Until 50 standard years ago, the gaxy at rge didn't know about the hydrosi. Their world was believed to be an o poo close to its sun with water too toxic to support life. It had been the perfect didate for disposing of Coalition waste. Betweeoxic waste and the radiation, the hydrosi quickly grew and evolved into the resentful warriors the gaxy now knows.
Nothing picked up on the le sers. By all ats it seemed as though they evaded capture. That didn't do much to ease Nadia’s nerves however. She wasn’t defenseless by any means, but her bat abilities fell short of most of the people she associated with.
The figure in the cargo hold was a different story. Each step seemed rehearsed a thousand times before. fident but still cautious in a way that indicated years of training. Their left hand never left the bster on their hip. Nadia khe hydrosi was expeg a fight. Within minutes of being on the ship, they had already learhe yout of the cargo hold and had found a defensible position that kept rge crates iween the main door to the rest of the ship, and the rge bay doors that would threaten to jettison them into space should they open.
“I need you to promise me something Mel.”
“What is it, Captain?”
“When our new friend kills me and takes my ship, don't follow their orders.”
Nadia set the Bea back to autopilot and started for the cargo hold. She didn’t know much about the hydrosi. The few she had met had been prisoners or bounty hunters, aher were too keen on talking about their lives. It’s not like any information they could have given her would help now. All Nadia could do was hope her new passenger en to versation. Taking a deep breath, Nadia unlocked the cargo bay doors and stepped inside. As she expected, the alien was nowhere in sight wheered.
“You don’t have to hide you know,” Nadia shouted. “I’m in too much shit with the w to turn you in, and I doubt I could kill you if I wao.”
“Then why did you bother resg me?” Without the transmission static, their voice sounded vaguely femihough what that meant varied wildly between species.
“I’m just a very kind soul. Now you please e inside so we talk like civilized people? I’m not a fan of strangers creeping around my ship.”
“And how do I know you won't shoot me when I e out?”
Gods this squid is difficult. “You don’t. If you want to find out I’ll be in the on room enjoying my dinner.” Nadia turned around ahe cargo hold. She didn’t see much of a point tinuing that versation. “Mel, loy door that doesn't lead to the on room.”
“Yes, Captain.” A moment passed before Mel spoke again. This time into Nadia's mind instead of through the speakers. “Do you truly believe that we're in danger?”
“Oh absolutely,” Nadia chuckled. “But if I'm dead then you just disable the ship and she'll be stuck.”
“I'm sorry to question your judgement Captain, but I find this pn deeply uling.”
There was a sadness in Mel's voice that caught Nadia off guard. She had never expihe cept of sado Mel, nor had she been sad while traveling together. But somehow Mel dispyed the emotion.
“I don't pn oing myself killed, Mel. I've got my bster on me, and I've got you watg my back.”
“That is reassuring. Thank you Captain.” The sadness was gone from her voice, but Nadia had no way of knowing if it still remained in her program.
“Also you should absolutely question my orders. I've done a lot of stupid shit on this ship because there wasn't anyone else on board to tell me.”
“Uood Captain. I'll adjust my behavior accly.”
Nadia sat back at the on room’s small table. The smell of the ration pack heating up always made Nadia regret not spending a few more standards on something nicer. You'll he standards when it's time for repairs. A solid argument that worked in the moment, but fell apart when it was time to eat.
“Where is the rest of your crew?”
Nadia jumped from her seat in surprise. Standing in the doorway was the hydrosi. She had removed her mask revealing her light blue fad solid bck eyes. Ten loacles grew from her head in pce of hair, reag her lower back. The rest of her body was covered by a tight bck suit adorned with ammo pouches, knives, and a bster pistol. A pat her holster depicted a red tentacle ed around a sword. Each step was muffled as she moved to sit at the table. Whatever her suit was made of seemed to muffle any noise she made.
Nadia regained her posure before sitting down and answering. “It's just me and Mel.”
“This ship is quite rge for a crew of two people. Does no one else want to work with you or do you enjoy when things are needlessly challenging.”
Should've just left her there. “You know you still haven't introduced yourself? You haven't even said thank you yet.”
“Fine. I am Loxorani of the Sec-Thun-Olvot Cluster. Why does a ship of this size only have two crew members?”
“o meet you, Lox.” She wasn't sure if hydrosi had sarcasm in their nguage, but she would definitely find out soon. “Mel is quite adept at multitasking. She handles quite a bit on this ship.”
“If my name is too plicated for your human mind you may simply refer to me as Loxorani. I will o know where this ship is going, as well as what it is transp.” She enunciated her insult by pulling what was left of the ration towards her to eat.
“We’re headed to Sykon-5. What we’re carrying is none of your business. At least until you answer some questions. What happeo your ship?”
Loxorani barely choked down her food before responding. “Our warship ambushed those Coalition dogs, but our ons only mao get through the shields. As far as I know the other escape pods got shot down.”
They let that information sit in the air for a moment. Nadia khat the UGC could be vicious when attacked, but shooting down escape pods seemed extreme.
“I see,”Nadia said quietly. “For what it's worth I’m sorry for your loss. There are bunks you use down that hall, and the washroom is through that door there,” She said, pointing across the room. “We should reach Sykon-5 in around one and a half standard days. Then you go rejoin your people.”
“Very well.” Loxorani stood from the table and headed for the bunks. The deadly grace she had moved with upoering the Bea was slipping, with eaent more sluggish tha. She stopped in the doorway, her head hung low. “Thank you.”
Nadia watched her walk away and smiled. We’re finally getting somewhere.
Astral_Phoenix
Thank you so much for reading chapter two! I hope you e.
