Note:

This story happens in what you could call a parallel world. I try to stick to the characters personalities as much as I can, and this story includes a fictional character, a siren called Ashe.

Any constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated! I write mostly for myself but trying to improve my style.

Enjoy!

"They should be here any minute now."

Ashe had been waiting for a few hours now, and she was growing impatient. She had been nervous since Rhys had gone on his mission. Even for "routine" missions, she was always feeling nervous when he was going out of the Hyperion HQ.

Rhys had been on a mission for a few weeks, touring different factories on Pandora to make sure everything was running smoothly and that production was running as efficiently as it could. A "boring task that still needed to be done", as he tended to say himself.

Ashe never liked having Rhys so far away from her. Sure, he would have loader bots to escort and protect him, but Pandora was still a dangerous place. And Rhys wasn't exactly a fighter. If only she could have been authorised to go with him, she would have kept him safe. After all, she was a siren. And a powerful one.

Her stomach was tensing up each second, she was so anxious she was forcing herself to take deep breaths. She was getting dizzy as she kept holding her breath without even realising it. She hadn't heard from Rhys since he had left, which was unusual.

"I hope nothing happ- Rhys!"

The door had just opened to let Rhys and his escort in. Vaughn, Rhys' best friend, was already at his side.

She rushed to Rhys, ready to jump in his arms. But instead of welcoming her warmly as he usually would, he addressed her a weak smile.

"Rhys, is everything alright?" she asked.

"It's fine, Ashe." Answered Vaughn. "He just needs to rest."

"Did something happen?" she enquired, growing even more worried.

"I'm good." Said Rhys. "We just got attacked by bandits on the way back. I'm just a bit shaken. I'll see you when I'm feeling better."

As the two men disappeared around the corner, Ashe was left in confusion. Since when was Rhys admitting a weakness? Attacked by bandits? He looked perfectly fine, his suit was intact and Vaughn wasn't panicking as he would have done if Rhys had been attacked by bandits.

Vaughn and Rhys had both tried to hurry and leave as soon as they could. Ashe had noticed a few looks between the friends. Maybe it wasn't very important, maybe Hyperion had some affairs that she wasn't allowed to know about.

But if there was one thing that Ashe hated, it was to be kept in the dark. Since Rhys and Vaughn were being so secretive, she would go see someone who wouldn't mind sharing a bit too much.

She decided to go see Vazquez.