Artificial

Act Natural

Operator Velox

As the dropship slowly drifts toward the platform, I take deep breaths to keep my nerves at bay.
"Hey, chill out," Shockwave reassures, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Just act natural. We'll be fine."
"That might work for you, but for me, 'acting natural' is standing out."
"Vel, I've got troubles too. My uniform looks like it's painted onto my ass. I'm getting catcalled, it's just a matter of time. But we can get through this together."
Reach wraps a protective arm around her waist.
"Its gonna be hard not punching any fuck who catcalls you."
"I know, babe, but it's for the greater good."
She gives him a kiss, then they both put their helmets on. Reach's arm doesn't leave her waist until the door opens.
I try to hide my anxiety as I step onto the platform.
Not gonna lie, I wish Evo was here.
You don't need him. You're a badass.
Yeah, which is fine in an open fight, but now I'm in weak armor that doesn't fit right, in the middle of a hornet's nest of enemy fighters, with no weapons. I'm scared.
Clearly you're not that scared, we're in.
Holy shit, you're right. Thanks for distracting me.
No problem.
"Welcome, Katya," the guard greets as she enters, then turns to us and nods.
"Hunters. I hope the operation went well."
Reach nods and continues past the guard, keeping professional.
Say what you will about Reach, he's a good actor.
Katya leads us through several corridors, when suddenly we're confronted by a wall of Special Forces soldiers blocking our path.
Not good.
I hear footsteps behind me and whip around to see another wall rapidly forming there as well, blocking the way we came in.
One of them takes off his helmet, revealing a man with a strong jaw, short blond hair, and pale blue eyes.
"Did you seriously think we wouldn't notice something was off, Kat? Everyone knows these IAF bastards don't show us any mercy."
Stay cool, Vel.
I'm trying my fucking best.
"So did you honestly think showing up here empty-handed after your squad leader reported a success wouldn't go unnoticed?"
I hate this asshole.
Keep calm.
"Not to mention the fact that you're the only female Hunter, and you've clearly got one more behind you."
He walks past me, approaching Shockwave.
Oh no. Vel...
He did not just say I look like a man.
I mean, if anything it was an implication...
Shut up, Boost.
Yes, ma'am.
"Seems that uniform doesn't fit quite right, does it? That's because we don't accept unnatural proportions here."
"Hey, asshole!"
He turns around, and approaches me.
"And what say you? You and the other man seem to be fine examples of the perfection of pure humanity. Why work against us?"
"Because, you jackass," I begin, removing my helmet and letting my hair down. "I am no man." I tear off the top half of the uniform, finally releasing my confined shoulders from their prison, and exposing a sports bra with the IAF logo on it. "I am much, much worse."
"Good Lord, you're a woman?" He exclaims, leaning in to inspect me further.
"Damn straight, I reply. "All 6 feet and 10 inches of me."
"Witness, Hunters!"
Yes, witness perfection, you bastards.
"This is the evil the IAF commits! Look at how they've disfigured this poor woman! Look at how they've forced strength into a body never meant to be strong! Look at how they heaped on pound after pound of muscle until she was unrecognizable! Look at how they've mutilated the Creator's grand design! This is the evil that is human augmentation! She was denied a chance at womanhood! Forced to live as a hostile creature of violence! This is the evil that the IAF commits every day, and will continue to if they are not stopped!"
Those motherfuckers.
Vel, I think you're on the verge of a heart attack.
I believe it. I just don't know what to do with all this rage.
Suddenly, Shockwave covers my eyes and turns me toward the wall. There's a metallic rattle, a deafening bang, and a bright flash. When I look back, all of the soldiers are blinded.
"Move, now!"
Katya leads us through a door into a ventilation room, and we begin crawling through the vents. The rest of the group doesn't seem to have any trouble, but I swear I hear every panel of the duct creak as I crawl over it.
Goddamn my bodacious bod. Why must I be so heavy?
The group gets further and further ahead of me, and as I crawl over a vent, the metal finally gives way. I fall three or four feet before landing on something surprisingly soft. I look up to see Evo is cradling me in his arms.
"Evo?"
"Listen, I know you told me not to worry, but I did, and—"
I cut him off by throwing my arms around his neck and hugging him tight.
"Shush. I've never been more happy to see you."
He chuckles a bit, and I can feel his bulky shoulders rising and falling against my chest.
"Good to hear. Where are the others?"
We're interrupted by the sound of swift, quiet footsteps on metal. Wraith pokes her head out from the edge of the vent.
"Hey, Vel. I was gonna see about getting you out of here, but it seems you're in good hands. Rendezvous at the dropship depot ASAP."
"Affirmative," Evo replies, and I give her a thumbs-up.
"Alright, see you around," she finishes before gracefully dashing over the gap.
"Goddamn, she's like a gazelle," Evo comments.
"It's those long-ass legs," I reply. "I can't keep up with her anymore without stims."
"I bet Apex enjoys the shit out of 'em."
"Oh, he does," comes the echoey report from the vent, and we both laugh.
Seems some of my confidence has rubbed off on her.
"But yours are nice, too," Evo continues. "They might not be as long, but you know I'm a sucker for muscle tone, and you got that in spades ."
I can't help but crack a smile at that.
"Thanks, babe. Now, hold me a little closer."
"Someone's feeling intimate."
"I am, but you're also really warm."
"Speaking of, what happened to your shirt?"
"It's a long story."