New Gas Mask Part 1
Traders carried information as much as scavenged wares, and word had gotten to Transmission Hold of the discovery of an old military base. Rumors were rampant, some saying it was a subterranean compound, full of secret labs and experimental technologies. Approximate coordinates had been recovered from a dead Citadel soldier, but so far no one who had gotten close had come back alive. The area where it was believed to be located was severely polluted, and still-leaking chemicals made it especially difficult to reach. Conventional gas masks wouldn't be enough, although the respirators worn by the Citadel soldiers were said to be able to operate safely in even the harshest conditions. They were rare, but Kit had built good connections with many of the traveling scavengers, and her reputation as a quality mechanic had most of them looking to earn her favor.
Saint Crow was only mildly interested when he had heard. Sure, there was an undeniable curiosity to it, but a well preserved record store would have been much more exciting. Still, the potential for something nasty found there falling into an enemy's hands was too dangerous to ignore, so he had asked Kit to tune up his equipment and get him set up to make the trip.
(Continued after photos)
Unfortunately, Kit could only get a hold of the one respirator, and much to her dismay, could not find a second for Marrow. She hated to admit it, but Marrow's presence still made her nervous. She was well aware of what she was capable of, and she was impossible to read. But she also knew this was an especially dangerous trip, and the only thing she was certain about was Marrow's loyalty to Saint Crow, and would have felt better knowing she was going along to watch his back.
Crow and Kit said their goodbyes, and as always she wished for his safe return. Unexpectedly, Marrow leaned in and silently hugged her goodbye as well. Crow had never seen her show much interest in anyone else, let alone affection, and starred in complete surprise. Somehow, Kit could just feel that the gesture was completely and unguardedly genuine. But as she hugged her back, she could feel Marrow's lean tight muscles, and found herself unable to tear her thoughts away from the absolute and unshakable certainty that what she was holding was a dangerous predator, definitively and absolutely deadly. They waved goodbye, and after leaving, Kit realized that her hands were still shaking.
Continued in part 2
Crow and Kit said their goodbyes, and as always she wished for his safe return. Unexpectedly, Marrow leaned in and silently hugged her goodbye as well. Crow had never seen her show much interest in anyone else, let alone affection, and starred in complete surprise. Somehow, Kit could just feel that the gesture was completely and unguardedly genuine. But as she hugged her back, she could feel Marrow's lean tight muscles, and found herself unable to tear her thoughts away from the absolute and unshakable certainty that what she was holding was a dangerous predator, definitively and absolutely deadly. They waved goodbye, and after leaving, Kit realized that her hands were still shaking.
Continued in part 2