Chương 15: Chapter 15 - Tremors On The Edge Of Instinct

Hearing the noise, they both knew it was their squad alert - so they moved to check it. It was a message from Command.

---

'Mission: H2390

Designation: Classified

Location: East 6th, Quadrant 3

Status: Critical

---

Naia wasn't sure why they bothered with two of those lines. It was always classified and when they were alerted like this it was nearly always deemed 'critical'. She read it a second time to try and glean more information.

Theia spoke first, though.

"We're heading to the East 6th? But there's nothing out there... right?"

Naia shook her head. She didn't know any more than the woman did. She assumed it was going to be a new Dead Zone for them to explore - perhaps one that hadn't been checked before. Though she could be wrong, given that it was a critical mission. Reconnaissance usually wasn't deemed critical unless they already knew something major was happening.

"The file says it is somewhere in the north of that region of space. Near the edge of the Dead Belt."

"Oh. That's not great. I hate that place. What do you think it is?"

Theia looked at her with almost visible hope for an answer. Naia didn't know why the blonde was looking at her as if she had the answers. It was different from the last mission, where she was curious about technical things. The alert's shrill tone again cut through their conversation, causing both women to jolt.

As they began their hurried walk to HQ, Naia felt a wave of relief wash over her. The mission had saved her from Theia's well-meaning but uncomfortable prodding about being direct with Evander. She glanced at the blonde, who had seemingly forgotten their previous conversation entirely. She decided shifting further into mission readiness would be a good idea herself.

"We should change into our gear quickly. Critical status usually means immediate deployment."

The other woman nodded at the suggestion. her earlier playfulness replaced by a focused determination.

"Right. Really no ideas on why we're headed to the Dead Belt? Last time I was near there, things got... messy."

Naia's brow furrowed as they entered the V/O site and made their way to the locker rooms. She took her time to consider the response.

"It's unusual for a critical mission to be out there. Usually, it's just recon or small stabilization operations for research purposes. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

Theia pressed, already pulling off her clothes and donning her tactical suit. The Discordant Gauntlets were fastened next as the theories spouted from the Navigator's mouth.

"Unless something's destabilizing faster than expected. Or worse, if there's unusual activity. Remember that creature we encountered on our first mission together?"

The blonde's eyes lit up with understanding and a grim face. She watched the other woman put on her own uniform with haste.

"You think there might be more of them?"

Naia shrugged, securing her Harmonic Staff to her back.

"It's a possibility. Poros told me that the rumors he heard about *something* were usually near the Dead Belt. Whatever it is, it must be serious if they're calling us in."

As they finished gearing up, a thought struck Naia and she looked toward the lockers and halls.

"Where's Evander? Shouldn't he be here for the mission briefing?"

Almost on cue, their squad leader's voice came through their terminal comms. He'd been half-listening to their conversation through the devices while waiting for them to get prepared.

"Evander here. I'm already on site. The situation is... complex. You'll be briefed on arrival. Prepare for immediate warp transit. The staff has been notified."

The women exchanged another glance. Curiosity and concern passed respectively between them. Whatever was happening in the place they were going, it was urgent enough to send their tactical leader ahead - maybe even with the rest of their regular squad. A hint of her usual mischief returned and Theia wrapped a metallic gloved arm around Naia.

"Well, looks like we're in for another interesting trip. Never boring around here. Ready to go harmonize some chaos, Navigator?"

Despite the gravity of the situation, Naia found herself smiling slightly. She wasn't as free spirited as the other woman, but it didn't mean she couldn't enjoy an attempt to lighten the tension for what it probably was. All of their conversation today really felt like that. As if the blonde was trying to be truly helpful on a more personal level than usual.

"As ready as I'll ever be. Let's go."

As they approached the warp transit bay, Naia felt a familiar knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. She'd nearly always had Evander's steady hand to hold onto during the transit. Facing the soon to be swirling vortex of the warp field alone, she felt oddly vulnerable.

Theia noticed the woman's sudden pallor and cocked an eyebrow.

"You okay there, Navigator? You're looking a bit green."

Naia forced a weak smile. She knew she was as white as a sheet, if anything.

"I'm fine. It's just... nothing."

As they stepped onto the transit platform and into the travel container, the woman's hands began to tremble slightly. She gripped her harmonic staff tighter, trying to steady herself. The observant if nonchalant compatriot caught the movements. She started to speak in a playful tone.

"Hey, you know, if you need a hand to hold, I've got two free ones right here. Though they are a little colder than the ones you're used to."

She pinged the metallic gloves together. Naia was embarrassed but it didn't show well with her anxiety.

"I... that's not..."

As the warp field began to swell around them, the Navigator's breath hitched. Theia's teasing expression shifted to one of surprise and then understanding. She was clearly more frightened than she was even letting on. Without a word, she reached out an offered hand with more sincerity.

Naia hesitated to take it as her mind raced. This wasn't Evander. This was Theia - the woman who'd complicated everything. But as the familiar disorientation of warp travel began to set in, instinct took over.

SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO
Seraphelki

I'm just going to say, please do not casually let someone with a genuine fear of something hold on to you practically anywhere. Hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder...

They will break skin with their fingernails and/or leave bruises with their adrenaline powered strength. It's like having a falcon on your bare arm - not advised.

So then, everyone - please wear anxiety proof metal gauntlets the next time your friend or significant other doesn't *plan* to break all the knuckles in your fingers.

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