"The Deep Rock Galactic Mining Company thanks you for your service," spoke Mission Control as the drop pod doors closed. For Aurin the scout and Geodrey the engineer, things were less celebratory.
Geodrey had spotted a promising vein of gold above a chasm, low enough for them to reach it with their platform gun. Aurin had been up higher in the cavern, filling their suit with hefty amounts of nitra. By the time Aurin had spotted the glyphid exploder crawling up Geodrey's plascrete scaffold, it was too late.
The exploder had lived up to its namesake, detonating itself and blowing Geodrey's platform out from under them. The expression on Geodrey's face was that of sheer terror as they plummeted into the depths, and the swarm was on them as though the exploder was a dinner bell. If the cryo grenade hadn't already been leaving Aurin's hand to turn the glyphids to ice sculptures, Geodrey would've been mincemeat. Still, Geodrey's armor had been shredded, leaving Aurin with a view of the dwarf's almost-nude body. With that sight, Aurin had learned something they never suspected—Geodrey was very plainly a woman.
In hindsight the signs had been there, thought Aurin after they'd dragged Geodrey's semi-lucid body aboard the drop pod. Geodrey was obsessed with their beard, always keeping it neat, tidy, and adorned with beads and braidery. They'd had an unusual affection for lootbugs, even calling one cute when they'd thought no one was in earshot. When the other dwarves were downing Blackout Stouts, Geodrey preferred a nice Blackreach Blonde.
Aurin activated the door to Geodrey's quarters, two mugs of frothy dwarf beer in their hand. Thanks to the medical technology aboard the spacerig, Geodrey was already in top shape, as though nothing had happened. However, Aurin and Geodrey knew it had.
As though reading Aurin's mind, Geodrey spoke even as they took the proffered mug of beer.
"I guess ye know now," Geodrey murmured.