11/05/16

Getting into the swing of things with this story. I think I have plenty to carry me through plus some possibilities opened up for more Jaynix led stories, who knows?

Also I blew up Goetia again, good times but I missed a PERFECT Jaynix and Alexa screenshot and I'm upset. If only I knew ahead of time and saved the game recently. Darn.

One last thing, I had to go back and edit this story in a few places. 2 mistakes were made. Alexa's boss is Tika not Mika and the East Gate is the one in the Administrative District, so that's the one the characters will use most often with the West Gate being the one in the Industrial. Gotta commit that to memory. Pretty sure these errors popped up in another one shot, ah well.

Team

"Come on Kruse! Are you even trying!?"

Jaynix slammed her weapon against Kruse's before kicking him in the stomach, pushing him away.

Looking up the other BLADE spat "I could do without the verbal abuse!"

The pair exchanged a few more blows before their weapons locked, Jaynix smiling "But ribbing you is SO much fun!"

Kruse rolled his eyes before tripping Jaynix and striking her with his blade, throwing her across the ground.

As she rolled to her feet, Kruse took a step back "If I may ask, where the hell did you get that weapon from?"

Jaynix had decided the best way to repay Alexa for yesterday was to get her the best possible data. With Elma busy with some work her idea for a three-person spar went out the window but she had no doubt that sparring with Kruse was giving Alexa some great data.

"Oh you want to see it? Here I'll give you a closer look!"

Jaynix charged Kruse, who dodged her opening strike, swinging he hit her along the side. Jumping away, Jaynix smiled before charging Kruse again, this time he moved towards her. Both longsword and photon saber clashed against each other fiercely.

Kruse clenched his teeth as he felt three consecutive blows land against him. Jaynix spun and brought her weapon right for Kruse's midsection. Acting quickly, he rolled under the attack and struck Jaynix across the chest, pushing her away.

As Jaynix prepared to move in they heard someone call for their attention.

Skidding to a halt she turned to see Elma approaching "Hey boss! I thought you had work!"

"I do, in fact my work is what brings me here."

Elma pulled out her comm device and tapped a few buttons. Hearing her own device go off, Jaynix sheathed her weapon and pulled it up.

"Who are these guys? OH! My team?"

Elma nodded "Yes. Bills, Hermann and Tyler. They are the BLADEs you will be commanding on the Oblivia mission. I had them all gather at the Interceptor Hangar in the Administrative District, they're waiting to meet their leader."

Jaynix smiled "Awesome!"

Kruse walked over to them, sheathing his weapon "I know Bills. He's a pretty adept Pathfinder. He actually found a few caves out in Sylvalum we didn't even know existed."

"And cleared one out on his own when he was assaulted by its inhabitants. It goes without saying that this mission is our most important one since we reclaimed the Lifehold so I made sure to pull the best personnel from multiple divisions. They've all proven themselves capable and know full well how to handle pressure. I wouldn't have picked them if I didn't think they could take this mission…and knowing you Jaynix, I determined you'd need a hardier batch of BLADEs who could handle your leadership."

Jaynix looked to Elma and saluted "I won't let you down, Elma."

"I know you won't. Kruse, I'm going on a few missions, would you- "

"Care to join you? Of course I will." Kruse walked over to Elma and kissed her.

She smiled "Take a quick shower first, please."

Kruse chuckled "Will do."

Kruse walked away as Elma looked to Jaynix "By the way. That weapon you had. Was that a new model?"

"Test model. I'm helping Alexa with her work."

"I see, good to know you two are getting along that well."

"…hey Elma. You and Kruse."

Elma smiled "I'm expecting this to go one of two ways. Continue."

"…did you…did you guys ever have problems? Before you got together?"

Elma's smile vanished "Oh. You're serious."

Jaynix nodded as Elma crossed her arms "Well, as you can imagine I wasn't completely honest with Kruse in the beginning or anyone for that matter."

"Cause you're a Xeno?"

Elma nodded "Yes. There were a lot of things I couldn't tell anyone and there were more things about myself I didn't want to share. Kruse was always so accommodating. If I asked I knew he'd tell me not to worry about it. But I did. The lies, the deception…it hung over my head for so long even after everyone accepted me. Because of it there was a time I couldn't bring myself to talk to Kruse let alone even look him in the eyes."

"You were scared? You?"

"I was. Everyone is scared of something, Jaynix."

Jaynix started to say something but thought better of it. "If I may be honest with you Jaynix. There are still more things I've yet to tell Kruse. Things I just…don't know if I can share."

Jaynix looked to Elma "Really? I'm the same way actually…"

Elma watched Jaynix but before she could say anything, Jaynix cut in "Elma, you have to know that Kruse- "

"I know. I know he'd listen and I know he'd understand…if he saw me like this he'd be upset with himself for not noticing it. Chances are if he ever remembers the little details of some chats we've had in the past, he'd figure things out and ask me…and at that point I'd tell him."

Elma let out a sigh before looking to Jaynix as she spoke.

"You know Elma, you need to set a private night aside, just the two of you to get together and run through all this. I may have only known you for a bit but you sure as hell shouldn't be beating yourself up over anything anymore."

She smiled "Set a night aside? Perhaps I should. Kruse on the other hand...early on he hid his pains and fears from everyone. He always took it so personally that he could never remember anything about the White Whale or Earth. Family, friends, all manner of loved ones he's forgotten. People that to him have no faces he couldn't help but feel guilty for."

Jaynix crossed her arms "That guy. His heart is too big for its own good."

Elma chuckled "Indeed. However, the lack of memories led him to believe himself to be a traitor. A Ganglion plant."

Jaynix looked to Elma as she shook her head "After a mission went south he fell into desperation. He…"

Elma closed her eyes, trying to think of how to put it. Jaynix looked in the direction Kruse had left "Elma, are you trying to tell me that he- "

"He did. Once. As he told me, he considered the option so many times before finally deciding he had to go through with it. To this day I am so grateful that I went to him when I did. I convinced him to keep living and here we are now."

After a short silence Elma continued "So you see? Even the two of us, two of the most celebrated people in all of NLA have faults. Flaws. We've made mistakes. We are far from perfect. That just goes to show that for all our accomplishments, we're people like anyone else. At the end of the day the thing that matters most is that I love Kruse and he loves me. We've helped each other through our darkness, our doubts and here we are."

Jaynix smiled and nodded "You two have been through it all."

Elma returned the smile. "If I may, Jaynix. Is there a specific reason that you are asking?"

Jaynix remained silent for a few moments "There is."

The silence continued before Elma spoke "Personal?"

"Yeah. I know that's not fair after what you've shared but-"

Elma held a hand up "I knew I could share this with you. Whenever you feel comfortable opening up to me or Kruse or anyone else, that'll be the right time for you, okay?"

Jaynix smiled and nodded before beginning to move past Elma.

"You are not at all what I expected."

As she continued on her way, Elma raised an eyebrow. Did she hear that right? "Jaynix. What did you just say?"

Jaynix's eyes widened, she turned to face Elma "Holy shit. Did I say that out loud?"

The expression on Elma's face made it clear that she did "Just pretend I didn't say that or anything at all, alright? Thanks!"

With that Jaynix turned and ran back to New LA with Elma calling after her.

Once she lost sight of Jaynix, Elma crossed her arms and thought.

"Not what she expected? What does she mean?"

"Hey Hermann, how'd your last assignment go?"

The dark haired man looked up from his comm device "Hm? Oh, it went fine. My team actually procured a good stash of rare flora from Noctilum. What about you Tyler?"

"I cleared out a bunch of grexes as usual. But back to the Noctilum thing, fight anything good?"

Hermann crossed his arms "Y'know it's weird. It's almost as if the Indigens know where the rarest stuff is because whenever we find a stash there always seems to be a big squad of burly beasts nearby. I don't get it."

"You're telling me."

The pair turned to the blonde, Bills. "I swear the data probe placement around Mira has to be some sort of sick joke. That algorithm is masochistic."

"Good afternoon gentlemen!"

The three turned to see a woman approaching them, she stood over all three of them and there was a visible yellow glow in her eyes as she looked them over.

The three immediately stood at attention with Bills speaking "Jaynix! Ma'am!"

"That's Corporal Jaynix to you three understood!?"

"Yes Corporal!"

Jaynix smirked "Good. So. Pathfinder Bills. Curator Hermann. Interceptor Tyler. You three are my team for this upcoming huge engagement and I have to know. Are you all absolutely certain that this is where you want to be?"

They all nodded "Yes Corporal!"

"Alright then. I want to get a feel for how you three fight so come on."

She led the three back out into Primordia and drew her Longsword. "Arm yourselves."

Bills pulled out his own Longsword, Hermann a knife and Tyler a javelin.

Jaynix beckoned for them to come at her.

Tyler looked between them "Ma'am. Um, Corporal. Are you sure? Wouldn't you rather want us to come at you one at a time or- "

"Nope. The four of us are going to be fighting as one. So I need to see how you three function as one. Now come on, it's time for me to beat your asses into shape."

Bills, Hermann and Tyler looked to one another before nodding and charging.

Jaynix narrowed her eyes before ducking under Bills' first strike. She then grabbed Hermann's arm with her free hand, directing his knife away from her. With the hilt of her weapon she struck Bills in the face then slammed it down on Hermann's arm, forcing him to drop his weapon.

Releasing the man, she avoided Tyler's repeated stabs at her. Spinning his Javelin, Tyler pursued. Bringing her sword forward she deflected his blows before delivering a savage strike to his chest.

Bills jumped back in, swords clashing before he found his feet swept out from under him and fell to the ground.

Hermann charged in, his shorter blade flashing all around Jaynix as she focused on it. Smile on her face she grabbed Hermann's arm again and flipped him over before slamming him into the ground.

Jumping away from the three she waited as they stood up, rubbing their injuries.

"We've got a lot of work to do."

"Hey Frye!"

Hearing his name the man turned "Ah! Jaybird! Good to see you again, lookin' to party the rest of the day away?"

"No actually I need a favor…wait, Jaybird?"

Frye raised an eyebrow "What, don't like it?"

Jaynix thought for a few moments before smiling "Love it."

"Good, I originally thought Blue Jay, but then y'know, your hair so I changed it to Red Jay but that was too on the nose."

Jaynix chuckled "Sounds like you've been busy."

"I have! Nicknames are hard! But enough about my creativity and general genius factor. What is this favor you need?"

"Oh it's nothing too bad and it certainly won't be for nothing."

She brought out two bottles "Eh?"

"Trying to swindle me with free booze eh? Well done!"

He laughed as Jaynix smiled "So, deal?"

"Why the hell not? What'cha need?"

"Well Killer Ostrich, it's probably a job far below someone of your stature but I'd like you to go get Alexa and bring her here."

Frye tilted his head "That's it? You could easily do that yourself Jaybird."

"C'mon Frye, do me this solid, please!"

"Well, I don't get it but I don't see why not. Fine."

Jaynix smiled "You are the best, you know that right?"

"Absolutely."

With that Frye walked off, leaving Jaynix to release a long breath.

She sat down and started tapping her fingers on the table to ease her nerves. After a few minutes she heard Frye and Alexa laughing as they approached.

"I can't believe you got poor Phog drunk!"

"It was an accident! Our canteens are identical."

"I shouldn't be surprised that any liquid container near you is filled with alcohol and yet I somehow still am."

Frye chuckled "I had to carry Phog the rest of the way back to NLA, I hope he knows that when he wakes up, I'm never letting this whole situation go."

"From the sounds of it, I feel it's more your fault."

Jaynix commented as she joined the pair.

Frye rolled his eyes "If Phog could hold his liquor it wouldn't have been a problem! Alright Jaybird, I want something in return."

"What?"

He brought out his comm device "I got a whole slew of Interceptor missions out in Sylvalum…"

The man stopped, a nostalgic look on his face "Hell. I feel like I've done this before."

Shaking his head, he continued "Anyway, you now owe me so come along and bring a party if you want cause it is gonna be a hell of a time."

Jaynix looked over the targets he sent her and nodded as he took the bottles and walked off "You got it Ostrich!"

Once he was gone she turned to Alexa and smiled "Hey."

"Hey. So…Frye said you wanted to talk?"

"You weren't in the middle of something were you? Shit, you probably were."

Alexa brought her hands up "No it's fine. I actually really like talking with you."

Jaynix smiled and sat, Alexa joining her. Detaching the longsword from her back she laid it on the table "I've given this thing quite the workout."

Alexa nodded "You have, I've been receiving crazy amounts of data and all such great quality!"

"Well, I wanted to give you the best. Glad I could."

"Yeah. This Longsword is going to go through a major overhaul. So many pros to build up and flaws to fix. All thanks to you!"

Jaynix smiled "Don't mention it! Actually I had another suggestion."

Jaynix gestured for Alexa to look at the hilt "Could you make this wider and longer, that would give me a far greater point to focus on and make managing the weapons heft much easier. The blade is pretty robust after all."

Alexa nodded "Sure. I could do that."

"I'm not…stepping over any boundaries am I? Should I even be giving you advice or suggestions?"

Alexa smiled "You told me you were pretty skilled with machines, tools and the like. That aside suggestions do no harm. If anything they get me to think of things in a whole new way, which is great!"

"Alright. I just want to make sure that I'm not telling you how to do your job."

"Not at all."

The pair sat in silence for a few moments "Jaynix, would you mind…coming back to the Hangar with me? I have some more models I could show you and stuff, not to mention all the other data I got. It's easier to go over…over there."

Jaynix swallowed "I'd love to…"

Alexa smiled but then saw Jaynix's face and looked down "Oh. There's a but coming."

"No Alexa no! Don't pout! You're making me feel like a horrible piece of shit!"

Jaynix sighed "You know about that big BLADE mission to Oblivia right?"

Alexa nodded as Jaynix continued "I'm one of the team leaders for a ground combat unit and these guys. I have to whip them into shape so I've got my hands full right now. I'm just taking some time off to deliver your weapon and all that."

"Oh…of course. You're a BLADE too, you have your own work."

"Believe me Alexa, I'd…"

Jaynix thought for a few moments before continuing "I'd love to join you and actually see what it is you're working on. Maybe next time."

Alexa watched Jaynix's face before smiling and nodding "Next time."

"Hey! Contact me when you get off work, we can get together again, alright?"

Alexa smiled "Sure." She pulled out her comm device. The pair exchanged information before standing.

With a small wave, Alexa turned and began her walk back to the Outfitter's Hangar. Jaynix watched her go, releasing a heavy sigh.

Night fell on Primordia as Bills, Hermann and Tyler were thrown to the ground again.

Jaynix stabbed her blade into the ground and watched them as they stood "So, what did we learn that time?"

Hermann, who just managed to stand let out a long sigh "Watch our elbows…"

"Yeah. I mean I got to hand it to you three. A sword, javelin and knife all comin' at me at once makes it pretty difficult to focus on where to go. At the same time though it is a lot less difficult when you all, in your eagerness to get me, elbow each other in the face…it's also really fuckin' funny if I do say so myself."

"Yeah, it's a riot." Tyler stated, rubbing his bruised face.

Bills stepped forward "Ma'am. Can we go again?"

Jaynix looked to the sky overhead before shrugging "Why not?"

Drawing her blade, she nodded to them. Bills charged forward first, weapons colliding as always.

Hermann and Tyler leapt into the fray and the sounds of their clashing weapons rang out across the Primordia plains.

Bills and Hermann hit the ground hard and began groaning in pain, however while they were clearly done, Tyler continued pushing towards Jaynix.

She made a mental note of Tyler's skill with his weapon. He was easily the best of the three not to say the other two were terrible. With little tweaks here and there, Tyler could truly be a force to be reckoned with.

As she continued dodging and reading his moves, she found the opening. Smirk on her face she went for it before feeling something off. Gasping for breath her attack missed its mark by a wide margin. Her free hand flew to her chest just as Tyler struck her, throwing her to the ground.

Tyler stood over her, completely shocked by what just happen. "No way…" he whispered.

Jaynix meanwhile, lay on the ground struggling to catch her breath.

"What's happening to me?"

Finally, she took in a loud and painful breath, before rolling over on her back, still breathing hard.

She struggled to sit up. Tyler held his hand out "Need help, Corporal?"

She shook her head, struggling more before finally standing.

"Nice move, Tyler." She managed.

"Really? I think it was sheer dumb luck."

"Maybe, but luck isn't a bad thing. Just don't rely on it."

Tyler nodded as Hermann and Bills joined them.

"That's it for today, you three can go."

They all saluted and thanked her before walking off. Bills hanging back "Thank you for all of this, Corporal."

She shook her head "Don't mention it."

After Bills left, Jaynix moved back and sat on a rock. She closed her eyes and brought a hand to her chest.

She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly. She repeated this several times before she was satisfied, at least partially that she was okay.

She then looked at her hands. As she clenched her fists she asked herself the same question, over and over again.

"What was that?"

Hearing a beep she jumped to her feet before realizing what it was. Sighing she took out her comm device to see that Alexa had contacted her, realizing the hour she attached her longsword to her back and shot off for NLA.

Alexa stood in the Commercial District taking another look over the data turned in from her test weapons. Most held up and did their jobs pretty well though several reported breakdowns. She shook her head as she sent various messages of condolences to her testers.

"I thought you were off the clock."

Alexa turned to Jaynix and smiled "We're BLADEs. We're never off the clock."

"Isn't that the truth?"

Alexa looked back down at her device "I got a lot of good data from everyone today. However, some of my test models…well let's just say they're no longer in one piece."

Jaynix crossed her arms "Really? From what I've been told you're one of the Outfitter's best."

Alexa looked up, putting her device away "Well…yeah but the thing with these test models isn't just to build an assault rifle or a pair of blades. It's to build an assault rifle that has never been built before, one that functions unlike any other and has its own range of advantages and disadvantages. And sometimes the pieces we put together just don't mesh. But we can't have forward progress without a few setbacks…usually in the form of explosions."

Jaynix smirked "Well then, here's to forward progress."

The pair began walking through the Commercial District "So Alexa, what work will you be up to tomorrow?"

Alexa hummed to herself as she thought over the next day's schedule "To start the day off I of course have some maintenance and assorted duties in the test hangar, most having to do with my test models but after that I'll be flying out to Sylvalum with a few other team members."

"Sylvalum eh? Hmm, I have yet head all the way out there myself."

"It's a pretty wild place. We're going to be testing some new Skell gear set ups, ground gear load outs and even a few brand new Skell weapons some team members developed so it is going to be AWESOME!"

"Sounds like a time. That place is pretty dangerous from what I hear; you'll be alright?"

Alexa smirked "Totally. I've been all over Sylvalum, I am a battle hardened BLADE after all!"

As Alexa flexed, Jaynix chuckled "Indeed you are."

The two then shared a laugh.

The pair eventually found themselves sitting outside a coffee shop. Having been served they were taking their first sips before sighing in unison.

"What about you Jaynix, how are things going with your work?"

She shrugged "Alright I suppose. My BLADE team still needs a lot of training but I can see that they want to improve. I just hope I can make the most with the time I have. After all, the scout teams out in Oblivia could report in tomorrow that they found the Ganglion base."

After a short silence Jaynix asked "Are you taking part in the mission?"

"Me? No. Well, not directly. I won't be there but with any luck my test models will and they'll be protecting everyone who goes into battle."

Jaynix snapped her fingers "That's why you're building all these things!"

Alexa nodded "I love working with tools and developing new gear but developing new gear that will help my fellow BLADEs and keep them safe? That is the best part of my job."

"How sweet."

Alexa reached over "Actually, I have something for you."

She produced two weapons and placed them on the table "That is the Ether Longsword Mark II and this is the Thermal Enhanced Assault Rifle Mark III."

"Aw, you shouldn't have!"

Jaynix stood up, taking the longsword and drawing it from its sheath. Activating it the pieces came to life, assuming its wide shape before a red glow outlined the blade.

"Nice."

She gripped the new hilt and tested the weapon's weight. "This feels leagues better than the last one!"

She looked to Alexa who smiled "Thank you, glad you like it."

Jaynix turned it off and sheathed it before picking up the Assault Rifle "Mark III eh? May I ask what happened to the other two?"

"They exploded."

There was a short silence as Jaynix fought the urge to laugh "Really?"

"Yeah. I'm trying to get the most thermal energy out of this weapon so…it was pretty prone to blowing up or setting everything on fire, including itself. This model is the most stable."

Jaynix gave it a quick once over "You sure it won't explode on me?"

"There is an 80% chance it will not."

Jaynix chuckled "Well great."

The pair then found themselves at one of the unfinished roads, sitting on the edge, legs dangling above the gel pool below.

"So you are going to Sylvalum tomorrow as well?"

Jaynix nodded "Yep. Taking Irina and Gwin with me to party with Frye and wipe out some Indigens. It'll be a good ol' Interceptor get together."

Alexa smiled "Full team of Interceptors. Sounds like you guys will get a lot done. Remember that even by Skell, Sylvalum is pretty out there so make sure to get comfortable."

After a short silence Alexa noticed that Jaynix seemed different "Hey, you alright?"

Jaynix looked to Alexa and smiled "Of course! Why? Do I not look alright?"

"You do. Now. But…after yesterday…"

Jaynix waved her off "I promise Alexa, I'm fine. That was a one-time thing."

Alexa looked back at Jaynix "Really?"

Jaynix thought for a few moments before nodding "Absolutely. I couldn't tell you what caused it but I can tell you that…"

"…I can tell you that it never happened before and most likely never will again."

Alexa watched her for a few moments before nodding.

"Alright. If you say so…"

Jaynix then looked to the weapons Alexa had given her and tilted her head "I really need to find a way to repay you for these."

"Oh don't worry about it, if they keep you safe that is all the payment I need."

Jaynix smiled "I figured you'd say that but still. I am a gear head as well after all so maybe I should try building something."

Alexa brightened up "That'd be great! We could work on stuff together!"

She then gasped "That would be so AWESOME! We could give each other tips or even!"

Another gasp "Develop something together! THAT! Would be pretty darn rad!"

Jaynix laughed putting a hand on Alexa's shoulder "Woah, slow down there. One step at a time."

Alexa nodded "Right. Sorry. I get excited."

"I can see that."

"Actually, Jaynix. If you don't mind. I have a suggestion for you."

Jaynix turned to be completely facing Alexa and nodded "Alright then, shoot."

"Remember our first talk where we felt we didn't have private lives?"

Jaynix chuckled "Yeah, I remember."

"Well, it may be more work but I think it'll help you. There is a Prospector Crew that goes on some pretty big away missions. They're responsible for most of the huge stocks of materials NLA gets."

Jaynix nodded as Alexa continued "Obviously since they're out so long in the most remote corners or deepest caves of Mira they need a tough and ready to go security team. I think you could serve on that role pretty well. You'll do a lot of traveling to the more out-there places and meet more people, make new friends. Y'know…all the good stuff."

Jaynix crossed her arms "Hm. That does sound good. Do you know where the team is now?"

Alexa nodded "They should be back tomorrow to restock the Outfitter's Hangar among other things. After that they'll be in NLA for a few days before swapping members, planning their next route and then heading out again."

"Alright. I'll look into that. Thanks."

Alexa smiled "No problem."

After a few moments, Alexa let out a long yawn. Stretching she rubbed her eyes "I think it's about time we turned in. This was fun."

Jaynix stood, holding her hand out and helping Alexa up "It most certainly was."

The pair started walking down the road with Alexa asking "You actually look pretty wide awake right now."

"Do I? Well maybe I'm just excited for the trip to Sylvalum tomorrow. Sleeping is going to be impossible."

Alexa chuckled "Well it's a long way out and the Indigens are tough. You'll definitely need your strength."

"Pfft. I have plenty. I bet I could pick you up and throw you back to the Industrial District."

Alexa laughed, "For some reason I truly believe you could."

Jaynix joined her in laughing as they reached a fork in the road. Alexa turned to face the Industrial District before looking back at Jaynix "Well, I'll see you tomorrow. Maybe assuming I'm not already gone."

Jaynix nodded "Same here. See you tomorrow. Maybe."

With a smile Alexa turned and started her way back.

Jaynix crossed her arms and let out a heavy sigh as she watched Alexa leave. Maybe one day she'll be confident enough to walk her back. One day.