MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA: 'Someone to Believe You'
Title: Someone to Believe You
Pairing: Pathfinder Sara Ryder/Reyes Vidal
Wordcount: 2,185
Rating: R
Summary: Reyes visits the Nexus incognito.
Warnings: Sensuality and swearing.
Obtaining the garb of an Initiative maintenance technician was cake, seeing as Reyes knew right where they were stored. When the package containing one in his size arrived, he finished last-minute preparations and made the jump toward the Zheng He system and the Nexus. The shuttle he used was something he'd swapped for at the beginning stages of planning this venture. It was amazing how many things under Initiative control could just go unaccounted for. Flying it was second nature, and after landing within the familiar space of the shuttle bay, already in costume, he was able to enter the station without being questioned.
He had people on the Nexus, but the time had seemed right to do some poking around for himself. His interests had spread beyond his little corner of Kadara, and it had become imperative that he learn everything the Initiative had on him, the Collective, and the Charlatan. He could also admit to a growing sense of curiosity. How did it all look now, months after the uprising, when the Initiative was finally starting to gain momentum, with viable outposts, multiple Pathfinders, and diplomatic relations, though still in their infancy, with a native populace?
The moment he left the docking bay, the changes the station had undergone in his absence became glaringly apparent. He took in as much as he could without being obvious about it, the overabundance of plants growing on virtually every available surface, the open and well lit areas, most of which hadn't even been powered up before, as well as all of the people, walking every which way, a veritable melting pot of various Milky Way species and more than a few angara. There were entire new sections that hadn't been accessible when he'd last been there that were open for exploration, and he found himself tempted to do just that. The Nexus was striking and widespread now, it felt like a real home, vibrant and alive, a hub worthy of the Initiative's dream endeavor. It wasn't the first time that Reyes found himself wondering how different everything would have been if the Arks had arrived back when they were supposed to.
He made his way unerringly toward operations, doing his best to blend in, tipping his head so the maintenance helmet he wore shaded his eyes from view. His chosen destination was probably the most dangerous place for him to risk being recognized, since it was the central location for both the militia and Nexus leadership, but it was also where he knew he could access a main terminal, which was all he needed to get what he required. Approaching one of the access points in a practically deserted cubicle-lined area, he connected via his omni-tool and went to work using the program he'd installed to download the information that came back flagged when he ran a search. He quickly copied all relevant files, knowing the best course of action was to take the information with him, so he could peruse it at his leisure in a safe place. It may also require additional time to decipher, as he had no way of knowing what level of decryption he was dealing with, but finding somebody that was familiar with it later wouldn't be a problem.
Bingo. Retrieving the last of the files the program had deemed relevant, he logged off of the terminal and walked back to the tram. He stepped on and noticed some of the new destination options. The human Ark had been integrated into the station's systems. Unable to help himself, Reyes selected the Hyperion's habitation deck.
When it stopped, he stepped off the tram, noting that the Ark's design seamlessly replicated that of the station, with the same wall paneling and floors, the décor adding to the incorporation of the Nexus and its overall aesthetic. He was in all new territory, in space he really had no business occupying. There was a time when he'd been convinced he'd never get to see an Ark, and the memory of those feelings was nearly overwhelming as he stood there, now.
The ship was animated with numerous human workers busy at various tasks. He recognized a few as Nexus staff, so it appeared that full integration had become more than just a far-flung vision.
Recalling the specifications from reports he'd been given, he entered a hall along the right side of the main atrium, noting an armed guard stationed outside a room down at the end. A door slid open at his approach, revealing a dark cool interior, and what could only be SAM's central processor situated inside.
What an unexpectedly fortuitous opportunity, he thought with a smile, as if coming here to find SAM hadn't been part of the plan all along.
Cables intersected in a massive bundle that almost resembled a drive core, with a holographic representation at its base.
"Mr. Vidal, Initiative files indicate that you lack the required access to be here or on the station."
"Yes, SAM, that's true. But I wanted to come by for a visit, even so."
He'd gathered enough information on SAM, from before he'd even met Sara, to know what he was dealing with was a technological marvel, a supercomputer, but also a living, growing lifeform. He opted for a direct approach. "Could you tell me what kind of information the Initiative has on me?"
"A lot of those files aren't accessible to me or the Pathfinder team, but I will tell you what I can."
Bien, Reyes thought, not even sure why he'd expected resistance when SAM had never been anything but helpful.
The mechanized voice continued, "Information on you and your participation in the Andromeda Initiative has been purged following your designation as a Nexus exile. However, while you are logged as not belonging to either outlaw faction on Kadara, there is mention that you work as an agent for the angaran Resistance."
Reyes took a moment to let that sink in. It seemed that either the people up high didn't know a whole lot, or they wanted Sara to think that they didn't.
"Thank you." He hesitated before continuing this particular line of questioning. He had things that he wanted to know, but an awareness that SAM's loyalty to Sara would be absolute, for which he was grateful. Said loyalty would also make his next inquiry an iffy one, however. "Can I ask you some questions about Sara?"
"You can ask what you wish, but I will not betray her trust," SAM said, flatly.
"Neither will I," Reyes shot back. He took a breath, trying to calm his prickly temper on the subject of betrayal and Sara and what everyone expected from him. "Can you tell me if Sara has given Initiative leadership information about me?"
"You are wondering about the Pathfinder, and her reports regarding the Charlatan." SAM ascertained.
"Yes. And?"
There was a slight hesitation before the artificial intelligence spoke. "Sara has not been forthcoming with data about you, professional, or otherwise. There are many who believe you are romantically linked with the Pathfinder simply so you can use her to further your ambitions. I cannot speak about her feelings for you, those are private, and I experience them as she does, but I will say that she believes all the warnings she receives against you are unnecessary and will prove, over time, to be entirely erroneous."
Reyes took another breath in an effort to loosen the tightness that had entered his chest. "Very well, then, have they actually asked her for information about me?"
"No, they have not. I believe they know better," SAM replied.
"Thank you, again."
It was time to go. Turning on his heel, Reyes left the room and entered the hallway.
He ran straight into Sara.
And here he'd thought he'd planned for any eventuality. He was startled to the point where he did nothing, his thoughts tied up with trying to process her presence, leaving him unable to muster any kind of physical reaction.
She grabbed ahold of his upper arm, leading him down to the end of the hall, past the guard, who greeted them with a brief, "Hello, ma'am," before taking him into the private quarters located behind the doors that had looked very important when Reyes noted them earlier. Somebody needed to tell the armed sentry that his attendance merely added an enticing curiosity to what lay within the room behind him, rather than acting as any kind of deterrent.
The doors sealed shut behind them, and Sara rounded on him immediately.
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Sara, such language," he teased, but she was having none of it. She looked angrier than he'd seen her, ever, and that included directly following his big reveal, her deep, expressive eyes flashing with emotion. "A better question would be how it is you've come to be here exactly when I am."
"We were close. SAM pinged me as soon as he noticed your arrival. And you're dodging my question."
"I just came here to get a look at what the Initiative has on me. It may determine how I proceed going forward."
Her brows cleared as she looked up at him. "You mean, going forward with patching things up between the Nexus and Kadara."
"Yes."
"From where?"
"I got what I needed in operations."
"Don't they monitor those areas?"
"They should, but Nexus security has its hands full. Even if they end up with footage of me, what are they going to see? A handful of grainy minutes featuring a tech walking around, fiddling on his omni-tool?"
"With facial scans, they could pull an ID off just your chin."
"I'll be long gone by then. And I'm hoping that the next time I come here, it'll be completely legal and above board. A lot of people who got thrown off the station or left during the chaos deserve a chance to come back. Mistakes were made on both sides, but we need to mend the rift."
"Yeah, well, that doesn't explain why you're on the Ark bothering SAM. He told me you were here. What, you just couldn't stand not sticking your nose into my business? If you hadn't come and questioned him, I probably never would have known you'd been here."
He laughed, knowing she was irritated but wholly confident in his ability to talk her out of it. "I was only curious. I've never seen any of this before, and I was thinking only of you."
She sighed, but her posture had relaxed at his explanation. "Talk is cheap, Vidal."
"Then let me show you," he said, pulling her against him. "What is this room? It's got a bed that's just aching to be messed up."
She shook her head at him, laughing despite the fierce expression she was striving to maintain. "Reyes! Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be here?"
She was worried about him. The realization of that grabbed hold of him and sent a thrill up his spine. Leaning down, he brushed her lips with a kiss. She was exciting and soft, and employing gentle pressure, he coaxed her mouth open, and sought her tongue with his. His hands slid around her waist, moving her into the hardness that had sprung up in his maintenance uniform trousers. She was delightfully responsive, as always, and he drank from her mouth, groaning into her as he explored her, licking and tasting her as he tried to lay claim to her honeyed sweetness.
She pulled back, furiously shaking her head at him. Then a smile swept over her features. Laughing, her gaze moved over him from head to toe. "You look absolutely adorable in that, by the way. Or ridiculous. I can't decide."
He grinned at her, leaning down to retake her lips.
She pushed away, turning her head so he couldn't reach his goal. "I'm being serious, though, you shouldn't be here. Please, go. I'll come see you, I'll leave and we'll go to Kadara and I'll find you at Tartarus. Just, leave, please."
He sighed, seeing the wisdom of a hasty departure, but not necessarily feeling overly agreeable about it. Like it or not, it was time he made his way back to the shuttle.
"I've just got to drop by and speak with Tann and I'll be out of here, too. Want to come with and say 'hi'?"
He chuckled, "I'll pass." He gave her small hands a squeeze. "Come see me soon. Don't make me wait too long. I want to do something nice for you, we should have dinner, go dancing."
She smiled. "Sounds like a plan." She paused, then looked in the direction of the doors. "I'd walk you to your transport, but I'd only draw attention to you."
He nodded in agreement.
"Goodbye, Reyes."
"Goodbye, Sara." Brushing a thumb over her lips, he turned and took his leave.
Pairing: Pathfinder Sara Ryder/Reyes Vidal
Wordcount: 2,185
Rating: R
Summary: Reyes visits the Nexus incognito.
Warnings: Sensuality and swearing.
Obtaining the garb of an Initiative maintenance technician was cake, seeing as Reyes knew right where they were stored. When the package containing one in his size arrived, he finished last-minute preparations and made the jump toward the Zheng He system and the Nexus. The shuttle he used was something he'd swapped for at the beginning stages of planning this venture. It was amazing how many things under Initiative control could just go unaccounted for. Flying it was second nature, and after landing within the familiar space of the shuttle bay, already in costume, he was able to enter the station without being questioned.
He had people on the Nexus, but the time had seemed right to do some poking around for himself. His interests had spread beyond his little corner of Kadara, and it had become imperative that he learn everything the Initiative had on him, the Collective, and the Charlatan. He could also admit to a growing sense of curiosity. How did it all look now, months after the uprising, when the Initiative was finally starting to gain momentum, with viable outposts, multiple Pathfinders, and diplomatic relations, though still in their infancy, with a native populace?
The moment he left the docking bay, the changes the station had undergone in his absence became glaringly apparent. He took in as much as he could without being obvious about it, the overabundance of plants growing on virtually every available surface, the open and well lit areas, most of which hadn't even been powered up before, as well as all of the people, walking every which way, a veritable melting pot of various Milky Way species and more than a few angara. There were entire new sections that hadn't been accessible when he'd last been there that were open for exploration, and he found himself tempted to do just that. The Nexus was striking and widespread now, it felt like a real home, vibrant and alive, a hub worthy of the Initiative's dream endeavor. It wasn't the first time that Reyes found himself wondering how different everything would have been if the Arks had arrived back when they were supposed to.
He made his way unerringly toward operations, doing his best to blend in, tipping his head so the maintenance helmet he wore shaded his eyes from view. His chosen destination was probably the most dangerous place for him to risk being recognized, since it was the central location for both the militia and Nexus leadership, but it was also where he knew he could access a main terminal, which was all he needed to get what he required. Approaching one of the access points in a practically deserted cubicle-lined area, he connected via his omni-tool and went to work using the program he'd installed to download the information that came back flagged when he ran a search. He quickly copied all relevant files, knowing the best course of action was to take the information with him, so he could peruse it at his leisure in a safe place. It may also require additional time to decipher, as he had no way of knowing what level of decryption he was dealing with, but finding somebody that was familiar with it later wouldn't be a problem.
Bingo. Retrieving the last of the files the program had deemed relevant, he logged off of the terminal and walked back to the tram. He stepped on and noticed some of the new destination options. The human Ark had been integrated into the station's systems. Unable to help himself, Reyes selected the Hyperion's habitation deck.
When it stopped, he stepped off the tram, noting that the Ark's design seamlessly replicated that of the station, with the same wall paneling and floors, the décor adding to the incorporation of the Nexus and its overall aesthetic. He was in all new territory, in space he really had no business occupying. There was a time when he'd been convinced he'd never get to see an Ark, and the memory of those feelings was nearly overwhelming as he stood there, now.
The ship was animated with numerous human workers busy at various tasks. He recognized a few as Nexus staff, so it appeared that full integration had become more than just a far-flung vision.
Recalling the specifications from reports he'd been given, he entered a hall along the right side of the main atrium, noting an armed guard stationed outside a room down at the end. A door slid open at his approach, revealing a dark cool interior, and what could only be SAM's central processor situated inside.
What an unexpectedly fortuitous opportunity, he thought with a smile, as if coming here to find SAM hadn't been part of the plan all along.
Cables intersected in a massive bundle that almost resembled a drive core, with a holographic representation at its base.
"Mr. Vidal, Initiative files indicate that you lack the required access to be here or on the station."
"Yes, SAM, that's true. But I wanted to come by for a visit, even so."
He'd gathered enough information on SAM, from before he'd even met Sara, to know what he was dealing with was a technological marvel, a supercomputer, but also a living, growing lifeform. He opted for a direct approach. "Could you tell me what kind of information the Initiative has on me?"
"A lot of those files aren't accessible to me or the Pathfinder team, but I will tell you what I can."
Bien, Reyes thought, not even sure why he'd expected resistance when SAM had never been anything but helpful.
The mechanized voice continued, "Information on you and your participation in the Andromeda Initiative has been purged following your designation as a Nexus exile. However, while you are logged as not belonging to either outlaw faction on Kadara, there is mention that you work as an agent for the angaran Resistance."
Reyes took a moment to let that sink in. It seemed that either the people up high didn't know a whole lot, or they wanted Sara to think that they didn't.
"Thank you." He hesitated before continuing this particular line of questioning. He had things that he wanted to know, but an awareness that SAM's loyalty to Sara would be absolute, for which he was grateful. Said loyalty would also make his next inquiry an iffy one, however. "Can I ask you some questions about Sara?"
"You can ask what you wish, but I will not betray her trust," SAM said, flatly.
"Neither will I," Reyes shot back. He took a breath, trying to calm his prickly temper on the subject of betrayal and Sara and what everyone expected from him. "Can you tell me if Sara has given Initiative leadership information about me?"
"You are wondering about the Pathfinder, and her reports regarding the Charlatan." SAM ascertained.
"Yes. And?"
There was a slight hesitation before the artificial intelligence spoke. "Sara has not been forthcoming with data about you, professional, or otherwise. There are many who believe you are romantically linked with the Pathfinder simply so you can use her to further your ambitions. I cannot speak about her feelings for you, those are private, and I experience them as she does, but I will say that she believes all the warnings she receives against you are unnecessary and will prove, over time, to be entirely erroneous."
Reyes took another breath in an effort to loosen the tightness that had entered his chest. "Very well, then, have they actually asked her for information about me?"
"No, they have not. I believe they know better," SAM replied.
"Thank you, again."
It was time to go. Turning on his heel, Reyes left the room and entered the hallway.
He ran straight into Sara.
And here he'd thought he'd planned for any eventuality. He was startled to the point where he did nothing, his thoughts tied up with trying to process her presence, leaving him unable to muster any kind of physical reaction.
She grabbed ahold of his upper arm, leading him down to the end of the hall, past the guard, who greeted them with a brief, "Hello, ma'am," before taking him into the private quarters located behind the doors that had looked very important when Reyes noted them earlier. Somebody needed to tell the armed sentry that his attendance merely added an enticing curiosity to what lay within the room behind him, rather than acting as any kind of deterrent.
The doors sealed shut behind them, and Sara rounded on him immediately.
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Sara, such language," he teased, but she was having none of it. She looked angrier than he'd seen her, ever, and that included directly following his big reveal, her deep, expressive eyes flashing with emotion. "A better question would be how it is you've come to be here exactly when I am."
"We were close. SAM pinged me as soon as he noticed your arrival. And you're dodging my question."
"I just came here to get a look at what the Initiative has on me. It may determine how I proceed going forward."
Her brows cleared as she looked up at him. "You mean, going forward with patching things up between the Nexus and Kadara."
"Yes."
"From where?"
"I got what I needed in operations."
"Don't they monitor those areas?"
"They should, but Nexus security has its hands full. Even if they end up with footage of me, what are they going to see? A handful of grainy minutes featuring a tech walking around, fiddling on his omni-tool?"
"With facial scans, they could pull an ID off just your chin."
"I'll be long gone by then. And I'm hoping that the next time I come here, it'll be completely legal and above board. A lot of people who got thrown off the station or left during the chaos deserve a chance to come back. Mistakes were made on both sides, but we need to mend the rift."
"Yeah, well, that doesn't explain why you're on the Ark bothering SAM. He told me you were here. What, you just couldn't stand not sticking your nose into my business? If you hadn't come and questioned him, I probably never would have known you'd been here."
He laughed, knowing she was irritated but wholly confident in his ability to talk her out of it. "I was only curious. I've never seen any of this before, and I was thinking only of you."
She sighed, but her posture had relaxed at his explanation. "Talk is cheap, Vidal."
"Then let me show you," he said, pulling her against him. "What is this room? It's got a bed that's just aching to be messed up."
She shook her head at him, laughing despite the fierce expression she was striving to maintain. "Reyes! Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be here?"
She was worried about him. The realization of that grabbed hold of him and sent a thrill up his spine. Leaning down, he brushed her lips with a kiss. She was exciting and soft, and employing gentle pressure, he coaxed her mouth open, and sought her tongue with his. His hands slid around her waist, moving her into the hardness that had sprung up in his maintenance uniform trousers. She was delightfully responsive, as always, and he drank from her mouth, groaning into her as he explored her, licking and tasting her as he tried to lay claim to her honeyed sweetness.
She pulled back, furiously shaking her head at him. Then a smile swept over her features. Laughing, her gaze moved over him from head to toe. "You look absolutely adorable in that, by the way. Or ridiculous. I can't decide."
He grinned at her, leaning down to retake her lips.
She pushed away, turning her head so he couldn't reach his goal. "I'm being serious, though, you shouldn't be here. Please, go. I'll come see you, I'll leave and we'll go to Kadara and I'll find you at Tartarus. Just, leave, please."
He sighed, seeing the wisdom of a hasty departure, but not necessarily feeling overly agreeable about it. Like it or not, it was time he made his way back to the shuttle.
"I've just got to drop by and speak with Tann and I'll be out of here, too. Want to come with and say 'hi'?"
He chuckled, "I'll pass." He gave her small hands a squeeze. "Come see me soon. Don't make me wait too long. I want to do something nice for you, we should have dinner, go dancing."
She smiled. "Sounds like a plan." She paused, then looked in the direction of the doors. "I'd walk you to your transport, but I'd only draw attention to you."
He nodded in agreement.
"Goodbye, Reyes."
"Goodbye, Sara." Brushing a thumb over her lips, he turned and took his leave.