Author's Note: Pulling this directly from my Ao3 for the message below
Edit 8/2020: Mainly making this edit because of what's recently been brought up about the Scots wiki which is horrendous(Didn't know that wiki existed tbh.) Do hope y'all can get it fixed.
Minor spoilers below concerning a character. (Also editing on mobile.)
A little explanation about Vikers accent and speech is here on my tumblr. Really, he's based on three-ish people in my life https/etherealvoidechoes./post/627516559504605185/forgot-to-say-awhile-back-that-vikers-dunbar-is
I do plan on building on why he talks the way he does and have someone point out its /off/wrong/ and an explanation will be given by Jynn and someone else.
Also came across an article on how to write accents and will be taking some of its advice(avoiding spelling things phonetically), but for characters I've already written I won't be changing anything.
Summary: Making new friends, exploring a trading post, and meeting old friends. Oh how life could be so interesting
The next day swung around and so did the debriefing with Betos and Volk. It went surprisingly well. It did not surprise both to hear one of those dreaded Chosen showed up. Those things always showed up at the worst times.
Betos wasn't surprised that the Jax-Rai, the Assassin, captured Mox. She knew of his importance. She would most likely interrogate him and extract all the knowledge on the Skirmishers before executing him. Already, Betos was working on informing the various Skirmisher clans across the globe, especially ones that worked closely with Mox, to relocate.
Volk was surprised to hear Elena didn't blow off Mox's head once she learned it was him. And was even more surprised to hear she saved him a few times and tried to save him from the Assassin with one last shot. She hated that Hybrid just as much, if not more, than Kon-Ris, the Hunter. The Hunter. He knew that madman would be a pain in the for XCOM soon enough. So he shared all the details his people had gathered over the years on the Chosen. Interesting stuff. The mad man was a rather polite description for him. Lunatic would be better. Besides occasionally rambling to himself, he attacked his own ADVENT troopers and hunted the aliens. He took joy in pissing off the Elders despite the punishments and risks. Looked like dealing with him would be fun.
Even with the meeting going belly up, a common enemy, and annoyances, a truce was successful. The two were willing to stop their blood feud. Hopefully permanently. Volk warned some of his people still didn't like the idea and there was a chance they wouldn't fully cooperate with the Skirmishers; fighting and attempted murder would still be high. Betos took note and said some of hers may also be like that. She knew a few clans that didn't hesitate to strike back at the Reapers if targeted.
Commander Reeves was happy something positive happened despite everything. But knew her work wasn't cut out. She would have to make sure this truce stayed strong as the war started and raged on. And then she had to build her influence with the two leaders to truly secure their trust.
Before the meeting ended, Volk made a proposal. A surprising one at that. He would have some of his men search for Betos. Covert is our specialty. And he had some men who knew how ADVENT handled prisons and also knew their way around ADVENT tech, despite the Reapers' no alien technology rule. Betos was grateful for the offer and promised she would repay it in turn, even if they were unable to recover Mox.
With the meeting over, Commander Reeves was going over information about the next major faction she needed to talk to. The Templars. An elusive bunch. But XCOM had a liaison with them. Jeriah was his name. She hadn't had a chance to talk to him, but overheard a few conversations between him and Bradford. But she was more interested in their leader. Geist. Seemed like he was the elusive sort when it came to meetings, but was semi-active on the field. They had a few reported sittings of a Templar clad in bright yellow armor. Even reports of him besting and chasing off the Warlock. Amazing.
She couldn't wait to meet him and pick his brain. But for now, she had to be patient.
Taking the advice of one of the doctors overseeing her recovery, Commander Reeves started keeping a daily diary of sorts to track the progress of her health and somewhat destress by writing. She was finding the advice to be a mixed success. Keeping track of her health somewhat stressed her out, reminding her of what the Elders did to her and what she had lost. Would she ever fully heal? She hated to think about it. But it fueled a fire inside of her to work towards reclaiming her old self. That fire inside of her. The Elders would not robe her of that.
April 15, 2035
120lbs / 5'11" / 45 min run on treadmill/ 3s-5r 5lb weights
Still underweight but slowly getting there from what the doctors are saying. Still have issues stomaching certain kinds of food, which is making putting on some weight fairly difficult. Docs think the Elders may have meddled with something besides the fact I really hadn't eaten food in 20 years. Dr. Rosch is seeing if they can get their hands on a protein drink of sorts. Hope it doesn't taste like chalk when he acquires it. Still question how I lost a bit of height, but shouldn't care about that too much. Should come back in a few months if that is possible.
My hair is still coming in patches, much to my annoyance. I'm just going to keep shaving it for the time being. May have to do that for the rest of my life. Ha, ha, ha. Maybe when my health is more stable, it'll stop coming in weird patches. Miss that hair of mine. Miss the hair bun.
Have to slow down on my exercise routine according to Dr. Tyler. "You're going at it too fast and too hard." Sorry ma'am, but running and lifting weights has been keeping my mind off of things. I'll slow down a bit so as not to injure myself, but I can't stop. I can't stop. That would be like letting Them win.
Speaking of Them… those marks are slowly reappearing on my body again. They reappear in brief spurts before disappearing. So strange. Dark, weird angular lines, three-ring sort of diamond shape. I don't know what this means. No, I don't want to think of what this could mean. The AVATAR project…. The Chosen… These… marks… make me think of those Chosen and the marks on their faces. Do they have more on their bodies? The Chosen… Could that have been my planned fate? Did the Elders want to turn me into one of those things? I hope not, but I still have a lot of blanks in my memory, like They edited things… And then my health… I hope not.
But thankfully, these diamond marks are reappearing in areas I can usually cover myself. Though one is appearing on the sides of my neck. Having to wear a scarf or turtleneck more often. Thankfully, no one's really questioned that. Especially John. Oh, John.
He's a great friend, but far too overprotective right now. I understand how he feels, but hopefully, he can start giving me leeway with some things. Still making sure I don't stay in the Bridge too long or oversee more than five operations per week. "Per doctors' orders," he says. Sure. Hopefully, he'll tone it down… before I punch him in the gut. The things stress can make us do.
Well, back to the grind now. May write some more in you later depending on how some things go today. Need to check on the soldiers in the infirmary. Glad Aton is recovering well. The doctors still have to do a lot of reconstruction work from where the Assassin hit him, but he's doing so much better. Sadly, have a soldier who's touch and go again. Maxus. That Faceless was a surprised at that haven. That swipe tore into his neck and cracked his skull like it was an eggshell. The docs don't think he'll make it.
Also, John told me they would be hitting up some of the local trading posts and then meeting one of our personal black market dealers. Said the group goes by the name Void Walkers. Supposedly, a lot of psionics were in their group and because of that, they could teleport around the globe fairly quickly. Hence 'walk the Void'. They dealt a lot in the black market, really could corner the market if they wanted to, is what John told me. Somehow, they could get their hands on just about anything. Can't wait to meet one of their people.
Also, he told me there's a local black market dealer that should be in the trading posts this week. Wonder what they'll have.
As the month went by, XCOM was busy completing various favors for the Reapers, Skirmishes, and the local havens. And that had a lot of work to do as the Assassin cracked down on the region and launched a retaliation on a haven that had close ties to a local Skirmisher clan. That was a bloodbath. Besides the civilian casualties, several of their soldiers and Skirmishers were severely injured. They were able to chase away Jax-Rai before she completely slaughtered the haven, but left a surprise behind for them.
A Faceless. The reports on a shape-shifting creature were true. And one of their soldiers learned firsthand how dangerous those creatures were. Maxus was still in a coma and their doctors didn't think he would recover unless a miracle happened. How Commander Reeves wished they had their hands on that miracle substance, MELD. That stuff could repair nearly all types of damage. Maybe they could search for it? A raid on a few ADVENT facilities for the stuff. She knew the Elders still used it. One of their ways to 'cure' humanity of all diseases and illnesses.
She put that idea on somewhat on the back burner. She had other matters to worry about.
"I wonder how many more factions we'll come across. How many will be willing to work with us?"
Jynn was in her quarters, sitting in front of her computer. She was going through the database, studying a few new entries concerning the factions they had met.
"I guess it was a sign of trust for Volk to get us in contact with the Silent Striders." She was going over the information concerning that Faction. "Though with the amount of grumbling he did, I just knew there would be more tensions and meetings I'll have to facilitate."
"Fayruz 'Frost Owl' Sabah." She mumbled the name of the leader as she read the entry. She recalled when Volk gave them the details during a previous call and how he did it with some reluctance. Why the reluctance? He and Fayruz had a falling out many years ago over the idea of integrating alien technology into their weapons and just using alien tech in general. Upon this repeated disagreement, Fayruz, and those under her, went their separate ways from the Reapers, taking residence somewhere in the snowy mountains of Central Asia and Russia. They were hard to pin down, but XCOM finally came across them. The initial meeting nearly ended poorly.
"Brass nearly got her head blown off." She mumbled as she recalled that day.
Tensions were high at first, with the Silent Striders mistaking them for a bunch of raiders before they quickly got that cleared up. Now, Fayruz wasn't too keen on lending aid to XCOM at first as she still had bitter feelings towards Volk, but seeing that they somehow made the Reapers and Skirmishers put aside their differences for the time, she was somewhat open to a partnership. And then they had a common enemy. Several common enemies.
"Still gaining their trust, at least they're sharing some of their tech with us." She brought up a schematic for a scope augmentation and winter gear. In many ways, they were like the Reapers but were more specialized for the bitter cold and treacherous mountain terrain. And they were more open to integrating alien tech into their weapons. Majority of the integrations were crude and required meticulous maintenance to keep them from breaking, but could be improved on in the future.
She sent spent more time going over the information before finally shutting everything down. She felt the ship shutter for a moment before settling.
"Huh, we must be at the new location." She got up and stretched. "That trading post and one of the black markets. Wonder what we'll find here." She grabbed a few things and her jacket before finally leaving her quarters. The Bridge was humming with life as usual, but Bradford was not in sight.
"Wonder where he is…" She shrugged. "Possibly outside. We had things we needed to sell and I remember he said he would meet our personal dealer. Void Walkers. Interesting name." She mused as she made her way through the ship.
———————
It didn't take long for her to make her way off the ship. And there was Bradford, busy coordinating the movement of cargo coming off and onto the ship, whilst talking to a hooded figure dressed in black. She could only see their back, but she had a feeling they had something obscuring their face besides the hood. Must have been the Void Walker.
"I see you've gotten your hands on data pertaining to the breakdown of the advanced ADVENT armor," Bradford turned to the hooded figure, "looks like it might highlight some weak points and improve our own armor…" He paused, pondering for a moment. "How much for that data?"
"Hehehehe ha!" The hooded figure cackled. "That. You noticed." The voice was odd, like it was running through a filter. Robotized. "Let's see." They drummed their fingers together. "Well–"
"Don't try to up-sell me on other crap, Nithrall." He cut them off.
Nithrall cackled again, double over from laughing too hard. It was rather unsettling how distorted their voice became; their laughing cut out a few times like the filter wasn't able to keep up. "You're my favorite customer! I would never do that!"
"Favorite customer?" Bradford asked with a brow raised. "You don't make me feel like I am."
"Well," they finally raised themselves back up and patted their chest a few times, "you are!" They made a "finger gun" motion to him. "I can give ya the data in exchange for some intel and 200 of those alien alloys."
"200 alien alloys?" His brow twitched. That stuff was hard to procure in the first place. "I thought I was your favorite customer?"
"You are," they folded their hands together, "but I have a business to run and a guild to keep happy."
"Mm hm." He shook his head as he grumbled. Something they had in common. "I'll have to think about it." He knew they would need some alloys for an upcoming weapons project. Did they have enough to spare for this? Armor upgrades would be nice, especially with how the Assassin sliced through their current gear like it was nothing. But they also needed the upgraded firepower. Decisions. Decisions.
"Would about 55 elerium lower the alloy count?" Jynn finally jumped into the conversation.
"Commander!" He hopped a little. He wasn't expecting her voice, nor for her to make an appearance.
"Good afternoon, Bradford." She covered her mouth, trying to stifle a laugh.
"Oh! Oh ho ho ho!" Nithrall clapped their hands quickly. This hooded figure seemed rather giddy as they looked Commander Reeves up and down. Face fully obscured by some sort of hi-tech gas mask combined with a visor. Digital visor from the looks of it. Displayed on the visor was an exclamation mark for a few seconds before it changed to several question marks surrounding 'curious' emoticon-like eyes. They rushed over her before circling around her several times. "Is this the 'Commander' you've been searching for? Had us helping look for too?"
Jynn raised a brow as she watched Nithrall with a careful eye. What an interesting mask. She took a step back when the giddy, hooded figure got too close. But this odd character amused her.
"Nithrall," Bradford let out a bit of a growl as he went over and grabbed their forearm, pulling them away from her, "focus, you jumpy teenager." He wasn't sure how old Nitrahll was, but with how easily excited they got, he felt like a teenager was an appropriate age for them.
"Oh! Someone's protective!" They let out another distorted cackle. A laughing face played. That only got a scowl in return. "Well, where are my manners?" They dusted off their hands before extending a hand towards Commander Reeves whilst cocking their head towards Bradford. Closed eyes and smiling face was displayed on their mask. "The name's Nithrall."
Bradford glared at them, imagining a very wide, cocky grin under the mask. One he wanted to smack.
"Nithrall, is it?" Jynn shook their hand. She shot Bradford a look. "Pleasure to meet you. Call me Commander Reeves."
"Commander Reeves? Nice ring to it." They chuckled. "Now," they rubbed their hands together, " about that elerium."
"Commander…" Bradford cast a glance at her and gave an annoyed look to Nithrall. He wasn't sure they had enough to spare.
"We have more than enough to spare at the moment and know how to salvage some." She looked at him. "As long as there's a discount with the alloys." She looked back at Nithrall.
"If it's some real fresh elerium, I'll knock down the alloys to 125."
Jynn cast a glance at Bradford. "Sound better to you?"
"That's… much better." He nodded. He looked at Nithrall, who just seemed to vibrate with excitement. "We have a deal."
"Sweet!" They gave a thumbs up. "Meet me back at the main trading tent with everything and I'll have your intel for you."
He nodded. "And don't try to up-sell me when we get there."
They only let out a snicker. "Uh huh, uh huh. I would never." Which was a lie. "See ya in a bit!" Nithrall quickly left.
"They're interesting." Jynn said, trying to stifle a chuckle.
"And a pain in my neck." Bradford shook his head. "But great at getting information and the only one I prefer to deal with from the Void Walkers."
"Oh really? Only them?" She found that interesting.
"They're the most tolerable out of the bunch… They can get rather pretentious." He shook his head again. He wondered if the psionics caused that. "And can hold a decent conversation with them when they're not in motormouth mode." He mumbled under his breath.
Jynn couldn't hold back her chuckle anymore, which turned into a full-blown laugh. It took a moment for her to recompose herself. "Sorry, sorry."
Bradford furrowed his brow, the lines on his forehead becoming more emphasized. But for some reason couldn't help but blush, a tad embarrassed, but also her laughing looked rather cute.
She stifled the laugh down to a chuckle, but seeing pink appear on his cheeks made her snort. "Again sorry… um, where is the tent Nithrall wants us to meet at?" She quickly changed the subject.
"That way." He pointed in the direction Nithrall had left. There was a lot of movement coming and going into the forest. "Just past the thicket, they're set up just outside the haven."
"Ah." She nodded.
"Actually, it's several trading tents set up, not just the Void Walkers that are here." He started walking towards the ramp of the Avenger. His eyes were already glued to his tablet, typing away on it.
"Find anything interesting at the other tents?" She asked, quickly following him.
"A few things, some modifications, restocked on food, but mostly sold the items we no longer need."
"Ah." She nodded.
Before she knew it, she had to quickly stop as she nearly ran into him as he had stopped.
Bradford glanced around, seeing there weren't too many people in the bay area, before turning to face her. "Commander… Jynn…" Remembering to refer to her by her name was rough some days. "If you don't mind me asking," he paused for a moment, "I take it you want to go see what's the trading tents for yourself?"
"Really?" A brow was raised, and soon her arms were crossed. "Yes, I would like to go to those tents." She shook her head. "It's been a while since I've been out of the Avenger and even longer since I've seen people that aren't us."
"Well–" He paused for a moment, searching for words that wouldn't tick her off, but quickly found none. He shook his head.
"Well, what?" She slowly cocked her to the side.
He shrugged and shook his head once more as he quickly turned his eyes back to his tablet. He didn't know what to say exactly. Truthfully, he knew he – and the doctors – hadn't been too keen about her leaving the ship whenever they landed unless it was a haven that was very trusted, and right now he wasn't too keen on letting her show her face around this particular trading post. Maybe he had been too overprotective for the last few months, but he was just concerned about her health and identity. She was still healing, less frail than before, but had a way to go. And then he was worried about someone recognizing her. The last thing they needed was a mole to report a sighting of her to ADVENT. Memories of the recent Haven ambush were on his mind.
Slowly, the moment of silence grew into a few minutes of silence and grumbling as Bradford tried to think of something to say. But nothing was coming to his mind that wouldn't upset her in some fashion.
A gruff sigh and a grumble escaped Jynn's lips. "Look, John, I know how the doctors, you, and everyone on the ship feels about me venturing off the ship when we're at a haven. I really do understand the concerns, but I rather not go stir crazy." She let out a nervous chuckle. She felt like she was bordering on that already. "Don't want to feel like I'm trapped all over again."
He let out a grumble, wincing with the inflection she put on "you" and cringing when she said, "trapped". She had a point. "Okay, okay." He looked at her. "You've got a point… and maybe we can start being less restrictive on certain activities… soon." He sighed. "I'm just–" He paused, tensing when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't apologize." She said with a soft smile. "I understand you don't want to lose a close friend again… you guys have been through hell and back. You've been through hell and back."
He let out a heavy sigh, relaxing a bit at her words and that smile. "Right… right…" He mumbled.
She gave him a few hardy pats on the shoulder. "Well, maybe to relax that overstressed brain of yours when heading over to the tents. Why don't you get one of the soldiers you trust the most to be my 'bodyguard'?"
He raised a brow. "Really?"
"Unless you want that to be your job?" She asked with a smirk.
That brow twitched for a moment. "Give me 10 minutes."
The trading post was alive and buzzing with a fair amount of people. Various tents were set up. Many odds and ends could be found. Scrap, weapons, food, spices, animals – that now had become scarce because of ADVENT laws –, and the occasional alien meat butcher could be found. It was a trip for the senses, for those who weren't used to the trading post. Many things to tickle your nose, to distract you, and perhaps steal your wallet. Commander Reeves was enjoying all of it. It was the change of pace she needed.
"Here's the alloys and elerium Nithrall."
Bradford, Jynn, and a few workers with the containers for the goods had made it to the tent Nithrall had told them to meet at. And looked as though Bradford was playing "bodyguard".
"Good!" Nithrall clasp their hands. "Stick 'em in the back and for you," they sang as they waltzed over to Bradford, "that data you asked for with a little extra before she sweetened the deal." They nodded at her as they handed Bradford a data stick.
"Thank you… and thank you…" He sheepishly mumbled the second thank you to Jynn. She covered her mouth to stifle a snicker.
"Just hit me up if you guys need anything else." Nithrall did their usual finger gun gesture before heading to the back to check on all the goods.
"Quite the character they are." Jynn stated as she adjusted her headscarf. She somewhat reluctantly agreed to wear that to "hide" her identity.
"Get used to it." Bradford shook his head but chuckled. "Get this back to the ship and the engineers quickly." He handed the data stick off to a worker. They quickly nodded and left.
It wasn't long before they left the tent and walked around. Jynn was still taking in the sights, the people, and lots of chatter. Just a refreshing change of pace.
"So…?" Bradford said but paused.
"Hm?" She glanced over at him.
"How long do you want to walk around?"
"A bit more." She shrugged. "Nice change of pace for me. May need to do this more often." She laughed.
"Baby steps with that." He raised a brow.
"Of course, of course." She rolled her eyes.
The two continued a walkabout until she was able to convince him to take her to the other black market dealer that was in town. She learned a trusted arms dealer he had mentioned a few weeks ago ran it. He had already dealt with them earlier. But she wanted to see if they had any modification parts he may have skimmed over. Thankfully, it was mostly empty, minus a man and a woman haggling with one of the dealer's helpers.
Funnily enough, when they got over there, something caught his eye and he soon got into a haggling discussion with the dealer as she looked around. Something glistened and shimmered from the corner of her eye, catching her attention.
"What's this?" She moved closer to the display, almost pressing her face against the glass case to get a closer look. Laying on the middle shelf looked to be black glass, no black metal, no… perhaps a black crystalline substance? Whatever it was, several shards were roughly laid out in the shape of a twin-bladed knife. A shattered blade, one could say.
"Now, why is a shattered weapon up for sale?" She mumbled as she studied the weapon and then looked at the price. "Well, it's not that expensive, but still a bit much… must be whatever it might be made of. Obvious not from Earth." As she looked closer, something caught her. There looked to be something inscribed on the shards. "Hmm…"
She started pressing against the glass to get a closer look. One shard twitched, then another, and another, as whatever was inscribed on the shards lit up. "Huh?" She thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. Then a flash of blue consumed the shards, and something flew towards her face.
TINK!
"Eep!"
Before she knew it, she had hopped back and fallen flat on her butt. Her scarf tumbled off her head.
That caught everyone's attention.
"Jynn!" Bradford quickly rushed over to her and helped her up.
"Eh?" The dealer he was talking to came over to investigate.
"Everything okay?" Bradford asked once she was on her feet.
"Yeah, yeah! I'm fine!" She fumbled with the scarf that fell off her head.
"You sure about that?" He noticed she looked rather flustered.
"Yes!" She bristled a bit. "Just fine!" She shook her head. "Just looOost my balance!" She quickly came up with a fib. "Just lost my balance. Got sidetracked while looking and wasn't paying attention."
"Riiight…" Bradford had his doubts, but wouldn't press it.
"Something catch za boss lady's eye?" Rubbing his hands, the dealer came over to the two.
"Perhaps…" Jynn mumbled under her breath.
He laughed. "Show me what it was."
She tugged on the scarf for a moment. "Those shards down there." She nodded her head in the display's direction.
"Zat cursed thang?" He sneered a bit. He moved behind the counter to open the display.
"Cursed?"
"Bloody thang keeps coming back to me no matter how many times I sell it!" He threw his hands up into the air.
"Why?" That tickled her curiosity.
He shrugged. "Hell if I know! Most people come back and tell me it be bringing them bad luck and the like."
Bradford looked at what they were talking about. A brow was raised. "Some scrap like that causing bad luck?" He was highly skeptical.
"Right!?" The dealer shook his head.
"Hm…" Jynn rubbed her chin.
"So you don't want this crap." He waved his hand. "But you," he pointed at Bradford, "still want the ammo drum attachments and repeaters?" Bradford nodded.
Those two conversed again.
"Hey, it's rude to stare." Said an older-sounding woman in a hushed tone.
Jynn glanced over and saw the woman swatting a white-haired man with a dark, reddish brown beard on the back of the head. He sheepishly apologized and turned his head away once she noticed him. Though from the corner of his eye, he kept looking at her. Why?
Jynn quickly turned away, covering her face a bit more with her scarf. She was still red hot.
To get her mind off of what happened, she started studying those shards again. Looking to see if anything had really moved and so far, nothing looked like it had. All the shards were still on the shelf.
"Maybe I was imagining things?" She thought. Though now she wanted to test the cursed theory. She felt like there was something more to those shards. Especially the writing. Sharp sweeping marks. And alien script of sorts. Not what the Elders taught or what the Elders used themselves. But whatever it was, she could read some of it.
"This will be her blade. It will become a part of her. A Path-Maker. Oath-Breaker. Mak'Symmatra's work will not be in vain. This will destroy the corrupted Echthralls. Bringing forth the judgment the universe cries for. And will clash against the X'zea'shia for when the time comes. This weapon, born from their blood… Crafted. Shaped. from the blood of the——" The rest was cut off. "Hm." And some words she couldn't translate, but the text was interesting.
"So just some weapon fragments and intel for all of this, correct?" Bradford was already typing away on that pad of his, sending orders to the workers on the ship to start bringing over the stuff.
"Correct." The dealer smiled.
"And those shards." Jynn tapped on the display.
"Really?" Bradford raised a brow at her.
"Are you crazy, boss lady?" The dealer couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Perhaps." Jynn crossed her arms and shrugged. "I want to give your cursed theory a test, and I bet you wouldn't mind getting those things out of your stock." She smiled.
The dealer looked at Bradford, Bradford looked at her, and then back to the dealer.
"Just add it to the order. I'll toss in some medical supplies." He shook his head.
The dealer shook his head. "Alright, your funeral, boss lady." He chuckled. He started to get the order together, instructing some of his helpers nearby as he retrieved the shards from the display case.
Jynn nudged Bradford. "I owe you."
"I'll keep note of that."
It wasn't long before some XCOM workers were coming in with the supplies for the transaction and taking away the acquisition-ed supplies.
"Okay, no more purchases until we complete a few supply runs and raids." Bradford was mostly talking to himself.
"Agreed, even if good deals are happening." She rubbed her chin. That got a chuckle out of him.
"I may make an exception for those kinds of purchases." He playfully nudged her. She shook her head and chuckled.
"For the boss lady." The dealer handed Jynn a lockbox containing the shards.
"Thank you." She took the box. Her fingers drummed against the sides of the box. Like a kid hyped up on sugar, she couldn't wait to investigate the shards later. What other text would she find? Were they really cursed? Perhaps she could get Dr. Tygan and his workers to look at these "cursed" shards.
"Well, you got your "cursed" stuff. I say we can head back to the ship." Bradford said.
"I think my little walk around and our shopping trip is over." She nodded in agreement. The two started to leave.
"Excuse me, miss?" A gruff Scottish-sounding male voice said. Commander Reeves felt a tug on her head and before she knew it they pulled her headscarf off. "Oh, whoops!"
"Hey! Hey!" She stumbled forward, not expecting the resistance and release.
"The hell?" Bradford immediately got defensive, quickly putting himself between her and this man.
"What are you doing now?" The lady noticed her friend was causing trouble, but he ignored her.
"Aw man," he raised his hands, "didn't mean to pull the fecking scarf aff yer friend."
"Really now?" Bradford narrowed his eyes. He had noticed the man staring rather intently at Jynn even before she made a scene and continued to do so, even after his female friend scolded him.
"Eh, again 'pologies. Just take yer friend's scarf." He lowered his hand towards him. Bradford snatched the scarf and handed it back to her "Just wanna ask her a question or…. two." His eyes were intensely focused on her again as his words trailed off. Curious eyes studying her face and features.
"I don't think so." Bradford didn't like the look in his eyes.
"Calm down, will you?" Jynn jabbed Bradford in the side, causing him to gag and flinch away. "Seriously… Hold this." She let out a frustrated sigh as she handed the box over to him and fumbled with the scarf. His overprotectiveness was slowly grating on her.
"I'll answer just one question, Mr…?" She looked back at the man. Even his intense stare was beginning to unnerve her.
"My God! It's you!" The man exclaimed.
"Eh?…!"
"Wha– Hey!"
In a mere moment, the man had shoved Bradford to the side and embraced Jynn in a tight hug, lifting her up into the air. A very tight hug.
Jynn gasped for air, clawing at the strange man's arms in an attempt to gain freedom. Well, an attempt at clawing. Her nails weren't exactly back yet. "Let… — gasp — Go…!" She kicked at his legs.
"Dunbar!" The lady who was with the man grabbed at his collar and pulled. But that did little to budge the man or grab his attention.
"My girl, Gin!" The hug became ever so tighter with each passing moment, twirling her around a few times. "Gin, Ginny, Gin!"
Gin? Ginny, Gin? A rather affectionate nickname by the sound of it.
Just as she felt like she was about to pass out, she felt her feet touch the ground once more and the cursed embrace ended. A moment to gasp for air, a moment to recollect her thoughts and retaliate, but that was quickly cut short. She stiffened when her face was cupped by his hand and something cold and hard. Before she knew it, the man was in her face again. Far too close for comfort.
Who the hell is this man!? Her mind screamed.
"Goodness girl, what the 'ell happened to you, lassie?" The man pushed and pulled at her features. "You look as pale as me cousins, and look like a fecking deflated chicken," his eyes focused on her lack of hair," 'ats been fecking defeathered!" Such colorful words.
"Vickers!" His female companion yelled his name once more as she tried to pull him back.
"Vickers?" Jynn mumbled in between breaths. That name sounded familiar to her. But some memories were still in a deep fog.
"'Ey! Feck off Issa!" He swatted her hand off his collar. "This is my niece!"
Niece?
"What in the world are you talking about?" The older woman, Issa, crossed her arms and glared at him with her glassy eyes. "She's an entirely different race to even be related to your Scottish ass!"
"It's called related by marriage, ya old burd!" He glanced over his shoulder.
"I doubt that…" She rolled her eyes. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Bradford setting down his stuff and bawling his hands into fists. "Five, four, three, two…"
"Vickers…?" The memory was on the tip of her tongue. Gears were slowly turning. His features were becoming familiar.
Hearing her mumble, he turned his attention back to him. Though greater by a face of confusion, it didn't dull his enthusiasm. "Vickers! Remember Uncle Vickers? Best friends with your dad?" He continued. "Married that not-so-great aunt of yours even after your dad warned me…." He grumbled under his breath, looking away out of embarrassment. That was a mistake he would never forget.
"Vickers…" She muttered once again. More gears were slowly turning.
"Hey! Asshat!" Bradford snarled
"Eh wha— ACK!" Vikers yelped.
"Called it." Issa shook her head.
"John!" Jynn gasped.
Swiftly, in a mere moment, Vickers was laid out on the ground a ways away. A second later, he let out a curse as his hands quickly went to his face to stop the flow of crimson quickly coming about. Bradford's arm was still outstretched.
"Hands off of her, you creep." He drew back his arm and started rubbing his fist. "You okay?" He glanced at her.
Her face free from the odd man's hands, she took a moment to rub the numb feeling away. "Yes, I'm fine, but you didn't have to do that.
"He was in your space and grabbing at your face." He rolled his eyes as he rubbed his knuckles. The man had a hard jaw.
"He wasn't exactly hurting me!" She let out an exasperated sigh. Though she didn't appreciate the crushing hug, this Vikers gave her. She raised her hand to her head. A headache was coming on. "Great, now he needs some aid…"
"I've got it." Issa, his companion, was by his side and was already treating his broken nose. A rag firmly pressed against it. "Not the first time he's been clocked in the face."
"Your friend needs to learn some manners." Bradford raised a brow as he watched the two.
"Tell me about it." Issa shook her head.
"Yew got a mean right hook, laddie." Vickers grinned. A rather blood-stained one. "The protective lover sort, eh?"
A flash of red appeared on both Bradford's and Jynn's faces. They looked at each other and then away.
"What the– no!" Bradford stammered for a moment.
"Goodness no." She shook her head. "We are friends, not dati—" She paused. Something clicked in her mind. The headache intensified for a moment before quickly dissipating as a rush of memories came forth. Her eyes locked on Vickers. That reddish-brown beard, the unkempt white hair, and those warm hazel eyes.
"Oh… Oh." She gasped. Tears started too well. "Uncle Vickers!"
She swiftly darted over to him and embraced him in a hug, nearly knocking over Issa in the process.
"Uncle Vickers!" She cried.
"Easy there, lassie. Easy!" He grunted from how tight she was now hugging him. "Took your cloudy noggin' some time to remember me?" He patted her back.
Jynn drew her face back, wet from crying. "It's been 20 years and you look a hell of a lot different!" She shook her head. "Your hair's white, that beard is a lot fuller, you've got a new brow scar, and—" She cried as her eyes traveled down and noticed something dark and shiny around his neck, connecting to his shoulder. Her eyes studied for a moment longer until she noticed something… different. "And what the hell happened to your arm!?"
"Oh, this thing?" He chuckled. A slight whirring sound could be heard as he raised up his arm and flexed. His left robotic arm. It was a dark grey, a bit crudely put together from what looked to be a Floater arm, but oddly functional. Explained that cold feeling on her face earlier." 'Ell needed a new one since the auld one sitting in ta belly of a Berserker."
"What."
"Long story. Will tell ya later, girlie." He playfully patted her face, which got a chuckle out of her.
"Wait, she's actually your niece?"
"You know this guy, Jynn?"
Both Bradford and Issa were shocked by the turn of events.
The niece and uncle looked at their stunned companions, then each other, and started to laugh. "Long story."
After getting patched up and cleaning up the slight mess the reunion caused, the group was back at the Avenger, hanging outside by the ramp. Jynn and Vikers were explaining how the two knew each other. Related via a rather short and unhappy marriage, Vikers had with her father's sister. He knew her father for many, many years before that marriage. The two had met when her father was stationed in Scotland for some time. The two became fast friends, even with very different – if not grating – personalities, but somehow they forged a deep bond. Her father was one of the reasons Vickers immigrated to the States a few years after meeting him.
"So she's my lovely niece, I've been rambling 'bout for years and—"
"Drunk ramblings." Issa interjected. "Very drunk ramblings for many, many years."
"My drunken ramblings miss o' so 'technical'." He rolled his eyes at the correction, as he gave her a playful shove. She smacked him in return, which made him chuckle. "As I wiz sayin', and now 'ere she is in this place of all places!" He stretched out his arms. "And my God, lassie, you 'ave to tell me why you lost a wee bit of height," he hovered his hand above her head, "and a hell lot of fecking muscle."
Jynn rolled her eyes before knocking his hand away. "I'll tell you in due time… as long as you tell me what exactly happened to your arm." She had to keep herself from sighing. It wouldn't be a fun story to tell.
"Deal!"
"I really don't remember you ever mentioning to me about this guy being your uncle, Jynn." Bradford was still wrapping his head around everything and trying to search his own memories.
"It's been a long time since whenever I told you last… a very long time." She shook her head and sighed. "I feel like you've met each other once or twice at the house or a campout."
Bradford and Vikers looked at each other for a moment.
"Yeah, no, don't recall anything." He shook his head.
"Don' look familiar to me." Vikers shrugged.
"Maybe we can find some photos of both of you when you were younger… if any of those still exist." She mumbled under her breath.
"Oh, I'd love to see what he looked like when he was younger." Issa snickered, covering her mouth.
"Well, hair matched his beard color is one thing." She said. "Still was just as messy as it currently is."
"You don't say? Can never get him to make it look nice." She chuckled.
"'Ey now!" Vikers glared at the both of them.
"So Jynn, 'xactly whit outfit are you runnin' whit now to 'ave that fancy thing 'ere?" He gestured to the Avenger.
"XCOM." She answered. "Well, what's left of it." She looked away.
"XCOM, eh? Vickers rubbed his chin. "Sounds familiar."
"Oh, so you are the guys causing a lot of trouble for ADVENT as of late?" Issa said. Looked like she knew.
"Yeah, it's been a hell of a few months." She nodded.
"Well, you guys have been doing some excellent work." She smiled. "Giving the rest of us some hope to win back our world."
"Thanks." Both Jynn and Bradford nodded.
"Now, how about you, uncle?" She looked at him. "I don't believe for a second she's your only traveling companion with how you can get."
"Well, she's a perceptive one." Issa chuckled.
"Can it, Issa!" Vickers glared. That only caused her to chuckle more.
He rolled his eyes and folded his arms. "Well, miss 'technical' and I are with the group Sanguine Shrapnel."
"Technically, we are two of the bosses of the group." Issa interjected.
"Pfft, details." He waved her off. That didn't really matter.
"That's an interesting name." Jynn mused. She took note that both of them had red sashes on and there was an emblem that looked like metal shards.
"Old man came up with the name." Vikers explained.
"Old man?" She asked.
"He's the brains behind the group, really. Main founder besides us two." Issa explained.
"You guys are a bit more north from your usual stomping grounds." Bradford commented. He brought out his tablet and started tapping away at it. "Yep, thought the name was familiar to me. You guys specialize in robots and usually patrol around North Africa, specifically the western part. Have had your share of disrupting ADVENT robotics facilities."
"We are and we have." Issa nodded. "Keeping tabs on all the factions now?" She raised a brow.
"It's good to know things about the people you may meet." He slyly smiled.
"Smart." She nodded. "I like the way you think."
"Always got to be a step ahead."
"Would be nice to meet this 'old man' you talked about." Jynn redirected the conversation. "We could use more connections to strengthen the resistance."
Vikers and Issa looked at each other. A hint of worry appeared as each bit their lip.
"Well…" Vikers tapped on the corner of his lip.
"Not the easiest person to talk to?"
"A bit paranoid?" Bradford added his thoughts.
"Paranoid maybe just a 'ittle." Vikers pinched his fingers fairly close together.
"He likes to be cautious." Issa nodded. "He's Ex-ADVENT. Never wanted to work for them in the first place, and we've been burned pretty badly by another faction." She shook her head. "Still recovering, in a way."
"Understandable." Jynn nodded. "Use to having to work to gain trust with some factions we are currently working with."
"We can try an' put in a word fer ya." Vikers glanced at his companion.
"I'd like that." She smiled. She looked at Bradford, gesturing with her head towards Issa. He nodded and worked on his tablet.
"Try." Issa shook her head. "Rajan can be too stubborn for his own good."
Jynn chuckled at that. "I'm used to working with stubborn people."
"Very stubborn people." Bradford shook his head. He did not miss the Council from the old days. "Here's our contact information." He handed Issa a data stick.
"Well then, you should be able to handle him well." Issa chuckled for a moment until something clicked in her mind, causing her eyes to go wide before cringing; she looked down at her wrist to check her watch as she stashed the drive away. "Oh, crap!"
"Eh? What?" Vikers asked. The others were curious.
"I bet he's wondering where the hell we are."
"Uh…" Vikers' eyes went wide too. "Time?"
"We are two hours late." She glanced at him, nervously biting her lip.
"Shite! It's been that long?" Vikers ran his fingers through his hair.
"Have a time limit for picking up supplies?" Jynn asked.
"Yes and no," Issa shook her head, "we have an important meeting to prep for."
"Sounds like the both of you are going to get reprimanded for being late." Bradford added.
"You don't know the half of it." Vickers shook his head. His mechanical arm involuntarily twitched. How harsh could Rajan's punishments get?
"Well, Ginny…" He turned to his niece with outstretched arms. Jynn shook her, chuckling just a bit as she embraced him. Vikers hugged her tightly, patting her head, kissing just once.
"Stay safe, kiddo." He took in a deep breath and sighed as he slowly released her from the hug. As he pulled away, he couldn't help but study her features. He could tell something happened to her, something bad. "I'll be waitn' for that story…. And…" He paused, looking away from her for a moment.
"And?" Commander Reeves could feel a lump in her throat form. Like she just knew what he was going to ask.
"Is Jo–" His voice started to crack. "Is Jo–Johhanus still…?" He didn't even want to finish the sentence.
She sighed, hearing the question. She knew it would be asked sooner or later. She shook her head. "KIA, but from what I've read and been told, he went out guns blazing, protecting innocents."
"God… Jynn…" He pulled her into another hug. He was fighting back tears.
She sighed and patted his back.
"Sounds just like him." He laughed. "Valiant heart he had."
She quietly nodded; fighting back tears that were forming.
The embrace lasted for a few more moments before Vikers finally pulled away. He cleared his throat and rubbed his face.
"I won't evn' ask about yer ma and brother." He shook his head. "I'll save those questions fer 'nother time."
She nodded. "That would be for the best."
"Well," he cleared his throat again and looked at Issa, "time to go?"
"If we don't want to get chased by Rajan's mechanical inventions later, then yes!" She rolled her eyes. That got a groan out of him.
"Well, ple'sure meetn' yew… John, wiz it?" He stretched out his human hand to him.
"Yes, and likewise to you, Vikers." Bradford shook his hand.
"Keep my niece safe now will ya!" He winked. A rather devious one at that. "Looks like she needs 'an eye kept on her."
"Vikers!" Jynn, was almost offended by what he said.
Bradford did his best to stifle a chuckle. "No worries, we," he gestured his head to the ship, "plan to."
"Good, if yew don't, I'll strangle yew." He chuckled firmly, shaking his hand once more before letting go.
"I'll keep that threat in mind." Bradford chuckled.
"Please don't entertain him." Jynn sighed.
"Now you see what I have to put up with constantly." Issa shook her head.
"Oh hush, yew love it!"
The playful banter between Vikers and Issa continued as they left, heading back towards the trading posts.
Jynn shook her head as she watched them leave, and even more so at some of the things coming out of her uncle's mouth. Just a constant stream of his playful jabs and colorful comments.
"He has not changed one single bit." She mumbled.
"Definitely see where the troublemaker side of you comes from." Bradford playfully patted her head.
"John!" She punched his arm.
"Kidding! Kidding!" He flinched. "He's an interesting character for sure and you have stories to tell me."
"Mhm." She shook her head. "I swear you've met him at least once or twice."
"I don't remember him."
"Guess age is getting to that brain of yours." With a quick flick to his nose, she quickly snatched the box she had him carrying and started heading back to the Avenger with a spring in her step.
"Hey now! We are roughly the same age!" He quickly followed.
"Are we now?" A coy smirk crept across her face as she glanced at him. "I don't have any gray hairs or crow's feet."
"Oh ouch," sarcasm slipped from his lips, "he's rubbed off on you already…" He shook his head.
"Perhaps." A devious grin crept across her face.
They stuck around the trading post for another two days to finish all exchanges and preparations before heading off to their next destination. A few days after, Issa contacted them, saying Rajan may be interested in forging relations, but needed some time to dwell on it. Commander Reeves wasn't too surprised, but it was a start.