|Borderlands| Begin Anew |1-on-1 rp|

Whatever was racing through Rhys’s head wasn’t voiced—not that there was even enough time for that. Bandits just kept coming, seeking them out relentlessly. When it was quiet and the dust had settled there’d be time for that later.

It seemed her goading might have been all Rhys needed. He took the stun baton in hand as a bandit neared cautiously, having stopped short when Naira had dismissed his buddy so easily. The now felled bandit was otherwise ignored however. Rhys didn’t give the guy time to pull his weapon on either of them, his swing rather weak, perhaps even half-hearted or one made of fear. Nonetheless the baton roared to life, electricity crackling briefly as the bandit was sent flying back heavily into a wall of sheet metal.

Naira chuckled, flashing a thumbs up to Rhys. “Heeey, there we go!”

Anything further could not be said, a rather large man wandering into the alley from the other end. Naira readied her pistol though had no chance to shoot before something hard hit the area around her shoulder—her shield absorbing the blow a bit. All the same Naira stumbled, twisting around to glimpse another bandit that had come up behind her, most likely trying to flank the pair.

“Don’t you shitheads learn anything!?” she shouted, exasperated already at their persistence.

She kicked out, trying to put distance between them as she raised her firearm and shot a bullet or two. It was enough to send the bandit to the ground, moaning and clutching at the new wounds. A shield would have prevented that from happening.

While this happened Naira could hear Rhys struggling with the other man though by the time she’d turned around he’d dispatched the guy with the stun baton. Already Rhys looked out of breath, even a little pale in the alleyway shadows.

“Exhilarating, huh?” Naira chimed in response, already hurrying down the alley. With luck their loader bot had stopped the car by now, preferably before Vaughn sustained serious injury.


It hadn’t taken long for the ruckus down there to escalate, the trio scattered from what Zer0 could observe. While fights generally seemed longer they typically only lasted a few minutes, especially so when one group was either far more experienced or skilled or the other had sheer number on their side. For now Zer0 wondered how it might play out. Naira, he knew from past experience, was a skilled combatant but it seemed like her peers were scrambling down there.

He tipped his head to show he was listening while Naeva spoke, even if she was not looking up at him at the moment. For now she seemed a little less worried. Perhaps that small bit of reassurance had been all she’d needed.

“It at least keeps a challenge interesting,” Zer0 stated. Whether or not she agreed wasn’t said.

Naeva shook the worries from her, at least it seemed that way. Perhaps she would concentrate on them later, when they were not keeping an eye out for a target of theirs. At least she was able to clear her head and focus. It would have been more difficult on the both of them otherwise.

He mulled over what she said, scanning the roads he could see from here. So far there was no one out and about that fit Bossa Nova’s description though Zer0 was confident that he was here, somewhere.

“Sooner or later it will,” he noted confidently.

Rhys didn’t seem to share her sentiment on the combat going on though Naira didn’t let it get to her. It took all kinds, after all. Still, it was a good thing she was here if this was the case. These two had no skill at all! That thought was brushed aside as Rhys accused her of lying in that brief moment of respite.

“Hm?” She cocked her head to one side. “I recall saying that maybe I had been. My employees are not entitled to know all that I do.”

As she spoke, Naira had started off again, passing Rhys. Her steps were quick, gun still in hand. Vaughn and the money were still somewhere in danger and the sooner they knew where he was the sooner Naira would be at ease. Rhys’s following comment, his own pace quickening at the familiar sound of a loader bot speaking reached their ears.

She jogged after him, up a set of stairs and onto a higher landing. The loader bot was indeed nearby, car hoisted over his head and taking bullet after bullet from the bandits. Whatever Yvette had done with this bot, it was only ever functioning properly with instructions from Rhys. Perhaps this had been done as a precaution. ’Clever,’ Naira complimented.

Still, there was no sign of Vaughn—at least not from here. With a “leave it to me!” she launched herself over the railing and landed with a hard thud and a grunt. The bandits hardly noticed her, giving her plenty of time to take a few out before they’d train their sights on her. Whatever Rhys was up to above she couldn’t say however.


The rifle exchanged hands again, placed where it would be well within reach when needed. For the time being Bassa Nova had yet to emerge. Zer0 was growing impatient if he was honest and yet rushing in would do no good. For now they would wait a bit longer before trying to force Bassa Nova’s hand.

Naeva was still musing things over, speaking aloud as she always did. Zer0 listened as he always did, mulling over what she might point out to him. Her differing perspective was often well heeded now that she knew a thing or two about combat and intelligence gathering.

“Thirst for blood is strong, they know not how to stop it, to wait it all out,” Zer0 noted. It was this that separated him from the bandits that surrounded them. Zer0 was able to test his patience and wait for the perfect moment to strike rather than rushing in half-cocked.

For the time being they would wait again despite the cacophony of gunfire below. If this did not eventually draw their target out then they would seek him out more actively. Zer0’s patience was slowly dwindling after all.

“Assuming that he is here,” he pointed out nonetheless.

She heard Rhys shout something after her though Naira did not pay enough attention to catch what it was. There was an opportunity to take out a handful of bandits now, before they caught sight of her and chose to target her over the loader bot. She’d be an idiot to waste a chance like this!

Her shots were well aimed. Naira didn’t know when she’d be able to get another stash of ammunition at this rate and had to take care not to waste her shots. One by one the bandits fell, their corpses thudding to the ground heavily—at least those that did not carry a shield on them did. The smarter ones were quick to feel the shock as the shield took the bullet and ducked for cover, allowing for more room on the road.

It wasn’t until the loader bot acted did this change.

The car came down in front of Naira heavily, the sound ringing loudly in her ears and a startled yelp escaping her. Had it known to avoid hitting her with that thing too? Naira certainly hoped the damn thing knew a Hyperion employee when it saw one and knew not to attack her! Whatever Rhys had ordered it to do it must have involved getting back into the fray against the bandits properly.

Naira heaved a sigh. At least now this freed her up to glance around for Vaughn. If the car was here then he had to be too, correct? ’But so does that greasy guy,’ Naira thought.

“Vaughn, right? You around here?” she called out, amidst the gunfire nearby. The bullets ricocheted off the loader bot though eventually enough of those would make it break down entirely. They had to be quick at this rate.

”Y-yeah, I’m all right! Just, you know, gonna need therapy!”

Naira glanced towards the voice to see Vaughn hiding around a nearby corner, briefcase still cuffed to his wrist and clutched tightly to his chest. Naira resisted sighing again, this time out of relief. Looks like things weren’t completely down the drain yet.


Zer0 inclined his head in agreement. Asking a bandit to be patient was as infuriating as trying to force a skag to be friendly. It just wasn’t something that went hand-in-hand with each other.

He continued to survey the town below them. Judging by the amount of gunfire and noise that fight was causing it would be a surprise if many bandits ended up surviving this. He’d seen a glimpse of Naira’s skills before, during Handsome Jack’s ‘reign’ as Hyperion’s president. If she was still half as competent now as then he would be surprised if she’d been felled in this firefight.

Perhaps that thought would reassure Naeva later, if the worry crossed her mind.

“If he is not then we have a great deal to discuss with Moxxi later,” Zer0 noted. He did not enjoy being jerked around and false information was a quick way to get on his nerves. Still, he would wait a bit further before deigning such judgment about this batch of information.

Stepping closer to Naeva’s side, he crouched down, elbows resting on his knees. He could at least take it a little easy. If no bandits had spotted them up here yet they would not now, not when their attention was so wholly on Naira’s little group. Even the rakks above did not seem bothered by he and Naeva’s presence.

He glanced over briefly to see Naeva watching him. She did that often, he noted, though why he could not say. In response he flashed a brilliantly red and simple smiling emote from his helmet.

It couldn’t have been more than ten minutes since this brawl started yet it felt like much longer to Naira. It always did. The rush of adrenaline that coursed through her was a welcome change from her days up on Helios since Jack’s death. Still, she wasn’t about to go mentioning that out loud.

With the loader bot taking care of the bandits and keeping their attention off of Naira, Vaughn and Rhys they were at least able to catch their breath and try to find a good place for cover. Another bullet or two and her shield would go down, leaving her vulnerable. It needed the time to recharge.

”We still don’t even know where the deal is taking place is at though,” Vaughn pointed out.

Naira shook her head. “We can figure it out later!”

The place before them would be a good spot to hide in but the gates were too tall for any one person to vault over them. Before they could really even begin to figure out a way to get all three of them inside it seemed like the loader bot had noticed their predicament. Naira jumped a little when Rhys and Vaughn were suddenly lifted up high enough to get inside, Naira following suit.

Any time they might have had after that was busy trying to get the loader bot to escape before the bandits managed to tear it to pieces. Already it seemed to be missing a leg! Still, it clumsily managed to get away, a few bandits trying to chase after it for all the good it would do them.

Rhys was the first to break the silence, his comment an odd one. Only when he realized that he was receiving only a few curious looks did he say anything further.

”How can you be so calm after all of-of that?” Vaughn interrogated, glancing between the two brunettes with him.

Naira offered a shrug, unbothered by Vaughn’s panicky tone. “Best keep your cool, those who lose it here end up dying quicker,” Naira warned.


Naeva seemed content where they were right now as the gunfire began to calm. Perhaps she didn’t mind the silence now, after such a burst of curious action. No doubt that sight of her old friend shook her though she bounced back quickly enough. That was good, Zer0 noted. She’d learned a lot in the time she’d traveled with him then.

When he displayed that familiar emote it didn’t take long for her to grin bake brightly. She seemed to enjoy those little things though Zer0 could not say why. Perhaps it was because they were there in place of his own face, obscured behind the helmet visor as it was.

Indeed the gunfire had dwindled and if Zer0 paid attention he might have noticed the loader bot’s escape. A few indistinguishable shouts might be heard afterwards but for the most part that fray had died down. If Bassa Nova were in the area he would be investigating for sure in time, having missed on the action.

“That they are,” Zer0 agreed.

He glanced around then, seeing nothing of note down below in the town streets. Killer was even settling down, sitting back on is haunches. It was a good alert for any bandits that might be nearing their position as well.

Mulling over their options was not very interesting to Zer0. To wait or move on, what more could be done? For now nothing and that bothered him greatly. Zer0 did not like sitting back idly like this and yet he must for the moment.

Naira had to admit that the sooner these two calmed down the better. This old place was kinda dusty and dark as it was and she’d rather not spend too much time bunkered here. However long it would take for Vaughn to chill out was the question however. She shook her head at that. ’What a mess.’

She left it at that however. There would be no point in arguing about it and stressing everyone out more. Instead she turned, surveying the stuffed creatures strewn about the room and the lights in the back strung up to lead them to some pathway here.

“You’ll grow used to it,” Naira said simply. “Or not, assuming we’re here shortly.”

”Right, well, I agree with Rhys, okay? Let’s just get this done with and go sit in nice cushy chairs back up on Helios,” Vaughn offered, pushing his glasses back up his nose.

At the very least Rhys was thinking rationally. That much could be appreciated in this situation though Naira would be happier once this was all said and done. Having someone up on Helios that might be plotting to throw her out of an airlock next and rise to her spot in the hierarchy was not something she wanted to see come to fruition. She rather liked living even if she was still deeply missing Jack and his flirty banter…

She started forward, mostly ignoring the taxidermy animals. She’d seen most of them a time or two personally after all. Stuffed as they were they posed no threat though to Vaughn and Rhys she couldn’t say. She couldn’t hear their footsteps following after her yet.

”Woah… What kind of sick place is this?” Vaughn managed to say after a moment or two.


It was finally quiet again. If Bassa Nova did come out and kick up a ruckus now they’d easily be able to hear it. Not to mention Moxxi had said that the man had a penchant for playing too-loud music as he went about his business. If that was all it took to hear him then Zer0 would keep an ear open while they waited. Perhaps it would herald his arrival rather than seeing him first.

Eventually Naeva spoke again, bringing his attention back around to her. For a moment Zer0 said nothing, he merely surveyed her as a brilliant red question mark flared to life from his helmet. It was only when he really understood what Naeva was asking did that emote disappear once more.

“It matters not now, there are things to see to here, that is all I need,” Zer0 answered finally.

He tipped his head in thought at Naeva’s offer. Elpis had something to share, eh? Perhaps they would one day look into that and see if that still held true. That was if they ran out of any meaningful challenges here on Pandora. For now it was still offering him something in terms of any new Vault rumors after all.

“If it comes to that then we will plan accordingly.”

It really was all they could do for the time being after all. He was not yet done with Pandora and it wasn’t as if he’d heard anything that called to him elsewhere just yet.

Behind her, Naira could hear Rhys pointing out the sign along the nearby wall. At the very least they’d found the place, albeit on accident. She’d count her lucky stars later, when there was less to worry about. Instead she inspected the stuffed creatures as she passed, wondering who’d taken to this hobby here.

”Well, at least there’s that. One step closer, right?” Vaughn answered, a little bump back to his voice.

“That it is,” Naira agreed lightly, turning away from the large bullymong she’d been glancing over. It was dusty and obviously very old; whoever had stuffed it had done so long ago.

She spotted the stuffed man, a megaphone emerged from his chest, as Rhys pointed it out. For a second Naira could only blink at the thing, a rather foreboding feeling spreading from her chest and her frown deepening. If that was a precursor to… Naira certainly hoped that one hadn’t left the dried up Oasis anytime soon…

Vaughn and Rhys neared it, peering at the stuffed corpse cautiously. From the way Vaughn moved he might have expected it to jump up and bite him. In the dark lighting here it might have made it all the more intimidating.

”This day just keeps getting creepier…” Vaughn muttered, sparing a glance over at Rhys and Naira.

“That’s a lovely sign of things to come,” Naira groaned, rubbing her forehead.


He rose to his feet, craning his neck here and there to work the stiffness out of it. They’d been sitting here for too long now. Any moment now and Zer0 might just rush off to search for Bassa Nova himself. It would at least be more entertaining this what they were doing now.

“For now at least,” Zer0 noted.

He cocked his head to one side as Naeva reached out to prod at his helmet, a smile in place on her face. She looked much gentler now, when she was not working in tandem with Killer and himself, when there was no gun in her hands and ready to be shot.

At the very least he would have an ally at his side. An odd thought that though he pushed it to the side. There was no reason to dwell on such things after all. Other events were more important for the moment and he would see to them in time. At least, that was the plan.

“Spontaneity is part of a challenge,” Zer0 defended. “You manage to keep up well enough.”

Naira had merely spared a small smile and a little shrug in answer to Rhys’s question. It could be, she figured, if he took it that way. For the moment she wasn’t all that eager to divulge much to either him or Vaughn, she had no reason to. It wasn’t like they were more than her employees and as long as they weren’t dying then things were fine as they were.

Spotting the stuffed man was enough to draw all of their attention to it, gathering around it. It was only then did the megaphone come to life, playing what might have been some pre-recorded message.

”Okay, so this is taking a turn I really don’t want it to,” Vaughn moaned, glancing at his buddy. Rhys didn’t seem to be able to offer much in return to that.

Naira heaved a sigh as they headed down the hallway, lights flaring to life with each ‘exhibit’ they crossed. Each one comprised of someone new, deceased and stuffed for all to see. Bewm—or was it Boom? Naira didn’t care—was displayed in all his little glory, as if he was ready to take flight and throw a grenade.

“Hm?”

She blinked, glancing up at Rhys when asked about Pandora hobbies. Vaughn was also watching her, perhaps hoping that taxidermy on humans wasn’t a common sight to behold. Naira shook her head, offering a shrug.

“As far as I know, no. Though one creep springs to mind…”

”Oh, lovely. Nice. Just what we needed! Hopefully we won’t end up on the line here…” Vaughn scoffed, shaking his head as they moved down said line of stuffed bodies.

It wouldn’t be until a familiar, scrawny professor corpse was spotted did they really stop again to inspect it. She’d even really ignored the familiar Oasis man, a little too happy that he was deceased and stuffed. The guy had been way too crazy and clingy for Naira’s tastes and the reason she avoided Oasis entirely if she could help it.

Her hand found its way to her hip as she eyed the familiar face of Nakayama. “Well, isn’t this a familiar face.”


The silence would have almost been deafening if not for the sound of the wind in the distance and the occasional rakk shriek. It might have been refreshing for anyone else but for Zer0 it was boring. At least there was Naeva here to speak to, to mitigate that dreadful feeling for awhile longer.

He shook his head, gesturing to the now silent town. The bandits had gone back into hiding now or to wander about aimlessly in the streets and lick their wounds. With the bot gone and the Hyperion workers out of sight they must not have been all too eager to go on a wild chase and most likely turn up nothing. Still…

“We will go and resume our search albeit at a closer range,” Zer0 stated.

At least they could walk and work out some stiff muscles and possibly tick off a bandit or two while they wandered. It might work to drive out Bassa Nova if another scuffle took place. Naeva might very well be eager to walk a little bit as well with all the sitting and waiting they’d been doing recently.

A bit of packing up was in order as well as making sure they had the ammunition capable for any long firefights below. As well practiced as they were now it would only take a short time before they were off however. Zer0 was already moving to sling his rifle into place and to double check provisions.

“It is better than idly waiting like this.” His comment might have come across more agitated than the previous one though Zer0 did really feel that way. He did not like waiting about while a challenge might otherwise present itself.

Perhaps they might even learn what Naira was doing here with her two fellow Hyperion workers. Zer0 would stay his blade and gun if only for Naeva’s sake, assuming Naira did not attack them first. While he held reservations about the woman he respected Naeva too much to go against her wishes at the drop of a hat.

It was strange to see the corpse of Nakayama, something clutched tightly in his hand. Naira shook her head, heaving a sigh at Rhys’s question. He was full of them it seemed. Was he always this curious or was it just with her? She couldn’t say for sure, barely knowing him as a person.

“He was one of the scientists under Jack’s employ awhile back. I gathered that he resented me a bit,” Naira answered simply. There wasn’t much need to go on about how obsessive he was about Jack. Still, Naira wondered if those old ‘immortalize Jack as a robot’ plans of his ever panned out. They’d ended up rather strangely before after all.

”Well, looks like he’s not much use to us now.” Vaughn glanced at the thing Rhys had tugged out of Nakayama’s hand. ”Hey, that’s an ID chip! Hold on to that, you can score some cash when we get back for returning it!”

“If worse comes to worse that ID chip could come in handy. Nakayama had access to some restricted labs beforehand,” Naira pointed out. Though she was still high up and had such access, if they were separated, Rhys and Vaughn might still be able to use it if needed.

”As fun as this is though, can we get a move on? All these dead guys are giving me the creeps,” urged Vaughn, turning and bypassing the last corpse entirely.

Naira couldn’t blame him, she was getting a little antsy to get to this deal and get things over with. Still, Rhys hadn’t moved yet either, ID chip still in hand. Curious, Naira observed his face. There was a little furrow of his brow and the way his jaw was set was enough to tell her he was lost in thought.

“Don’t get lost on me now,” Naira prodded. “We’re close as it is.”


Zer0 was immensely content with the fact that Naeva was eager to get a move on as well. Already she was on her feet, scooping everything up they needed. Even her robot was on its feet, waiting for them to lead the way. The thing wasn’t entirely intelligent, running off basic programs she’d managed to code.

There wasn’t much to pack up, their belongings gathered in minutes. Everything of value that was not needed was kept back in Sanctuary for the time being. Weighing oneself down would only hinder them after all. Besides, keeping any valuables on hand would only entice bandits more often and sometimes Zer0 just needed to get from point A to point B.

A question mark burst forth from his helmet as a brief, light touch on his back drew his attention. Naeva spared a smile his way as she passed him by down the hill. They’d reach the town in no time with the quick pace they normally took to.

“Then let us move and we shall see,” Zer0 urged, wondering if she might be right or not. Things could very well get nasty if they weren’t careful.

He started off after her, his stride a long and even one. It did not take much for him to catch up to her though Naeva probably expected as much. These trips were very normal nowadays after all. It was a nice feeling, if he stopped to think about it.

“I think we can all agree on that sentiment,” Naira said lightly.

They were moving now, perhaps more so to get away from the rows of dead people, posed for any and all to see. It was rather awkward, unsettling even. Naira would be less antsy the sooner these corpses were out of her sight. As someone who stomached quite a bit, she felt like that said enough.

The door ahead of them appeared to be locked though this didn’t stop Vaughn from pounding on the door. Naira heaved a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. Nothing was going correctly.

”Are we even sure this is the right way? What if we came in through the back, or something stupid like that?” Vaughn wondered, knocking on that door again.

“Maybe there’s a key hidden somewhere, if we’re lucky,” Naira pointed out. Finding it, however, would be the problem.

Behind her she heard Rhys’s footsteps stop and his voice rang out soon after. It sounded like he was eager to get this all done and over with and back up on Helios. For a noncombatant like he and Vaughn, that didn’t surprise Naira. She shook her head, already speaking before she started to turn.

“Assuming we can get passed this door—“

Something dropped from above, landing with a heavy thud between she and Rhys, startling her. Before she’d registered that she’d jumped, the thing had straightened up and grinned right at her, the man’s bulging eyes peering at her as he did so. That didn’t last too long as Naira shouted something unintelligible that might have been “holy shit!” and promptly smacked the newcomer hard.

” … I don’t know what disturbs me most, this guy or the fact that our boss just shrieked…”


As they walked Zer0 caught the way Naeva took to twirling that cane of hers. She’d become quite a little tool monkey over the years, tinkering with anything she could get her hands on. Who would have known that the mousy individual he’d first taken under his wing would turn into what she was now? It was a little amusing when he thought back on it.

“Either blade or choice, they will become naught but foes, felled by the end game.”

While he’d spoken Killer had hurried ahead, it’s programming aiding it in what to do. With that thing around there was another pair of eyes, so to speak, keeping an eye on their surroundings and for potential threats. While Zer0 didn’t often mention it, it was a relief to have it around, at least for Naeva’s safety.

He shook those thoughts away for the time being when Naeva spoke up again. It had grown eerily quiet, more so than earlier. Perhaps the bandits were skulking in the shadows of their homes, nursing their wounds. Zer0 would not be surprised if that were the case. These types of men and women did not like seeing their ‘prey’ get away and from the looks of it with the loader bot, that might have been just what happened.

Perhaps it was this that settled Naeva’s worries a little or perhaps she had that much faith in her old friend. Zer0 could not say and would not ask.

“Then we will smoke them out if we grow too bored,” Zer0 answered.

It all happened so fast that it startled Rhys. One minute he was investigating a body that he swore hadn't been there. The next, Naira had shrieked, punching the man who had acted like he was dead right in the face. It all would have been funny if Rhys's heart wasn't racing and the man wasn't holding his nose, groaning in pain.

"Ow, ow!" the man had started, trying to suck in a breath as if it would help the pain, "What'd you have to go and do that for?"

Honestly, the answer should have been obvious. Normal people didn't just jump up on others like that. Especially so when he had been acting like he was dead in the first place.

"Uhhh. I'm pretty sure that question answers itself..." Rhys replied, shaking his head, "Look, I don't know who you are but we need to get through that door...So, you know, if you could let us, that would be great."

"Oh, no, no, no. I can't let you do that!" he protested quickly, "I was told not to let anyone in. There's a deal going on! So, instead of wasting time on that, you can always browse my works!"

Rhys spared a glance at his friend who simply shrugged his shoulders, that worried expression overtaking his features again. Naira looked as if she might lash out at any moment.

After seeing her out there with the bandits? Rhys would be surprised if she didn't blow right now.


Zer0's long strides easily over took her own. He moved with confidence but also made a point to glance here or there. While the bandits might have been chased into their holes, it didn't mean this place still wasn't dangerous. It was very much that. Underestimating it while things were quiet could easily get a rookie killed.

She twirled the cane once, sparing a glance around again. Zer0's words were pretty for sure. They always were. He never did tell her whether poetry was a hobby or if he had another reason for speaking that way. It didn't matter much. She still very much liked it.

"You always have such pretty words," Naeva started, smiling, "but in the end, it's just a blood bath. It's kind of ironic. But I suppose I like that about it too."

Killer was moving about, poking his head in areas that he might have seen something rush into or caught a heat signature. They always turned out to be simple, small creatures native to Pandora. A quick shriek caught his attention briefly however.

"Heeey, well that sound wasn't creepy at all," Naeva commented, rubbing the back of her neck with her free hand, "I wonder what poor sucker just got scared out of their wits."

It sounded distantly familiar. Naeva shoved it aside for the time being. People were still alive here. Hearing that shriek might bring some out and about to investigate.

Naira raised her voice as quickly as she was ready to pick a fight. It surprised Rhys a little. She was always so quiet in the halls, often lapsing into deep thought. All of the time, she listened to music. He'd never seen her like this before.

Her shouting made them all flinch. It was easy to see that much. Naira was serious about this now. If anything, this guy, 'Shade' as she called him seemed to recognize her after a brief moment or two.

"Wait...you're here for the...the deal?" he sputtered a little nervously. Even though the guy had such a large smile on his face, she must have startled him finally. "Hold on, why is it you look so familiar?"

"Look...we don't have time for this," Rhys tried to push again. Shade didn't seem to be listening, instead pointing at Naira once more.

"Wait, wait! I remember! You were the crazy, angry lady I met a few years back! Yea, that's it!

Rhys's shoulders sagged. A part from that interesting bit, they were wasting time and they needed to get moving. He heaved a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"We're never going to get back onto Helios..."


She spared him a grin. She really did like those haiku's. How he had manged to speak so expertly in it almost constantly was impressive. She wondered how long it took to learn that, or at least train ones own mind to adjust to the limited syllables.

Before she was able to answer, that scream had rung out, changing the subject rather quickly. She tapped the ground with the sharp end of her cane, shaking her head.

"True that," she replied after a moment, "Just sounded too familiar for my comfort."

If it was Naira, then she still might be near. That wasn't a yelp of pain either. Something genuinely startled that person. She shook it from her head a moment later.

"Couldn't be," she muttered, "Naira never got startled by anything."

She had never been the easily scared type, the exact opposite of Naeva way back when. Now that they had separated for a time, Naeva expected her friends habits might have changed just as much as Naeva's. Still, being jumpy was not one she could see Naira being.

Naira folded her arms over her chest, glaring at Shade as he started to speak, stammering a little. C’mon she wasn’t that scary looking! Hell, she was a little slip of a thing, wearing a large coat over her shoulders, what was there to be cowering for? Still, she had learned to throw her weight around and not get stepped all over since being at Jack’s side…

It didn’t take him long to recognize her, a groan from Vaughn sounding out after. Naira couldn’t help but to heave another annoyed sigh. Nothing was getting done!

”Jeez, we’re gonna die of old age down here at this rate. Can’t you speed this up or something, Naira? He does seem to know you,” Vaughn pointed out, perhaps trying to find a way to get to this deal quicker as well. Still, if Shade didn’t let them past this door then it would be for nothing.

It wasn’t until Shade mentioned her being the “angry, crazy lady” did Rhys seem to lose hope of this being a quick process. Naira couldn’t blame him though he didn’t know the extent of Shade’s insanity. At this rate he might try to keep them here forever despite Naira’s threats and willingness to act on them. Hell, Shade didn’t even seem to be acknowledging Rhys or Vaughn now as it was.

“Would you just shut up and get me to that deal! I don’t have time for you!” A pause followed. “And I’m ‘angry and crazy’ because you’re a pain in my ass!”

”Is shouting really going to work with this guy? I think he’s kind of… oblivious… to it, or something,” Vaughn spoke up. Naira could imagine him shrugging as he said those words.


She had grinned back and so all was well. It was when she did not react to those emotes of his that he knew something was wrong. For now all was well and so he did not dwell too much on that observation. Things would proceed smoothly, one way or another. Zer0 was going to make sure of that.

“Had it now?” he wondered.

Perhaps she thought it might be Naira again, it was hard to say if Naeva did not speak up about it however. For now it would be best to avoid the Hyperion workers, no matter how much Naeva might wish to see her old friend again. Whatever her thoughts she kept them to herself, her mutterings merely noise to Zer0 as lowly as she’d spoken.

He put it from his mind easily enough; they had other matters to attend to right now. They were still no closer to locating Bassa Nova and finding out what he knew of the Gortys Project. He hummed slightly at that. What would a bandit knew of such things? He supposed they would find out soon enough.

“Perhaps you might find out one way or another,” Zer0 pointed out, if only to calm her thoughts. “Assuming we must run into that person.”

At the very least her temper seemed to be getting them places with Shade. Perhaps all this focus on him was enough to make him doubt rambling on and keeping them here longer. No matter what the reason behind it he soon produced the key to the door and urged them onwards.

”Well, who knew a little shouting could solve problems? Not that I want you to shout at me or anything… Just, something to keep in mind and all,” Vaughn said as they passed through the doorway.

Naira shot him a brief look though it was far less hostile then the one she’d aimed Shade’s way. She just had no patience for that man at all! “I’m not going to shout at you. … Unless you do something utterly ridiculous and stupid, then I will scream at you and call you a dumbass,” she promised.

However Vaughn took that Naira couldn’t say. Instead she was glancing around this new area, trying to figure out why they’d be conducting a deal in such a run-down backwater place like this. Hell, it was even creepy to boot with all those stuffed bodies back there. Naira would rather avoid this place as much as she could come future excursions on Pandora.

”Right, well, that’s certainly comforting! Right, Rhys?” Vaughn was saying, perhaps ignorant to the fact that Naira had lapsed into thought.

Who would be waiting with this deal? She supposed they’d find out in minutes.


Zer0 hummed shortly in answer, if only to indicate that he had not been ignoring her. In truth he hardly ever did, he saw no reason to. Naeva was not someone he needed to bother trying to block out, quite the opposite really. It might never be said but he felt like Naeva knew that much already.

“Perhaps it was or perhaps it wasn’t,” Zer0 stated simply. “It is nothing to worry over so hard.”

All the same Naeva seemed unable to put it out of her mind that Naira was here as well. It really should not have surprised Zer0 much; she had spoken fondly of the Hyperion woman in the past. Perhaps she had hopes that their friendship had yet to end despite being on opposite sides. It was hard to say however without outright asking.

For now he did not need to question such things, they posed no problem to him after all. Zer0 would leave it lie.

“If she is then we will find out in due time,” he said. It really was as simple as that right now. Without more to go on they couldn’t say and seeking her out just to ask might be a bad idea.