Chapter 3 - A Throat As Dry As The Terrain And As The Comfort

Naia's arms ached from the constant manipulation of the resonators. Her throat and mind were strained as well. Yet finally, mercifully, she sensed a change in the energy around them.

"We're approaching the shell of the stable space we're after."

The woman announced hoarsely. As if in response, the chaotic energy around them began to dissipate. Slowly, the world outside the squad's transport became more recognizable. A desolate landscape - but one that adhered to the laws of physics they knew.

The vehicle touched down on the solid ground. For many moments, no one moved. The sudden absence of danger after the tension of the chaos creature was almost disorienting. Evander was the first to break the silence.

"Excellent work, both of you."

His praise was genuine, but the Navigator couldn't help noticing that his gaze seemed to linger on Theia longer than it did on her. She tried to rationalize it. Her responses to being thanked and the movements she made were a lot more well known to the man. The blonde stretched languidly, a satisfied smirk plastered on her face.

"Well, that was invigorating. Why don't we do it again?"

Naia shot her a weary look, unable to tell if the woman was joking or not.

"Wait. This isn't our designated exit point."

Evander frowned after announcing. He hurriedly consulted the holographic map that sprang to life from his arm mounted military terminal before sighing.

"We've emerged several kilometers off course."

He looked up at the more regular members, his expression grim as his yellow eyes lost their red glow.

"The Dead Zone must have shifted more than we anticipated. Perhaps due to the creature we encountered. We're in the uncharted region now."

As the implications of their situation sank in, Naia couldn't help but feel like it was her fault. Her job was to make the path. Her ability-

"It's just a little extra hiking, isn't it? You all seem quite spoiled."

The blonde spoke out in an exasperated tone and began to 'take the lead'. Some of the regulars on the unit looked to the squad leader and he nodded his approval. Rapidly, the whole group began moving off of the transport. After adjusting his glasses, Evander then placed a hand on Naia's shoulder.

"We're doing okay. Let's get moving."

The attempt at comfort was a little chilly, but it was realistic in their situation… and it actually helped the woman. As they moved towards the mission target, the Harmony Navigator took out a standard issue lozenge. When she popped it in her mouth she almost choked… not on the flavor. They were vile, but they were medically proven.

Theia who was supposed to have been in the lead had eased back and was watching her with a side-eye.

"If it tastes that bad, why bother?"

The blonde woman asked. Her tone was casual but her eyes remained sharp. Like they were gauging the other's every reaction. Like they were waiting to decide how to next act. Naia turned away towards the sickly brown colored hard ball she had spit back up in her hand.

"It's not for the taste."

She managed to reply, both in order to get the lozenge down and to compose herself.

"They're for vocal cord recovery. It's the basic procedure after extensive harmonizing in the field."

"Hmm."

Theia hummed with interest seemingly waning… but she didn't move away. Instead, she perfectly mimicked Naia's pace - with her unsettling gaze *thankfully* sweeping over the desolate landscape around them. Only the sound of uniform fabric and steps on sandy turf bounced between them. It was… not quite comfortable but not entirely tense either.

Finally, Theia turned that gaze on her again. Naia began to suspect her unease was because it felt like looking in a mirror, but the person inside was wrong by a few details… and was moving without you moving. It was the uncanniness that must be getting to her, or so she reasoned.

"Harmony Navigator. That's quite a job title. How does one end up with such a... unique profession?"

The question caught the black haired woman off guard. She glanced at Theia, trying to gauge her intent. The blonde's expression was neutral, but there was a glint of what seemed to be genuine curiosity in her eyes.

"I... it's not really a choice. The ability manifests early, and then Vanguard Operations recruits you. The training comes later. Didn't you go through the same thing?"

Theia nodded, her gaze now fixed ahead. Naia knew that Evander had first seen this 'unattained love' before they ever met… and that it had happened at some kind of training facility. The things she was speaking about seemed to go without saying.

"Interesting. So you've been with V/O your entire adult life, then?"

"Pretty much."

Naia confirmed again despite wondering where this line of questioning was going. She watched as Theia's expression morphed, a fleeting look of... something. Sympathy? It was gone before Naia could be entirely sure. She wasn't used to entirely needing to read someone by body language alone.

"Well, at least you don't have to worry about sudden career changes. Stability can be... comforting. Can't it?"

Her tone suddenly became almost excessively light and irreverent again. There was an undercurrent to her words that Naia couldn't quite decipher. Before the dark haired woman could respond, Theia had quickened her pace and moved back towards the very front of the group of soldiers.

As easily as if it was where she belonged.

Naia watched her go, a new mix of confusion and unease settling in her stomach. She couldn't shake the feeling that this brief interaction was just the beginning of something much more complex. That there were reasons for the simple questions that were not at all so simple.

Her thoughts drifted to her relationship with Evander. It was also supposed to be simple. It had always felt that way before. Neither of them had ever defined it as permanent, she knew… but hadn't they both felt like it was? Now there was an uncertain path that lay ahead.

The bleak landscape stretched out in many directions, its reality a stark reminder of the challenges she faced. Navigating chaos wasn't always easy, but for Naia, the real challenge was beginning to feel much closer to home. She was starting to wonder how to plot a course through something that only *seemed* stable.