Chapter 78 - Disquieting Calm Before The Storm

The observation post offered minimal shelter against the atmospheric anomalies on the planet. Shielding equipment hummed quietly as Theia and Evander maintained their surveillance of the abandoned research outpost.

Four hours in, with four to go before extraction.

Theia shifted her weight in the cramped space in a periodic adjustment to prevent stiffness. Her gauntlets pulsed with restrained energy as she checked their metrics on their data for the third time in an hour. She'd been doing that a lot since what occurred on that mission.

Letting herself be contained by a living Navigator instead of a tool, even for a while, had left her feeling odd and looking for signs of any leftover effects. Even if the researchers with authority over her 'unique situation' claimed no effects would be transferred.

"Sensors show minimal particle fluctuations in the storm on western approach. Still within acceptable hazard parameters."

"Wow. Fascinating."