Poros kept his senses alert for any changes. The Dead Zone was never truly stable, but when one was already approaching the edge of collapse even the slightest shift could spell disaster. He felt a momentary pang of concern for Naia, knowing the strain she'd been under to maintain the harmonized field that made starting their work possible in more relative safety.
The extraction module beeped softly indicating it had reached capacity. Poros carefully disengaged from the now duller plasma pocket and began making his way back to the main extraction site outside. His suit's thrusters fired in short bursts, compensating for the lack of solid ground in some areas.
Or his lack of using the 'reality' of it in other cases.
As he emerged from the crystalline maze of containment fields, the Shift Walker caught sight of Evander at the distant mobile command. He seemed to be still engrossed in the data streaming across his tactical visor like when he left. There was a tension there between them that went beyond their usual professional dynamic.
He knew it was likely because of the stance he took on warning him about his personal business. Poros pushed the thought aside and focused on his task. The container on his back was attached and drained into
Every drop of Dynamis Plasma they secured could mean the difference between survival and oblivion for their people. The Dead Belt was constricting by the hour… and although it was slow, there would be a day where it would strangle the life out of their universe.
He happened to feel attached to his - so, with renewed determination, he headed back into the extraction point to find the next most volatile container. He was very ready to empty his module for the last time and plunge back into work that didn't remind him *so* much of the actual stakes.
As Poros disappeared, Naia stirred from her uneasy rest. The discordant hum of the Dead Zone had begun to lessen… and the lack of 'noise' was almost as bad for her quality of nap as too much of it had been for starting one. She stood and stretched muscles that had stiffened while maintaining the harmonized field for so long.
The power to create order and a sense of stasis was a great ability, but it did have its side effects.
"Hey, Naia."
A voice belonging to one of the relief Navigators called out. It was a younger man she recognized but hadn't worked with closely before. He approached while holding out a brightly colored bottle.
"Thought you could use a boost. It's that new formula they've been giving us - all the good stuff, none of the jitters."
Naia hesitated for a moment before accepting the drink. She wasn't used to casual interactions with other Navigators… always wary of what they might sense from her. The things she chose not to confront out loud did not always stay away from her inner thoughts. It was far more assuring to just stay away from other's with this power.
But the genuine smile on the young man's face eased her tension.
"Thanks."
The liquid was sweet with a tangy aftertaste when she took a sip. It was instantly refreshing and tasted far better than the standard-issue lozenges, even if their purpose was different. The young Navigator nodded at how she sighed with more relaxation before looking out at the extraction site.
"The way you set up the field... it's pretty impressive. Made our job a lot easier."
Naia felt a flush of pride at the unexpected praise. He might have been younger than her, but it was never a good idea to consider that grounds for knowing less in their specialized fields. Especially when most new data and experiments were immediately published to the mil-net.
A determined party could keep up with the research, no matter their age.
"It wasn't easy. This pocket is unlike anything I've encountered before. It was so…"
"That's what makes it so remarkable."
An older Navigator joined them next - her eyes sharp with professional interest.
"You didn't just stabilize it forcefully. You found a way to work with its inherent rhythms even as they were changing by the minute. It's... well, it's quite an achievement."
Naia nodded at her while unsure how to respond to the praise. This was another reason she was afraid of hanging out with fellow Navigators. Just like they might sense her being upset or angry and react to it… they would also notice if the professional facade was covering the inward preening.
She sipped her drink again to hide her embarrassment at being so affected by their words. The energy formula began to take effect and she felt more alert. She was ready to face the next challenge of their precarious mission. She-
Her terminal sounded an alert that burst her growing sense of readiness. Her fingers fumbled for it and read the lines that came in. It was a… recall? One for her specifically and not the entire squad.
"I-I have to go."
Naia didn't give any explanation. She didn't even say goodbye to the two Navigators standing near her. She just turned and began to jog quickly toward the mobile forward command. When she arrived, Evander was still staring at his tactical visor and she wondered if he'd even notice she was gone if someone didn't inform him.
"Ev... I... Command wants me to warp back to the Confluence."
The Squad Leader looked up at her words - his attention now fully on her waving her terminal.
"What? Why?"
"I don't know. It just gave the order to be on the next shipment."
His glasses glowed with his analyses as mission report data filtered to her order. Naia watched the man's eyebrows furrow. The look of concern on his face was... very different from the one she'd seen before. It made her heart beat faster and her hands grip the sides of her jacket.
"This does look important, but I'm not sure why it has to be you. There is an issue at one of the main water stabilization plants in the green-zone. They were requesting a Navigator to help it... and Orfea personally assigned you."
Naia felt a nervousness begin to creep in at the edge of her thoughts. The first part of his statement was reassuring. The second part was not. The third was... confusing. She decided to start with the easiest.
"I'm not sure why it's me either. But it is me. I should go then?"
The squad leader nodded while keeping his gaze on her.
"If that's what Vanguard Command decided. I'll let the others know."
Naia gave a nod of her own. Thinking that she had to abandon the others here was... unpleasant. But they were experienced - and this was their job.