Chapter 1: Seven Months

Sniper rounds whizzed by in the firing range, onboard the Mother of Invention. "Ha! I told you I could make it!" 'Zona crowed, smiling as she examined her handiwork. Three target dummies lay in a row, a bullet hole through all three's foreheads. The purple and green armored Freelancer next to her chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

"Remind me to buy you a medal next time we touch down." North teased, smiling back at her. Their helmets lay together on a stand, near the rifle rack.

Wyoming sighed next to them, lowering his rifle. "Look chaps, I don't mean to be a downer or anything, but c'mon. Get a room you lot…"

'Zona scowled at the British Freelancer, albeit with a rosy tinge to her cheeks. "Oh shut up. Don't you have a date with your mustache tonight to prepare for?" North stood nearby, hand over his mouth as he attempted to disguise his chuckling as coughing.

He scoffed, shouldering his rifle as he stroked his luxurious mustache. "As a matter of fact, I do." Wyoming picked up his helmet and slid it on quickly, leaving the firing range in a huff.

The two remaining Freelancer's glanced at each other for moment, before breaking down in laughter. "Oh god, I wasn't expecting a yes!" 'Zona cried, wiping away tears of mirth.

"That was so bad… You should really try to be a bit nicer to everyone, 'Zona. They don't all love you like I do." North added, although the laughter still was clear as day in his eyes.

She rolled her eyes, "Oh c'mon, he knows I'm just teasing… Besides, he started it with that joke about us" 'Zona complained to her boyfriend, nudging against him with the hint of a smile on her face. "Love you too."

North winked at her, "Well, hopefully he isn't too far off." He flirted, leaning down to kiss 'Zona.

'Zona blushed heavily as she kissed him back. "Not yet babe… We had a deal, remember?" She asked, stepping back from him to return her sniper rifle onto the rack. She picked up their helmets, tossing North his.

"You can't blame a guy for hoping." North laughed, catching his helmet and sealing it on. "Shall we?" He gestured towards the exit.

"Weeeeell, I could…" "Zona teased, placing her own helmet on as they left the firing range. "You never said I had to be right!"
He shook his head with a mock heavy sigh, "I won't win here, will I?"

"Nope!" 'Zona replied cheerfully, struggling to contain her urge to laugh.

North froze in mid-step, and 'Zona turned around in confusion. "Crap, I forgot about that training session with Wash. Mind coming to watch? We could go get dinner afterwards." He added, smiling under the visor.

She pondered the idea for a moment, "…I suppose I could…" 'Zona mocked; changing direction as the two Freelancer's began walking to the training room.

They parted ways at the large doors, North walking inside while 'Zona went around back and up the stairs. Upon reaching the Observation room, she noted that CT, Rhode, Arkansas, and Tennessee stood near the windows.

'Zona walked over to the only available space, shouldering her way to stand between Ark and Tenn. The blue and purple Freelancer fidgeted nervously next to her. "Calm down dude, I don't bite…." She laughed, and was joined by Tenn as Ark attempted to defend himself.

"No, it's not you, it's just that I haven't had much sleep lately, and…" He trailed off, noting that both Tenn and 'Zona had lost interest in him, instead gazing at the match below.

Nudging Tenn's shoulder, 'Zona questioned her. "What's his problem?" She whispered, gesturing to Ark who had struck up a conversation with Rhode.

"I've got no idea what you're talking about." Tenn replied, a barely detectable trace of sarcasm present in her voice. Whatever else she had been about to say was suddenly cut off as FILSS began broadcasting over the speakers.

"Agent North Dakota versus Agent Washington, Lockdown Paint scenario. Round starting in 3… 2… 1… Round begin."

Medium sized stone blocks had risen from the floor as the AI spoke, effectively hiding the Agent's from each other's line of sight. The Freelancer's standing in the observation room weren't impaired by this, clearly able to view as North and Wash hunted each other. 'Zona could swear she heard Arkansas and Rhode make a bet on the victor of the match. Idiots, no way Wash could beat North!

She saw North hanging back towards the edge of the maze, circling around it with his paint pistol raised. Wash, on the other hand, was sliding nervously around each corner as he edged closer to the center of the maze, much to Rhode's chagrin. "C'mon man, don't go there, that's the kill box! We went over this!" Rhode exclaimed as Ark and Tenn laughed.

The tension in the room grew as they watched North gain sight of Washington. The purple and green Freelancer raised his pistol, pulling the trigger once. Once was all it took, as the pain pellet hit Wash dead center on his forehead. The paint blossomed out to incase his helmet in the hardened pink substance.

Wash hit the ground with a muffled curse, as the pillars around them descended into the floor once more. "Round over, point awarded to Agent North. Victory for Agent North." FILSS reported. 'Zona heard Rhode groan, and she chuckled as she saw him reach inside his pack, handing over a wad of bills to Ark.

Tenn laughed next to her, "This is why we don't bet with the top 8, you should know that by now."

Rhode just sighed, turning and leaving the room quickly as Tenn and Ark struck up another conversation. 'Zona just looked around, her gaze settling on CT as she leaned against the wall, glancing to the side to stare at Wash and North. Unlike the rest of them, CT wasn't wearing any armor at that moment, making 'Zona feel awkward and bulky as she approached her. "Hey."
CT nodded, "Hey. How's life in the top 10 now?" She asked, referencing her recent position change on the leader board after their latest mission.

"Pretty good I suppose. You know how things go." 'Zona replied, staring out the windows to gaze specifically at North. As though he had sensed her, North looked up at the Observation deck, waving. She felt her cheeks burn slightly as he did, noting how the rest of the room started to chuckle lightly, although Ark sounded a bit forced.
"Go on." CT prompted, causing 'Zona to turn to her in confusion.
"What?"
CT laughed, sticking her thumb out and gesturing down to North in the training room. "I said go on, your man awaits you."
If 'Zona had thought she was blushing before, she was on fire now. "Uhh... Right... Seeya later then!" She finally coughed out, backpedaling out the door as fast as her legs could take her as she ran down to meet North, ready for a dinner date.