6:35am, 21st of January 2186. The mild weather is still holding even if the air is crisp without the ring-filtered sunlight. It's going to be another long day at work for Va'ynna.
#FreedomFalls – February 26, 2026
Va'ynna yawns as quietly as she can as she continues walking. She wears her heated jacket with the hood on, but the crisp winter air is still uncomfortable on her face. Va'ynna has been in a very bad mood, and has slept quite poorly. She arrived home late yesterday by the shuttle as she wanted to socialize a bit after the call with Nari that ruined an evening that would otherwise be great for Va'ynna because almost
has mentioned that she talked with Nari yestreday when coming home, but hasn't been willing to speak much about it other than to say that the call went poorly and that she doesn't want to talk about it.
They have recently started down with the sidewalk on the wide street that makes up the most of the trip to work. There is minimal traffic outside and they haven't seen a car pass in minutes; the usual snow-clearing isn't needed today. A few blocks ahead of them is the convenience store, and the Miner's Respite is about 15 minutes' walk ahead of them -- maybe 20 due to occasional icy patch.
Victoria walks alongside Va'ynna, she wears a winter jacket and a beanie to protect herself from the elements. Vicky did not push Va'ynna to talk much about the call with Nari the previous night, believing that she will tell her more about it at a later time if she wants to. "You want me to drop by the Respite through out the day, to make sure you are staying awake?"
Va'ynna hums thoughtfully. "I... I'll be fine, it's... not the first time I've suffered through the morning shift and... taken a nap until it's my turn in the kitchen." There's a brief smile as she looks over at Victoria. "I... I wouldn't... say no to seeing you throughout the day, though." Her tone is flat, however.
Victoria offers a smile back. "Alright then, I'll make sure to pop in acouple of time today." Vicky moves her and to hold onto Va'ynna's hand. "If you need me for anything today, just send me a message yeah?"
Va'ynna takes Victoria's hand without hesitation. "I... will, but... you shouldn't put that before your own work." She looks thoughtful for a moment. "How is... that going, by the way? With the... ship, I mean." She is curious, but it also is a nice distraction from all the negative thoughts in her head.
Victoria gives a shrug. "Actually, just doing a general maintenace and repairs for her at the moment." Vicky lets out an exaggerated sigh. "Seems like between my time away and then coming back to her, there were a few things that were buggered up. Actually had to get an outside mechanic to help out."
Va'ynna frowns. "That... doesn't sound good," she says. "Will it be long before it's... fixed?" She looks ahead, trying not to think about anything other than Victoria and her ship as Arix's convenience store is the on the next block. The store is fine, it's what happened outside there a few months back that's not.
Victoria realising what's on the next block, Vicky gave Va'ynna's hand a squeeze. "I mean, it is nothing too annoying. Just swapping out old parts for new ones, and just getting things calibrated right so it still operates the same." She looks at Va'ynna. "After we do this first round of calibrations, gotta take her out for a quick test flight around the planet. If you could get some
Va'ynna looks thoughtful. "I... would love that," she says, "even... going on a full... transport trip would be nice. I... uh, I'd need a proper introduction with your crew first, though." It goes without saying that the condition of her getting time off would be a major blocker, but Va'ynna is allowed to dream.
Victoria gives Va'ynna a smile. "I am sure, I could organise a chance for you to meet the crew. But if you come on a transport run, I'll have to make sure there is a planet with a beach on the route. Have it as a quick little two day stop for a nice little break."
Va'ynna smiles slightly, her mind briefly going to the cold air hitting her face, which makes the idea sound even better. The image of Victoria in beachwear may or may not have crossed this asari's imagination in the process. "That would... be wonderful," she says. "Enila would probably say yes if I asked, even if... it wouldn't be easy for her to plan shifts with one fewer of us." They cross the road towards the block
Victoria feeling the hold on her hand get tighter, Vicky gives Va'ynna's hand another squeeze. "I am sure she could manage it for a time, she could also try to hire a temp to help cover." Vicky is mostly keeping the conversation up to give Va'ynna something to keep her busy while walking pass Arix's.
Va'ynna looks ahead for a moment. "Aylena... knew how to do that and she did to give me and Tara Christmas eve off, but... I'm not sure if Enila could," she says. "She's... not a businesswoman, but she... does care about us." The asari seem a bit relieved that they pass by the store, which Victoria should feel by the grip on her hand loosening. Arix doesn't deserve this; he's a grumpy old turian, but Va'ynna never felt
unsafe in the store the times where she's popped in to pick up something on her way home, even back when she was walking alone to and from work.
Once they reach at the end of the block and is about to cross the road, the silence of the winter morning is broken by the unmistakable sound of a shotgun on the other side of the building, and then armor plates clattering against metal walls. The source is out of sight.
Victoria upon hearing the sound of a shotgun, Vicky instantly wraps an arm around Va'ynna and pulls her back towards the wall of the closest building away from the noise. "Where did that come from?" She starts looking around the source to see if there is any movement.
Va'ynna gasps as she's pulled by Victoria, but that was the only way she would move out of the way as she's frozen with fear. "I-...I.... don't know," she murmurs quietly.
Victoria and Va'ynna got across the road, and Va'ynna is in cover by the building. The Miner's Respite is about a 5 minute sprint with a risk of slipping, and both Arix' and the other nearest establishment are closed.
They do not hear or see anything else for now, and nothing can be seen down the street going south, which splits into another intersection in about 30m. Judging by the sound, it might have come from down the rightward street from that intersection.
Victoria remains still for a moment, trying to decide on what is the best course of action. She turns to face Va'ynna. "Do you think you could run to the Respite? If you think you can, I'll be right next to you all the way."
Va'ynna casts a glance to the side. "T-too far," is all the words she musters. While her job can be physically demanding, she does not have that kind of endurance, even less so in this weather.
Victoria curses under her breath. "Alright, we can make our way to the Respite slowly and stay close to the walls. You gotta keep an eye out and follow me, you can do that?" She waits for Va'ynna's answer before committing to anything.
Va'ynna nods and takes a tentative step away from the wall, casting a few wary glances around. She doesn't say anything. Her thoughts are clouded by the stress, so it might be a while until she kicks herself for not knowing the answer to what to do in this situation.
Victoria starts guiding Va'ynna towards the Respite, still keeping a hold on Va'ynna's hand. "I won't let anything happen to you."
Va'ynna keeps following after Victoria for about a block, matching her pace. She has an almost slip on an icy patch as she looks over her shoulder and to her side, the recovery owed to Victoria's support. She gasps and raises her brows, but she is not able to say anything in time.
As they look behind, in front and out at the street, they miss an important angle: up. Va'ynna could feel the biotic field, but far too late to sound a warning as an asari in full gray medium armor and helmet lands about three feet in front of Victoria, quickly leveling the shotgun (a modded M-23 Katana) on Victoria while biotic shimmer still surrounds her. "Good morning," she says, grinning behind the closed but transparent
Victoria moves Va'ynna behind her. "Yeah, I don't think she wants that. So I think you should leave." She slowly starts walking backwards making sure Va'ynna stays behind her. She wishes she had a gun with her right now.
The armored asari snorts, and she directs her biotics into a field surrounding Victoria to lift her off the ground. "I think I remember you," she says. "Anyway, if we do this the easy way, maybe you'll survive."
Va'ynna tries to hold onto Victoria, but the biotic field makes her freeze up and lose her grip. "Don't hurt her," she pleads in a murmur, tears forming under her eyes.
Victoria in her lifted state simply stares at the armored asari. "How about you just fuck right off?" She looks at Va'ynna and then looks back at the armored asari. "You pricks have already done enough to this poor girl, so why don't you piss off."
Va'ynna looks terrified as she steps forward. "Stop," she says, loud enough to be heard this time. "Don't hurt her." Unfortunately, their love goes both ways, and it pains her to see Victoria at the cruel asari's mercy.
The asari's telekinetic field is sustained on Victoria as Va'ynna pleads. She brings up her omni-tool with a subtle gesture. "It's go-time; 15 minutes." There's no audible response. She collapses the shotgun and puts it back before grabbing Va'ynna's arm. She lifts the biotic field a bit up before giving Victoria some help on the way down as it dissipates; the goal being lights out since the recently cleared partially icy
Va'ynna screams at the biotic field dissipating above the ground, and she looks Victoria's way as she is dragged away towards past her into the street she presumably came from.
Victoria eyes goes wide as the biotic drops and she falls on her back onto the pavement below. "Fuck!" She yells and groans at the pain, before mustering up the strength to give chase. "Vay, I'm coming!!" She yells as struggles to get back up to her feet and starts giving chase.
The asari keeps dragging Va'ynna with her, but Va'ynna stops her struggle when the armored asari recreates another biotic field. That doesn't help, as a Throw is sent and arced towards Victoria's side before they disappears around the corner. "I've got more where that came from!" The hum of a small shuttle coming can be heard from behind this building.
Victoria sees the biotic field coming and braces herself, as the Throw slams Victoria into the wall. She winces from the pain. "GIVE HER BACK!!!" She yells. She knows this wasn't a fair fight, she opens her omni-tool and calls Redrock, hoping someone might answer. She uses the wall the brace herself and pushes herself to get around the corner.
They're already more than halfway to the intersection where a small blue-green lightly-armored shuttle between a sky-car and a kodiak in size opens the side door and Va'ynna is pushed inside. There are no weapons on the shuttle as far as Victoria can see. The asari sends off another Biotic Throw towards Victoria before popping inside (the Throw won't hit if Victoria takes cover on her side of the corner). The shuttle door