Pound. Pound. Pound. The noise was barely audible to Xy, who was buried deep under pillows and her comforter.
Pound. Pound. Pound. The knocking on the door timed itself with the pounding in her head, a souvenir from her escapades the previous evening. Exasperated, she threw the mound of fluffiness off of herself. The knocking came in succession again.
"Alright, alright! I'm up!" Slowly she made her way across her apartment, grabbing a robe from a hook on the way to the door, her pale ivory form slightly stumbling. "Damn it Heli, I told you to let me sleep in today..." Xy wrapped the robe around her self and opened the door. Jack waited on the other side.
"About damn time! Can I come in?" Jack asked as she placed one hand on her hip, smirking at Xy.
"Oh, it's you." Xy's angry tone evaporated and she took a step back against the wall, hiding behind the door as she pulled it open. "C'mon in Jack. It's good to see you."
Jack stepped inside and Xy quickly closed the door. Walking to the kitchen, Xy proceeded to start brewing a pot of coffee. Jack dropped her stuffed army pack next to the door and slid her lithe form onto the nearby couch. The smirk remained on her face as she casually watched the robed auburn haired woman fill her coffee pot with water.
"So, what's with the gear?” Xy asked over her shoulder.
"Got a new mission." Jack stated, a more serious expression taking over her features.
"Awww and you came to kiss me goodbye? You're so sweet." Xy beamed at Jack as she walked over to plop next to her on the couch, the aroma of fresh coffee already spreading around the apartment. Xy slid her hand onto Jack's neck and kissed her slowly and softly. Jack closed her eyes, enjoying the kiss momentarily.
After the women parted lips, Jack sat back slightly and removed Xy's hand. "No Xy. I'm actually here to brief you. You are coming with me. We are to go to a small moon called Daxsn to retrieve a piece of equipment called a Vatio drive."
"Vatio drive? Strange, that sounds so familiar. Well, why me? I'm not complaining. I'm glad we get to do a mission together. I'm just curious."
Jack seemed to tighten her jaw before she spoke, perhaps out of worry for how Xy would react, "Well, you know the man who has it. Therefore the orders were for you to accompany me."
Xy scrunched up her nose in confusion, "I don't know who has it, what the frell?"
"No, no. You know him as in you've been around him before." Jack explained.
"Ahhh. Well, who is it?" Xy asked anxiously. She wasn't sure if she was going to like this.
"Xelan Paiged." The name fell from Jack's mouth like a brick.
Xy gulped and her demeanor changed instantly. She remained silent, partly from shock and partly from the distraction of memories flooding her mind.
"Pack a bag quickly. We need to get going. We've delayed far too long as it is." Jack watched Xy warily, having doubts herself if she really was the best choice to accompany her.
Nodding in submission, Xy stood from the couch and went to the hall closet.
Orders are orders. This is going to suck. Xy pulled out her army pack and turned to Jack before walking into the bedroom to pack.
"I don't suppose you can tell me who gave the orders can you?"
Jack shrugged as she stood and went to the kitchen, helping herself to a cup of hot java. “Havock did.”
Xy nodded in affirmation that she would go along. “I’ll be quick, promise. I’m always ready to jam on short notice.” She hurried into her bedroom and gathered a few things, like pre-packed smaller bags that already had bare necessities for quick travel.
Jack yelled from the kitchen to Xy, “Got any sugar?”
Xy’s flirtatious response did not surprise Jack in the least bit, “In the bedroom, sugar!” She then giggled loudly amongst the sounds of things being thrown in a bag.
Jack opened a cupboard near the coffee pot and found the sugar as she responded in a rather sharp and dark tone, “No foolin’ around Xy! This mission is serious! If you frell it up we’re rancor poodoo.” She added sugar to the thermal cup she grabbed from the cupboard along with hot coffee.
“Sheesh! Sorry! Can’t help it. I won’t frell it up. Promise. Hey, will you fill me a cup up too for the road? There should be another thermal cup around somewhere.” Xy was done packing except for her weapons, which she was now very carefully selecting.
Jack searched every cupboard and finally found the other thermal cup inside a pot in a lower cabinet. After filling it with coffee, cream and sugar, she screwed the lid on tight and walked meaningfully to the bedroom. “Are you ready yet? I think I know what ship I want to take, but we better get there soon before any mechanics wake up and are there to harass us.”
Xy came stumbling out of her closet, fully dressed in her uniform with two packs on her back. “Lock and load, let’s roll Jack!” She grinned at Jack despite the knots in her stomach.
Xelan, why did it have to be Xelan? I thought I’d left my old life behind by now. I suppose I’ll just have to ranger up. Stop being such a baby Rose, you pussy. The women left Xy’s apartment after Xy left Heliwer a short message. “Heli, it’s Xy. Listen, I have an emergency mission that came up. Don’t ask anyone any questions. I’ll be back in a couple of days.”
Xy explained to Jack as they ran out of the housing unit, “Sorry Jack. If I didn’t let him know where I am going, he’d go apeshit!”
Jack rolled her eyes as they headed toward the docking bays. “Whatever. He’s just a big oaf. I don’t see why you bother.”
Xy grew very serious as she snapped back, “HEY! He may be an oaf, but he’s MY big oaf.”
Jack chuckled at Xy’s response and Xy started chuckling too before glancing at the icy gemstone on her ring. They took the first few steps into the ship hangar.
“So, Jack, which ship did you have in mind?” Xy’s eyes twinkled with excitement.
