Bend Around the Wind by Scyllaya

Chapter 46: Hatchet [1]

Chapter Forty-Six

Hatchet Part I

Milky Way Galaxy

Tilnast System

Planet Sarka

Loki was already in full armour with his bag ready by his feet when Stark finally appeared in the cargo hold. To his surprise, he was not wearing his own armour yet. The others immediately turned towards him as well, because it was not like him to be late.

'Slight change of plans people,' he said when he got closer.

'Really?' Juyu asked. 'What could've possibly gone wrong already?'

'Nothing wrong per se,' Stark shrugged. 'But Rule #5 just got priority.'

Drongo, Bee and Juyu all turned their heads towards the list to see what Rule #5 was. Loki didn't need to do that.

'The atmosphere is not suitable after all?' he asked with a frown. Stark must've just finished with the surface scans then, that explained why he was late.

'No, the air is fine, but the temperature seems to be really low. It's cold as fuck down there.'

Loki felt how his muscles stiffened for a moment, but he was rather certain that the others did not notice it.

'How cold?' Drongo asked.

'It's below freezing, but we're just going to have to put on some extra layers and we should be fine.'

'Well, I do not have any extra layers as of yet,' Drongo said. 'So I'm going to have to stay here for the time being.'

'Yeah, I figured as much,' Stark nodded. 'I can't wear my suit either. I can't put enough layers underneath it. Not to mention the helmet, I would get frostbite everywhere.'

'What about me and Bee?' Juyu asked.

'Well...' Stark scratched at his head.

'Bee will stay here on board with Drongo,' Loki interrupted. 'Juyu, you should have enough clothes, you're coming with us.'

'Really?' she asked, visibly excited that she was picked.

'Yeah,' Stark nodded. 'That's fine with me. I even have an extra coat you can use. Come on.'

She immediately turned to follow Stark out, but she still stopped for a moment to look at Loki.

'Aren't you going to change?' she asked. Loki only had his usual leather pants, boots and one of his long-sleeved undershirts on besides his armour, shin guards and vambraces. He was dressed lightly, as always.

'I don't get cold,' he answered simply.

'I'm still grabbing your cloak,' Stark said before she could ask any other questions. 'For appearances sake.' Stark learnt long ago not to question him about things like this, so he did not say anything else on the matter now either. He just turned to leave with Juyu on his heels. He trusted Loki to know what he could handle.

'Is your home world a cold place?' Drongo asked.

'Why would you think that?' Loki asked calmly.

The giant just shrugged easily. 'It's a simple observation, really. In my experience races are mostly resistant to the type of climate they originate from. So I was just wondering about your home. Call it curiosity.'

'I am resistant to every sort of climate,' Loki answered with a clipped tone.

'I meant no offense, Loki,' Drongo said after a pause with a strange tone, noticing his change of mood. He did not ask any more questions.