Chapter five of my story Origin. This one gives you a little bit of witty banter and some wonder and amazement as well. A special shout out to Commandocandle for providing the concept artwork. As always, hit that survey, leave a comment, and enjoy the read. Part two will be listed below. Chapter 5 Velox wormed her way out of the sleeping bag wearing just her underwear. She had slept surprisingly well considering her current predicament. The bath she had taken the night before helped with her sore muscles. She had been very cautious as she sat in the bath to make sure Azrix hadn’t seen her. He walked around the campsite still in his boxers gathering different ration packs and putting a dinner together. When she climbed out of the pool, she made sure he faced away while she got back into her padded suit. The food was actually good. Azrix had a couple spices he had bought himself and laced their food with. Normally the ration packs were flavorless but this meal was almost as if it was from the tower cafeteria. After supper, they agreed to wake up at five the next morning. She had set her alarm ten minutes before five so she could dress without Azrix seeing. She climbed out of her sleeping bag and raised her hands above her head in a stretch. The light was dim and she could barely make out the surrounding objects in the cave. “Good morning.” Her eyes became large and she dove back under the folds of her sleeping bag. “Don’t look!” she yelled. “What are you doing up this early?” She asked now angry. “Relax its dark enough I couldn’t see anything. And I always wake up fifteen minutes before I’m suppose to. One of my old mentors habits that I kept. Want some breakfast?” “I want to get dressed!” She yelled. “Turn around and don’t look.” “Alright but you really shouldn’t flatter yourself.” “Are you saying that I’m not attractive?” She said standing up fire on her tongue. “That is a trap and I refuse to answer it. Get dressed come get some food and we will get on with the mission.” He said opening another ration pack. “Fine.” She said pulling her padded suit over her shoulders. Gaia floated over to her and spoke. “I like him.” “What is there to like?” she said feverishly trying to reach the zipper on her back. “Well for starters, he saved your life and he isn’t stark raving mad after being alone for six months. Plus I think he is cute.” “Great so he helped out a fellow guardian and has a strong psyche. What do you mean he is cute? Do you even know what that means?” she said bending and contorting to try and reach the zipper. “I know what you humans think it means and by all accounts and calculations, he fits. He is dashing.” The little ball said in a swooning tone. “You know I can hear you.” Azrix said sprinkling some seasoning on the open rations. Velox could feel her face turn bright red. “You are going to have to ask him to zip that up for you.” “Shut up Gaia!” she yelled. “What’s all the commotion?” Nymph said in an imitated groggy voice now floating out of Azrix’s sleeping bag. “Nothing!” Velox hissed. “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Hey A, do you have the coffee ready yet?” “Pot is sitting right here.” Azrix said gesturing to a small metallic thermos sitting on the ground. The ghost floated over to the mug and sat above it looking into the black liquid. Velox walked over to where Azrix was sitting. She looked at Nymph and wondered what he was doing. “Hey.” She said tapping Azrix on the shoulder. “What is he doing?” “Something we have done for years. I would always have a cup of coffee in the morning when I could and he wanted to be part of the morning ritual. He is ‘having his coffee’.” Azrix said handing her a tin plate smiling. “It actually involves me analyzing the coffee and its properties. I know exactly what A likes. Another pack of sugar.” He said and floated to hover above Azrix shoulder. “Thanks bud.” Azrix said pouring another pack of sugar into the liquid and stirred it with his knife. “And he has personality.” Gaia squelched in excitement. Velox faced her ghost with a scowl. She then turned back to Azrix. “Can you zip me up?” she asked almost embarrassed. “Sure.” Azrix stood up and she turned around. He zipped her up and returned to his seat. “You know Gaia could have done that for you right?” Velox turned to Gaia fury apparent on her face. She started floating away to one of the darker corners of the cavern. “Why did you call him A?” she asked Nymph. “Well he uses an abbreviation of my name so I use an abbreviation for his.” “Seems a little unfair. You get five letters and I get one.” Azrix said now taking a bite of the luke warm food. “Whatever. Eventually you will get over it. Anyway on with the mission. The Vex cave isn’t too far from here. If we get back to the base camp, we should be able to make it there in about half an hour. I am concerned that since our first intrusion into the cave, the Vex might have put up an early warning system. We will have to be careful when we get close to it.” Nymph said now perched on Azrix shoulder as if he was some kind of parrot. “Yes but we can’t linger outside for too long. I think they found a new way to track us. We will have to be quick. Once inside, we will look around as long as we can. When we take our first contact, start scanning for the source of the signal. We find the source, shut it down, and get out. Do you think you can teleport us directly back to the base camp from inside the cave?” Azrix asked Nymph. “Maybe. It depends on how far away we are and how deep we get into the cave.” “Alright. Any last minute questions before we head out?” He said turning to Velox. “No I can’t think of anything right now.” “Good, hopefully this is the last time we have to sleep in this cave.” He said setting down his empty plate. Chapter 5, Part 2 can be found here: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/101231765/0/0 Chapter Index can be found here: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/101226805/0/0