Xenotober 19 Reunion, start (Rosalee, Neesae)
a/n: Two former teammates meet on a new mission. Reunion time! This story will continue.
All the good things belong to Monolithsoft.
Neesae dashed across the river bank, her elegant boots barely making a dimple in the sand. She hurled herself at the Harrier just emerging from a skell, wrapping her arms around the newcomer.
"Rose! Baby girl! It has been too long!" She picked her up and spun her several times before setting her neatly back on the ground.
Rosalee removed her helmet and pulled Neesae down for two resounding kisses, one for each cheek. "Baby girl yourself! Why has it been this long?"
"Because you decided to become Queen Harrier," laughed Neesae. "Too good to hang with us Interceptors?"
"But that's not true." Rosalee's smile faded and a hint of worry wrinkled between her heavy brows.
"You know I'm joking. It's just been too long." As they walked over to the rest of the team, Neesae draped her arm over Rosalee's shoulders, looking down at her friend. "I haven't seen you since the ceremony."
Rosalee gave her a squeeze in return. "You looked great up on that stage, by the way. Congratulations again."
"It's been almost 2 months."
"Still a big thing, to get your GED. I'm proud of you and intend to remain that way for years to come."
"Trust me, I'll think of something bigger to make you proud about."
They separated before they reached the away station. Rosalee addressed the Interceptor leader in a professional manner. "I'm Rosalee Lopez, and I'll be your escort through the canyon. Let me know when you're ready to go, and I'll take point."
"Waste of time," snapped the soldier. "I told HQ that I've run this mission in every weather, every time of day. We do not need some pint-sized rando taking up a slot."
Rosalee held her pugnacious nose high in the air, scraping up a little more height. "Lopez, Harrier, escort. Do you understand now?"
Neesae lifted an exquisite eyebrow as she watched this exchange but otherwise said nothing. The team leader muttered something incomprehensible and walked away to check on his skell and roust the fourth team member resting in the shade. Neesae shrugged. "I should have warned you about him. He's ... how shall we put it?"
"A jerk?"
"A tad conceited."
"Nice vocabulary, Nees. I should let you proofread my mission reports, replace the swears with something nice."
Neesae beamed. "Never ever, Ro. He's a fool, but he's okay at his job. Ignore him and we'll have a good time."
The wrinkle of worry was back on Rosalee's face. "Do me a favor, Neesae. Don't treat this mission casually." She looked at the disant canyon entrance, measuring the hazy air in between. "Having an escort is a waste, usually. But maybe not this time."
a/n: Hello, linked stories. I really want to know why Rosalee is worried. I should probably figure it out.
Next up: Favorite character. I guess Frye will be on this mission too?
