Chapter 22: Contagious
Prime P.O.V
I was felt weary as I walked into Hanger 1 to prepare for the first of our scheduled meetings today. I had found it difficult to recharge last night as my processor kept returning to thoughts of Orianna in one way or another. I had lain awake on my berth, wondering if Lennox had managed to successfully question Orianna about what was causing her to act in a manner so contrary to her character. I had then drifted in and out of recharge, concerned that what plagued Orianna was indeed a 'love thing', as Major Lennoc had put it to me, and that the man that appeared to have won her affections, was not treating her as she deserved to be treated.
I sighed out loud in that human like manner as I spied the Major by his desk, looking over some papers and sipping on his coffee. He seemed focused on what he was doing so I called out to him in a bid to gain his attention and reduce the risk of startling him. ''Good morning Major Lennox. I trust your conversation with Orianna went well yesterday?''
At once Lennox spat out the mouthful of coffee he had just ingested, spraying it all over the paperwork in his hand. ''Shit!'' he muttered the profanity as he flicked the paper he had been holding and placed the mug down. He tried to wipe his chin as replied, ''Ahh, the conversation with Orianna?''
''Forgive me if I startled you Major, that was not my intention.'' I tilted my helm towards him. ''When last I spoke to you yesterday, I had requested that you speak with Orianna to try and deduce what may be troubling her. You agreed and, it was my understanding that you left immediately to carry out the task.''
Lennox nodded his head as he continued to wave the paper around, darting a quick glance towards me and then focusing once again on the papers in his hand. ''Oh yeah! That's right Prime.''
I stared down at my friend who was being uncharacteristically evasive. ''Well Major? Did you or did you not speak with Orianna and discover the source of her increasing absences of late?'' I placed my servos on my hips.
Lennox groaned and threw the paper on his desk in disgust. ''I did indeed speak with Orianna as requested Prime.'' I felt myself tense up, servos by sides as I prepared to hear what he had to say. ''I did find out what was going on, with much prompting and begging on my behalf,'' he once again flicked a quick glance in my direction before becoming very interested in the floor at his feet.
''And?'' I fought to keep the exasperation from my voice. ''What did she say Major? What seems to be causing her distress of late?'' I tilted my helm in the opposite direction and my voice dropped to a low whisper as I asked hesitantly. ''Is.. is it.. a ''love thing'' Major Lennox as you predicted?''
Lennox gave a nervous chuckle as he placed a hand in his pocket and ran the other hand through his hair. ''Umm, in a manner of speaking.'' He held both hands up before him pleadingly, ''but listen Prime, it's no big deal really. She's just ahh, trying to decide if this – individual – is really for her or not.''
I furrowed my optical ridge. ''If Orianna has not ascertained by now if this man is suitable for her, perhaps she should abandon her pursuit? To have so much doubt, pain, and hesitation over what your spark feels for someone should surely be an indication that they may not the right mate for you?''
Lennox stared at me open mouthed for a moment before he shook his head and nodded. ''Umm, yeah. I guess she just wants to make sure Prime. Look anyway, she appreciated my,'' he gestured both hands towards me, ''your, concern and just asked if we could give her some space for a little while longer, she'll sort it out.''
I shuttered my optics in confusion. I was none the wiser really. ''Major Lennox,'' I recalled his previous comment, ''What do you mean by ''in a manner of speaking?''
Lennox raised his watch before him. ''Oh, look Prime! It's 7:15am. We've only got fifteen minutes before our meeting with General Morshower.'' He began to back away from me. ''Look I gotta run,'' he gestured to his stomach, a pained expression on his face, ''that coffee has kinda hit me. I better ya know, go, before the meeting starts.'' He began to jog towards the exit. ''I'll catch ya soon.''
I stood there bewildered.
It seemed whatever was wrong with Orianna was somehow contagious. Lennox himself now appeared to be following suit and making excuses to leave my presence and evade my questioning. I shook my helm in no small amount of annoyance and confusion as I stepped towards the catwalk and prepared for the first of several meetings for the day.
I ex-vented deeply as I closed my optics and rolled my shoulders to try and expel the tension that had been building these past few weeks. I would try and do as Lennox had suggested and continue to give Orianna space, but if this went on much longer, if Orianna and now Lennox kept acting in such a manner around me, I would demand answers – from them both!