The Adventures Of N & Uzi [Season 3]

Say What You Say

As Braiden led J through the bustling corridors of the colony, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Showing her around was like showing off his home, and he relished the opportunity to impress her with his knowledge of every nook and cranny.

"So, what do you think?" Braiden asked, flashing her a grin as they passed by a group of worker drones diligently going about their tasks.

J glanced around, taking in the sights and sounds of the colony with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "It's... different," she replied cautiously, her optics lingering on the bustling activity around them.

Braiden chuckled, his easygoing demeanor doing little to ease J's unease. "Yeah, it's a lot to take in at first. But you'll get used to it. Trust me," he reassured, his tone laced with confidence.

As they continued their tour, Braiden couldn't resist making a few offhand comments, hoping to lighten the mood. "So, J, did you know that a worker drone can jump higher than the corpse spire? That's because the spire cannot jump" he quipped, gesturing towards a drone expertly navigating a crowded pathway.

J couldn't help but chuckle at his antics, a hint of amusement flickering in her optics. "That was so stupid. I hate that I actually found that funny," she admitted, her guard momentarily lowered by his playful banter.

Their laughter was short-lived, however, as J's attention was drawn to the hostile glares and muttered comments directed her way by passing drones. The words stung, their venomous undertones a painful reminder of her status as an outsider in this unfamiliar world.

Braiden noticed the shift in J's demeanor, his playful expression fading as he registered the discomfort etched on her face. "Hey, you alright?" he asked, concern evident in his voice as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

J forced a tight-lipped smile, masking the turmoil brewing within. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied tersely, shrugging off his touch as she quickened her pace, eager to escape the scrutiny of the drones.

As they rounded a corner, J's thoughts drifted to N—her former squad mate, her former victim, and the source of her turbulent emotions. The memories of their tumultuous relationship weighed heavily on her conscience, a nagging reminder of the pain she inflicted with her thoughtless words and actions.

Despite her internal turmoil, J remained steadfast in her belief that her treatment of N was justified—a means to toughen him up and mold him into a better version of himself. The notion that she had caused him harm never crossed her mind, her conviction unwavering in the face of mounting guilt.

"I wasn't abusive," J muttered to herself, her words a mantra she repeated with unwavering conviction. "I was just trying to make him better. To push him to be the best version of himself."

Lost in her thoughts, J was caught off guard when Braiden came to a sudden stop, his gaze fixed on a familiar figure standing in the doorway of a nearby landing pod.

"Tessa," Braiden greeted, his tone polite but guarded, his unease palpable as he acknowledged the presence of J's former friend.

Tessa's expression was unreadable as she regarded J, her eyes betraying a mixture of apprehension and determination. "J, can we talk? Alone?" she requested, her voice tinged with urgency.

J hesitated, her instincts urging her to refuse Tessa's request. But something in the other woman's demeanor gave her pause—a hint of vulnerability lurking beneath the surface. With a reluctant nod, she followed Tessa into the confines of the landing pod, leaving Braiden standing alone in the corridor, his concern mounting with each passing second.

* * *

As J and Tessa entered the landing pod, the tension in the air was palpable. N's optics narrowed at the sight of J, his posture tense with apprehension. Uzi, on the other hand, bristled with barely-contained fury, her fists clenched at her sides as she fought to restrain herself.