I know so I doubt he'll crack under the stress.” Tazen commented before the data pad shifted to the next portrait shortly after he was done speaking.
“You were a spook. I’m surprised you have faith in anything.” Sabinus grinned.
“Hopefully Ward doesn’t take issue with Sedgoroth. One of the few batarians on the Initiative, how’d that come to pass?”Tazen laughed at Sabinius’s comment, shaking his head “Surprising, isn't it? My clan had, more or less, the same reaction when I told them I was signing up for the Initiative.” He commented, his brows furrowing slight at the next comment made by the Turian. “Well, nothing in Ward’s dossier indicates anti-alien views, but on account of his participation in the Torfan retaliation there's no way to know how he'd react.” Mused the Salarian, hoping there wouldn't be any incident between Ward and Sedgoroh “As for how Sedgoroh came to be in the Initiative according to the grapevine, and some digging I did once we got here, Sedgoroh traded some intel he had about the Hegemony’s military with some Alliance rep, who in turn secured him a position on the Nexus as part of the original security detail under Kelly.” Commented Tazen “Apart from that there isn't much on his dossier, except that he worked for the Blue Suns for a while then as a freelance merc, so at the very least we know that he has experience under his belt. That and that he can work with other species, but his presence here should have been a giveaway about that.”
“Solid choice, although he has to be lonely being of of the only batarians out here. We’ll keep him busy.” Sabinus observed, going to the next name.
“Khoroushi, one of the more unorthodox choices. Noratus claims they worked together on a team a few years back… relatively speaking.” the turian corrected himself. It was hard to not think of 600 years ago being only last year.
“Scientist, medical professional. Specializes in cybernetics, survived the Skyllian Blitz and got a few extra pieces of her design shoved in her body to replace the old. She was apparently adamant about serving APEX instead of being one of the medical personnel; she became a PMC and spent time hunting down pirates and other outlaws, apparently she’s good at it. We also have…”He flipped to the next name on file.
“Mathews. She looks like a college dropout. Even Tanya doesn’t have hair that outlandish. Ah well, no accounting for taste, right? We aren’t technically military.” he skimmed over the notes.
“History of dealing with gangs, a specialist in robotics engineering and VIs, served in the Alliance as a tech specialist turned black ops goon, a lot of it off the books. She got forced to do some, ah, ‘deniable ops’ and got backstabbed by her crooked superior. Psyche profile suggests she’s carrying a lot of baggage from that and the loss of her partner, blames herself for things outside of her control. Probably best to keep her on the supportive end of things for the time being, see how she shakes out. A lot of talent in a fragile package. Next…” Sabinus carried on, clicking his tongue as he pulled up the next name.
“Another one of Noratus’ old contacts. Voltinis, sounds like he’s a marksman?” he asked Tazen.
“Yes, from what I gather of his dossier he was a recon sniper back during his time as part of the Hierarchy’s military. Apparently the battalion he was part of, the 132nd a according to my memory, worked near the edges of Terminus Space, so Volintis has some experience against pirates and slavers. While the Kett are none of these things I'm sure he'll be a solid choice for the team, not to mention that he also had experience as a merc as well if his time working with Noratus is any indication. Seems he also has some cartography skills which could come in handy on account of the fact that most of Heleus remains mostly unexplored, hopefully the Pathfinder will help in that regard as well.” Mused the Salarian as he asked Sabinius for the data pad, flipping it to the next name on the file
“Next comes Yanagita, apparently he was in the Alliance Engineer Corps. Surprisingly, like Ward, he was also at Torfan, hopefully he won't have problems with Sedgoroh but I'm hopeful, his file says that he has never expressed anti-alien views, but we’ll see what happens when the team gathers. Overall, I'd say he is a solid choice as well, he has combat experience both on account of Torfan and also for taking part during the battle for the Citadel, seems he was part of C-sec as well and helped with escorting refugees to the safe zones, so I'd say it's a safe wager to say he fought there as well.” Muttered Tazen before flipping over to the next name.
“Then there’s Naryxa, who, like many other Asari in the Republics, trained as a Huntress and served as a commando for a while before eventually winding up as a mercenary, though that's barely scratching the surface of what she has done, she got quite the array of experiences under her belt. Interestingly enough she was thawed out due to the fact that she was considered for a leadership position. Overall, I'd say she’ll be a fine addition to the team” Continued the Salarian “Next on the list comes another Asari, Ryria T’vessi, she is assigned as our combat medic, isn't she?”
“Another case of rather being out in the field than serving on the station. In this case, she has years of survival experience that the rest of us do not on some impressively inhospitable environments. She was brought up in the system as an orphan and dedicated most of her life after a brief military service to serving a humanitarian slash colonization organization called Texon. She’s had ample experience protecting the vulnerable against wildlife and hostiles, and needless to say, I think that’s what we’re going to need across the Habitats. Between our own outposts and the angaran settlements, it’ll be good to have someone with an experienced hand dealing with the unknown here.”Finally, the last name on the list came up. An all-too familiar crest and a face that took up most of the portrait dominated the pad.
“Bragus Kargad, our krogan. He didn’t leave with the rest of them because he has two asari daughters on the Nexus, and the way his psych profile speaks of him, he’s mentally conditioned himself to identity more as an asari than a krogan. It’s one of the most bizzare dossiers I’ve come across.” Sabinus admitted, scrolling down with interest.
“He’s biotic, and very religious. As far as I can tell, he throws himself into combat with the usual enthusiasm but he’s uniquely interested in the Initiative’s success thanks to fatherhood being what drives him. I’d think it’s safe to say he’s a stable asset, just one that might take some getting used to.”“Yes, I had read Kargad’s dossier, not many individuals integrate a culture that strongly, then again I suppose that in light of the lifespan of your average Krogan, if he had been exposed to Asari culture long enough it makes a certain sense that he'd incorporate it into his mindset.” Commented Tazen, nodding in agreement at Sabinius’s assessment of Kargad as part of Fireteam Echo. With the talk of the recruits at an end Tazen took a minute to appraise where they were in regards to their meeting point with their Angaran liaison “Seems we’re near the meeting point, and I'd wager that our liaison with the Angaran resistance is about to arrive as well.” Commented the Salarian, slightly hurrying his pace to make sure they'd be there on time.
All in all it didn't take them too long to reach the place where they were supposed to meet the Angaran liaison, a small office tucked in an area of the Commons that, until the foundation of Prodromos and the sudden surge of personnel being taken out of cryo, had been kept mostly closed off except for those in the maintenance teams of the Nexus. As such, there weren't many people loitering around the area except for those who were doing maintenance and what few people had been assigned housing in the area near the office itself. However, signs of it turning into what it was meant to be, a central social hub and the first place visitors to the station would visit, was starting to come into fruition. It had a view that was reminiscent of the sprawling views of the Presidum along its docking platforms, and the clean lines and interiors were now being sown with the decorative plants from hydroponics that had been brought along to bring some life to the place, and much needed oxygen, each plant bed featuring species from different homeworlds of the various aliens that had travelled across the Milky Way. It was a taste of home in a far off and strange land.
The office was little more than a meeting room that would one day be used as something that could be scheduled for business meetings or even for employees of companies that operated across the colonies and the Nexus itself, but for now it mostly served as a lunch room for the maintenance staff that was working non-stop since coming out of cryo. Displayed all over the walls were the same Andromeda Initiative interactive displays that were displayed outside of the cryo bays to welcome the new colonists to their new homes. Inside with a pitcher of water and a tray of snacks that were likely vetted as safe for angaran consumption was one of the angarans, the last name on their dossiers; Anjor de Sufva. This was the first time Sabinus had seen an angaran up close, and for the first time in his life, even more so than when he’d first seen humans in the flesh, did he have the sense of seeing an
alien. There was no history with the angara that he could draw on, no thousands of years of galactic civilization where one grew up seeing people of all sorts of different species come and go, but a bonafide enigma that he knew would be expected coming to Andromeda, but with absolutely no framework of what to expect.
A bulky framed alien with several rounded features, of which were accentuated with the armour, angarans were decidedly non-angular people. The headfolds were of particular interest, and it vaguely reminded the turian of a volus, if the volus were tall, powerful, and did not wear a pressure suit to survive outside of their limited methane environment. Anjor seemed as curious about the newcomers as he was to them, and Sabinus was not exactly sure how to make a positive first impression, so it was time to improvise.
”Anjor? I’m commander Sabinus Tannyx, and this is Narok Tazen. If you have five minutes to spare, be sure to ask him to tell you his full name.” the turian said, unsure of if a smile or grin would translate well. Did that mean something else entirely for angara? Would the pointed teeth and hard carapace look entirely predatory and terrifying to them?
Spirits, I should have brushed up on my notes… he thought, feeling promptly like a jackass.
Taking a seat across from Anjor, Sabinus sat with perfectly straight posture, as was customary of him. Good impressions were only something you could do once.
”We understand that you are a liaison for the angaran people, and as representatives of both APEX and the Nexus proper, we wish to thank you for extending a hand in trust and friendship towards us and the many people of the Milky Way who wish to call Andromeda home. We also understand that this cluster is also home to a group of interlopers who only wish your people harm, as well as our own. It is my hope that together, we will find a way for both of our people to prosper.”For an agonizingly long moment of time silence stretched through the small office. The faint sounds of a foot tapping against the floor pulsating outwards. All the while the angara just seemed to stare at the two strangers, taking them in, analyzing them, sizing them up. After what seemed like a lifetime, Anjor seemed satisfied with whatever he was looking for as a small smile broke across his face.
“They called me the representative of my entire people? Oh, well it seems I’m going to have to live up to such great expectations then yes?”Anjor leaned forward in his chair, resting his two large forearms atop the edge of the table as he looked between the Turian and the Salarian.
“Let me then be the first of my people, but hopefully not the last, to welcome you all to our galaxy. May we all find peace and understanding together.” Stopping abruptly, he leaned in closer, adding this time in a lower whisper.
“I’m supposed to add more here, our diplomats wrote out an entire speech for me to recite, but you’re busy people just like us I assume and busy people prefer business rather than pleasantries.”“So.”He pushed off the table back into a more neutral seated position, the smile never leaving his face.
“This APEX you speak of. What exactly do you all do?”Tazen listened in silence as Anjor spoke, leaning in closer when the Angaran did the same. “
Good, as soon as we can get to the important matters it'll be better for us all.” Thought the Salarian to himself, repositioning himself on his chair when Anjor pushed off the table back into a more neutral position. Placing his elbows on the table, Tazen crossed his fingers before he began speaking “The APEX teams are, for all intents and purpose, a militia that was formed in response to the unprovoked military actions of the Kett against teams dispatched from the Nexus and, more recently, Ark Hyperion.” Tazen spoke to Anjor.
“As such, the main objective of APEX consists of opposing the various interests of the Kett throughout the cluster.” The Salarian continued “In light of this, it seemed a wise decision to combine forces against the Kett, wouldn't you agree?” He spoke, shifting slightly in his seat “I understand this might come off as too sudden, but we have a common enemy poised against us.”
”Put simply, we did not come here as invaders or conquerors. However, if the Kett are looking for a fight, APEX is the instrument that will give them just that. I’m not going to pretend we’re a collection of perfect, enlightened species, Anjor, and I can appreciate how unsettling it might be after your people have gone for well over a lifetime of fighting for your survival against the Kett to suddenly have newcomers arrive with unknown intentions, but that is what this liaison program is for. You will have a chance to fight alongside us, and we will all learn about each others peoples as comrades in arms fighting against an enemy who cannot be reasoned with and threatens all of our lives. Each one of us in APEX has seen our share of combat, and we have a collection of species among us that have had long histories of animosity before finding common ground, but with that came experience. The Kett will regret the day, and pardon my language, they fucked with the wrong people.” Sabinus added, laying the intentions, and purpose, of the program bare.
Anjor listened in silence as the two begin to present their sales pitch. Idly, without his eyes ever dropping from them, his large hands took a small plastic cup that was already set out on the table and poured water into it. Casually he swished the liquid about in the cup’s base as his brow furrowed in thought. Finally he spoke.
“You know, there are some amongst my kind that would like to see you all dead along with the Kett. They fear that you will be just like them, that your APEX teams aren’t just here for peace, but to support your own colonial endeavors and conquests.” The seat creaking in protest against the combined weight of Anjor’s mass and the heft of his armor as he went shifted in his seat before continuing.
“There are others still that see only your weakness. That you can’t even keep those that serve amongst you from turning away from your cause. That despite your recent successes on Eos, that you are running desperately low on supplies as evident by the fact that you keep many of your people still in deep sleep. That you are running on borrowed time; that if my people and the Resistance divert any of our resources towards yours it would be a waste.” Anjor explained bluntly as he carefully brought the cup up to his mouth and took a drink.
“You insist your peaceful and friendly intentions, but so did the Kett intitally. If you prove to be as the Kett were, as these parties insist that you are, they will gain more popular support which will only fragment my people more and leave you without any allies to help in your battle. And if such a thing happens, the Kett will surely kill both my people and yours.” Anjor continued as he placed the now empty cup upon the table.
“Personally, I don’t believe such things, a sentiment that my higher ups thankfully will at least tolerate for the moment. I prefer to think that any foe of the Kett, can be a friend of mine. That is why I’m here talking to you, putting the honor of not just my own name, but my entire family on the line because I believe that we can help each other. I sincerely hope that I don’t regret it.” Anjor commented with something that could of been a sigh as clasped his hands together in a pensive grip.
“So that being said, let me established some rules no? First: I cannot share any confidential resistance information with you. Second: I cannot in good faith perform any duties and/or actions that would go against the will of my people. Third: I will be able to provide you with information on the various planets in the surrounding cluster, and ensure you have cooridal relations with all of my people that you may happen to meet. Fourth: I will be able to provide you with any and all information concerning the Kett and any other hostile forces you may encounter here. Are these terms agreeable to you?” Anjor gestured towards the two of them with a nod of his head.
Tazen listened in silence as Anjor spoke, bluntly stating the way that the Initiative -and its present situation- was seen amongst the different groups of Angara. “First of all, let me say that I appreciate your honesty and candor in explaining the situation to us.” Spoke the Salarian as he shifted on his seat slightly, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table once more “The rules that you propose seem, to me, entirely reasonable and I cannot fault you for them, and as such I agree with them.” Said Tazen, nodding in agreement “Along with this, let me propose something as well. Since you will be acting as liaison between the Angaran resistance and APEX I propose that, in the same way that you’ll be helping us in your capacity as liaison and part of our team, our APEX team, Fireteam Echo, will be ready to support the resistance if your superiors so desire.” He said, looking at Anjor as he continued to speaking “You said that the Kett tricked you with promises of friendly intentions and peace and I understand why this would leave such a mark on your people, especially if this was your first contact with another species, so let us prove our words with actions as well, what do you say?”
The Kett were once friendly before attacking? Interesting to know; bad for us. Sabinus thought, mulling over Anjor’s words. He was remarkably eloquent and seemingly sincere. The simple fact he was here despite having all the reason in the world to not trust the Initiative spoke volumes to his character. Sabinus was determined to earn that trust.
“Typically, establishing rules and conditions involves a few items that the other party wasn’t already decided on, so consider me adequately pleased.” Sabinus said after Tazen had concluded his own reply and affirmation of Anjor’s rules.
“Much like how we have classified intelligence on the Initiative, we would expect no less of your Resistance. The decisions to open up and share certain secrets or operational security will lie entirely among those who are higher up the chain of command. For instance, I would not expect you to disclose supply caches any more than I would tell you where the Nexus’ life support systems are.” he opened a pair of overturned hands to the angara, as if to communicate that there were no hidden intentions.
“Likewise, we were hoping that you would act as something of a guide, an expert on the conditions of the planets we will be visiting, the hazards, what’s safe to eat, what local customs we should observe when encountering angara. What information we can share about ourselves and our people, we will do so. I also wish to assure you that I will make the effort to facilitate you making contact with your superiors in the Resistance. I would like for you to have the ability to report in and relay both concerns and praise you might have, unfiltered honesty, as it were.” Sabinus concluded, his disposition softening to something a bit more amused.
Jutting a thumb behind him, towards the Cultural Center, he said,
“I’m certain if there’s one thing that should help alleviate our presence being reminiscent of the Kett, it’s that I am entirely convinced the Kett did not spend a ridiculous amount of valuable credits, space, and resources on our charming cultural center, which I honestly feel gives us all entirely too much credit. Instead of try to conceal our intentions through secrecy and emotionless trading, we’ve made a spectacle of being so concerned about offending alien visitors such as yourself that it’s almost like talking down to them. I love it, truly. Give it a few years and it’ll probably have a gift shop where you can buy krogan plush toys and commemorative dishware featuring asari exotic dancers.” Anjor nodded his head in approval as they spoke, a sense of palatable relief spreading across his face as they agreed to his terms. On the mention of gift shops though, a low chuckle began to vibrate from somewhere within the Angara’s chest, expanding outward as it got louder until it seemed to fill the entire room. Anjor’s hands came hard down hard on the table, open palms spread out against the cold metal, as he leaned in again, deeper this time so that his face was mere inches away from Tazen’s. The same smile from earlier rested against his face as he looked between the two.
”What do I say? I say that I like you both, definitely not vehshaanan. If all your people are like you; then Angara and Vesoan from Jarevaon Imasaf will have no trouble getting along.” ”And.” Anjor added with a low whisper and what could only be described as a wink.
“While your govataan does seem a strange project for ones so early in their putting down of roots. If such a ‘gift shop’ does open up, be sure to tell me. My nieces and nephews would adore such krogan plush toys.The Angara chuckled again as he pulled away and slowly stood up from his seat. Nodding his head as he looked between them before extended his own hand.
”Shall we shake then? On peace, cooperation, the death of many Kett, and plush toys.”Also finding himself standing, Sabinus took Anjor’s hand with a firm, but not crushing, handshake. He was surprised that a handshake was a gesture that crossed galaxies.
”You’re going to have to write down what some of those terms mean at some
point. I’d hate to cause a diplomatic crisis in the event I mistook the term for peace offering for wanting to kiss your sister. Turns out the universal translators might need some updating.” He smiled, breaking the handshake and putting both of his hands behind his back, posture military and proper.
”I think we’re all going to get along just fine, and I promise that I will look into seeing if I can’t pull a few strings for your nieces and nephews. We turians do love being public servants, after all.” A chuckle escaped his throat, his eyes glancing up at the digital clock display that was rigged up above the door frame.
”Speaking of gifts, we should probably make our way to the armoury and see what we can dig up for equipment for you. As a turian, I’ve always felt you can learn a lot about a people by the weapons their culture produce. It will be a fun exchange, I think. I’m interested in how angaran arms compare to our own, and each of the Nexus species have different design philosophies that might resonate with you.”Tazen inwardly breathed a sigh of relief at the positive conclusion of the negotiations, he had never been one too diplomatically gifted so he was glad for both Sabinius’s presence during the talks and for the positive note in which they had ended. After Sabinius was done, Tazen mimicked the actions of his Turian comrade and gave Anjor a handshake as well before adoption a more proper posture as well. He couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the Turian’s comment, shaking his head slightly as a smile formed on his lips.
Upon Sabinius’s comment of making their way towards the armory, Tazen made his way towards the door that led out of the office motioning for the Angaran and Turian to follow him “Right this way, let me show you the way to the armoury.” Said the Salarian, waiting for both Sabinius and Anjor to follow him before he made his way past through the crowds that were slowly but steadily growing in size and number as time went by and more people were thawed out of cryo. Eventually they were forced to take a tram that took them near one of the docking areas, where the armoury itself waited for them.
Prodromos, Eos, the next day…It was hard to believe it was the same planet.
The Kodiak shuttle had descended into the planet’s atmosphere, once an irradiated hazy yellow and now a clear, vibrant blue, and Sabinus still didn’t understand how a machine could have terraformed the planet so quickl7y. While scientists still said there were heavy radiation pockets across the world, for the most part, one could survive on the surface of Eos without the requirement of specialized life support technology. One of the promised Golden Worlds actually delivered, and somehow the human Pathfinder, Sara Ryder, single-handedly saved the entire Initiative. As unwavering in hope and prosperity as Sabinus remained, he had to admit things were started to look bleak before Hyperion arrived and for the first time in over a year, things finally looked like there was a chance to give everyone the home they were promised six centuries ago.
Eos was a barren, desert world with some sparse, hardy vegetation, some nasty oversized insects that were unbelievably aggressive, and some rather incredible vistas that were like an oversized badlands. Skyscraper sized hoodoos dominated the landscape, and although dust storms whipped up from time to time, it was actually somewhere someone could settle down without much effort.
The Kodiak finally cleared the ridge and down in the valley below was Prodromos, the first Outpost the Initiative could consider a success. Several hardy prefabricated buildings had been erected by an impressive run of shuttles and cargo haulers, putting together a habitat that could be lived in and relatively comfortable in a bit over a day; by the end of the week it was a well-fortified military outpost with auto turrets, barracks, and extensive training infrastructure for the APEX teams that were now stationed there. It was a toss-up between making a military and science outpost, but Sabinus thought Ryder made the right call; it’s better to have an aggressive image to the angarans than it was to have the Kett wiped out this outpost, just like the previous two attempts that had ended in massacres. This time the Initiative was ready, and they were all too eager to get back at the Kett.
Touching down, Sabinus, Tazen, and Anjor stepped out with a number of other passengers that were arriving in the outpost. A navpoint blinked on the omnitool map Sabinus had pulled up where his team, Fireteam Echo, would be waiting.
”Let’s go meet the crew, shall we?” he asked his two companions, and the trio made their way over to one of the barracks, a re-purposed prefabricated shelter that featured a large sunroof and bay window in he common area. It housed 20 cotts and had a privacy curtain between the male and female ends as well as a sanitation node coming off of it at a perpendicular angle near the center. Each cott had a foot locker and a small desk with a terminal, as well as a larger vid screen and several pieces of furniture such as chairs, a large sectional couch, a games table and an extended weapons and armour rack, each would have the current occupants’ name displayed via holo display.
Sabinus cued up the names of Fireteam Echo on his omnitool, sending a message,
FORM UP OUTSIDE: 10 MINUTES”I wonder how awake they are?” the turian pondered, wearing his green-black Mantis armour and his weaponry mounted to his frame like they were old friends.
”So, Anjor, tell me your thoughts. This must be somewhat exciting for you?” he asked, arms crossed as he studied the barracks from afar.
The only response that Sabinus received was a small
hmm from Anjor as he looked up at the wide expanse of blue splayed out above him. For his part the Angara was dressed in the same battleworn ranger armor that he had worn yesterday that he had met Sabinus and Tazen in yesterday. Though the observant eye would’ve of noticed the distinctly human-influenced design and shape of the new weapon that was strapped to his back, the bulky and unassuming silhouette of an M-96 Mattock. Whatever he was looking for in the sky, he didn’t seem to find it as he turned back to Sabinus.
”Honestly? It feels the same. Same as whenever I met the new recruits by myself for the Resistance. Same dull but unavoidable sense of nervousness. Same voice in the back of my head telling me that it is going to be fine. Feels familiar that way. Don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing really... have to get back to you on it.” Anjor explained with a shrug and an easy grin.
He turned his attention towards Tazen.
’How about you Mister Tazen. Out of the two of you, you seem more like the ones I’m used to receiving orders from; the type that will tell it to you straight, no matter the odds. The Heleus Cluster isn’t forgiving when you make mistakes. You think your people are up to the task?”“It will be difficult, I won't lie.” Said Tazen, letting his eyes wander briefly over what he could see of Prodromos “But we will raise to the task, I have absolute certainty of that. We didn't travel through dark space in a voyage of 600 years to fail now.” He said, turning to look at Anjor with a confident look “I, speaking for myself, know that I won't give up, not now or ever. It's the least I can do, that we can do, for those of us who still wait in cryo sleep, for those who died due to the scourge, and for your people as well Anjor.” He said, chuckling nervously after a second once he was done talking. “My apologies, not sure where that came from, but to reiterate what I said first, it will be difficult but we will raise up to the task.”
“If it puts your mind at ease,” Sabinus added, looking over to the angaran,
“Everyone on APEX has been vetted and has experience in armed conflict and survival scenarios. Unlike in the situation your people have endured, we’re pulling our personnel from volunteers who happened to be veterans. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at their individual capabilities. The real question is how well a group pulled from different doctrines and specialties mesh. And here they come now.” 
Auz
Spoopy Scary
Baklava
Silverwind Blade