Prologue
They were the highest competitors in Project Freelancer, except for Wash of course. Number one, number two, and number three on the leaderboard. Wash was of course the worst Freelancer, but he survived, didn't he?
Despite Carolina and York having been together, their relationship was destined to fail. She was always meant to be with Wash. They are soldiers.
Tex may have been forgotten by Church, or Epsilon, or whoever you want to call him, but there was always that extra copy of her that he forgot he made in case the first had failed. She sits lonely, realizing what Epsilon is doing, and she thinks her best friend is also gone. After all, he died for her, didn't he?
York misses Delta, but he is happy to have room to think for himself. He had to betray Delta in order to search for her. He realized Carolina was meant for the battlefield, so they would have never lasted. He is looking for someone mean and scary but also sweet and trustworthy. He is looking for Tex.