50 Shades of Gunmetal

Chapter One: Rexa

The Crimson Raiders bunker was really starting to get crowded as more and more Vault Hunters started joining us. Most of the faces that I passed in the halls were totally unfamiliar to me now.

I'd been here a few weeks now, bunking with Gaige. She spent most of her time with Axton so I really didn't see her much and spent most of my time alone in the bunker or training.

I was propped up on the pillows on my bunk reading when he walked by. He stopped in my doorway, his eyes slowly scanning me.

"Hey, whatcha readin' there, cutie?" He said with a slight smirk.

"Really?" I asked with a snort. "You're going to open with that?" I put my book down and glared at him.

"Um, sorry." He said, looking down, embarrassed. "I'm Dust. Just got here. Old service buddy of Axton's. You know him?"

"Yeah I know him, my roommate spends all her goddamn time with him. Those two never shut up about bots. You're not in a creepy pretend relationship with your turret too, are you?" I said, raising my eyebrow.

"Erm, no, I'm not into that, and you're right, he is totally creepy about it. So, uh, what's your name, anyways?"

"Rexa.... Tannis..."

"You related to that crazy professor chick?!" He asked excitedly.

"Before I was so rudely interrupted, I was going to say, no relation to the crackpot professor." I replied.

"Huh, you seem a little too normal to be hanging around these people, let alone Vault hunting. How old are you anyways? You look the same age as Gaige."

"I'm older than her, thank you very much, and I do just fine on my own, for your information. Also, normal is a very relative term." I looked much younger than my actual age, and I always used that to my advantage.

"Oh really? And what does that mean exactly?" He asked, playfully teasing.

"Well, that's for me to know and for you to maybe find out" I replied, giving him my best devilish grin.

"I see how it is then. Until you prove otherwise to me, it looks like you're all bark and no bite. Wanna prove me wrong? Let's go a few rounds on Digistruct Peak."

"No way, man, Digistruct Peak is for babies." I said, sticking my nose back in my book.

"Geez, fine, ok then. So, what makes you so special? You got any robotic limbs or parts like your little roommate?" He asked, curiously.

"I have an Echo Eye." I said with a shrug. "You? "

"Nah. I'm all flesh and blood and scars. Nothing special here." He replied. "You didn't answer my question about your specialty...."

And before he could even finish his sentence, a throwing knife was sticking out of the wall right next to his ear. Impressively, he didn't even flinch. Which was also mildly disappointing. He pulled the blade out of the wall and thoroughly inspected it.

"Nice. I didn't know Tediore made throwing knives."

"Normally they don't. Special order. I kinda know someone who knows someone. Beauts, ain't they?" I said, taking back my black carbon fiber blade and placing it back in the magnetic holster under my sleeve.

"So now that we've established you're a blades expert, what kinda guns you use?"

"You commandos and your gun talk. That shit gets you off, doesn't it? Well, I love me some SMGs, Tediore's, of course. And obvs my Echo Eye makes me a killer sniper." Promptly sticking my nose back into my book.

"Not gunna ask me what my specialties are?" He asked, feigning hurt.

"Ugh! No, you Commando types are all the same, big guns and turrets." I said, putting my book down, yet again. "Or am I wrong?"

"Well typically, no, you would not be wrong there. However, I just happen to be a wizard with pistols." He said with an air of smugness.

"Aw that's adorable! Do you have little matching gold plated six shooters you wear on each hip too?!" I said, barely being able to contain my laughter.

"Hey! I like my gold plated Jakobs! They make me look like a total badass!

"Hmpf, I'm sure...." Picking my book back up while rolling my eyes.

"So, I guess I'll just be on my way then since you clearly find that book more interesting than me."

"Bingo!" I replied, not even bothering to look up at him.

"OK then..." He said, finally walking away. I snuck a quick glance at him after he turned around and thought Not bad, maybe he can provide me with a little amusement around here. He's definitely not bad to look at. I think I might have actually hurt his precious little ego. Ooh man, this is too easy.