Greetings! Sorry this did not come out as fast as I thought. I thought I would get a reign on the sporadic updates but alas…no. I have the next chapter already done however, so it really should be up sooner! Woohoo!
Thank you for the reviews and alerts! They always make my day! I hope you enjoy this chapter and please tell me what you think! Have a great weekend!
MYEEP
Naryk is a tough taskmaster, but Davix and I become better every day. We both can only shoot pistols, which suits us just fine. The hardest thing is learning to fight off the human nature and instinct. We are learning to fight like Turians (which is awesome) and that is challenging for all involved. Naryk soon learned the differences in our bodies, like my chest and Davix's groin are sensitively unarmed and shouldn't be attacked or used for defense.
It was found out early in training that Davix was incredibly fast and I am apparently really flexible and good leg strength and we honed in on those qualities. Our skills had been tested when we were attacked by a pack of crazy monkey like creatures in our camp. We quickly brought them down.
One perk of all this was that I was losing weight! When I did a little happy dance and the two caught me in the act, I had to explain. It was embarrassing.
A week and a half on intense training, planning, and we were finally ready to search for other survivors tomorrow. There was an excited and tense feeling in the air.
We sat down around the fire pleased with our progress and ready for the next day.
"So… do you have anyone waiting for you back home Melody?" Naryk asks from across the fire, eating his dinner, and I lift an eyebrow. My eyes widen in surprise at his expression. His head is ducked down a little, his mandibles a little fluttery… apparently showing his shy side. Huh. He is our take charge leader… this is interesting.
"Um no. My family-"
"He means mate. Hmmm. Human term boyfriend." Davix clarifies and I feel stupid. Duh.
"Oh that. No. I don't have anyone waiting on me." I whisper that last part. Honestly it is a sore spot for me, being 24 years old with only one relationship to speak of when I was 19. I ended it, went to an internship where we couldn't date for a year, and then nothing since then. I bury the feeling of insecurity and focus on what I have. Friendship.
"Ah. You Davix?" Naryk asks before I can ask if he has anyone.
"No. No breeding contracts waiting."
"It's not all about breeding contracts Davix." Naryk says in good humor and Davix huffs.
"No no. Have no romantic relations. You are still with Naga yes? Wanted to talk about her so brought up this question?" Davix has turned the tables on Naryk and the Turians mandibles flutter, embarrassed.
"Who is Naga?" I ask with a gleeful girly grin on my face.
"My mate." Naryk says with a flick of his mandible.
"You're married?!"
"Ah no! Spirits no… not yet. Your language doesn't seem to have a word equivalent of it. I was going to ask her once I was done with this expedition."
"Oh! So you're not married but it is serious enough that you want to?" Naryks nods in answer. "Oh Maker, we need to get off this Island! Naryk you can talk about her all you want." I tell him and he smiles. We learn about his love and I lay back against my tree, crossing my arms, loving the way Naryk has come alive talking about Naga.
'We have a plan. We will survive this and we will get them home.'
"Davix, you take the map. We won't need it until we clear the area already scouted. You are the best artist, best navigator, and best memory." Naryk said, and Davix who had been studying the map every day to memorize it merely nodded and buckled his pistol to his side.
"I will be listening and watching for signs of the colonists or any threats. Melody, you have been training in stealth and have quite a photographic memory so you will be scouting ahead when needed. Report what you find to us and we will plan accordingly. Keep your eyes open and your ears sharp."
"Aye." I adjust my glasses, pick up my pack, and holster my handy pistol to my hip.
Davix took the lead and we were on our way, hoping to find survivors, have our questions answered, and get rescued. I once asked how long it usually took to be rescued and they said it depended on where we were and how the technology was working. Seeing as it had already been three weeks, we were starting to get a little worried about extraction.
'Well then maybe the Reapers won't eat us.' I think to myself glumly. Only upside to this.
"By the projection of escape pod and our lapse in time in escape to theirs, should start this way." Davix weaves and we follow.
From there it is silent communication. Naryk had taught us Turian hand signals until we memorized them and followed orders exactly.
The forest is a thing of beauty. I had seen it before, but the deeper we went in, the more exotic it all became. Instead of green lush plants like on Earth, the plants were a dark blue and all textures. No idea why because I am not a scientist, but it is beautiful. I was personally fascinated by a tree that had leaves that were so tiny, they were the size of a lady bug, and later found crinkly leaves as big as Naryk. Flowers of all shapes, sizes, and colors, the most entertaining being one in the shape of Davix's head.
The animals were just as fascinating. There were ugly, cute, pretty, fuzzy, scaley, big, small, and dangerous ones. We made sure to scout around the ones that looked really dangerous and upon running into a giant furry creature were surprised when it smiled and seemed really interested in us. I giggled when its snout nuzzled my face and even Naryk chuckled at its funny antics.
When the platypus equivalent lumbered in front of us we all just stared at it. Then Davix ran after it for scans.
The bugs though? Ugh. While they couldn't really chew on Davix and I, they could still be pests, but poor Naryk. Davix had set up a tech thing I didn't really understand, but the bugs don't like the sound so they stay away. I can't hear and Davix barely can, but Naryk hears it loud and annoyingly clear. He told us before though that he would rather have that ringing in his ears than have bugs bothering and biting him.
Naryk suddenly holds his hand up and gestures me out to scout. I quietly creep along, counting to 100 and taking in my surroundings with three of my senses. I am not going to touch anything because of the poisonous plants and certainly aint tasting anything. I hear a growling some distance away and the same natural noises we have been hearing the whole way. I don't smell anything rancid or out of the ordinary and take that as a good sign. My final mission is to memorize special landmarks or area of potential threat, taking my knowledge back to the map.
Davix has the map ready when I arrive and point out things, him adding them along the way.
"A giant round tree here, a dead one here, a rock that has an Elcor shape to it, and an abandoned Hitock nest." Naryk takes the lead this time and chooses the path with the abandoned nest.
And so the first day went. We didn't talk unless giving details or warnings. Davix had also learned how to use an electrical charge for tech attacks from his omnitool. Came in handy when we stumbled into a Hitock ambush. I managed to shoot down two and then had to beat two more off of me. I didn't like it, but I felt pretty awesome afterwards.
We set up camp and Naryk starts setting up traps.
"Not the first time I have had to do this while on a camping trip." Davix snorts at that and I smile at the two. "Palaven has some real nasty creatures." Naryk chuckles, probably remembering an adventure he had.
"Much like any planet. Earth has lions, tigers, sharks, snakes, and bears." I purposely avoid the Wizard of Oz reference because they wouldn't get it and I didn't feel like laughing alone. That awkwardness had already happened thrice between Naryk and I. Trying to explain the funny joke just makes it all more awkward. I still don't understand what Naryk meant on our first misunderstanding and the second one still makes us laugh:
"Ugh. I can't take this sun anymore. I am surprised I haven't burned yet." I groan. I have been seeking escape under the trees, canopy, and escape pod when I can. My skin is so fair that I burn super fast and I don't want to be a red lobster or peel like a reptile. Ew. I was a little red now and sensitive, but that is nothing compared to what I could become.
"Burn?" Davix asks and Naryk turns around so fast he could have started a whirlwind.
"You humans burst into flame when you get too hot?" Naryk asks his mouth agape in surprise and worry.
I can't stop the laugh that bubbles up and lasts the whole time I explain.
We set out again the next day and I scout ahead again. This eerie feeling has been making my hair stand on end and my skin prickle, but so far nothing had been wrong. I turn back to report 'all clear' when I hear Naryk's command of 'danger' and hide behind a tree. Turian vocals are very wide ranged and learning his chirp commands had been… odd at first.
I fear for my comrades life when I hear the brush move and gunfire follow. I panic when I feel a pressure on my chest and my throat jump. 'By the Maker NO!'
"MYEEP!" I squeak loudly and hurriedly cover my mouth. I hate Tourettes sometimes. Suddenly the trees behind me start moving and I know something big is coming my way. Now that the squeaks have started and my brain is in overdrive… I can't seem to stop.
Fear fills my heart as everything goes silent, including me. No sign of Davix or Naryk and it seems the creature has disappeared.
Due to the dense trees the sun isn't visible, but a giant shadow looms over me and I hear a clicking sound. I slowly turn my head around, looking up.
It is against all training and protocol but I can't help it.
I scream.