[b]El Collabo Libre with Falling in my Skin, Zombie-zombie-yeah-yeah-in-your-head, and My Body is Dervilicious[/b] [I]Borealis Medbay, an uncertain time later...[/I] The sound of an overworked fan became more and more apparent as Tanya came too, the thing probably well past its service date and clogged with dust and debris. Periodically, the almost comforting white noise it emitted was interrupted by the fan choking and sputtering before it picked up speed and carried on its duty. Next, her vision started to come into focus as she opened her eyes and found she was in the medbay, somewhere she realized she had no real occasion to come into for, so for a brief moment there was a sense of panic as she didn't recognize where she was. When Tanya tried to brush the sleep from her eyes, her arm stopped with a jolt that she didn't really feel, her body was still quite numb. Jerking her arm again, she realized she was restrained and a seeping dread filled her. What the fuck was going on? She tried to sit up, and her other arm was caught, and so without any other option, she tried to thrash free, wondering why the cuffs weren't biting into her skin. When she realized what they were, she screamed, mortified. [color=Rosybrown] "Mornin' sleeping beauty."[/color] Vellios' cheerful voice came just out of her line of sight, the turian padded into view with a few steps. His eyes studied her, noting the lingering grogginess, and paused long enough to add a question. [color=rosybrown] "How do you feel? You had a rough rest, hun. I hope you don't have too many bruises after that little love scratch our little pest gave you."[/color] [color=cyan][I]"What the fuck did you do to me?[/I][/color] Tanya snarled, throwing her weight against the cuffs. [color=cyan]"I know what these are, if you touched me..."[/color] Vellios chuckled at what he viewed to be a pointless worry, then explained. [color=Rosybrown] "Relax. I prefer [i]willing[/i] partners. Besides, it was for your own safety. In your high state, you would've hurt yourself and we couldn't have you wandering the ship."[/color] Tanya was decidedly not convinced. [color=cyan]"Fuzzy sex cuffs and the same bed you probably banged Dex on? Why didn't you just throw me in my bloody room?"[/color] she demanded, staring daggers at the turian. [color=cyan]"Release me. Now."[/color] Enjoying the moment, Vellios moved closer and easily snapped the first set of the cuffs off. He showed her the small button on the side which allowed an instant release so she can easily get herself out of the next set. [color=rosybrown] "One, I was more worried the toxin put in your system might kill you so we came in here originally to see if we had an anti-toxin. Two, if we cuffed you in your room then how could we monitor or care for you if your body reacted badly to the venom? Finally... I haven't much reason to lie, but I get the feeling you'll believe what you want."[/color] He then paused, grinning a bit at how quickly she had judged him and the fact she wasn't the first. [color=rosybrown] "Oh, don't break them please. Else I'll have to ask you to replace them and personally be there to make sure [i]you[/i] do."[/color] With that, Vellios casually moved toward the cock pit to check on Iosif. His head turned in his wake, partly wondering if Tanya would follow him. Tanya wasted no time freeing herself from the cuff and slid off the examination bed opposite of Vellios, keeping a distance between them both. Her eyes narrowed and jaw was tense, as were her fists, held tight to the point where her knuckles were skull-white. [color=cyan]"You don't want to hear what I believe, you bastard!"[/color] she shouted after him, throwing the cuffs roughly in the direction of a trash receptacle. [color=cyan]"You expect me to trust you after this shit? Don't you ever stop to think, 'oh wait, maybe that will seem a bit fucking rapey'? So wipe that shit eating smirk off your face, you heartless bastard."[/color] Taking off in the opposite direction with a heavy limp from where she was bit, she headed back to the hanger, where bits of dead animal were still scattered about and Shithead was whistling along as it continued to patrol for intruders. Tanya slumped against a wall, her arms crossed tightly about her waist as she fought the welling of tears in her eyes and the urge to punch something. Vellios didn't react beyond watching her go down to the hanger. He was use to people expecting the worst of him and knew she feel bad later for it, even if he already told her the truth and she didn't want to believe him. Vellios decided to let her cool a bit and would likely need to make it up to her later, if she let him. At worst, he would move on like he always did. He doubted anyone would believe he didn't do it and he didn't blame them. After all, his history was an open book and filled with the worst type of nightmares, he was even surprised it didn't cross his mind. The turian strolled into the cockpit then leaned over by Iosif's chair. [color=Rosybrown] "Well, sleeping beauty is awake and free, but I would suggest you let her cool off for a while. She's not happy as she suspects I've been naughty. Either way, I'm going to head back to the observation base with some meds and that should make her feel tons better."[/color] He turned back to the end of the cockpit, ignoring the fact that rain was sheeting down outside. [color=rosybrown] "Though, do take care of her for me. I might've fucked up, but I honestly do like her as a friend."[/color] [color=steelblue]"I'll talk to her-"[/color] Iosif started off, only to completely swivel around in his seat as he processed the turian's intentions to head back out into the wilderness. [color=steelblue]"What? Hold on..."[/color] [color=rosybrown]"I don't think that will work, Iosif.”[/color] Vellios quickly snatched up his medical kit off the nearest table then wordlessly headed toward the hangar area. He hit the button to open the hatch then started to move down the ramp and sighed at the terrible weather. He quickly made to exit without a word or look toward Tanya, the woman still slumped against the wall. His talons clipped quickly down the ramp and squished into the mud, sending the ramp right back up to close. Halfway up, however, the ramp was stopped with an awkward jerk as the Borealis' Slavic pilot halted it mid-closure, exasperated from having ran from the cockpit to the hangar. [color=steelblue]"Get back in here, you're in no fit state to be out there - you'll compromise the damned job!"[/color] He had to raise his just to be heard in the rain. The cold rain poured without mercy upon Vellios’ carapace and numbed him, chilling what emotional guilt he held within his chest. It seeped deep down, the icy embrace comforting him more than anything else could at that moment. The sensation went beyond words, actions or anything he could consider describing. For a long moment, it solved everything. If he didn’t feel, there was no pain and he was free of all consequences. That thought itself held power to his spirit of freedom, putting his head back into order and calming the confliction within his head. In truth, he knew deep down -where the rarely used common sense lurked- he was risking a hell of a lot being out here. He turned about to face Iosif mid walk then pointed an arm back to the ship, his words barely heard over the storm’s rumbling as he continued to walk backwards. [color=rosybrown] “I won’t compromise the job, but she won’t feel alright until I’m gone. Just trust me on this. Honestly, I’m surprised it didn't happen sooner. So you need to take care of her first.”[/color] Iosif let off an exasperated, before speaking up again. [Color=steelblue]"Fine. But get your ass back inside in the meantime, before you catch a cold or whatever it is that you turians get. If more of those birds get in whilst I'm keeping the ramp open, you're getting fed to the fucking things."[/color] Part of him suspected that Vellios was looking for an excuse to head back out into the wilderness and that the situation with Tanya was just a catalyst for that. Frankly, it made no difference beyond its contribution to giving him a headache. Vellios inhaled and considered not moving, the rain still chilling his carapace, before he shake his crested head and shifted into the cargo bay.The ramp closed behind him as he vanished toward his quarters, the door closed tightly behind him. And with that, the slavic pilot glanced back over his shoulder, wondering just where the hell Tanya had stormed off to. That question, however, was answered only shortly afterwards when he looked towards where her drone was patrolling, eventually finding her slumped against a wall, arms locked around her waist. Iosif wasn't entirely sure just what had been said between the two, but judging by the sullen look on Tanya's face and Vellios' choice of wording... yeah, the implications there were [i]definitely[/i] unpleasant. All things considered, he might've understood just where she was coming from in her response, particularly on a crew with mercs you've barely known, but for the sake of all involved the matter had to be put to rest. [Color=steelblue]"I'm a little hazy on what was said back there, but for what it's worth, the turian's telling the truth. The cyka has a smug way of saying it, but nothing happened whilst you out. Trust [i]me[/i] on that, if my word amounts to a damn."[/color] His tone of voice indicated that he was trying to come across with sincerity, even if he was a little blunt and to-the-point. Tanya snorted, not looking up to meet Iosif's gaze. [color=cyan]"Not the damn point. Put yourself in my position, how the hell would you feel waking up in sex cuffs on a bed that you know that guy banged your team mate on, the same guy who constantly makes passes at people, myself included, and brags about all of his conquests? I wake up after being, what? Poisoned, not knowing where the fuck I am or what happened to me? And he [i]laughs[/i] at me! So screw him, asshole's a sociopath."[/color] [color=steelblue]"I'm the one who restrained you, for the record."[/color] Iosif said, wearily running a palm along his jawline. [color=steelblue]"Look, he's an asshole. Sure. And probably a little sociopathic, but for the sake of keeping things smooth it's in our best interests to work with that."[/color] That hardly helped matters, but at least it helped make their story a bit easier to swallow. In truth, she could understand where they were coming from, and likely would have done something similar in their position, but Tanya was hardly in a mood to be consoled, [color=cyan]"And you both couldn't think of a better way to do that?"[/color] she asked, with a look that wouldn't have been out of place on a rattlesnake deciding whether or not to strike. [Color=steelblue]"No."[/color] Iosif said, with a rather blunted tone. [Color=steelblue]"If we weren't in the situation we were, things would've probably been different, but we're out in pirate territory and the last thing we needed was the risk of you having a seizure and smashing your head on something. I can't speak for the turian but there was a point to it beyond acting like a smug bastard.[/COLOR] A long sigh escaped through Tanya's nostrils. She heard the logic and the good intention in what Vellios and Iosif did, and they acted with what little information and time they had. [color=cyan]"I get it, I do. I just wish it were you keeping an eye on me instead of him. His bedside manner is terrible."[/color] she said quietly, forcing the slightest faltering hint of a smile. It wasn't genuine, far from it, but the red-hot anger that drove her minutes ago had largely ebbed, enough for knowing diplomacy was warranted, especially since they did try to save her life in the process. Why the hell couldn't things be simple? [color=cyan]"So, idiot walked off on his own in the storm?"[/color] she asked. Iosif shook his head, [color=steelblue]"He went off to brood somewhere in the ship after I told him not to run off."[/color] In truth it was probably for the best he figured, given the circumstances. [color=steelblue]"At any rate, we'll-"[/color] Another voice cut him off mid-sentence as his, Tanya and presumably Vellios' comms crackled to life with Serena's voice. [color=hotpink]"Guys? Guys, can you hear me? We've been compromised. A fucking tree landed one of our turrets and damaged the other. It fired on us. We managed to disable and then repair it, but the gunfire it caused drew a squad on our position. Five smugglers, from what I can see. Haze is attempting to draw them away. My readouts on Tonka say that he's being fired upon, his shields are low. And-"[/color] There was the sound of gunfire. [color=hotpink]"FUCK!"[/color] More gunfire. Serena screamed in pain. Then dead silence as the connection cut out. [color=steelblue]"Shit... time to move"[/color] Iosif grunted as he began to pace away from Tanya, towards the shuttle in the hangar. On the way he brought up his own comms in address of the other two occupants of the ship, [color=steelblue]"Sounds like they're in need of support. Tanya, can you get the hangar bay open for me? I'm going to prep the shuttle, are you and the turian coming along for the ride or holding back to watch the ship whilst I'm gone?"[/color] Vellios had already been in the hangar from the moment he got Serena's message. He didn't even care he felt like shit as his talon roamed over his omnitool, his device linking back to Serena's and located her within a few minutes. It was unlikely the other two could since they hadn't bothered to sync up their omnitool like he did to hers. He was barely listening to Iosif, his attire already changed, as his heart raced over the news given over his comm. Inwardly, he was cursing at himself for leaving her alone and not merely ignoring Serena's request. So help him if Haze had left her to die... His talons tightened into a fist at the thought, his consideration of snapping the Turian's neck crossed his mind, before forcing himself to relax. The lost ones that hurt her weren't alive to tell the tale and they were lucky. It took a few moments to collect what little calm he had left after the incident with Tanya and had he been much younger, he doubted he would've been able to center himself at all. A bitter but amused chuckle cross his throat, unheard by anyone through the helmet. He should've died a long time ago. All Haides survivors did. As he turned to Iosif, his legs twitching and were eager to be off, his decision obvious: He was going after Serena. With or without them. [color=steelblue]"Climb in!"[/color] The Slavic pilot called to him from a seated position in the cockpit, the entrance doors open as the Kite's systems came to life, lighting up inside. [color=steelblue]"Can you operate the kinetic weapon on this thing?"[/color] Vellios didn't a second invitation as he shifted into the shuttle, his talons pushing him in deep then shifted into the nearest seat. His helmet head shook in answer, his specialty close range and more manual labor than weapons on a shuttle. His figure hunched over to control the muscle twitches and eagerness to get to Serena. He hadn't bothered to acknowledge Tanya, their fight the last thing on his mind, while within the cramp area. [color=steelblue]"Fine, Tanya - you're up again."[/color] Iosif remarked as he flicked another couple of switches, the engines letting off a low hum as the hangar doors parted to allow exit. The news was hardly what anyone wanted to hear, and hearing Serena in pain sobered Tanya up right quick. [color=cyan][I]Goddamn leftovers from the Blitz, should have known it would have been unreliable rubbish...[/I][/color] She thought, scrambling for the access pannel for the hanger ramp. When it was lowered, Tanya waited for the Kite to depart the ship, where she hit the close switch and hopped into the waiting vehicle, her M-15 sitting between her legs, buttstock on the deck of the kite. She'd slide open the door, provide covering fire, and get down on the dirt to try and relieve Serena and Haze. Of all the stupid shit that happened tonight... [color=cyan]"I don't know how fast you can get us there, but they can't wait."[/color] Tanya said, trying to roughly estimate how a two hour trek through dense jungle would compare to a comparatively easy flight through the storm to get there. And to think, all of this shit could have been avoided if Vellios didn't decide he needed his drugs then and there, she thought bitterly, tense and ready for a fight, and not at all happy with the downtime between touching down in a combat zone. --------------------------------------- NEW POST HERE Overhead the surface of Virmire, the crew's [color=dodgerblue]"Borealis? It's Haze. Serena's unconscious and bleeding out. I'm stabilising her but we're compromised pretty badly out here. We got made by about three, four smugglers from the camp. I KOed them all but I can't move Serena on my own without risking her life. We need help, ASAP."[/color]