The Zerp? The Zerl.

Basil was to meet with a materials supplier. A group of scientists on the spice-rack, including Basil,  were starting a new project soon, and the funding had just gone through, which meant the real work was almost ready to begin. But first- they had to get their hands on the base materials- which was often easier said than done. Basil had proved he could handle planning and allocation management and though he would have much rather stayed in his lab, he knew the same went for most of everyone else… and Cardamom and Rosemary couldn't be expected to take that responsibility all the time. 

Basil had Chive with him this time and he was thankful to have the support in this endeavor. Things didn't often turn badly, especially with this specific contact, but going alone was easily reckless. They'd been dropped off at a hangar and made their way to their destination. Chive was a gregarious engineer and always had a lot to say about his boyfriend, about places he visited, and the newest gossip. Basil had almost as much difficulty talking to him when they weren't at work (where they talked nearly exclusively about projects) as he did when Rosemary got particularly interested in ‘how Basil was doing’. Basil was very thankful Chive didn't ask many questions of him in return. Chive was respectful of him, and Basil hoped Chive didn't think less of him for his failure to hold engaging conversations. Bas just had so little to pitch in to the conversation and thusly had a hard time keeping his focus. Basil did what he could when he lost his place in the conversation- nodded, smiled, and agreed when he thought appropriate. Chive sometimes shot him an amused look, but didn't ever dwell on it if Basil did space out.  

“Thym's got quite the left hook.  You ever been hit? I suppose not-”  Chive started to continue again, not really expecting Basil to respond but Basil surprised him with a soft laugh  “Thym's never hit me on purpose but I believe they could take me out easy with one blow. Almost done it accidentally on several occasions. I swear-”  

Chive smiled “Maybe they should teach you a little something about fighting? I know they taught you some swordplay but- you honestly never know when you might need to defend yourself hand-to-hand. Or… hand-to-gun. Either way.” 

Basil stroked his chin gently considering “No yeah. You aren't wrong. I still doubt I could do much even with the training.” 

“Not with that attitude” Chive responded with sassily but friendly. Basil shot him a smirk. It was no secret that Basil was frail, and barely got around to working out.  Chive and Thym had both bothered him about physical exercise and maybe joining them for a workout every now and then but Basil always pushed it off for lab work or some other engagement. He was too busy for a lot of things. Chive thought he might be self conscious and stopped bothering him to do it together or as a group. Maybe he'd encourage Thym to get Basil a training and exercise regimen sorted. It'd go over better if they suggested it than if he did. 

“Hey is that the place?” Chive motioned with a nod to a doorway in the sector they'd found themself in. A figure stood outside the door, watching with a general apprehension.  

“That's it.” Basil kept on towards the door. As they approached the figure blocking the door, she stepped to the side, inviting them both in without a word. She had a colorful mohawk that reminded Basil of a Peacock and wore several baggy layers that left her true size a mystery. Despite said mystery, she remained intimidating. She sized up the expected guests as they both walked past, eyes lingering on Basil's arm. She followed behind, making sure they found their way. Basil had been here before and seemed to know the way to the meeting room. 

~~~~~~~~

“Ah Mr. Genovere , and -” The proprietor questioned.  

“Just Chive is fine”  

“Chive, yes… nice to make your acquaintance. You can call me Zephyr. Thanks for coming” they motioned for their guests to sit at the large steel table in the nearly featureless room that had little to set it apart from a steel box- just some view screens on each wall, and the table they sat at. This place didn't play around with pointless fanfare. Basil liked and appreciated that. Their contact, Zephyr, pulled out an info-pad searching for the information on the Spice-racks initial request. 

“You mentioned over the channels you were looking for Neptunian Ore, andddd errrr-” 

Before Basil or Chive could chime in with the answer, the peacock haired woman who'd leaned against a wall listening, called out “1.6 kilotons of Tetryon irradiated plasma and a monazite sample.”

Zephyr looked up and smiled “Ah yes. Thank you Zerp”  

Basil also glanced at this Zerp, to find her gaze again rested on his arm, which Basil was honestly used to drawing attention but… something about her expression seemed to suggest something other than a casual curiosity.  Basil brought himself back to the conversation at the table “That's correct, any chance we could arrange for allocation and delivery of any of those items in the next month?” 

Zephyr continued flipping through pages on their info-pad, “Yes, the plasma and monazite is no issue, I maaay be in a bind with getting the ore quickly. There's some strings I'll have to pull to get in touch with our-” A series of loud shots rang from down the hall and Zephyr stood from their chair in a second flat, eyes wide. They completely dropped the conversation and Basil and Chive quickly stood as well. Zephyr worriedly pointed away from the shots “Okay- Head for the side exit! Zerp- see to it they make it out. I'll see if I can't diffuse this.” They didn't look very confident and neither did Zerp but she grabbed Basil and Chive and pulled them with a firm grasp toward safety. 

They hurried along, ready to get out- not wanting to take any risk. Basil knew Chive didn't want to get involved unnecessarily as much as Basil did, but for a specific reason Chive had said so many times Basil could easily hear it in his head ‘If I die, Cilantro will kill me’.  

They headed quickly through a boring corridor with no issue and Zerp threw open the door with gusto. Gunshots rang out as she did and she crossed her arms in front of her- shielding herself. Basil yelped and quickly pulled out his own pistol, mirrored by Chive. Much to Basil's surprise, Zerp kept her footing, arms covering her core and head to the best of her ability, tinks of metal impacts sounding as they found their mark. She leaned forward into the barrage and charged for the assailant. Basil stepped out with his gun and watched as she pummeled into the attacker, throwing them to the ground and knocking them out in one fell swoop.

She staggered slightly as she turned back to Basil and Chive pointing them down an alley. “That way- take 2 rights and then a left at the purple cylinder sign. I'll be right behind you.” 

Basil and Chive listened and followed Zerp’s instructions closely. Basil looked back before the first turn to see Zerp. She was bringing up the rear, she'd grabbed the gun from the assailant, and cautiously staggered down the alley herself, ready to fire if anyone followed.  Basil was impressed at just how much she'd done to protect them. He hoped Zephyr was okay. Despite whatever had gone down- this place had been quite the reputable middleman. 

They made it to the aforementioned purple sign and took a breath. 

“Thank god-” Chive sputtered “If I died back there- Cilantro would've killed me.” 

Basil couldn't help but laugh. Chive pouted “What? Basil-  You could have not died- and Cilantro would've killed you too! He's not past killing my friends if they just let me die like that!” 

Basil folded his arms “That's fair… I guess we're going to need to find another supplier. So much for-” 

An annoyed voice interrupted “I thought I said TURN LEFT at the Purple Cylinder sign. - Did you even listen?” Basil and Chive turned to see Zerp shambling down the alley toward them 

“Luckily they didn't follow. Zephyr held them off” she said, looking disappointed.  

“Zephyr's okay then?” Chive responded, hopeful. 

“No. Dead.” she said dryly. “Now get around that corner and keep walking or so help me.” 

They rounded the corner together and Basil casually inspected Zerp. One of her sleeves was nearly torn to shreds, and beneath it he saw a robotic limb, nearly shot to pieces. He squinted, trying to determine what the design had looked like prior to the barrage of bullets. 

“What is it Yelpy?” she groaned.   

“Your arms are very badly damaged. I've never seen anyone block with their robotic limbs before. That was bold.” He barely refrained from looking closer at her arms. 

Chive agreed “Wouldn't a mana shield’ve been more efficient?”

 Zerp shrugged awkwardly, “Pfft don't tell me what's more efficient. Yelpy's got the right idea. I'm bold” she laughed once and then winced, doubling over. 

Basil immediately went to her side “Okay enough tough Zerl, you're hurt.” 

She frowned, not bothering to correct him, she conceded pulling back a layer of fabric to show some shrapnel and a richoted bullet that had lodged into her side. Basil's eyes widened as he noticed the telltale signs that she had more than just the robotic arms. The connections reaching up her waist. He blinked a few times, ripping his focus from the patterns on her body. 

“We need to get you help, do you need any support or-?” 

She clicked her tongue with a sharp Tch. “I can walk- You wouldn't be able to lift me anyways, scrawny. Better be thankful I'm still conscious. I'm a bit bulkier than your average quadriplegic.” she bared her teeth in a half smile half snarl. 

Basil was starting to resent all the nicknames, but he was excited to get a closer look at those limbs. “I'm Basil by the way. And-” 

She cut him off before he could finish “Basil Genovere and Chive yes, enough talk, please just get me wherever we're going to get this shit out of me”. 

Basil scoffed and Chive shrugged as they slowly led the way back to the Spice-Rack in silence.