Season 11
It had been several weeks since the ship crashed along the border of uncharted space. Vulcan didn't know which planet she was on. It was jungle,and in this time the group was divided up(again) Rogers generally stayed at red base, and Vulcan always stayed at blue base. Rogers was alright with management on both sides, while Vulcan was mad at Wash because he felt like that he was the best choice for a leader. But she like how if Rogers was mad at his bunk mates he could just stay the night. Vulcan was the unofficial cook, and Rogers was a guard for any jungle beast, but at night Rogers could swear he heard gunfire, but the guys say it was just brain playing tricks. The first week was calm but as time went on the guys did something dumb and dangerous just to spice things up a little bit.
Rogers found himself watching Sarge try to expand the base with the tank. "Dang nabbit, who in Sam Hill set this thing to inverted?"
"Well sir statistically-" Rogers cut Simmons short.
"Statistically inverted is stupid and pointless." Rogers said.
"Hey what the fuck is going on out here?" Grif yelled as he exited the base. "Who's firing at our base?"
"We are." Sarge answered.
"Why?"
"Our base is in desperate need of renovations. Figure I tear down the east wing."
"And it didn't occur you to warn me." Just as Grif finished his sentence the tank fired another shell. After that Wash came by yelling.
"What are you doing!"
"Well isn't it our great dare I say best friend Agent Washington."
"Don't try to butter me up." Wash said in an unimpressed tone and crossing his arms. "Now tell me what are you doing?"
"Sarge just thought we need to borrow the tank for a bit, for construction stuff." Rogers said tapping the tank.
"Really and which one of my men authorized this?" Everyone was silent and Rogers knew who did it. "It was Caboose."
"Probably." Caboose said just joining the conversation.
"Get out."
"No, we just need to upgrade our quarters."
"They're fine, out now!"
"My turn." Caboose said.
"No!" Everyone said in unison. As Sarge left the tank, he began to complain to Wash. Rogers shook his head, he knew that whenever blues and reds started to fight they'd use him. When Wash got on the tank Rogers stopped him.
"Hey you mind if I hitch a ride?"
"Sure." Rogers hopped on the tank, they drove for a good minute when they got to blue base. Rogers hopped off, he went to the makeshift kitchen/ storage room to see his girlfriend make dinner.
"Hey don't mind me asking but what was that with the explosions earlier?" Vulcan asked.
"That, Sarge just 'borrowed' the tank for well um renovations.I know that sounds incredible dumb but at least I moved my stuff at your place." He said kissing her. Vulcan looked out and saw Wash making Tucker doing push ups.
"Good thing that asshole doesn't come in here."
"Is that so?" Wash said.
"Shit."
"Twenty push up!" Wash barked. Vulcan sighed and then went outside and did the push ups. It took her ten minutes to do it in that time she watch Tucker run laps, and Caboose wander around. After she was done she collapsed and Wash went up to her. "There is one more thing I need you to do." Wash led her to the obstacle course he worked on for the better part of a month, she really didn't know what was in it.
"This thing. My dad probably made better one, and he was James.R. Vulcan."
"That's nice- Wait your dad wasthe James Vulcan, Uh I heard great war stories from vets about him. But that's beside the point you have to run it, I just rather know if it's brutal enough for Tucker." Washington said in a smug voice. Vulcan gave rolled her eyes as she ran through the obstacle course. After five minute she came back shivering in her armor.
"That was...the second hardest obstacle course I ever faced."
"Second?" Wash said all surprised.
"My dad build one where he used paintball guns and slightly watered down horse tranquilizers. Did I mention I only wore googles, a sports bra and shorts, I HAVE A HIGH TOLERANCE TOWARDS SEDATIVES. Oddly enough not pain meds." Vulcan then laid down. she watched as Wash put Tucker trough the same torture. "Isn't torture against UNSC laws." Wash gave her a glare. "Right I forgot."
Meanwhile Rogers went over to Red base to check up on the guys. He found Grif sitting around. "Hey looked what I smuggled from the kitchen." Rogers said throwing Grif a beer.
"Thanks."
"So what's happening?" Rogers said taking a sip of his beer.
"Well, Sarge gets half of the base, I share the other half with Simmons and the best part Sarge is building another robot."
"Three things. First another robot really. Second I was gone for an hour, and lastly my condolences."
"To who?"
"Simmons, Remember when I we lived at Blood gulch. First week we were roommates but soon the room was overflowing with trash. I had to come up with a bullshit medical problem to get the second bedroom just for myself well until Donut but he was pretty clean and- wait why I am I talking about Donut?" Grif shrugged.
"Want to go and watch Sarge build a robot?"
"Sure why not." The two went over to Sarge's makeshift workshop and watched him build the robot. He made small talk with the guys, but was kind of board.
"I'm telling you I'm surprised that we're not bowing down to robot overlords." Grif said.
"Not really, regular non-think robots can be deactivated or reprogrammed while smart AI may think for themselves they still can be distracted by what their human counterpart found annoying or interesting." Rogers said. Grif and Simmons gave each other a look.
"How do you know that?" Simmons asked.
"Um,well."
Flashback
Rogers and Vulcan stepped out of a small room in mismatch armor. Rogers had Vulcan's icy blue helmet and left leg piece. The two were snickering, until a UNSC crew member approached them. "What the hell."
"Yeah you may want to clean that janitor closet." Vulcan snickered .
"That was the ship's AI processor it corrects space anomalies! It was based off that teenage prodigy."
"Wait what!" Rogers and Vulcan said. The next they knew alarm went off.
End of flashback
"Internet! We sure didn't crash the ship because I thought we found alone time in a janitor's closet. Hahaha." Grif and Simmons backed away from Rogers.
"Got it!" Sarge yelled. The robot then began to turn on, It twitched a couple of times. "Ladies I would like to introduce you to our newest member of red team."
"So can it talk?" Simmons said raising his hand.
"Hola." The group began to bitch about the robot.
"I'll go get Vulcan." The robot began to talk more but Sarge cut it off.
"Lopez Dos.0 it's good to have ya aboard." The robot acknowledge Sarge's comploment. "Now get to work you slacker. There's a comm tower in the middle of the canyon." The robot began to speak but not do it's job.
"Maybe the crash broke something of his so he doesn't follow orders."
"I don't know let's just take him to the comm tower."
"Why bother if he's broken?" ask Grif.
"I don't know maybe if he sees something broken he just *Snap* get to it." The guys then began to lead Lopez dos.0 to the comm tower.
Meanwhile Vulcan was helping Wash with the tower, she didn't have her chest piece on, only a standard blue army tank top. She was at top of the tower moving the dish whenever they tried to get a signal. "Hey we got anything?" yelled Vulcan.
"No nothing yet!" Wash yelled back. Vulcan began to look over the valley, she could see the Reds coming towards the tower. She shimmied down the tower and put her chest piece back on. By the time she got down she over heard Sarge say he that they got a new robot.
"Hola." said the robot.
"Nope." said Wash. The Robot spoke some more. Vulcan picked up bits and pieces.
"Is that Lopez?" asked Tucker.
"Nah." Shrugged Rogers. "Sarge just built him."
"Come on boss I can work as translator."
"I still say no. You four just go check the food rations" sighed Wash.
"Hey you can't dump your bitch work on do we look like?" protested Simmons.
"Um, bitches." said Tucker.
"Tucker 100 hundred squats." Wash then went back to fixing the array.
"Ha who's the bitch now?" laughed Grif.
"Your sister was my bitch if I remember correctly."
"What did you say to me bitch?"
"No one is a bitch now be quiet!" yelled Wash.
"Simmons is kind of a bitch." said Grif.
"Hey what the fuck?" yelled Simmons.
"Can it private bitch."
"Yes sir." sighed Simmons.
"Bitch." The group said in unison.
"I said be quiet!" yelled Washington. The next thing Vulcan knew was that the radio had turned on.
"Ho-ly."
"Shit." Rogers said finishing Vulcan sentence.
"Mayday mayday can anyone read me? Over." Wash said into the mic. Vulcan held her breath and waited for a response. It seemed like forever, when no answered Wash kept trying and Vulcan held her breath even longer just hoping someone would save them. As if a miracle happened a distorted voice came over the radio. "Yes, yes we're here. Do you read us?"
"Hello, is this a prank call." asked the voice.
"Code red!" Vulcan yelled at the top of her lungs.
"What like a lightish red?"
"Wait is that Donut?" asked Rogers. The Radio then came in clear.
"I mean red is a broad spectrum. You got scarlet and vermillion and don't forget-" Before Donut could finish Sarge rushed up top and spoke.
"Is that you Donut?" asked Sarge.
"Sarge? Oh hey have you been up to."
"Let's see." Vulcan said jumping into the conversation. "I've got a pedicure and upgrade for my armor. It's real nice you'd like it oh wait. WE ARE STRANDED ON A GOD FORSAKEN JUNGLE."
"That suck. Sorry V."
"No shit dickhead!" yelled Grif.
"Donut I need you to listen to me." Sarge said shoving Vulcan out of the way. "You need to send help. Call command."
"I think I know a guy if you want to turn this into a three-way."
"Is it a girl?" asked Tucker.
"Dan punch Tucker for me." said Vulcan.
"With pleasure."
"OW!" yelled Tucker.
"Listen. I need you to write down these coordinates." Vulcan stepped away and went down to the guys.
"You know Dan I think we might get off this rock." Sarge came near the ledge and spoke.
"I don't want to jinx this but I think ... We're going to be rescued!" Vulcan couldn't help but jump up and down with glee. The whole group were cheer and Vulcan yelled.
"Who want's whisky and cake!?" Everyone yelled in agreement.
"I am going to be shit faced." yelled Grif.
"Let's eat all of our food ration and shoot all of our excess ammo!" yelled Sarge.
"Let then fix up that old warthog.' Vulcan stopped celebrating. "So that we can crash it into the other warthog." And just like that Vulcan was happy.
"Hey, let's just settle down. We don't want to get our hopes to high."
"Who here thinks Wash is being a total buzzkill. Raise your hand." Rogers said.
"Alright, we can celebrate. Alittle." Rogers shrugged in agreement, and soon after words Caboose came by. "Caboose where have you been?"
"I went on a walk, just like you said. And now everything is going to be good forever!"
"What's changed Caboose?" asked Wash.
"Ow where are my manners. I haven't introduced him yet."
"Him?" said Vulcan.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Rogers said. He always trusted his gut, it never steered him wrong and it was telling him to slowly walk away and get the fuck out.
"Freckles come!" Caboose yelled. Soon afterwards Rogers could hear metallic footsteps. Then he saw the beast. A huge mech came towards the group. "Everyone I would like you to meet Freckles. Freckles say hello." Vulcan was speechless, she read about this model a TX-1 Mantis. One of the most efficient killing machines the military's got.
"Enemy soldiers detected." The mech said in a cold heartless tone, it powered up its missile launcher but Caboose calmed it down.
"Hon."
"Yeah Dan?"
"I don't think I'll be staying over for a while." Rogers began to slowly walk away.
"Um Caboose I think we need to talk." Wash said in a stern tone.
"Ok." Wash began to lead the squad inside but the mech followed. The room was silent for a minute and whenever someone tried to speak the Manties look at them.
"Caboose. Where did you find this robot?" asked Wash.
"His name is Freckles."
"That a stupidly name. I mean stupid cool I mean." Tucker said frighten.
"Technically it's a Mantis mech and by the way it's moving I'd bet it's a TX-1. Slow but hard hitting." Vulcan said in a smug voice.
"How did you know that?" asked Washington.
"I like to read about military vehicles."
"So tell me this." said Tucker. "Why is it called a mantis."
"Couple reasons, mostly because the original purpose was a stealth unit, ambush caravan. Fun fact the original mantis mechs were no bigger than the the suits we're wearing but god if you saw the K1ll3R-X a pipe dream to say the least They made like a hundred of those, they were twice the size and some had full AI pilots."
"I thought those were a myth." Wash said with a hint of jealousy.
"Maybe you should have a dad who's a general but trust me when I say the K1ll3R-X sometimes target friendlies by accident or on purpose. The AI tended to lose it."
"I just call him freckles because the spots on his nose." Vulcan looked at the spots.
"Uh I have to give it to Caboose on that one." Vulcan nodded in agreement with Tucker.
"So where did you find Freckles?"
"I was walking, and I was sad then I heard a noise. I then found this little guy under rocks and spaceship. I just moved it out of the way and here he is."
"That was nice." Vulcan said with an uneasy laugh.
"So Caboose, A um pet is a lot of responsibility."
"That is why I will give him water and food everyday."
"This so fucked up." said Tucker.
"Didn't you give birth to an alien baby few years back?"
"Hey don't you dare bring family into this."
"So what do you guys want to do today?" Caboose ask with glee.
"I'm not doing shit, we're getting rescued remember."
"I'd think it be better if we continued with training."
"If I may ask, what's the point? I mean there was that time with the spider but Grif ended up sitting on it by mistake." said Vulcan.
"Still. I just want to be ready for anything."
"This is fucking stupid." Yelled Tucker.
"Like I said. You never know if someone or something will go jog." Wash then began to leave.
"Where are you going?" Wash stopped and turned towards Tucker.
"I' heading back to the ship. Someone needs to do an inventory of our food supply." Wash then began to leave. "Five laps." Tucker began to wander off but freckles spoke.
"Disregarding a direct order from a superior officer is punishable by death."
"What since when."
"Target locked." This scared Vulcan so much she began to run and Tucker soon caught up.
"Were all going to die." Vulcan said with fear. Tucker rolled his eyes at the comment but when he looked back at Freckles his eyes widen.
Meanwhile Rogers was bummed out that he can't hang out with his girlfriend without risk of being blow up to pieces. "Men, fall is not a drill." Rogers got up and regrouped towards Sarge
"Sir, what's wrong."
"What's wrong, how about the scheming, training and conniving."
"Slow down old man." Rogers said not understanding what Sarge just said.
"Those blues are up to no good, they built a robot."
"Sir, that is far from the truth and didn't we build a robot first?"
"Lopez Dos.O is as useless as a box of Grifs. Now we've considered the blues as our 'friends' some more than other." Everyone turned their heads to Rogers.
"Hey the only Blue I'm loyal to is Vulcan."
"None the less we need to look at the fact they have a literal walking tank. So that is why I sending you three on recon."
"Easy enough. I practically live there."
"Don't you really live there, I mean none of your stuff is at the base." Simmons said stating the obvious.
"Good, now figure out what the pesky blues are up to."
"Are you sure you don't want to just send Rogers. Like he said he lives there."
"Don't worry I have confidence that at least one or two people will live and if 2080's movies showed us that the guy who is in love with a person from the enemy side will die by betrayal in the horrible way or when everything is in the clear the guy is sniped by who he thought was his best friend." Rogers turned his head to Grif and gave him a glare.
"Hey don't look at me." Grif said raising his hands.
"Wow Sarge you know who to give a guy a confidence booster." Rogers let out a sigh.
"Please I don't want to die."
"Simmons two things. First shut the fuck up because if and I can't stress the if enough is that what Sarge just said is true Vulcan will either kill me or Grif is going to blow my brains out. Two Grif is more likely to get kill then all of us, he's slow and sticks out like a sore thumb."
"I'm serious. That robot is dangerous."
"You make an excellent point. You should stay in the shadows when you're there." Rogers began to walk over to blue base.
Meanwhile Vulcan was doing squats because Wash said to. She had her music turned up high so she didn't have to listen to any of the guys. While she was listening to her music Freckles began to shoot at a ball Caboose threw. Vulcan then tried to think of override commands she could use to deactivate the Mantis. Went when over to the water cooler to get a glass and then she saw the Reds talking amongst themselves. She began to walk over to them.
Back with Rogers, the Reds were arguing on how they wanted to do this. Grif suggested they just do good cop, bad cop. While Simmons said they should go in guns ablazing. "Or I can just ask Vulcan, we don't hide anything from each other."
"Ow yay what about when you said that those playboys weren't yours. I assume you were telling the truth." Rogers jumped up and calmed down once he saw It was just Vulcan. "Alright, what do you guys want?"
"We want to know the truth." Simmons said trying to sound intimidating.
"You can't handle the truth." Vulcan said snickering. "But seriously be careful the TX-1 mantis were know you were here, let's just say it has an itchy trigger finger." Rogers got up from crouching and spoke in a calm and clear manner.
"The guys are just spooked about the mech. Sarge thinks that Wash, the 'evil' Freelancer got some dastardly plan."
"Don't worry Wash isn't up to anything. He's a rubbish leader in my opinion and don't forget he's as useless as a bag of Grifs."
"Hey what are you guys talking about." Tucker said joining the conversation.
"They just want to know what we're up to."
"Oh that. Did you tell em that the only thing we've been doing has been training."
"What are you guys expecting?" asked Rogers.
"The fuck if I know. Everyday it's the same thing wake up, run drills, clean the base run drills wait, shouldn't you already know this Rogers?"
"I mostly tune out when it came to 'how was your day'." Vulcan then quickly slapped Rogers over the head. Simmons on the other hand was interested by what Tucker was saying.
"I will volunteer to say to see if the Tucker story is true." Rogers shrugged at what Simmons had to say.
"Your funeral." said Rogers.
"Simmons? I mean Wash's training isn't for the faint of heart." Vulcan said all surprised. Simmons wasn't the strongest of the group, but hey he's survived worse.
"Ya I'm sure.I'll stay for a few days. I'll be cool I promise"
"Fine you can stay. Just know we warned you." Tucker said walking away.
"Stay out of trouble. I'd rather my boyfriend isn't a pile of goo or a pancake." Vulcan said following Tucker back to the base. As the Blues left Simmons spoke up.
"Well guys I guess the is goodbye."
"When will you be back?" asked Rogers.
"Till the job is done."
"You sure."
"I'm sure." Rogers shrugged and went back to Red base. "Hey Lopez where's Sarge?" asked Grif.
"[Why you asking me]?" Rogers rolled his eyes and radio in and Sarge came in.
"Rogers, Grif I see none of you were killed. So what you got?"
"Well the the blues are just exercising and you're just paranoid about the mantis."
"Alright and what does Simmons have to say?Simmons report,Simmons?"
"He's with the blues."
"Wait! He's with the blues!?"
"Yeah, he seemed a little too happy to do so."
"I suppose it was only a matter of time."
"Come again?"
"I knew this day would come."
"Simmons would go rouge." asked Rogers.
"What hell no. First they build a giant robot, then second in command. The enemy final has shown their colors."
"Blue?"
"Yes! It's Red vs Blue all over again!" yelled Sarge.
"Sir, calm down. We're not at war, Simmons just wants a break from us."
"Dude you're making it sound like we're getting a divorce." said Grif. Sarge continued his rambling.
"So should we like lock up the weapons or stand back when we're 'assaulting' the castle." Sarge began to start up the Warthog. Rogers sighed as he got shotgun, and they began to drive. "Assaulting the castle it is."
Meanwhile Vulcan was watching Freckles do tricks. "Hey when is Wash coming back?" yelled Simmons.
"Not sure sometimes an hours sometimes a day. He likes to check the ship for supplies."
"Well when he gets back tell him I got some ideas to upgrade the base."
"Tucker!" yelled Wash.
"Sorry buddy." She stepped back as Wash began to chew Tucker out. But Tucker soon was biting back. She didn't like how Wash treated Tucker, he was hard on him too much. They soon began to scream at each other but Simmons came by and calmed everything down.
Meanwhile Rogers was speeding towards red base. Sarge was screaming Attack. "Enemy soldiers detected." said Freckles. Rogers ran out of car just before the shit hit the storm. He put up his hands in surrender.
"I'm just moral support so I'll just walk over here." He quickly ran to cover. Sarge began to express his anger, he quietly went to Vulcan and whispered. "I'm sorry but till things cool down I think we should stay at our bases." Vulcan sighed, she didn't want to amit Rogers was right, but she knew each other's safety it might before the best.
"Alright." Vulcan said with regret. Rogers then went back over the red side and Vulcan joined her squad. When she got to the conversation Simmons was expressing why he left.
"It's not your fault, it's Grif."
"What did I do?"
"You kind of are a slob." said Rogers.
"Ya but I've always been like that. Sarge was the one who wanted half the base for himself."
"Really!" said Vulcan.
"Oh I guess it is your fault, sir." Rogers knew that this would make Sarge angry but he didn't expect him to get on the turret. Everything was getting out of hand, she watched Wash and Tucker argue and she was tired of it.
"You two calm down." Vulcan said in a calm voice.
"Stay out of this Emma." said Wash. Those words where the straw that broke the camel's back, she quickly jumped into the argument. No one at anytime is allowed to say her first name.
"Tucker is right." she said screaming. "You treat us like dirt and i'm tired of it!"
"Yeah!" yelled Tucker.
"Vulcan I-"
"No Wash listen here. You never thought of me as a soldier, just a the cook. You disprove of my relationship with Rogers. You and Carolina make comment on how it's not protocol. You and your fucking bosses take me from my family, turn my family's long proud line of military service men into a joke not to mention tried to kill not just me, but everyone. So I think I deserve this one thing that keeps me happy, the one thing Project Freelancer can't take away, my voice. I'D RATHER CABOOSE BE CAPTAIN THEN YOU MOTHERFUCKER!"
"You do not treat me like that."
"Vulcan's right! You're the worst thing to happen to blue. I'd rather Caboose be captain."
"If that how you feel then fuck it, Caboose is the new captain." Wash said a mocking tone.
"I humble except."
"Shut up!" the trio said in unison.
"Do not talk back to your commanding officer." Vulcan face went pale at what Freckles just had said. She realized what they just did, once she wasn't as hot headed
"We are having an argument with Wash, I will be talking back to him, you fucking toaster."
"No Tucker, theses thing are completely literal we just-we just open pandora's box."
"Wait what do- Oh Shit."
"Washington is not the commanding officer, In a unanimous decision by Blue team. Caboose has been promoted to Blue leader. Captain Caboose is your commanding officer." Vulcan stood silent, she knew that this would not end well.
"This isn't good." Rogers said to himself. He watched as Simmons was walking back to red team but. Just then Caboose kidnapped Simmons, Sarge started up the turret but Freckles shot first destroying the jeep. Freckles the aimed at Rogers but he raised his hands in surrender.
"Primary threat neutralized." Sarge the man who he was, was about to attack again. The next thing Rogers knew, a single shot had been fired. Rogers spun around to see it was Donut. Everyone then began to jump up and down in excitement.
"We're going home!" yelled Grif as everyone rushed towards Donut.
"Ah you really missed me."
"Donut, if you hadn't of showed up, shit would have hit the fan."
"Where's the ship?" asked Wash.
"Huh."
"The ship you came on." yelled Vulcan.
"Oh, well here the rescue team." Donut moved out of the way to present Doc."
"So that's it?" Vulcan said with a nervous laugh. Doc stepped up and spoke.
"Donut said you need help."
"So I got the best help money can buy." Donut said in a confident tone.
"You didn't pay me!" yelled Doc.
"And I didn't tip the pilot, that's life for ya."
"Where?" Rogers ask looking behind Donut.
"The pilot that dropped us off, silly."
"Drop you off?!" Vulcan said as her voice turned to fire. "So he's not here anymore?"
"Yep."
"You hear our cry for help, you grab Doc and a ship. You come on said ship then tell it to leave?!" yelled Wash.
"No I brought Lopez." Vulcan looked down at a helmet. She smirk and calmly took a breath.
"Remember what those court order therapist say. 1 2 3, 1...2..-Ah fuck it, Kill the bitch." Vulcan yelled as she took the first swing. It sent Donut flying, and soon everyone was punching and kicking Donut. After ten minutes of kickass, she stopped and slowly walked away. Vulcan went to her makeshift house and went to bed. She slept and, cried at the one chance she had at going home. After a few hours of sleep and hours of laying awake, Vulcan got out of bed, she put on her armor. First the boots, then legs, pants, chest and the rest. She pulled out her emergency ration stash. She didn't want anyone to see her like this,she didn't want to go outside without her helmet. She opened up a muffin and some coffee, she never liked coffee, too bitter. But she found it helped calm her nerves. After she was done she put on her helmet not bothering with a push up or doing her hair. She went outside and went into line with Wash who from habit was always up early and Tucker who like her just couldn't sleep right. After five minutes or so Simmons came in line. He's armor polished and repainted over the missing specks of paint. Seems like he didn't want anyone see his face either, she could hear him now she didn't even care that Freckles was watching them. After five more minutes of silence, Tucker broke it.
"This is it, rock ever hit rock bottom Vulcan, Wash. Well you have now, you can't get any lower."
"Three times including this one. First time was when I burned my ex -lovers stuff, I got a restraining order from them. Second time I thought I hit rock bottom was when I found out that this was all a lie and I was a human guinea pig. Now I take order from a man who doesn't know left from right. I found that it's just get worse when it seems it won't."
"Deep stuff." said Tucker.
"I want to go home." Simmons said almost crying. Freckles began to perk up once he heard foot steps.
"Officer on deck." Freckles said as Caboose came up from down stairs. "Captain all team member are accounted for."
"Excellent news, assistant Captain Freckles. All right, it looks we have a new member Simmons a big Blue team hello.
"Hello Simmons." sighed Vulcan.
"It's nice to have you on board." Tucker said sarcastically.
"Sir awaiting mission briefing."
"Oh yes, right well. Uh..." Caboose began whisper."Wash, Wash."
"Yes Caboose?"
"What is our first order of business?"
"We're trying to get rescued." Vulcan let out another large sigh. She didn't care at this point, she barely listened to Caboose or anyone else. When Caboose told Vulcan her job she got on it.
"Alright time to make a shit ton of cookies, pies and cakes." she said sighing. She left for the kitchen and got on her job, she began on the cookies. She couldn't help but cry as she made her desserts.
Meanwhile across the canyon at red base Rogers was on look out for a giant killer robot. He watched and surveyed the area, down below Doc was patching up Donut from yesterday's rumble. "Alright you're all patched up." Rogers heard Doc say.
"I can't feel my toes." whinned Donut. Rogers could only smirk at what Donut had just said.
"You're lucky we Vulcan didn't kill ya. Hell everyone else in the matter."
"Still the next time someone comes to help, don't beat the crap out of them." Doc said.
"Rogers is right. You're lucky we didn't kill you." said Grif.
"I got to know though. After you dropped me off at Valhalla you were supposed to go back to blood gulch?" Grif look worried for a second.
"Somehow the ship crashed and no one seems how or why."
"Men!"Sarge yelled as he came around the corner, this caused Grif get all jumpy. "It's time we took action."
"Oh we're not going to do anything violent are we?"
"Can it eggplant. For the first time I want to see what Sarge has to say." yelled Rogers.
"Thank you Rogers. Since landing in this god-forsaken hell hole, we've let Washington make all the decisions and just look at what that got us."
"Stuck on a jungle planet with wasps size of cats and letting Caboose have a killer death mech that for some reason put him in charge."
"I'm surprised we're not dead yet. This shit's pretty fucked up."
"It's time we took matter in our own hands." This got Rogers thinking, I got to stop feeling sorry for myself, save my girlfriend and kill that oversized toaster oven.
"You can count on me sir." Rogers said reading his SMG.
"Good to have you on board Rogers."
"You're starting to sound like Simmons." Taunted Grif, "You don't even know what he's going to say."
"Ain't too hard to figure out. We're going to kill that toaster oven."
"Well since Rogers know what I plan to do, I'll cut to the point. What we're going to do is in no way smart. There is one in this canyon that's the source of our problems...We got to kill Freckles."
"Fuck ya!" Rogers said raising his gun in the air. Rogers looked towards Doc and Donut, he could tell that they didn't know what was going on. "Freckles is a giant mech."
"So sir how do you plan on 'eliminating' it?"
"With the power of deductive reasoning I came to the conclusion that if the ship was carrying something like Freckles, they got to have something just as big."
"Alright but we checked the ship already."
"Not all of it. Some parts were blocked off. Now we'll move in tonight. Donut you're on guard duty."
"Awesome!"
"Hey." Wash yelled. "You guys haven't seen anything suspicious around?"
"No, just cat wasps."
"Alright. By the way, Vulcan misses you." Wash said with pity. He soon walked way. Rogers quickly went to his room and slept for a good hour or two. He knew he was going to pull a all nighter and he need not to be tired when doing so.
Meanwhile Vulcan make several sheets of cookies, two chocolate cakes and three banana pies. And a whisky vanilla float. She sighed as she picked at her desert. She wasn't feeling to good, but Tucker popped by to talk for a few minutes. "Hey V, I was-holy crap. How did you-?
"I've been baking non-stop for half the day. Have a cookie or a slice of cake. God knows we have a how's the radio?"
"I'm having a shit time. I don't know what to do. I don't want to say it but I miss having Wash as the leader."
"Sorry to hear that.I guess he was just trying to look out for us."
"Hey you alright? You didn't even come out to talk when you were on your brake."
"What can I say I've just not been feeling too good.I guess it's just everything. I can't see my boyfriend, I was given the false hope of rescue and now I'm stuck in the kitchen baking treats non-stop."
"Hey something is telling me something big's coming." Tucker then left.
Across the canyon Rogers got up from his rest. It was already dark out, he followed Sarge as they snuck into the ship. After a hour, the group were at one of the blocked off spots Sarge had told the group about. Sarge, Doc and Rogers moved some of the debris out of the way and continued on their way. "Over here." yelled. Rogers quickly rushed over and say what he was pointing at, a sign that read 'armory'. "Alright fan out and see what you can find." Rogers nodded and looked around. He didn't find anything interesting, a couple of crates of ammunition. He picked some up for later but found a couple of spike grenades. He picked those up and wander around aimlessly, until Grif called him over the radio.
"Dan get over here." Rogers eyes widened, he knew it was important. The only time his squad called him by his first name was when something was important.
"What is it?" The next thing Rogers knew Grif threw a grenade and stuff feel from the sky. He rolled out of the way. "What the fuck was that?" Rogers asked out of breath.
"We found these teleportation grenades. You through one it makes stuff disappear and throw another one the stuff reappears."
"That is awesome." Rogers then quickly picked up two grenades and study them. At first glance there was nothing special about them. They justed looked like orange grenades, before Rogers could study them anymore Sarge was yelling for them. Rogers put down the grenades and went to Sarge.
"Sarge we found the coolest thing." Doc said all excited.
"I don't care if you found a napalm shark with shotgun turrets, I would not care." Rogers shrugged off what Sarge just had said. "You know that feeling you get when you see a real pretty girl. You don't really know what to do, but you go over and smile , and then she smiles back. And for the first time everything makes sense."
"I've know that feeling." Rogers said.
"Well I got it to." Rogers looked over and saw the huge mech. "Except that girl is armor plated with 50 millimeter cannon and all the ammo in the world." Rogers whistled at the beauty that was going to kill Freckles.
"So how we going to get this beauty out of here?" asked Doc. Rogers and Grif looked at each other and nodded.
"Teleportation cubes." the two said in unison.
"No! A girl like this otta be treated right. We'll take her apart, limb by limb backed away to sure no one sees." Rogers shutter at this.
"Your dating metaphor kind've went into the serial killer zone." said Rogers.
"Ah shut it." Rogers shook his head and wandered off and in the distance he could see Wash walking into a makeshift workshop. Rogers went back to Sarge who already was taking apart the giant mech.
"Sir. Wash is here."
"Alright, triple time. Rogers you know how to take apart things."
"Yes sir!"
"Alright start with arms." Sarge said handing Rogers a blowtorch . Rogers then began to help dismantle the mech all through the night, he fell asleep halfway through the mech.
Meanwhile Vulcan was waking up. She made herself some breakfast and wander towards a group formed around Simmons. "What'cha doing?" asked Vulcan.
"I just invented the greatest thing ever!" He moved over to show a computer screen that read 'Simmons'.
"It kind of looks like the google search screen."
"That's because it's the internet!" Simmons said all excited. Tucker was very excited and he tried to usher everyone out.
"Good god man. Do you not have shame." Vulcan said in a condescending tone.
"Well it's notthe internet. You can really just talk between red and blue base."
"How did you set it up at red base?" asked Vulcan.
"It wasn't easy. Freckles almost found out but it was worth it." Simmons went back to the computer and began typing and another screen popped up.
"Base book?"
"Yeah! It let's you upload pictures, videos and blogs for your friends to see!"
"Really? There is literally a hundred sites that does the exact same thing."
"And no one is our friend, just acquaintances." Tucker added.
"Yeah, but all those sights are just filled with attention whores."
"But what's the point? I mean if I want to talk to Tucker I can say it to his face and if I want to cyber bully Tucker there isn't much of a point because we've called him every name we could think of."
"What about a man whore." said Tucker.
"You have to sleep with a women first." Vulcan said getting a high five from Simmons.
"We since Rogers is on the other side of the canyon and we can't go there you can now, duduna keep in touch." Vulcan's face lit up.
"Alright I'm sold." Vulcan pushed Simmons out of the way to set up a profile.
Meanwhile Rogers was waking up, he stretched his legs and did a push up to get limber. He notice a note taped to his chest. He took it off and read it. "Dear Rogers we just finished taking apart the mech and we're transporting it. I got Sarge to let you sleep while we transport the pieces. How ever if you can pick up the pieces Grif 'dropped' that be appreciated. Doc." Rogers let out a large yawn before walking back to base. He picked up a couple of screws and armor plates. He then returned back to base where he found Sarge yelling at Grif and putting together the robot. "Hey Sarge."
"Rogers good to see you. And looks like you brought gifts."
"Need any help?"
"No, but you can help Grif with his teleporter cubes." Rogers then ran towards Grif.
"Hey man Sarge sent me to help you. SO can I play with a couple cubes?"
"Sure." Grif handed Rogers six cubes and he ran off. The first thing he threw was a cube at a busted warthog, it disappeared. He threw a second one at a cat wasp nest to crush it. He laughed and went inside and found Doc playing on the computer.
"Hey what'cha you doing?"
"Oh Simmons set up some social sight and it looks like Vulcans on here."
"Move over." Rogers said pushing Doc. He quickly typed in a response to Vulcan.
'Hey V guess what I found that sight Simmons put up.'
'Awesome!'
'So what's happening at blue base.'
'Well I've been bum and Caboose put up this heavy radio silence thing, that's why I haven't been able to talk to you.' An idea popped into Rogers head.
'Why not sneak over here. Sarge is building something to kill Freckles.'
'Can't. Freckles is on some kind of watch dog mode. He keeps shooting cat .' Vulcan logged off.
"Nooo!" A voice screamed.
"The hell?" Rogers said. "Sounds like Simmons. I guess Freckles did it he killed him." Rogers shook his head. "Or he snapped none the less."
Back on the other side of the canyon Vulcan was sweeping the floors as suddenly there was aloud no. She went upstairs and saw Grifs disgusting room. Boxes of porn and other nasties. Simmons was crying and rocking in the corner. Caboose came up and once he saw the mess he backed away slowly as if it was a monster. Vulcan followed him and once he was outside and in earshot of the guys he yelled. "Attention Blue team."
"Yes captain?"
"I know we said we needed to fix the radio and stuff but we got a bigger problem."
"What is it?" asked Tucker.
"I kind of sort of we need you guys to go back to blue base and um clean it up."
"Clean up what?"
"Garbage and robot parts. Simmons, well Simmons won't stop rocking back and forth and crying in the corner, well it's kinda freaking me out."
"Alright. We'll be there in a few minutes." Caboose nodded and then ran away with Freckles. Vulcan ran towards the guys and Wash spoke. "The both of you I need you to do what you can. I need to go to the ship."
"Alright, come on Tucker."
What's so important?" Wash stopped dead in his tracks.
"I found something. I just need some time." Wash then left towards the ship.
"Come on Tucker." Vulcan said ushering Tucker towards the base. "Brace your self."
"Holy shit!" Tucker said seeing the wasteland. Vulcan began to grabbed, the trash while Tucker 'sorted' the nudie mags. She gagged at the trash, she picked it up and placed it into baggies but some of the trash was so toxic it moved on its own or ate through the plastic. "Where did this stuff come from." Tucker said trying to stop slime from crawling up his legs.
"Grif's room." weeped Simmons.
"CABOOSE!" yelled Wash. Tucker threw everything on the ground and Simmons got back up. When those two were out of sight Vulcan picked up a magazine for late night reading and when to see what at the commotion was about. She gasp as she saw Freckles corning Wash. She couldn hear what they were saying but she stood in silence. Wash handed Caboose his old helmet and they hugged.
"Awe." After they were done Caboose said Wash was in charge. She smiled and went down to congratulate Wash's promotion. "Nice to have you back in charge." Vulcan said to Wash. He nodded and Vulcan made her way to Caboose. "So how do you like the new helmet?" smiled Vulcan.
"It's awesome." The next thing she knew his visor went black. "Hey who turned of the sun?" Caboose said stumbling around. Vulcan gave Wash a glare.
"Hey I'm a leader and I wasn't ever good at making things." he said rubbing his neck.
Meanwhile Rogers watched as Sarge activated the mech. "Listen to her purr."
"It looks like shit and not to mention it's half the size." said Grif.
"Well if someone hadn't left a lot more pieces she'd be her giant self." Sarge then began to punch Grif,
"Damn that hurts." The mech began to twitch and then it spoke.
"Cyclops online." said the mech. "Hardware malfunction."
"Welcome to red team." Sarge said in a cheerful tone.
"Enemy soldier detected." The mechs guns started to light up. Rogers readyed a spike grenade just in case.
"You only got one enemy. It's a big robot-"
"Negative. Motion tracker detect 18 hostiles."
"Hostels?" Rogers said in a nervous tone.
"De..Deadly force authorized." With each step anyone took the Cyclops zoned in on them.
"I'm a pacifist." Doc said in a frantic tone.
"Engaging." But by the time it's guns were ready to fire it powered down.
"Humh, guess it ran out of diesel." Sarge said.
"For the first time I am glad you used a fuel source that makes no sense." Rogers laughed.
"Wait guys she said there were 18 people." Donut said.
"Yeah so?" Rogers asked.
"There's only 13." Rogers eyes widened. The next thing he knew he heard gunfire over by Blue base.
"Fuck." Rogers said loading his SMG.
Meanwhile Vulcan took cover while a group of four soldiers shot at them. She notice Caboose was wandering into the battle zone. She fired her gun landing a deadly blow on one of the soldiers, she then tackled Caboose out of the way. "Who is that?"
"Caboose stay here." she yelled. "Freckles attack."
"Acknowledge." It then fired rockets killing the last three troopers. Vulcan heard a sound and spun around to see the Reds coming over. The reds and blues group together.
"Who were those guys?" Sarge asked. Vulcan shrugged and spoke.
"Not sure. They just showed up and started shooting."
"Alright, let's head inside jus-"
"Run!" A man said who popped up a shield that deflected a sniper round. Simmons was startled and was about to shoot the man. But another sniper round went threw the man's leg. "Son of a bitch." the man yelled in pain. "Run!" he screamed again. Vulcan tighten her grip of her assault rifle but a deep voice boomed across the canyon. She couldn't see him.
"Excellent work soldiers." a man uncloaked. "You killed my men. I guess you're the real deal. Now come with me." Vulcan Rogers gave each other a look. They nodded, if he sent hounds to test them then he might tried to gut em. So they aimed their guns at the man.
"And why would we do that?" Washington asked.
"Because if you don't I'll have to take you later."
"You don't scare me." Vulcan growled.
"This is your only chance." Vulcan smirked when Wash called their dog.
"Freckles." The giant mech marched towards the man and fired its guns but he cloaked and disappeared.
"Shit." Vulcan yelled.
"Um any of you patch up a leg?" Doc ran off to grabbed his medical supplies, when he came back he fixed the man's leg. "I can't feel my toes."
"The feeling will come back in a week." Rogers said. Wash went up to the man and pointed his gun at his head.
"Start talking." Wash said in a menacing tone of voice.
"Aggressive, paranoid. I'd say that your Agent Washington. And that would mean the rest of you are the Reds and the Blues." That comment only made Wash a little more pushy. He turned off the safety and fired a single shot in the air. "Whoa calm down."
"How do you know who we are?"
"Really, come on. Everyone and their aunt knows about you guys. You're heroes."
"Yeah I know." Vulcan said unimpressed. "Just another groupie."
"Well I wouldn't- Not the point. You guys brought down Project Freelancer. You are the galaxy's greatest soldiers!"
"Well about that." Rogers said rubbing his neck. "Wash gets a bit of the credit. Well none I guess that goes to Carolina."
"Stop giving him info. What's your name?"
"Felix."
"Ok 'Felix' what are you doing here?"
"Do you want the short answer or the long one."
"Do you want another bullet in the foot this time?"
"Hey I got that bullet because I tried to save you." Felix said in a defensive tone. Wash sighed as he lowered his rifle.
"Just explain what's going on."
"Like why those asshats were shooting me!" Vulcan screamed.
"And why we haven't been rescued yet."
"Where do you think you are?" Felix asked.
"My money was on deep space. Far beyond the official known boarder. Grif's got bermuda triangle, Sarge has gilligan island and Donut has purgatory."
"Technically my dear you are right. You're on Chorus."
"Never heard of it." Tucker said.
"Doubt you have. It's on the very edge of colonized space and after the war between Human and the aliens it was forgotten by the UNSC."
"So we crashed in the middle of nowhere, on the planet of middle of nowhere."
"More like the farthest edge of nowhere." Simmons said. "But the important thing is how did we end up so far?"
"Does it really matter? We're here now." Rogers said.
"Now being a planet free from the UNSC the people of Chorus decided to run things themselves. But now their is a civil war and i'm on the side trying to keep you alive."
"And which side is that?" Wash asked.
"The New Republic. A group of people tired of how things were running on Chorus. And now they began to fight for their freedom."
"So lemme guess those fuckers who were shooting at us are the 'evil empire'." Rogers said.
"I guess that's one way to put things in perspective."
"So why try to kidnap us?"
"Like I said. You're the galaxy's greatest soldiers. So they gotta have you, or at least make sure no one else has you, now I'd be lying if I said that my rescue mission didn't have a few strings rebels need help." Vulcan looked down, she wanted to help but she was tired of fighting and war. She just want to have a civilian life again. "They sent me after they heard you were here and bring you back. They think you're the key to winning this war."
"No." Vulcan said with shame in her voice. "Well explain inside." Vulcan then helped Felix into the ship. "Yeah we can't help."
"Look Felix I hate to break it to you but we're in no condition to fight a war."
"All we want is to go home." Tucker said.
"Yeah off this hell hole. No offense." Rogers said.
"It ain't my hell hole."
"Aren't you a rebel?" Doc asked
"No I'm a Freelancer." Without knowing it, just like an old habit everyone aimed their guns at the man. "Whoa, I'm a mercenary." He said raising his hands in surrender. With a sigh of relief Rogers lowered his gun.
"So they payed you to find us?"
"Ya, they pay me a lot of things, but ya you're my current pay check."
"So you want us to fight someone else's so you can make extra cash."
"Yeah well-"
"We'd rather just take the ride out of here if you don't mind."
"There were three of us, when we were sent out to find you." Felix said walking away.
"Vulcan, you alright?" Rogers asked.
"No, I got a feeling we're going to be fighting." She quickly reloaded her weapon. "And I'm ready to kiss some ass." When Felix came back he spoke.
"We need to start making this cannoy more defendable." Vulcan smirked at this, she just knew she be fighting again "I need a detail list of the supplies you've got on hand, we'll set up choke points and mark potential sniper's nest."
"Whoa slow down, we're not telling you anything." Wash said. "We still don't know if can believe you."
"Wash he's our best chance of getting out of here alive. But I don't like either." Vulcan said.
"Your friends right, if we don't fight, it'll just be a massacre." Vulcan knew Wash was weighing his options.
"Tucker see if you can fix Caboose helmet, Sarge you Grif and Simmons build up an arsenal and Vulcan, Rogers you set up turrets, mines around any sniper's nest we don't control at the moment." Rogers nodded, Vulcan grabbed a couple of turrets and set them up but Rogers pulled her aside.
"Rogers, this isn't time for a quickie." Vulcan smiled.
"No, it isn't that. I was waiting for us to return to Earth but I guess we won't leave this place for a while." Rogers quickly pulled two gold ring with a large emerald. "Will you, Emma Vulcan marry me?" There was a minute of silence and Rogers held his breath.
"Yes!" she screamed. She hugged him she quickly placed the ring on her finger and then ran off and placed turrets around any places of entry, while Rogers grabbed a few mines and placed them around the ridges. When he returned to red base so he could report he found Sarge gathering his tools.
"Sir."
"What do you have to report?"
"I placed all the mines I could along the ridges."
"Good, go to the armory and pick up whatever you can get." Rogers nodded, he then ran off when he got there he grabbed extra ammo, a shotgun and a few spike grenades. He regrouped near the front of the canyon, where he found Vulcan on a turret and Wash in his old armor. When he finally had some coned around confidence about the battle someone was firing rockets. He turn around he expect seeing an army instead he saw C.C chasing Sarge and spouting spanish.
"Dos.0 stop firing!" Sarge yelled.
"Dos.0!" Rogers yelled as he dodge a barrage of rockets. Freckles lucky got Dos.0 attention and when he couldn't think anything could get worse the Fed's began to shoot but Locus stopped.
"Surrender now and I promise I'll only kill the mercenary."
"Yo Wash what should we do?" Vulcan yelled. He raised his rifle and fired. "Got it." Vulcan then began to fired the turret, moving down a couple of Feds, Rogers threw a couple of spikes grenades. As a group of Feds began to encircle Vulcan he threw a future cube at a very large cat wasps. When the group was in range he threw a second future cube at the Feds. Some ran away while other began to go berserk as they got stung. While in the confusion Vulcan abandoned her post and fell back. When she got back she found Donut unconscious and Simmons and Rogers tending to him.
"Go to see you're alright." Rogers smirked.
"That was brilliant throwing the future cube and using that Cat wasp nest!" she said hugging him.
"Hey you three . Freckles is charging, help us defend the line!" Wash yelled. Rogers, Simmons and Vulcan wasted no time. When they got there they fired at the oncoming soldiers with the help of freckles.
"10, 11, 12." Rogers yelled.
"30, 31, 32." Vulcan laughed.
"They're falling back!" Wash yelled."We can do this." Just as everything seemed it was going to be fine Wash was hit by some kind raygun. Vulcan, rushed towards him and found a faint pulse. But that didn't stop, next thing she knew Lopez was shot down. The Feds kept coming, it seemed for every Fed she had shot two more would take their place. She moved Wash out of the way of the line of fire. Suddenly a Fed jumped her and pinned her down. She couldn't move and she tried to push him off, but she couldn't he was too heavy. He began to put his hands around her throat and choked her. She pulled a knife from the federal soldiers holster and stabbed him, once she could breath again she got up. Everything was dissociating and she saw a new group of soldier attacking. Rogers ran to her and tried to usher towards the cave.
"Come on we're retreating."
"Um alright." As she followed Roger towards the cave Locas decloaked and pushed him, he was about to shoot him, Vulcan who was still slightly dazed tackled Locus. But it had little effect, he pushed her off and fired several shot from his pistol into her arm but she kept getting up so he shot her in the gut. Anger overtook Rogers, he fired his SMG and landed a shot on Locus, but his shield took the hit. Locus faded with a disappointed sigh, Rogers rushed to Vulcan who was silent. She took of her helmet and she lied there breathing slowly.
"Vulcan! Stay with me please." he cried. "We can get medical help. The rebels, they got to have medical supplies." Vulcan with the little strength brushed her hand across Rogers face and spoke ever so quietly.
"You...you have to leave. Please go on and live." She then closed her eyes. Rogers began to shake her.
"NO VULCAN! Wake up, for the love of god wake up!" he sat and cried refusing to leave. As everyone began to retreat Grif found Rogers sobbing over Vulcan.
"Rogers we have to go." Grif said grabbing him by the arm.
"NO!" he yelled. Grif looked at Vulcan who was silent.
"I'm sorry." Grif said with pity. "But if you don't leave they'll kill you and who'll remember her." Rogers knew Grif was right, he followed him to mouth of the cave.
"Where's Vulcan?" Simmons asked.
"They killed her." Rogers said with sorrow. Simmons looked down and was silent. As he saw approaching feds his eyes turned to fire, he killed them without hesitation and when Tucker got there he yelled for Wash but instead Wash ordered Freckles to collapse the cave. A falling rock hit Tucker and knocked him out, Rogers dragged him to a convoy of Warthogs and helped him in one. They drove for hours it seemed like, when they got to the base Rogers helped Tucker to the a makeshift hospital. As he walked through the base he could hear people whisper.
"That's Dan Rogers. He help take down Project Freelance."
"I hear he kill one of their best agents." If they had found them awhile ago this would of caused Rogers to smile but he kept going and sat down with what was left of the Red's and Blues. Simmons and Caboose went up to Rogers who was playing with his ring.
"I just want say I'm sorry for your lost. Vulcan was a good person." Simmons said.
"She was my best friend." Rogers sniffed. "I asked her to marry me just before the shit hit fan. I'd appreciate it if you guys just left me alone." Caboose went up to him and hugged him. He began to back away.
"I know what's it like to lose a friend, but Donut survived a gunshot." Caboose then left. Once he was all alone he looked at the ring. He pulled out his dog tags and placed the lace through the hoop. He got up, and got something eat. Once he was done he saw Tucker talking to the guys. They saw Rogers everything fell silent.
"So you caught up?" Rogers asked Tucker.
"Yeah. I'm sorr-"
"Save it. Vulcan wouldn't want any pity." Tucker nodded. Rogers looked around him and saw that half the group was either KIA or MIA. He saw Sarge shot by the raygun and so did Wash. But he doesn't even know if they're alive. Only one confirmed report, he had hope they survived at least.
"Hey something's come up." Felix said. The Reds and the Blues went up to a makeshift office where a woman was standing at attention.
"Michal Caboose, Dexter Grif, Richard Simmons, Dan Rogers and Lavernius Tucker. The five of you have traveled great distances, found alien artifacts, brought corrupt men to justice and bested the most dangerous war criminals the galaxy has ever seen. And know it seems fate has brought you to our doorstep. I'm aware that you've been informed of our situation and I understand your reluctance to help fight a war that is not your own. We have received word that the Federal army has your friends in captivity." Rogers had a faint smile at least he know that some of his friends might still be alright. "If they're alive it means that they can be rescued and this will yours. So I'm going to make you a promise. If you help us take back our home, we'll help you take back your friends, and when this is all over you can take our best ship and leave."
"Alright." Rogers said. "But I'm not helping you because you saved us, I'm helping you so I can kill Locus. Once he's dead and I have my friends back we're leaving war or no war."
"Alright." The women said. "You'll each be given a squad, they'll follow you to the gates of hell. All I ask for right now is that you give them hope." Hope what a funny word. So small but it meaning is something so large it can't be measured in any way that what Vulcan told him once, Rogers thought. The group left, where they found a large group of starry eyed recruits.
"Alright let's run some drills." Tucker said.