Jason merely stares at Ehanis. The kind of glare that hammers the point home that there's plenty more he'd like to say. He'd like to point out the optics of her statement, for example. That it wouldn't have been her call to give them a heads up on things that could save Va'ynna's life. That could keep Redrock personnel- including her own sister potentially- out of danger. In favor of-... what? Protecting the privacy of some people
#Aroste – April 30, 2026
she just met? But he doesn't. Realizing that allowing himself to continue to get pulled into these bickering matches with her is only delaying things, he simply puts on his best disappointed-dad look and repeats himself: "Really. Stupid. Decisions." He draws in a heavy breath, trying- and failing- to dispel that lingering frustration as his attention shifts back to Wenera.
Wenera frowns and looks directly at Jason. She does look frustrated, but her voice portrays only exhaustion. "Our direct cooperation would not come without risk," she says. "We only know you captured Jelvan Darennon before because T'Vezan was here when you did, before then, your role in this was... unclear."
Ehanis looks back at Jason, her frustration still present in her voice. "For the record, Siv wanted to tip you off about the renewed activity here... eleven days ago, but... the matriarch did not agree."
Jason gives a roll of his eyes, shoulders rising and falling as he pulls in another heavy breath to keep his temper in check. Their desire to remain on the defensive isn't doing much to help. Ehanis' final addition also doesn't help, causing him to narrow his eyes on her as if he can't believe she thinks that's an actual excuse. "Fuck the matriarch." he says with indignation. Shifting in his seat, he shakes his head. "Look-... I'm not
gonna keep going in circles with you. But the moment she-..." he dips his head Ehanis' way, "...joined your organization, you damn well knew our 'role in this'. At the very least she did. You want to disagree about whether or not it would've been worth the risk for you to reach out to us?" his gaze turns from Wenera to Ehanis and then back, "Fine. Whatever. Agree to disagree. But if you can't understand why I'm pissed that
one of my own-... hell, my best friend's sister- wouldn't reach out to us to keep us in the loop, knowing damn well that not doing so potentially puts people she knows in danger, then-..." he scoffs, just saying it out loud enough to renew his annoyance and culminating in him throwing his hands up with a shrug, "...well then I don't know what to tell you. Just-..." he trails off, gaze lowering to the shuttle floor as he shakes
Wenera averts her gaze as well, looking at the floor. "I'm sorry, for what that's worth," she says. "My contact with them has been minimal since I left for Raelos. I let them know where Ehanis was going, and heard back that she joined one month ago, that's it. I was... not kept in the loop about their operations otherwise. I haven't even kept in touch with Syld, no matter how much I've missed him."
Ehanis stands up. "The last time I reached out to you, you sent a fucking shuttle to track me down," she snaps. "I was done with you then, and I'm done with you now." She begins walking out of the shuttle.
Va'ynna cannot hear what they're saying, and she's not trying to, but the elevated volume says enough. "I... I feel bad for... Wenera," she mutters and looks down at the tube of paste. "She... she... bought us time by... not giving Sala... the answers... she was after."
Jason seems at least somewhat placated by Wenera's apology, offering a somber nod of his head as she speaks. But, as seems to be her superpower, Ehanis is quick to drive a wedge right back in between all of that. But he doesn't try to stop her, perhaps realizing that her presence is more hinderance than help. "Right." he says flatly as Ehanis marches towards the door. It's obvious that he has more to say on the subject but it would just
amount to pulling Wenera- and Uvena for that matter- into matters that don't particularly involve them. His frustration is with Ehanis. Mostly. A lack of regard for the people she once fought alongside. A lack of regard for Va'ynna. A lack of regard for her own sister. And the detail regarding the involvement of an Ardat-Yakshi only makes the whole thing more troubling. It also makes Ehanis' inaction in reaching out to them all
the more callous and inexcusable. But his gaze remains on the floor even as he offers some departing words for her. "If you want to keep dodging responsibility-..." he shrugs his shoulders, the fight seeming to have drained from him a bit, "...fine. You want to act like this erases everything we've been through together? Rakhana? Fuck, the Collectors?" he snorts, still a bit in disbelief over that whole turn of events, "Sure.
Whatever helps you sleep at night, Ehanis. But I can't do that. So-..." he gives a tilt of his head, still not bothering to look the asari's way. "...you know how to find me if you need me." It's almost disappointment in his voice. Disappointment at himself for being unable to just make a clean break. To cut her loose entirely and not look back. But despite everything, that's just not who he is.
Victoria lets out a sigh at the increased volume coming from the passenger cabin, she moves the kneel next to Va'ynna. "From what I know, they had some information." She looks towards the shuttle door for a moment before shifting her attention back to Va'ynna. "And judging by half of the noise back there, it sounds like it would have been useful earlier to us all."
Ehanis stops to listen, but she exits the shuttle without any response to what Jason says, just frustration and anger written all over her. She stays in view of the exit as she taps on her omni-tool. "Syld, what's the status on our shuttle?" she asks over a private comms channel.
Wenera looks Ehanis' way, but doesn't say anything before she's out of the shuttle. "She'll have time to think," Wenera says as she looks back at Jason. "There will be at least a month before we even begin to plan our return trip."
Va'ynna frowns, and glances at the closed door. "I... suppose," she says, her sobbing getting a bit worse. "I'll... I'll... have to... ask Uvena... or Jason later."
Jason offers a few small, somber nods, his thoughts clearly elsewhere, but he gives no insight into his thoughts on Ehanis. That's not for Wenera. A few moments pass in silence as he tries to sort through his thoughts, forcing himself to get back on track now that Ehanis has taken her leave. "Guess-... uhh-... Siveya's involvement does fill in a few gaps." he finally mutters, forcing himself to sit up a bit straighter. "She said
something about taking on the hit on V to try and infiltrate Rellis' people and take them down from the inside. Got the impression it was over old grudges." he continues, glancing Uvena's way as he sifts through the confusing mess in his mind aloud, mostly for his own sake and Uvena's. They'll surely be comparing notes once they're back home. "Mentioned losing someone close to her. Said it was a long time ago, though, and-... well,
considering salarians have the lifespan of a carton of milk-..." he shrugs, gaze returning to Wenera, "...I'm gonna guess that means it's not the Darennons that she had a personal beef with."
Victoria places a hand on Va'ynna's shoulder and another hand on her knee. "I'm sure they will let us know if we need to know." She remains silent for a moment, looking at Va'ynna with some concern. "Just let it out, love."
Wenera also needs a moment to get back on track, but she nods. "That is.... I'm sorry to hear," she says, seeming a bit shaken by it. "T'Vezan has not shared anything with me about what she was doing in Freedom Falls, maybe... maybe out of guilt." She frowns thoughtfully before continuing. "Kalus Security was the company contracted for the Neddal mission, but I only learned about T'Vezan's shared cause with the matriarch
when she joined up with us." She pauses again for a moment. "As for... Rellis, your hunch is right, he's... not the leader. There is also Teris, who I think is the same rank as Rellis, but... the lead on her grew cold after T'Vezan failed to capture her.... I don't know about any other members."
Ehanis takes another few steps away from the shuttle. "No, he's still chatting with Wenera, so take your time," she says on the same private comms channel and helmet speakers. "It's nothing. I'm just sick of this place."
Va'ynna takes a moment to take a few deep breaths. "Yeah, just..., yeah," she says and keeps looking down at the nutrient paste tube in her lap. "I... I hope so."
Jason's gaze turns downward at the mention of Kalus. "Rellis contracted us to hit Kalus." he admits. If he wants Wenera to be open and honest about what she knows, it's only fair that he gives that same respect. "He assured me that they were dangerous but I-... uhh-..." he pauses, considering it all for a moment before shaking his head, "...I wasn't exactly in a position to ask many questions. Redrock needed the credits and-... well, I
dropped the ball on that one." he sighs, deciding best to just admit he messed up. "...Guess we've all made some stupid decisions." he adds, inadvertantly finding himself casting a quick glance Ehanis' way.
Victoria moves her hand from Va'ynna's shoulder to her cheek. "I am right here sweetheart. So if you want anything, let me know. Alright?"
Wenera looks a bit thoughtful as he explains, and nods. "Yes, we... are aware, but... I'm grateful to hear your side of it. That is why T'Vezan has been hesitant about working with you," she says before also glancing outside, then back at Jason, "but she seems to have changed her mind, going by what Ehanis said earlier. I... left the clue on my omni-tool just... just in case she hadn't, though."
Va'ynna closes her eyes, leaning slightly towards the hand on her cheek, but there seems to be no end to her crying. "I... I... I just... I just need time right now," she says, "but... I'll let you... know."
Jason offers a few short nods. "I appreciate that." he extends another olive branch, "No telling how long we would've been feeling around in the dark if it hadn't been for that so-... yeah-..." he nods, "Thanks." He draws in another heavy breath and expels it, gaze once more dropping towards the floor as he considers everything they know. "So let me get this straight. The matriarch has her own issues with these people." he muses, having
concluded from Wenera's explanation that it's not Siveya's cause that's propelling things. "And you-..." he nods Wenera's way, "...were involved in making some moves against Piros and Darennon's operation a few years back in Neddal. Your employer-... the matriarch...?" he nods questioningly, holding Wenera's gaze for just a moment in hope of some sort of silent acknowledgement or denial, "...didn't give you details on what it was
about, just that it was personal. They send a strike team at Piros and the Darennons-... Kalus Security-..." he corrects, "...but it doesn't turn up any new leads. Few months back, Piros executes somebody on Raelos. Natalie witnesses it and, seeing an opportunity to get back on their trail, you end up in a race against Piros to get to Natalie first. Piros grabs V for-... some reason and, when it doesn't go her way, she
decides to try and use it as an opportunity to strongarm us into bringing you to her. I tell her to go fuck herself and-..." he draws in a breath, tilting his head to one side and passing a quick glance Uvena's way as he finishes his recap, "...here we are." Looking back to Wenera, he settles back a little in his seat. "That about sum it up or am I missing something?" he asks, leaving the others an opportunity to chime in before he
Victoria keeps her hand on Va'ynna's cheek, she goes to say something but remains silent for a moment considering her words. "Yeah, alright." She is still concerned about Va'ynna but she knew it would take time before it's all goes back to normal again.
Ehanis takes another step away from the shuttle. "Good," she answers over her private comms. "We're still here."
Wenera nods at the question: her employer was the matriarch, but waits for him to finish recounting the story. "Kalus Security was the strike team, and there was just Jelvan Darennon in Neddal, not Rellis... and I don't know if Sala knew about Natalie," she says, "or if... I put her in danger by finding her in Freedom Falls." Wenera looks down at the floor for a moment before looking back up, worry clear in her face and
Va'ynna doesn't say anything as she tries to compose herself with a few deep breaths. She brings up a hand to wipe her tears.
Jason once again glances down in turn, considering his words for a moment before speaking up. "I-... uhh-... I don't know." he admits as his gaze returns to Wenera, sympathy coloring his features. "My people did what they could to stabilize her and she was still breathing when the ambulance arrived, but-..." he shakes his head, "...I haven't been given any updates about her condition since then."
Victoria removes her hands from Va'ynna's cheek. "Might not be the best time, but do you want to learn a little bit about flying a shuttle?" Seeing a possible way to give Va'ynna something that might take her mind off of the situation.
Wenera looks a bit relieved. "That's... better than what I feared, but... I'd appreciate it if you... could find out." She takes a deep breath to compose herself before looking back up at Uvena with a tilted head.
Uvena brings up the file on her omni-tool. "The intel we received about this place was addressed to Kolatia T'Shor. Who is that to you?"
Wenera raises her brows. "A tourist visiting Freedom Falls that.. bought us drinks last night, but I've never seen her before," she says. "I know... T'Vezan and the matriarch has contacts, but... I don't know any details about that, but she is presumably one of them if you received intel from her."
Va'ynna is still sobbing, but she nods softly as she turns around to look at all the instruments and controls, but not focusing on any one of them. "This... is... nothing like... a sky-car, is it?" she asks softly between sobs.
Jason nods to Wenera's request. "As soon as I'm done done here I'll check in and see if there's any news." he assures before falling silent to listen to the exchange between the two asari. Once Uvena's question is answered he shifts in his seat, ready to voice a few of his own. "Do you have any more intel about who these assholes-..." he gestures in the general direction of the burning building, "...are working for or what in the fuck
their organization is up to? I mean-... if you've been on their trail all this time you've gotta have some idea, right?"
Victoria looks turns the console for a moment and then back to Va'ynna. "A little more advanced than a sky-car. Especially since this brick can fly in space." Vicky points towards some of the controls on Va'ynna's side of the cockpit. "A lot of instruments on this side, are for a co-pilot to help maintain navigation. But I guess it is just preference to which side a pilot wants to pilot from."
Wenera follows his glance. "They were going to fly out once... Sala got the location from me," she says. "That was the orders she gave the mercs while she was leading us to the kitchen. But their organization..., I don't know for certain. T'Vezan's deceased huntress partner was an Ardat-Yakshi, too, which didn't seem to surprise the matriarch. I don't know whether the cases that lead the matriarch here, are, though. Only
Va'ynna gives a faint sound of affirmation as she keeps looking at the console. "A little," she murmurs, but the heavy emotions hide any amusement that might have been in there. "That... is probably... for the best. I'll-I'll... watch what you... do... instead... when we leave."
Jason once more breaks his gaze away from Wenera, the mention of another Ardat-Yakshi seemingly being targeted doing little to ease his concerns. A short, charged silence passes before he responds. "I-... uhh-... ran into one on a job a few years back. An Ardat-Yak-...whatever, I mean." he admits, contradicting the ignorance feigned earlier while doing his best to downplay his familiarity with the condition. Last thing he needs is word
getting out about Ilyna if there's someone out there targetting Ardat-Yakshi. Once could have been a coincidence. Unlikely, but possible. But twice? That's a pattern, and avoiding the subject entirely means risking walking away without potentially important details, so this will have to be a middle ground. "Nearly killed my wife. Not something I particularly like talking about..." he trails off, hoping that it's enough to explain
away his earlier avoidance of the subject. It's not exactly a lie, anyway. Niacal is still a tender spot even after all this time. He takes a breath to shake loose the memories, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, "...Any idea why these people are targetting them?"
Victoria still had a hand on Va'ynna's knee, which she gives a squeeze. "I mean, if you want. Once we are up in the air, you could pilot it a little if you want to. I'll be right here, so I can take over after you get your fill."
Wenera frowns and averts her gaze at his explanation. "I'm sorry," she says about what happened on Niacal, but the last question gets a small shake of her head. "I... wish I knew."
Va'ynna glances at the door, not feeling comfortable with the idea in the slightest. "That... no, that... I don't think... I dare," she says. "It woul have to be... when it's just... me and you... in here." She takes another deep breath.
Jason furrows his brow and offers a shake of his head in turn. "It's fine. She's fine." he clarifies. "Like I said. Nearly. Besides, if you knew my wife then you'd probably be more inclined to feel sorry for the one that took a shot at her and missed. She tends to hold a grudge." he adds with a snicker, hoping to inject a little levity into the conversation. The accompanying lopsided grin that he props up, however, is heavy, giving
away that whatever happened was a bit more severe than he's letting on. Vasquez wasn't exactly in any position to pop back up and retaliate after what transpired on Niacal, but the truth of the situation isn't something he's in the mood to consider right now. "Alright, just a couple more questions and I think we can wrap up, Wenera." he sighs, shifting to get comfortable, "Does the name 'Nari Aehan' mean anything to you?" he
Victoria gives Va'ynna a nod, understanding that piloting might be a little too much at the moment. "Yeah, you're right. I'll see about getting some private tutoring sessions sorted out." She stands up again from her kneeling position. She leans over and gives Va'ynna a kiss on the forehead.
Uvena seems caught off-guard by her name being mention, trying her best to not show the anger that name conjures in her
Wenera does return a small smile at the comment about his wife, but it does not last very long. The name makes her tilt her head as she ponders it. "No," she answers.
Va'ynna doesn't give an immediate response to that, just an unsure sound, and she tries to regain composure. The kiss does not get any noticable reaction from her. "I'm not... not sure if... they'll allow... that."
Jason draws in another deep breath, casting a quick glance Uvena's way and doing his best not to let his disappointment slip through. "Alright." he sighs as he looks back to Wenera. "Just a-... uhh-..." he stammers upon realizing Wenera's confusion, feeling the need to at least give some explanation given her willingness to answer questions, "...someone related to V. You mentioned getting the feeling that Piros was angry with someone
tied to V so I was-..." he trails off since it's clear she doesn't have any insight into Nari, shaking his head with an apologetic smile. "...It doesn't matter." he settles on. "Just-... trying to figure out why they're so dead set on coming after my friend. You don't have any ideas...?" he says, offering an open-ended question in hope that the asari might have something of note to offer on the subject.
Victoria straightens her stance, some concern still showing on her face. She moves over to the other empty seat of the cockpit and sits down. "We should be able to get going soon, love." She starts inspecting some of the shuttle's readings and systems.
Wenera finally nods at the explanation, as it does seem to clear up the confusion. "I would tell you if I did," she says, "but I don't understand it either. It is troubling that Rellis ordered the hit on her first, because... that means their conflict might not have died with Sala."
Va'ynna nods softly, while still looking at the controls on her side. "I... I hope so," she says softly.
Jason lets a sigh slip out, but offers an understanding nod. "It's alright..." he says, but when Wenera continues his expression hardens. "Then it'll die with whoever she was working for." he says, conviction behind his words, "I'll make damn sure of that." But that's seemingly- unfortunately- a problem for another time. Seeming to realize that their conversation is nearing its logical conclusion, he rises from his seat. "Alright,
well, if you don't think there's anything else that you want to add-... anything that you think might help-..." he puts out there, just in case there was something she hasn't yet spoken up about, "...then I'm not gonna keep you any longer. Guessing you probably want to get out of here as much as the rest of us." A lopsided grin, heavy from the day's events, tugs at the corner of his mouth as he extends a hand her way.
Victoria turns her head towards Va'ynna. "Just let me know if you need or want anything, okay?" Her gaze lingers on Va'ynna after saying those words, before she slowly turns her attention back to controls in front of her.
Wenera stands up as well, taking his hand. "I don't think so, no," she says, before turning towards the open door and the wind outside with some concern as she is not wearing a jacket. "If something useful comes to mind... I'll let you know."
Va'ynna takes another deep breath. "I know," she murmurs, before turning her seat at hearing the motion in the next room.
Ehanis glances back at the shuttle, but she stays where she is. "They're wrapping up, now," she repots over private comms.
Jason offers a nod as Wenera starts to leave. "Your people and mine want the same thing, Wenera..." he states, a silent request for her to make good on her words. But he doesn't linger on it, instead continuing with: "Anyway-... as soon as I'm done here, I'll check up on Natalie and get a message your way." Something seems to occur to him, causing him to furrow his brow briefly before his smirk re-emerges. "Actually, I think we've got
your omni-tool back in Freedom Falls, so I'll have to shoot a message to Ehanis. Whether or not she decides to read it though...?" he tilts his head from one side to the other, as if weighing out the odds that she accepts a message from him at this point. "...I'll leave that fight in your hands." he decides on lightheartedly, "Take care of yourself, Wenera." His gaze shifts to the frustrated asari lingering outside the door of the
Kodiak and a heavy breath slips out. "You too." he calls out to Ehanis with a nod of his head. He may not be her biggest fan but- like it or not- that doesn't undo everything they've been through together. It doesn't change that she's Ilyna's sister. And it doesn't change that she was a part of Redrock.
Victoria focuses on the controls for the shuttle mentally going over a pre-take off checklist, she didn't really touch any of the controls in front of her, waiting simply for Jason to give them the all cleared for take off.
Wenera nods slightly in agreement at first, but a small smile shows up at the talk about getting a message to Ehanis. "You too, Jason," she says, but she does not leave the relative shelter of the open shuttle for now. "Any... message to you would be via her too, so... I'll fight that fight if I have to." She sounds exhausted more than anything else, so it might not sound as light-hearted as it ought to.
Ehanis turns towards the door with a still annoyed look. She hasn't overheard them perfectly, but enough to get the gist. "Yeah, you too," she says before turning her head towards the north to look for the krogan's shuttle, much of the anger having faded from her voice.
Uvena stands up from her seat. "I should probably not sit out Darennon's questioning," she says. "Even if I'll much rather stand guard here."
Va'ynna keeps listening at the activity outside the door. "I would like... to say goodbye to Wenera before she leaves," she says, her voice low. "Once their shuttle... gets here." Her crying isn't as bad right now, but her voice is still heavy.