Cool golden eyes peered through the glass at the vast planet that was Lo'Suten. The floating land, the patches of woods, the kingdoms divided and the great chains that connected all of them over the powerful grey ocean beneath.

Leonel motioned to Alphonse, who took over the controls as he got up to head toward the back. Jensen met him halfway, walking with him as they swept down though the atmosphere to land as gently as Alphonse knew how. "You just dropping off the cargo or do I get to meet this friend of yours?"

Leonel gave a shrug. "I'm unaware of what will happen, normally I just drop it off at the ruins of Sin'Ki and get the payment he leaves me, he picks up the supplies after I've left."

Jensen sighed, stroking his freckled cheek with two fingers. Soon they felt the touchdown, the door opening to tap the hard ground. He signalled for them to unload the cargo, carrying it out into the section of undamaged stone by one wall broken about ten feet high.

Night had long since went by and the early rays of morning had begun to show. He took out a flare and waited. He checked the clock he kept for this world. They'd have to wait three hours, they were a bit early.

xxx

She had left Roxy's restaurant shortly after. She'd come back to her ship, fetching her armor. Today, she had almost forgotten, was when her supplies came in from the transporter Leonel Winver. She had to get dressed, and quickly, in order to collect her things. Morning was just over the horizon as she slid the last piece of armor into place. She fixed her hair, tugged on her special goggles and then pulled on her helmet, hearing it click into place with the section covering her neck.

She had searched her ship, finding no tracking device. She still had an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Maybe they hadn't had the time to put one on her ship before her departure.

She greeted the day by walking among the shadows, her pistol held firmly to her side. Her cape remained in her ship for stealth.

She weaved through the woodland of Alkizir, a dark forest said to be cursed. She walked it without fear, not even drawing her weapon. She used her skills to make it through, easily spotting the ruins of Sin'Ki a mile away. She noticed the flare already hitting the air, their signal. But he was early, as was she. She noticed Morganis perched at the spot, the impressive vessel the indication of his presence. She walked around the stone ruin, coming around the back to see Leonel and another looking away. She stepped up, using her quietness to her advantage. She perched herself against the wall beside the cargo, waiting until the companion glanced to the cargo.

"Ack!" He had noticed her standing there, his green eyes widening as Leonel spun, relaxing at her appearance.

The pilot smirked in her direction before straightening. "So, you came this time. I also noticed the money wasn't here prior. You've changed something on me?"

"There were.." Her voice came out gruff and deep with the mask's filter. "..complications." She produced a bag with the amount and tossed it to him, pushing away from the wall. "Your payment in full, Leonel."

He opened it to count before tucking it away. She watched him turn to his speechless companion before making the introductions. "Atle, this is a good friend of mine. As loyal as they come. Jensen, meet the mercenary Atle."

"I would say the pleasure is mine-" She paused to chuckle. "-but knowing me isn't much of an honor."

Jensen, as he was called, seemed to find his voice. "N-no, sir! I mean, don't think such, a mercenary of your reputation that is friends with Leo here is welcomed by me." He hesitated, considering his words. His eyes flicked between Leonel and her. "I mean, that came out wrong, what I mean to say is that it is no burden to make your acquaintance, Atle sir." He flushed, clearly embarrassed.

"Enough. I understand your words and they are appreciated, no matter the naivety behind them." She walked up to a crate, cracking it open with a knife that she kept hidden by her left thigh. She tossed the lid down and peered at the metallic object inside.

"Everything is there. Even the chambers which, by the way, were a trouble just to find on their own." Leonel stepped forth, producing a map and a papered list, handing them to the mercenary. She studied them silently as he explained, "I wasn't able to bring you the Kyber crystals, that's what they are called, but they are tucked into caves on multiple planets, such as Novazin, Lullem and Pordux. Your best bet would be Lullem, the crystals are said to be very powerful in an old archive I skimmed for you."

He took the map, sharing the view of it to point toward a system. "Here, you need to make your way here. Head to the northern continent, it's a charred and dead world-"

She turned to him, grasping the map. She set it down into the open crate, earning a brow raised from the pilot.

She took his hands in her gloved ones and looked him straight in the eyes. "Leonel, can I trust you?"

He shrugged. "Whether you do is up to you, but I already consider us allies if not friends."

That was good enough for her. She released his hands, stepped back and reached for her helmet.

Jensen's eyes popped wide as she found the sections she was looking for, just at the jawline. With a click she pushed up the helmet...

...to reveal her features to them.

"A g-girl?!" Jensen stammered, jaw slack.

Leonel had fallen silent in his shock, taking in her blank stare with startled golden eyes.

She smirked, her mischievous cloudy blue eyes studying each for a moment before she nodded. "And a damn impressive mercenary you should fear no matter my gender." She spoke, her real voice startling them further.

"Well. This is news. The famous mercenary is actually a girl. So, let me guess, Atle isn't your real name?" Leonel coughed to clear his throat, smoothing his features out.

"Atle Elkem is a sort of.. name I adopted when I became a mercenary, an alias. It was given to me by the one who trained me. My real name.. is.."

She took a breath.

"Elaina Hal Annix."

xxx

Leonel couldn't take his eyes off the mercenary. He'd spent the last seven months knowing only the armored outside that he had never considered the person beneath that mask. She had black hair tucked into the neck armor, the straight strands contrasting with her paling skin. She had these sharp, penetrating grey eyes ringed and flecked with blue. She had a scar faintly visible just at the top of what neck could be seen, only enough to know what it was while the rest remained hidden by her armor.

She had youthful features, a slight curve to her cheek to suggest she was not yet in her twenties. He'd guess 19 at most, maybe younger. He didn't know she was actually only 17.

"I believe it is time we made our departure." He said to Jensen before glancing to Atle- erm, Elaina. "Until our next meeting.. sir." He turned, catching her amused smile before tugging Jensen toward the ship. They climbed onboard and he smacked the button for the door to close.

Alphonse, from the front, began to activate the systems, powering up the engines as they lifted. They broke the atmosphere within minutes as the pair headed to the cockpit, quiet.

When they reached the part of the ship they were heading toward Jensen plopped down into the side chair while Leonel took the pilot seat, peering quickly toward his co-pilot.

"How did the dropoff go?" The blonde flier arched a brow, hands on the levers.

"Well.. Jensen got to meet him. But we discovered Atle isn't a he-"

Jensen cut him off, "The merc is a chick named Elaina and she's so young!" His words were a rush of air.

"Exciting." Alphonse said with a calm manner of one used to shocking things.

"You're not even in the least bit interested in this, are you?" Jensen demanded, leaning forward.

Al turned toward the controls, shrugging. "It is common for women of this generation to become warriors. Look at the Resistance, led by the famous general Leia Organa."

Leonel rolled his eyes. "Set a course for Jakku, we have something to pick up."