Back on the Ghost of Irk, the two shuttles touched down. The ramp of the heavy shuttle opened, allowing Haxx to step off with the Minidoomer as the others after. Aren's broken arm reset, splinted, and in a sling with Zutel's quick work. Skrem looked around the hangar as he then watched the two suited Vortians step off.

"Now that we actually have time to talk, somebody want to tell me what on Irk a couple of Vortians are doing with us?!"

"I, uh-" Orkos started, "Classified."

"Don't fucking give me that, you little piece of-"

"Invader Skrem?" Corr came over and interrupted the tension brewing. "General Vaukt said to have you contact him as soon as we rescued you. This way."

"...All right." Skrem left the hangar following Corr. Zutel took Aren to the infirmary to deal with the other issues,

Haxx, having maneuvered the potch-marked, carbon-scorred Minidoomer off of the equally shot-up shuttle, powered down and stepped out of the exosuit after the hatch released. Aero, awaiting their return, rushed up to them with her hands clasped to the sides of her head in awe.

"What did you DO?!"

"What?"

"You had it FIVE MINUTES, Haxx!"

"Hey, we were gettin' shot up!"

"I see that!" She huffed in disbelief, gesturing to it. "I JUST finished building this thing!"

"...sorry?"

Vara came over hearing the commotion, taking her mask off. "Aero, Haxx was fighting four of the augmented SIS types with that thing at once."

"And a bunch of VDF regulars…not to brag or anything." He smugly grinned at her. "Nobody died thanks to me."

Aero moodily folded her arms with a scowl.

"...doesn't change the fact you broke it."

"What? It ain't broke-"

About that time, one of the hydraulic lines to the upper limb burst in a shower of fluid, the ram slowly contracting and the attached PRC pointing lowly to the deck.

"...mostly not-broke. Hey, be lucky I didn't lay bricks in it at all the AA rockets fired at us!"

Vara came up and wrapped her arm around Haxx's shoulder with a smirk, "And I think you owe your pilot a few drinks. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes, yes, you helped too," Purple Team's Lieutenant placated in banter with a smirk of his own. "...seriously though, you saved our c'hurtas…and Green Team ain't dead! How 'bout that?"

"Oh, they made it back in one piece?" Aero queried, looking over to the newest additions to the team in equal states of coping with what they endured.

Orkos and Lorlo seemed…okay. Mostly. A little rattled being on the receiving end of what would constitute a sound beating from overwhelming adversity. Deris was pale as a ghost and bound to get sick any moment. Chavsa's adjustment to being shot at on the ground was…challenging.

The pink-eyed Lieutenant's brow furrowed in confusion.

"Where's Aren at? The one with the pretty eyes?"

"Mostly in one piece. She got ragdolled by one of those SIS guys. Concussed, broken arm. She's tough, she'll be fine. Something you two can share in common now."

"Never seen a woman take a beating like that from any of us in these suits and walk away like she has. I like her." Vara added, "Zutel took her once we landed. Also lucky that Invader you guys saved didn't blow Jur's head clean off."

"I'm sure he's…confused, to say the least." Haxx concluded. "...and sorry 'bout the exosuit."

"Hmm? It's fine…just…well, not more work for me anymore. You know how I am about my stuff."

"Yeah, don't touch it."

"Exactly."

"Oh, 'fore I forget," Haxx stipulated, smirking as he leaned in closer. "I only caught bits an' pieces of it but apparently Chavsa's part of the reason they got made in the first place…Aren's none too happy about it."

"Oh?"

"If she wasn't tuned up by SIS, I'd imagine she'd have rearranged Chavsa's face on the deck out here…10 monies says Aren'd put her in her place."

"Yeah, fighter jock is gonna get her ass beat by a ground pounder as quick as can be." Vara laughed.

"Here I thought you'd be biased and side with a stick-handler."

"I flew capital ships before I went special forces, Haxx." She squeezed his shoulder with a smile.

"...my shin would guiltily like for her to suffer indignation." Aero admitted wistfully. "I don't care how good you are at your job, that's no excuse to be rude."

"Ain't that the truth." Vara huffed. "I like her fire but she needs to channel it to be more…focused. Not some inferno that burns friend and foe alike."

"Give it time. If Aren doesn't, someone else will," Haxx shrugged, attempting a peace offering to Aero as he located some absorbent mats to begin cleaning up the hydraulic leak from the exosuit's damage.

"If everyone was more like me and just got along with everyone, we wouldn't have these problems." Aero reasoned with a smile.

"Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect universe, Aero."

"Are you saying that I'm perfect, Haxx?"

"What, no, that's no-"

"I'll remember that the next time you ever question anything I, a perfect being, ever does." She grinned, teasing.

"...walked into that one."

"Yes you did." Vara laughed as she moved over to Aero to give her a one armed hug. "On the other hand, I happen to like our tall and extremely happy friend. She's a great mood lifter."

Vara made two grievous miscalculations. The first was stepping into Aero's reach. The second was initiating a hug. The endearing gesture found itself returned in kind tenfold by the tall female and her insane, deceiving strength. The suit Vara wore saved her from a great deal of discomfort but the pressure was still present.

"Yes, yes I am. The best." She cheerfully grinned.

"Should be a chiropractor with all the skeletons you rearrange." Haxx muttered.

"What's that? Do you need a spine adjustment?" Aero bantered, releasing Vara to ensnare Haxx before he could escape. Unfortunately for him, he didn't have the same level of protection.

"Ack! Aero!"

"Nnn…hugs are nice."

"Yes, yes they are." Vara laughed at Haxx's gross miscalculation. "Aero, serious question, how much do you bench?"

"Bench?" She queried, perplexed all the while holding onto Haxx.

"You know, weightlifting? Lay on your back, take the bar out from over you, see how much weight you can push straight up?"

"Oh! Right, the exercise stuff!" Aero realized, being merciful in permitting Haxx the ability to breathe and freedom he took full advantage of to escape. "Uhh…lemme think…I never really paid much attention to it before…but Radec was bragging the other day…and I did more than he could. He was pretty upset about it. I don't know why. It's just weight."

Haxx winced, breathing deeply again.

"Probably thinks you're stronger than him and he's a fitness freak…pretty sure you can outlift me, too."

"Well, yeah, I picked you up."

"That's…not what I meant."

"Yeah, I kinda wonder where you get such strength. Even in this suit I can still feel the pressure from you hugging me."

"Sula said it's because I'm a freak of nature and then told me that isn't to be mean but an abnormality."

"Abnormality…sounds 'bout right."

"Are you making fun of me?"

"I would never dare dream of it."

"Good. I'd turn you into a pretzel if you were."

"I know you would."

Vara chuckled, "You're still a lovely woman, Aero. Happy to have you as a friend instead of shooting at you."

"Aww, me too! I'm glad we're friends."

"Well, if you two are doing…whatever this is, I'm gonna go hit the showers…but don't hesitate let me know if Green Team implodes. I wanna see it for myself."

"I will have your frequency on speed dial." Aero smiled at him. "...and a handful of people have their work cut out for them fixing your mess."

"Yeah, yeah, tell 'em I'm sorry." He waved off.

"I'll come find you for my drinks later, Haxx!" Vara yelled to him as he left with a grin, deciding once more to take a gamble in getting within arm's reach of Aero. "So, is this just a one time thing for Haxx or does he have a tendency to break things?"

"Hmm? Oh, he's got a history with breaking things. Usually his own gear doing dumb and reckless things being, well…dumb and reckless. Not as much these days…but this is the first time it's not been his thing to break." Aero explained with a pursed expression as she visually examined the battle-scarred mech. "...at least I know Vardy and I can build something that can take a beating."

"It's certainly impressive." She smiled, "Vard told me he's got ideas for an armor that's based on the information he gleaned from us. I'm rather keen to see it come to pass and what comes up from it. I'm certain you'll be throwing in some good ideas for your team too."

"Yup. We've had more…pressing matters to deal with but it's definitely in the works. Long way away from anything workable but its getting there." She nodded, antenna bobbing. "Hopefully things will move quicker with all the extra hands about to help!"

"Very much so, you guys have a good thing going. Even if the new team is rather…rough around the edges." She looked over to Green team just in time to see Deris puke on the floor of the carrier. "Oh no…"

The sound of retching and the grotesque contents of his spooch hitting the deck immediately garnered Aero's attention.

"Are you SERIOUS right now?!" She huffed, storming towards the offender. "I don't go into YOUR room and puke on YOUR bunk, do I?!"

Equal parts terrifying as it was amusing, Aero effortlessly snatched him up by his collar to shove his face in it.

"No! Bad Deris!" Found itself followed by carrying the sickly squadmate by his collar. "To the infirmary with you!"

Deris was sobbing and retching from his experience as Aero dragged him away, leaving Vara snickering. She really was a force of nature to watch. Great to have as a friend, just don't cross her.