"We usually do," I said, checking my sidearm to make certain it had a fully loaded magazine in it. 

"Vel zen, let us git a moof on." Emmaline advocated in her borrowed accent. She did not know it, but I found myself impressed by her more often than not. She had once said she felt her accents went through her nose a bit too much, but I felt they were quite good, as someone who's had to use a few myself. 

The melee had been quick and brutal, but it seemed like other than two of the locals, there had been no casualties. Lucius Raj had not even given in to his bloodlust, though it seemed to have him on edge, stomping around and smashing the corpses of the mutants in more of a tantrum than a rage. Lazarus had nearly lost one of his seven arms, but when prompted on if he was fine he screeched in a binary I was all too familiar with. Sometimes he was like a dog with an attitude, unable or unwilling to converse in our tongue and so blithely barked at you if you wished to question him of something.  

With the two inhuman members of my entourage fine but not speaking, we moved forward. Our path ahead was much the same as behind. More crags and little cover, save for the occasional cloud or rock face that happened to overhang. As the sun set that night, we were attacked again. Apparently a few of the more bold mutants had kept pace with us, but Lucius had kept the rear and brutalized six of the eight that had tried to kill us, and both I and Clara dispatched the last two with well placed shots. 

We had no real kindling for a fire, but Selencia had brought a Calixian Auto-light that served as a light and heat source for the night as we took a rest. 

"I knew we were going to have to go on a long jaunt, though I had not thought anyone but me would use it." She said, igniting the ingenious little device. It was an expensive item, using a small load of plasma and a plate atop it to create an artificial heat source that flickered like a flame. 

"I know my resources are not small, but where did you get this, exactly?" I asked her, raising an eyebrow pointedly. 

"At an auction on Helios II." She said, then playfully rolled her eyes. She was usually all business, but it seemed she still saw me as a junior, if not a peer, when were were conversing socially. I wouldn't have it any other way in private, but it wasn't a good look otherwise. "It's in the same system as Pacitus, don't give me that look." 

I shook my head and changed the subject. "Tomorrow, if we make good time we'll arrive at the swamps by nightfall. I'll take first watch." 

"I can do that, commander." Lucius rumbled. Everyone shared a look. They knew he needed almost no sleep, but it was the small fact he might accidentally meet with an enemy and stomp on the party in rage that had us thinking he needed a 'partner.' 

"There are two sides to watch. Ahead and behind-" 

"I will. We're old friends." Emmaline said, and nudged me. "Vyat do you tink?" 

I accepted it, and we did our best to rest for the night.