Planet Omega

Chapter 17

We're always careful to build small fires, only necessary to cook our food, before we put them out. Nights in Zenon Omega aren't as cold as they were in the desert, even in open fields. The less detectable we are, the better it is for our mission.

"Take the last of it," I say to Will, tipping the cooking dish towards them. "You use up more energy than Phin and me combined."

"Oh, thanks!"

It's never an argument between the three of us, and though Phin wants to start shit, she knows better than to do it. Will has never once complained, but it's not hard to see that carrying me, Phin, and our packs takes its toll on them. Even though their black tiger form is large enough, it isn't easy when Will isn't used to the added weight.

But it saves us a day. Will insisted it was worth that saved day.

The three of us are an unusual grouping of personalities, but there are two things I've noticed over the past few days of travel. The first is that Will is insanely good at adapting to their surroundings and circumstances, and then making the best of whatever's been given to them. It's no wonder the shifter was so willing to join up with me and Emma and assist wherever needed.

The second thing I've noticed is that while Phin generally prefers to keep to herself and her own thoughts, Will is capable of getting her to open up and talk more. Not much, but more. I think I even spotted a smile on her lips earlier today when Will cracked a joke about how It had never actually seen a horse before.

But that's the thing, isn't it? We all have our roles to play on this team, we each have a dynamic that fits the group. Will is anything but the bumbling fool who gets laughed at for being an idiot, and yet It enjoys lightening the mood up and making others laugh. When Phin is particularly silent, Will shifts into a feline form to make her loosen up just a tad. Phin would never admit to it, but she adores the fact that Will shifts into creatures.

Self-preservation might be what draws Phin out more than helping to protect us, but she's not once hesitated to check out an unusual sound or an odd feeling she gets. Her training ensured that her senses are highly attuned to the world around her, and she happily runs head first into danger before any of us can even offer.

While Emma, or me, or even Will could have been the ones chosen to ultimately assassinate General Thackery, Phin's reputation does in fact, proceed her. She lacks social skills, but anything regarding weapons, pain, and killing? She's a pro.

"You know, I don't think it's fair that the PRF doesn't see you the way they see other non-humans," Will says out of the blue, ripping off a chunk of bread with Its sharp humanoid teeth. "You're not really human, and you also helped them indirectly. You're on the same side."

Ah yes, this sense of justice Will seems to have. Ironically, it only applies to those of us in the group, but Will enjoys pointing out when things are unfair. They even ruminate on it for days to consider all points of view before deciding what was correct and what wasn't.

"How long have you been thinking about this one?" I ask casually, setting aside my bowl and leaning back to enjoy the remainder of the heat from the fire.

"Since Emma said the pawn orgs will meet with you," It replies. "It makes no sense. They should be the ones reaching out to you."

"When you fear something, you hate it," Phin comments, fidgeting with one of her knives. "You avoid it at all costs. Even though Cal is a mage apprentice, my guess is the only reason they want to meet with her is because they want to use her."

"What, like a weapon?" I wonder.

The irony of it. I suppose Phin would recognize this sort of thing, being used by people. The only time she's ever revealed anything personal was when we first met her, and even that story isn't proven a true thing just yet. We know nothing about her, but Mateo speculates that her personality is consistent with the sob story she'd like us to believe isn't entirely real.