Change of Pace - 3

Where We Are

In most cases of misunderstandings and arguments, the problem can be easily remedied with the simplest of apologies.

After much needling and subtle questioning, Gluto learned that both Tetrax and Myaxx agree on how all they needed was to hear the other say they were sorry. That both Tetrax and Myaxx agree on how they’re reasonable individuals who are willing to set aside their differences and make peace with the other.

Unfortunately, both Tetrax and Myaxx also agree on how they would only do so if the other made the first move.

By the time they reached the distant world of Draklore Prime, Gluto is fed up with playing mediator for the two bickering aliens. He’s practically fed up with the aliens themselves. His irritation no way affects his skills as the craft makes a smooth landing upon the barren wasteland spanning most of the planet’s surface.

At the ship’s exit stood Myaxx, geared for the expedition, specimen canisters, instruments and tools strapped securely to her back and chest while hand-lasers were holstered to her legs. She needed no protective gear; her specie can survive the harshest of conditions. In her hands were her notes, which she was busy double-checking. Even with her focus elsewhere, she still managed to pick up the presence approaching her from behind.

Tetrax’s heavy boots make no sound as he marches up beside the female. His armor showed no signs of the countless hours he spent in the training chamber, his weapons properly concealed but within his reach. The cloak had been forgone, his armor and his helm closed over his head is enough to shield him from the environment. In each of his hands was a thick disk and he hands one to Myaxx wordlessly.

The Chimera grunts as she accepts the hoverboard in its collapsed form. “I can get the Draklenite faster if I went by myself.”

“The Draklens are extremely possessive of their resources given how little of it they have left.” Tetrax replies flatly, it was meant to be an explanation why he was still going to accompany her.

His tone holds no malice, Myaxx can tell, but it still irks her regardless. What exactly does the Petrosapien have that makes Azmuth willing to trust him over her? “You think I don’t know that?” She frowns, “I’m not stupid.”

Where does she get these ideas from? He stares at her, his visor masking the look of confusion and disbelief on his face. “I never said you were.”

The hatch opens and Myaxx expands the hoverboard. She huffed before speeding off, “You implied it.”

No, he didn’t, she knows this but she wants to justify taking out her frustration on Tetrax. Myaxx rarely feels guilty over some of the less-than-noble things she has done. She is aware whether or not she’s out of line but she’s so good at rationalizing her actions that it no longer occurs to her to feel bad about something she had said or did and shouldn’t have.

And why should it? Whatever she had to say never mattered to Azmuth or to anyone else, why should Tetrax be any different? Besides, it’s not like it should bother the mercenary, what with him being a soldier-for-hire and all. He should be used to taking abuse and a few cheap shots, shouldn’t he?

But when she really thought about it, which she often tries not to but finds herself doing anyway because analyzing and introspection was second nature to her, she realizes she’s not being very fair with him. Had Azmuth just asked her if she needed help rather than told her she did, maybe she wouldn’t be this unreasonable with Tetrax. She had to hand it to the Petrosapien; few would have stuck it out with her and her selfish, if not impossible, ways.

As Myaxx raced on ahead of him, Tetrax had to remind himself of what Gluto told him, that he needed to be more understanding with Myaxx. He didn’t see the point to it though, given how she was so prone to flying off the handle at the most innocent of his comments. Then again, Tetrax knew he wasn’t a social creature, preferring the solitude of space and throwing himself into his work as opposed to mingling with the rest of the universe.

The thought that he may lack the social graces one needed when dealing with a temperamental, overly sensitive scientist had crossed his mind. But he never let another individual’s opinion interfere with the way he handled things. He was a damned good negotiator and he had the money, the technology and the experience to back up this claim.

So how is that he couldn’t get a good read on Myaxx? Should he even care, for that matter? He wasn’t paid to play nice with her or hold her hand whenever she got upset. Not that she would let him and not that he wanted her to. He was hired to keep the mineral sample safe, and if it happened to be on Myaxx’s person he would keep her safe. Still, he had to admit the female’s more recent outbursts had been considerably less violent.

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The pair silently maneuvered through the remnants of a scorched forest, snaking along crumbling, heliotrope precipices before finally stopping behind a cluster of towering rocks jutting up from the ground.

They put away the hoverboards and Tetrax peered into the distance in search of the Draklenite mines and more importantly a Draklen sentry. There was sure to be at least two of those reptilian creatures guarding the entrance.

Draklenite was a mineral that closely resembled amethysts in terms of sheen and luster. However, it was also a powerful source of energy and was considered incredibly dangerous as they were as volatile as nitro glycerin. Any loud noises, any sharp increase or decrease in the normal frequency could set off a massive chain reaction.

Which pretty much explained why most of Draklore Prime was in ruins.

“Six of them,” Tetrax counted when he spotted both the mine and the soldiers that stood watch, “I’ll draw them away while you get the sample.”

Myaxx nodded, she saw no reason to object or make a snide comment. While she had been working on honing her combat skills, she was still a scientist first and foremost. This lack of sarcasm did not escape Tetrax but now was not the time to ask why.

Before they could set their plan into motion, they both caught sight of a vehicle transporting at least a dozen more soldiers.

“Oh great, I’m never gonna get in now.” Myaxx groaned, smacking her palm against her forehead. “I’ll be stuck here for days, weeks, and with only you for company.”

Tetrax frowned and in annoyance found himself absently muttering louder than he thought he would, “No wonder Azmuth doesn’t trust you.”

Myaxx’s eyes widened in blatant disbelief and unmitigated loathing as she sharply turned to face the mercenary, “What was that!?”

In most cases the offending party would come up with an excuse to coincide with the hastily made apology. In most cases the offended party would understand the gravity of the situation and just chalk it up to nerves. In most cases both parties would resolve the issue at a more opportune time.

But this was not most cases.

Completely forgetting all of Gluto’s advice to consider Myaxx’s feelings and situation, Tetrax continued “Why would he trust someone who gives up and calls it quits the moment she encounters a little difficulty?”

“Whoa, hold it, a little difficulty? Finding out the hundred twenty digit calculation has a flawed integer is a little difficulty. Finding out the required power-source for the latest cloaking device is on a god-forsaken planet is a little difficulty. That,” she points at the baker’s dozen of Draklens armed to the teeth patrolling the mine’s entrance, “That horde of blood-thirsty savages is not a little difficulty!”

Tetrax just cocked his blaster, unable to keep the smugness out of his voice, “And that’s exactly what Azmuth hired me for because you are clearly not up to the challenge.”

Her hands balled into fists, the rage in her eyes flaring with such intensity it wouldn’t surprise the mercenary if she was detected by heat sensors. The Petrosapien braced himself for the Chimera’s retaliation. He expected a slew of highfaluting expletives, a barrage of coarse curses, an all out attack or a combination of all three.

The mercenary did not expect, however, to see the female slump down onto the ground and bury her face in her hands.

“I hate you,” she hisses softly, nearly inaudible.

Tetrax has been called many things, been given countless threats, so it only stands to reason that words never had any effect on him. Why then did he feel something heavy and unpleasant sink into his stomach? His helmet retracted, revealing the regret on his face, socially inept as he is, even Tetrax knew he had gone too far.

At least she isn’t crying, he observed. It doesn’t make him feel any better.

Myaxx wishes Tetrax had slapped her, hit her, done something that involved physical contact. She may not like pain but that kind of hurt she could deal with better. Gave her an idea how to get back and get even. A blow to the body was nothing compared to a blow to the ego, especially if said ego was already on its last leg.

If she had gone alone she wouldn’t have the firepower or the muscle to get the sample without setting off the entire mine. Even if she does succeed, she’d bitch and complain about it to the Galvan until the universe imploded or exploded, unlike Tetrax who would just jack up his fee and be off after he got paid. Azmuth was right to trust the mercenary to get the job done.

And that was what she hated the most.

She reached for her tools and handed them to Tetrax, “You might as well get the Draklenite yourself, seeing as how you’re much more up to the challenge.” She sighed, there was no sarcasm in her voice, just a quiet resignation.

And for the first time since the mission began, it occurred to Tetrax that behind the snide remarks and the cynicism all Myaxx ever wanted was a little recognition of her talents. This need, this desire, it was a notion that never crossed the mercenary’s mind before. Receiving payment for his work was affirmation enough for Tetrax.

He makes no motion to accept the equipment, opting instead to fold his arms across his chest. “I wasn’t hired to retrieve the sample. I was hired to protect it.”

The Chimera eyed him sharply, “There’s no need to pander to me.”  

“Pander nothing, those were the exact terms Azmuth and I agreed upon.” the Petrosapien frowned, hoping she wouldn’t see through what was the mercenary’s attempt at consoling. “It’s not my job to gather the Draklenite, it’s yours. The success of this mission is in your hands.”

Myaxx doesn’t buy it, but she appreciates the effort all the same. Chuckling, she got to her feet, “Well if you put it that way. What now?”

“Same plan as before, I draw the guards away and you go in and get the sample.” Tetrax declared as his helm closed over his face.