"All we've been doing is frigging intel follow ups," Thumper groaned.

"Not happy with them," Redding asked.

"Yahtzee," Houston stated happily.

"What," Thumper exclaimed, staring at the dice she had just rolled.

"You've got some pretty good luck," Daniels stated, scratching his chin. Houston giggled. Thumper grinned at her. He might be a bit upset with the missions they'd been getting, but it was nice to see Houston returning to her old self. Daniels scribbled a bit more on his tablet.

"What are you working on," Boone asked.

"It's a surprise," Daniels answered with a smile. Boone groaned in annoyance, "That's what you've been saying."

"Leave him alone, Boone," Thumper said, "It probably has nothing to do with you anyways." Boone glanced at Thumper.

"It might involve him," Daniels interjected, tapping his chin with his stylus and grinning. The others just looked at him.

"Ok, now you've gotta tell us," Thumper stated.

"Nope," Daniels answered, "You'll find out eventually." Thumper's shoulders slumped. RT walked in, having been in the bathroom, "What'd I miss?"

"Nothing," Thumper sighed.

"Houston won," Redding added in.

"Again? Damn, you're good," RT exclaimed.

"See? Another intel mission," Thumper complained. Redding gave him a look, before crossing her arms, "There has been suspicious activity at what was previously deemed an abandoned rebel base."

"So, a good chance that we'll meet some resistance," Daniels asked.

"With how things have been going, they'll be long gone before we get there," Thumper said.

"This intel came from Sandman," Redding stated. Thumper glanced at her, "Oh."

"We're nearly there," RT stated.

"Everyone get ready. RT, I want a hover drop," Redding commanded.

"Yes, ma'am," RT responded.

"This… is a run-down gas station," Thumper stated.

"Yes, it is," Redding answered, giving him a look.

"I'm not arguing," Thumper responded, throwing his hands up. Redding gave him another look.

"It's just, well," Thumper started to stutter, then shaking his head, "Never mind."

"What's up with him," Daniels asked Redding in a whisper.

"Things haven't quite returned to normal, yet," Redding answered.

"Since when has anything been normal for Alpha Team," Boone added in a smart alec tone. Redding sighed, "Normal for us." Daniels nodded in response.

"Daniels will take point," Redding commanded. Thumper spun around, "What?"

"You seem a bit out of it, so you're going in the middle," Redding stated. Thumper was about to respond, before dropping it.

"Let's get started," Redding commanded, "The entrance should be in the shed out back."

Redding's head and pistol appeared through the hole at the top of the hatch, sweeping back and forth. "Clear," she said quietly. While she continued watching, Daniels, Thumper, and Houston slid down the ladder to the floor of the tunnel. With their backs to the ladder, they covered while Redding dropped down.

"I still don't think anyone's going to be here," Thumper said, taking a step forward. There was a CRUNCH from under his boot. He stepped back, reaching down and picking up the now crumpled soda can.

"What is it," Houston asked curiously.

"It's that new soda," Thumper said.

"The one that released yesterday," Houston asked, surprised. Thumper shrugged, then noticed Redding giving him a look.

"Ok, maybe there's someone here," he admitted sheepishly.

"Daniels," Redding commanded, causing the group to take formation and move out, "We're switching to stealth communications."

As the group approached what appeared to be the dining area, everyone but Daniels lagged back, preparing their noses. Daniels glanced back, before carefully stepping through the door. After a moment, he opened the door and waved them in. The room was empty, with half eaten plates of food left on the table, some of which had still steaming broth. Thumper tapped his wrist towards Redding, before making a running motion with his fingers. Redding nodded in response. She pointed at her eyes, then outward. The others nodded in response, before raising their weapons and stepping carefully. It appeared that there was nothing else to be found in that room, so they left.

A little farther down the tunnel, they discovered a lab filled with equipment. Upon closer inspection, the equipment was set up in a conveyor system. Thumper tapped the side of his helmet, then drew a line down, "What's this?" Redding tapped her wrist with her thumb under her index and middle finger, "New." They quick swept the room, determining it was clear. Redding pointed Houston to a set of computers. Houston started quick going through the files. Daniels wandered to a spot at what was the mid point of the conveyor. Houston brought up a diagram of the end product as Daniels picked up something. On the screen appeared schematics for a robot.

"Service androids," Thumper asked in a whisper.

"That's what I'd say," Daniels whispered in response. Houston glanced at him, before quickly getting up and grabbing what was in his hands. She examined the robot head intensely, before breathing in sharply.

"What is it," Redding asked.

"It's just like Necro's androids," Houston answered. Her and Thumper looked at Redding with concern.

"Who's Necro," Daniels asked.

"He was trouble," Thumper answered.

"But he's dead," Redding added sternly. Daniels nodded in response. There was a sudden clattering sound out in the hallway. The group rushed out the door to discover a soldier in tan and black armor running away from them, after having tripped over a mop and bucket. Redding rushed forward, followed by the others.

"That equipment didn't look like it could be operated by only one person," Boone cautioned, appearing on Redding's shoulder.

"You came up a bit short on that deduction," Thumper commented. Boone glanced at him, "At a time like this?" Thumper grinned. Their target rushed through a door and slammed it, the sound of a blocker being placed coming from the other side.

"Shit," Daniels commented, slowing down along with Houston. Thumper and Redding sped up as Redding dropped her head and shoulders.

"She's gonna ram it," Houston questioned. Houston had guessed right, as Redding went barreling through the door like paper, rolling so that Thumper could aim past her. Two soldiers in tan and black armor were in a corner, with another soldier with tan and white armor standing not far from them.

"Vinny, you idiot," the soldier with white accents shouted, "You led them straight to us!"

"Where else was I gonna go, Brad," Vinny yelled back. Brad sighed angrily, "Guess we have no choice!" He pressed a button on some sort of remote. The wall behind them dropped away, revealing a huge room with a giant hole in the floor on the other side. Eight androids were spread throughout it.

"Do we have to," the third soldier wailed, "They took so long to build! What if they get damaged?"

"Shut up, Chuck," Brad yelled at him. Chuck's head dropped in sorrow.

"Get them," Brad yelled, pointing at Alpha Team.

The androids began to rush forward. Houston fired off a few shots. The bullets ricocheted away from the androids.

"Huh," Houston questioned.

"Those experimental shields are holding up well," Brad commented proudly. Chuck scratched his chin, "Just as long as they don't use—."

"Finish that sentence and I swear to fucking god, Chuck," Brad threatened. Chuck winced.

"Get ready for hand-to-hand," Redding commanded. Everyone took their stances. The forward-most android threw a right-handed punch at Redding. In response, she sidestepped to her left, turning towards the android and grabbing its wrist with her right hand. Continuing the turn, she spun all the way around until she was facing the opposite direction the android was facing, her right hand still gripping it's wrist over her shoulder. Digging her foot into the robot's back and swiftly tugging forward, Redding ripped the android's arm clean off. Chuck squeaked as Brad and Vinny said, "Shit!" Another android leapt at Houston, who dodged with a roll. Thumper pulled out his gravity hammer, muttering to himself with a smile, "It's been a while." He swung it at two of the androids, knocking them back. Houston dodged another attack from her android, moving closer to the middle of the room. Daniels used his rifle to block an attack from another android, before kicking it in the chest. The robot didn't flinch as it grabbed his gun, getting ready to strike again.

BANG!

Daniels looked away from the robot that just split in two and instead looked at the source of the sound. Redding was holding her now smoking railgun, "Boom, bitch."

"Not that," Chuck wailed. Brad grabbed him and smacked him across the face, "WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP ALREADY?!"

"Ah, so the railgun can get through their shield, huh," Daniels thought aloud.

"Yeah. Shame it takes longer to recharge now," Redding said with a frown.

"You mean its no longer immediate," Thumper asked, knocking back another android. Houston dodge-rolled again.

"I think that fall with Dad fucked with it," Redding responded.

"Shit man," Thumper commented.

"How should I fight them," Daniels asked.

"Just keep your distance," Redding shrugged, "We'll take care of th—" An android leapt at her. She responded by kicking with her right foot, sending it sailing at high speed across the room and into the hole, "Do you mind? I was talking." Chuck squealed again.

"I've got it," Houston suddenly said, dodging again. She spun and quick kicked up. The android's head went flying.

"Nice," Daniels commented. Chuck and Brad looked at Vinny, who shrugged and said, "I wasn't feeling well that day." Houston did a fist pump, "Yeah!" One of the other androids suddenly dropped out of nowhere.

"Ashley, look out," Thumper yelled as he pushed Houston out of the way. The android punched as Thumper blocked with his arms, sending him flying backwards towards the hole.

"NO," Redding and Houston screamed in unison. Chuck twitched again. Houston and Daniels stared at the hole, but turned when they heard it. The menacing growl.

"Get back," Boone warned, "She's about to—" Boone suddenly vanished from Redding's shoulder. Houston ran towards the hole as Daniels quickly moved away from Redding.

"Uh, that doesn't sound good," Vinny said.

"Get her," Brad commanded, pointing at Redding. The remaining androids quickly swarmed around her. Without hesitation, Redding grabbed one and ripped it in half like a piece of paper. Brad, Vinny, and Chuck cringed against the wall in fear as Redding continued to annihilate the robots.

Boone sensed himself travelling along a wireless connection, having been forced out of Redding's armor. Once he 'arrived', he looked around. There were walls all around. Looking down, one could see some sort of power source far below, robot bits appearing to float nearby. A grey and white glove was making some sort of stroking motion.

"Damn, that's some pretty fucking clean glass," Thumper said. Boone glanced at the helmet of the armor he was now inhabiting.

"You're not dead," Boone said, surprised.

"No, I'm not," Thumper said, looking at Boone curiously, "What are you doing here?" Boone shrugged, "I don't know. I suddenly got forced out of Redding's armor."

"Xi's auto eject must still be in place," Thumper thought out loud, "She went berserk?"

"Yeah," Boone answered. Thumper climbed up out of the hole.

"You're alive," Daniels said, relieved. Houston hugged him.

"There's something I need to do before I can celebrate," Thumper stated, flicking his wrist. He paused, before flicking his wrist again. Looking down, he discovered that the wrist area of his armor had been damaged, rendering his syringe useless.

"Uh oh," he said.

"What's wrong," Houston asked.

"I can't inject her with the serum," Thumper said, already trying to think of an alternative.

"Well, maybe she'll recognize one of us," Daniels suggested. Thumper glanced at Boone before looking back at Daniels, "Yeah, we've tried that in the past. It only worked once, and Caboose isn't here. It's like she's trapped within her own mind." Daniels thought upon that.

"Then, maybe I can pull her out," Boone suggested.

"You're still as insane as ever, aren't you," Thumper questioned. Boone looked at him. Thumper sighed, "That auto eject sequence was put in place by Xi and Austin to protect any AI in her suit. Do you remember what happened to her first AI when she went berserk?"

"Not really," Boone answered.

"Redding's mind ripped it to shreds in an instant," Thumper explained, "Her mind is too dangerous for you in this state." Boone looked at him.

"It's a no," Thumper emphasized.

"Wasn't one of the tricks to hold her down," Houston asked.

"Yes, but-," Thumper started saying, then yelling as Boone vanished, "GOD DAMMIT! YOU'RE GONNA KILL YOURSELF!"

Boone felt like he was gently falling down. He looked around. Everything around him was black. He realized that his image was of him in his civvies: jeans, boots, white shirt, and his black hooded jacket. After what felt like minutes, Boone landed softly on his feet. Looking down, the floor beneath his feet shimmered like water. Yet, it felt solid.

"This is weird," Boone murmured to himself. He looked around, but couldn't see anything else.

"I'm in, so now what do I do," Boone complained. He sighed and looked back down. Suddenly, he noticed something. It looked like someone was floating below him. He crouched down and put his hand on the floor. It was moving like water as well. He stared long and hard at the person floating, before realizing it was Redding. She was curled up in a ball, wearing her armor minus the helmet.

Maybe, maybe I can…, Boone thought, pressing on the floor with his fingertips. They slipped through a bit. Boone quickly pulled his hand back and looked at his fingers curiously, before looking back down. He set his jaw and plunged his hand in. Boone's hand was met with resistance, as he pushed deeper and deeper.

What IS this, he asked himself when he was elbow deep. Boone started becoming more and more concerned as his arm reached deeper and deeper.

Am I going to have to go all the way in, he wondered, If I do that, how will I pull her back up? Suddenly, as he was shoulder deep, he felt it: Redding's wrist. He curled his hand around it and began to pull. Redding slowly rose. After what felt like ages, her head was right below the surface. Boone tugged one final time with all his might, Redding's head breaking the surface.

Redding turned towards Thumper, Houston, and Daniels, who had grouped together. She suddenly pulled out her railgun and pointed it at them.

"That can't be good," Daniels commented.

"What the shit," Thumper said in shock. Houston and Daniels looked at him. Redding quickly aimed above them and pulled the trigger. One of the androids had been sneaking along the ceiling towards them instead of engaging Redding. Its corpse clattered to the floor behind them, a hole in its chest. The group looked at it, then back at Redding in confusion. Redding sighed, "Good to have you back, Thumper."

"Same with you," he returned.

"Where's Boone," Daniels asked, concerned.

"Here," Boone answered, appearing on Redding's shoulder, his image showing him in his armor again. Thumper looked at him, pondering

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," Boone told him, unamused. Houston fired off a shot, which hit the wall in front of where Brad, Vinny, and Chuck had been sneaking.

"Where do you think you three are going," Redding asked, turning towards them with arms crossed. The three looked at each other, before throwing their hands up and surrendering.

"That was definitely a more exciting mission than the previous ones," Daniels commented. He was sitting in a chair, working on a tablet. Houston was sitting in a different chair while working on a laptop. Sitting at a desk with his feet up was Thumper, arms crossed behind his head, "You can say that again." In a corner seat Redding was resting lightly.

"What do you think now," Thumper asked Daniels.

"Huh? Think about what," Daniels asked back in confusion.

"Redding's berserker state," Thumper clarified, jabbing a thumb at Redding, "Now that you've actually seen it with your own eyes." Daniels thought it over, "I've seen the after effects it leaves on her armor for a while now, so it wasn't all that shocking. It doesn't change how I view her as our captain, either." Thumper nodded approvingly while he listened.

"But," Daniels continued, "It has given me some insight, so I can work on new modifications to accommodate for it." Thumper thought it over.

"Ok, good," he said. Thumper turned towards Redding, "Hey, Boone." Boone appeared on Redding's shoulder, his image showing him sans helmet, and in an annoyed voice, "What?"

"How are you holding up," Thumper asked. Boone narrowed his eyes.

"I'm fine," he answered, before vanishing.

"Wait," Thumper said to no effect, before sighing, "I can't even check him."

"I can, seeing as I minored in Artificial Intelligence," Daniels said, "I just need access to his matrix."

"Done," Thumper responded, then in a commanding voice, "Boone, give us access to your matrix." Boone reappeared on Redding's shoulder, "Why?"

"So we can give you a check-up," Thumper explained.

"I told you I'm fine," Boone growled, remaining on Redding's shoulder.

"Let them," Redding said, waking up a little. Boone glanced at her, before turning away, "I don't need a check-up. I'm not torn to shreds, am I?"

"Either we keep asking until you say yes," Redding started.

"Or," Boone questioned. Redding flicked her hand towards the center of the room. Boone's full-sized hologram appeared in the center.

"Or I do that," Redding shrugged.

"Hey," Boone exclaimed. Daniels hopped up and started examining Boone closely, "Hmmm…" Boone moved a bit uncomfortably, "This is weird."

"Your basic functions appear to be intact," Daniels began his assessment.

"Weird question," Boone said, "Why doesn't Houston help?"

"My specialty is in computational programming," Houston answered with a smile, not looking up from her laptop, "AI programming is a completely separate field."

"Emotional states are stable as well," Daniels continued, before something caught his eye, "Uh oh."

"What," Boone asked quickly. Daniels pointed at Boone's feet, "There is some damage." Everyone else had to squint their eyes to be able to see that the bottom's of Boone's boots were fuzzy.

"How bad is that," Thumper asked.

"It may not be," Daniels answered, "But it could eventually be. Some AIs with that kind of damage are just fine, while others reach rampancy at a far more accelerated rate. Whether that does or does not happen is just a random roll of the die."

"So 50/50 chance it'll go away," Boone shrugged.

"50/50 chance you'll go insane and lose it," Daniels clarified, "But that damage won't go away. It's permanent." Boone stared at him for a second, before disappearing and reappearing on Redding's shoulder.

"You're all done with the check-up. So I'm out for a bit," Boone stated, before vanishing again. Redding frowned at her shoulder.

An alien vessel was prowling between the planets, looking for human ships to prey upon. They belonged to a splinter sect that acted more like bandits than anything else. One of them pointed to their screen, the radar showed a ship far off on the other side of their current star system: The Divine Comedy.

Daniels approached Redding as she was walking down the hall, "Hey, could I borrow Boone?" Redding turned towards him with a quizzical look, "Boone?"

"Yeah," Daniels responded.

"What do you need him for," Redding asked curiously.

"Ah, well, that's a surprise," Daniels answered. Redding stared at him.

"A surprise," Daniels repeated after a moment.

"So now you want to string me into this as well," Boone huffed, appearing on Redding's shoulder.

"Please," Daniels asked. Boone sighed, "Fine! I'll go."

"Yes," Daniels cheered.

"But," Boone interrupted, "If I don't like it, I'm out."

"Deal," Daniels said, then with a smile, "But you're going to love it." Boone transferred himself to Daniels's armor, appearing on his shoulder.

"You boys have fun," Redding said with a wave, before walking away. Daniels started walking towards his lab.

"Will you at least tell me what we're doing," Boone asked.

"Nope," Daniels answered, "You'll just have to wait and see." Boone groaned.

"Its mostly a surprise for y—" Daniels started, walking around a corner before another soldier ran into him.

"Watch where you're going," the other soldier said furiously. He had a camera clutched in his hand.

"Where'd you get that, Davies," Daniels questioned. Davies just sneered at him, "It's none of your business. You got in my way and now I've missed out on an awesome shot of her."

"You're not allowed to have that camera," Boone growled.

"Oh, shut up," Davies responded, "If I recall right, didn't your captain say that no one was to use that scanner device?" Boone glared at him.

"That's what I thought," Davies said, "Now, I—" Redding stepped around the corner, grabbed the camera, and back-handed Davies in the face hard enough to send him toppling to the floor.

"Yet another night's ban from the mess hall," she growled. Daniels picked himself up. Davies held his cheek in pain as he took off down the hall.

"He's such an asshole," Daniels complained.

"Unfortunately, his father used to be a high ranking officer," Redding sighed, "So we're stuck with him." All three of them sighed annoyance.

"Thank you," Daniels said, "We'll be on our way." Redding nodded, before leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, lost in thought until she received a notice.

"Here we are," Daniels announced, opening the door to the lab. The lights were off, so it was practically impossible to see anything in the lab. As Daniels flipped the switch, Boone just stared at the center of the room, "Is that what I think that is?"

"Yep," Daniels said, grinning from ear to ear.

"What is it," Redding asked, entering the bridge. Sandman was leaning over the radar console, "A ship, heading our way."

"Alien," Redding asked. Sandman nodded, "There haven't been any shots fired yet, though."

"Perhaps they're just passing by," Redding thought aloud, "Any other ship would've attacked by now."

"They're gonna ram us," one of the men shouted. Before anyone could react, the entire ship rocked with the collision.

"Shit, so much for that idea," Redding shouted.

"They're too close for our guns," Sandman stated.

"My team will go," Redding stated. Sandman nodded back.

"Alpha team: assemble in the hangar bay. I repeat. Alpha team. Hangar bay. Now," Redding's voice commanded over the PA system.

"I take it that shuddering was bad news," Daniels muttered.

"Everyone else to their stations," Sandman's voice commanded, "We're under attack."

"You, uh, just stay here," Daniels said, hurrying out of the room, "Just sit this one out."

What? You have GOT to be kidding me, Boone thought to himself in frustration.

"Is everyone here," Redding asked from behind Beatrice as Daniels rushed in.

"That should be it," Thumper answered, "What's going on?"

"We've just been rammed by an alien ship," Redding answered, "We're going to board them and neutralize the threat." She turned to Daniels, "Ok, I'll take Boone back."

"Uhhh, about that," Daniels said nervously. Redding cocked an eyebrow.

"He's busy right now and can't be interrupted," Daniels continued with a nervous chuckle.

"He… What," Thumper questioned.

"He's fine, but he can't join this time," Daniels answered.

"What? But—" Thumper started.

"No time to argue over it. It can't be helped," Redding stated, "It's not like they were trying to line it up with a surprise attack. Now get in and let's go!"

"Houston, how's the hack going," Redding asked, as Beatrice floated above the alien ship.

"I'm in," Houston answered, "What do you want to know?"

"Schematics," Redding responded. A hologram map appeared in the middle of Beatrice.

"Also," Houston muttered, hitting a few more buttons. Red dots appeared on the map.

"Life signs, nice touch," Daniels commented.

"Even better," Redding said, then studied the map for a second.

"Where am I taking us," RT asked.

"Top center," Redding answered after a pause, "Houston, you'll stay here with RT and keep an eye on the map for us. Daniels, you'll head towards the bridge and sabotage the controls while Thumper and I pull distraction towards their hangar bay." The others nodded confirmation. Redding punched her palm, "Alpha team, go!"

Ninety percent… How much longer is this stupid thing going to take?

Redding dropped into the hole first, landing behind an Elite and immediately snapping it's neck before he could even register her existence. Thumper dropped down after. The two headed down the hall, firing on any enemy they found. Daniels waited and watched patiently as groups of Elites and Grunts ran past the hole.

"You're clear," Houston said over the radio, "Just be careful of a few stragglers." Daniels nodded and quietly dropped in. He started running down the hall in the opposite direction of Redding and Thumper.

Johnson and Fredericks found themselves knocked to the ground.

"What the hell," Johnson shouted, as the culprit took off without apologizing. He turned to find Fredericks freaking out. Fredericks looked up at him, "My gun is gone!"

Thumper skidded into the hangar bay, pulling out his gravity hammer in the process. Redding wasn't far behind, with an Elite on her tail armed with an energy sword. She leapt over Thumper, who dropped to his knees under the sword and swung the hammer. The energy sword clattered to the floor as it's owner went sailing.

"Home run! All they got are Elites and Grunts? This'll be easy," Thumper chuckled. Suddenly, a loud roar echoed through the hangar bay.

"That can't be good," Thumper stated.

"Maybe leave the commentary for after the fight," Redding suggested. Thumper glanced at her, before dropping his shoulders in submission. A Brute came charging towards them.

"What the," RT stated, looking out the window.

"What is it," Houston asked.

"I thought I saw… Nah, it couldn't be," RT answered. Houston stared at him.

"I thought I saw something moving along the outside of The Comedy," RT said, giving in to Houston's stare, "But that can't be possible." Houston shuffled over to the window, looking out as well.

"There's not actually something there, ri-," RT started saying, before both of their attentions were caught.

"There's something outside," RT's voice said over the radio. Thumper dodged behind a crate.

"What is it," Redding asked, appearing next to him and firing shots off with her pistol over the top of the crate.

"I can't tell, it's too small and far away," RT answered, "Wait, where did it go?"

"You lost it," Thumper asked.

"Uhhh… Maybe…," RT responded. Thumper growled softly.

"Ok, we have an unknown outside," Redding stated, "Let's finish this up quick."

"Daniels is nearly there," Houston said over the radio.

"Well, at least we have that going for us," Thumper said, hopping up and firing off a few shots from his own pistol.

Daniels reached a door at the end of a corridor. He carefully peeked inside, taking note of the Jackal facing away from him. Tiptoeing, Daniels entered the room. The Jackal sensed something and turned around. Daniels quick raised his rifle and fired. As the Jackal fell, its hand knocked some sort of control to the side. Daniels rushed over and translated the text above it: GRAVITY CONTROL.

"Oh, that's not fun," Daniels said, activating his magnetic boots and getting on the radio. The gravity shifted directions as he shouted, "Gravity shift!"

"Focus the Brute," Thumper asked.

"Of course," Redding answered, "Take him out and the others will freak."

"What's the plan," Thumper asked. Redding thought for a second, then, "I'm gonna need a lift." The two jumped over their cover, firing at the Brute and Grunts accompanying him. Dodging bullets, Thumper took the front. He pulled out his gravity hammer and paused with it on the ground behind him, ready. Redding leapt onto the hammer, and as she started to leap off, Thumper activated it. The force launched her high in the air. All of the Grunts stopped and stared in awe, while the Brute kept firing at Thumper, who had taken off again. Redding landed on the Brute's back, holding onto it's armor while she unloaded the rest of her clip into the back of it's neck. The Brute staggered for a moment, before it's corpse began to fall. Redding launched herself back into the air. Suddenly, before she reached the peak of her jump, the gravity shifted towards the far wall of the bay. Thumper quickly activated his magnetic boots in response.

"Gravity shift," Daniels's voice announced over the radio.

"Shit," Redding said to herself.

"REDDING," Thumper shouted, as Redding began to fall with the change in gravity. Unable to grab onto anything, she accelerated away from Thumper. Her face smashed into the wing of a Banshee as she fell, knocking her unconscious. Grunts were falling past Thumper as he started running across the bay. Suddenly, something brown flew past him.

"What the hell," Thumper exclaimed.

"Is everyone ok," Daniels asked.

"Redding fell," Thumper responded, "What can you do to fix this gravity problem?"

"I can shut it off," Daniels answered.

"Do it," Thumper commanded. He felt lighter as the gravity shut off. Thumper paused. Something was walking towards him. He realized Redding was being carried by it. Thumper tilted his head, "Wait a second…" What was coming towards him was a soldier in brown armor with green accents.

"How long was I gone for, and something goes wrong," a familiar voice asked, annoyed, as he continued walking towards Thumper.

"Boone," Thumper asked, incredulous.

"No, I'm the Easter Bunny," Boone answered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Thumper stared at him, speechless.

"Are you just going to stand there and gawk? Or are you going to do something," Boone asked, indicating Redding, "She took a bad hit."

"Right," Thumper said, snapping back, then on the radio, "RT, we need an extract from the hangar bay. Daniels, how goes the sabotage?"

"Ready when you are," Daniels's voice answered. Beatrice appeared in the hangar bay.

"Get it going," Thumper radioed back, then to Boone, "Get her in."

The alien vessel took off, ready to detonate once far enough from The Divine Comedy. Beatrice flew out of the hangar bay and was headed back to base, it's passengers all loaded up in the back.

"So you just left without waiting for a diagnostics check," Daniels asked. Boone stared at him, "Everything seems to be working fine."

"You shouldn't find out what is and isn't working via crash course," Daniels sighed, before his attention was caught by Boone's feet, "And you've already damaged your legs."

"Happens when you land at high speed," Boone muttered.

"So you built a body for Boone," Thumper asked.

"Yep," Daniels answered with a smile.

"But you didn't make him any taller," Thumper questioned with a chuckle. Boone looked away, annoyed.

"I tried to make it as accurate to his original proportions as possible," Daniels explained.

"So I guess shortcake's gonna have to deal," Thumper chuckled.

"What," Boone shouted. Redding twitched in his arms. All eyes, except for RT's, were on her. Thumper had removed her helmet and temporarily patched up the gash on her forehead.

"Is she waking up," RT asked.

"Hopefully," Thumper answered. Everyone watched anxiously as Redding shifted and twitched for a moment. Her eyelids fluttered as she turned her head towards Thumper.

"Come on," he murmured. Redding's eyes finally opened, and after a moment widened in fear.

"ROBOT PEOPLE," she screamed in a childlike voice, turning away from everyone.

"Huh," Thumper asked, confused. Redding tried to burrow deeper into Bonne's arms to get away from everyone.

"Do something," Boone said. Thumper extended his newly repaired syringe and plunged it into Redding's neck. Her head lolled back as the serum took effect and knocked her out.

Thumper taped a sign to Redding's door: NO ARMOR. He turned to his right, "Sorry, Boone, but you gotta stay out until we get this figured out." Boone just stared at him.

"By the way, who issued you a gun," Thumper asked.

"I borrowed it," Boone said curtly.

"Borrowed," Thumper reiterated. Boone just looked at him.

"I'm gonna go get my legs repaired," Boone stated, before leaving. Thumper looked back at the door and sighed.

"What's that about," Johnson asked. Thumper jumped a little, "Where did you—"

"We totally aren't looking for a missing gun," Fredericks replied nervously. Johnson gave him a look before rolling his eyes, "Anyway, who was that?"

"Hm? Oh, you mean Boone," Thumper said.

"Wait, didn't he die," Johnson asked in confusion.

"Yeah, we had to sne-," Fredericks started saying, before Johnson punched him in the side, "I mean, that's what we heard."

"AI, robot body, that kind of stuff," Thumper quick explained.

"Oh," Johnson and Fredericks replied in unison.

"Any other questions," Thumper asked, wanting to move on with his day.

"Yes," Fredericks answered, "What's with the sign?"

"Ah, that," Thumper answered, "Redding has temporarily lost her memory."

"So why no armor," Johnson followed up.

"I guess she thinks she's being attacked by robots? So she's scared by the armor." Johnson and Fredericks exchanged looks and shrugged.

"Well, we should get going," Johnson said.

"Places to be, things to find," Fredericks chimed in.

"You should probably get over to Daniels's lab," Thumper suggested, "There might be something there you're looking for." Thumper received a surprised look before Fredericks took off full sprint.

"Wait up, Garrett," Johnson shouted, taking off after him. Houston exited Redding's room.

"How is she," Thumper asked.

"She's sleeping now," Houston answered looking back at the room, "She looks so cute snuggled up like that!"

"Thanks for helping her change and calm down," Thumper stated.

"It was no problem," Houston responded, "Don't take this wrong, but right now she's like a little kid. And I LOVE children!" Thumper's eyebrow cocked, "I see. Anyway, do you think you can track them down?"

"It might take me a while, but I should be able to," Houston said.

"The sun'll come out, tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun," Daniels was singing to himself while working on Boone's legs.

"Do you have to sing," Boone asked.

"Huh? Oh, sorry," Daniels apologized, "Didn't even realize I was doing it." There was a moment of silence.

"It's really weird to not sing while I work," Daniels said, frowning.

"A robotics engineer who sings," Boone questioned.

"Well, my grandmother used to sing to me all the time when I was growing up, so I like to sing those songs," Daniels shrugged. He continued to work, and after a moment began humming.

"You should still be able to hop between suits, by the way," Daniels suddenly said, "It was just the initial connection that needed that long download." Boone's hologram appeared on the consoles, "It shouldn't be as awkward if you sing now." Daniels grinned at him before continuing to sing and work. He picked up a leg under one arm so that he could reach the underside of the foot. Fredericks suddenly burst in. Daniels looked up.

"Uhhh," Fredericks said, staring.

"What do you want," Boone asked. Fredericks looked at the console, "Oh, right. Robot body."

"Yes," Boone huffed, "So what do you want?" Johnson appeared next to Fredericks, "Did you find it?"

"What'd you lose," Daniels asked.

"I didn't lose it," Fredericks nervously stated.

"Oh," Boone said, a sudden look of realization on his hologram face.

"Hey, wait," Johnson exclaimed, "Now I remember who crashed into us!" Daniels looked genuinely confused.

"You do," Fredericks asked. Johnson shot Boone a look, "Why, man?" Fredericks turned towards Boone, and in a hurt voice, "You took my gun?"

"I was just borrowing it," Boone said, turning away.

"Gun," Daniels questioned, then removing a rifle off the back of the robotic body, "You mean this one?"

"Yes," Fredericks exclaimed, reclaiming his weapon.

"I'll get you hooked up with something for next time," Daniels said, as Fredericks and Johnson left the lab.

"So, are you playing bodyguard now," RT asked with genuine curiosity. Boone just looked at him.

"I mean, you've just been standing outside of Redding's door for a couple of days now," RT added, scratching his head.

"Is there something else you want me to do instead," Boone asked dryly.

"Well, no…," RT answered, "Any idea on how much longer til her memory comes back?"

"They're inside working on that right now," Boone answered.

"Really? How," RT asked, taking a step towards the door. Boone blocked him. RT looked confused, then looking down, "Oh, right. The armor."

"Why are we here," a handsome young man with brown hair and brown eyes complained.

"Because, Vecoli, I want to see Redding recover," Sandman answered, with black hair, blue eyes, and an androgynous face.

"But why did you bring me," Vecoli complained.

"Because I don't trust you to be alone," Sandman answered, "I don't need to deal with more complaints about you flirting with the women."

"I can't help it," Vecoli shrugged. Sandman glared at him.

"If you can't help it, then why aren't you trying to flirt with Houston or Redding," Daniels questioned.

"I have morals, you know," Vecoli answered. Sandman's eyes rolled. Vecoli glanced at Sandman before clarifying, "Houston's taken and obviously Redding isn't in the right state of mind." He gestured towards the bed, where Houston was sitting with her arm around Redding, who was cuddling a stuffed animal.

"And once Redding's memory is recovered, are you going to flirt with her then," Daniels continued questioning.

"Hell no! I like my face as is," Vecoli exclaimed. Daniels chuckled.

"Ok, all set up," Thumper announced, finishing his adjustment of a hologram projector, "Ready Ashley?" Houston nodded and handed him a tablet. Thumper looked down at the screen, "Looks like you guys are ready, too. Remember, no armor." He plugged the tablet into the projector. A hologram appeared showing Sarge with no armor.

"Is it working," Sarge asked.

"The hologram is," Thumper asked, before looking at Redding. She was just staring at the hologram.

"Who's that," Redding asked in her childlike voice.

"But it looks like it didn't trigger her memory," Thumper sighed.

"Didn't you mention you guys have a friend on that team as well," Sandman asked. Redding leaned towards Houston, softly asking, "Is that a boy or a girl?" Vecoli looked at Redding in alarm, "What?!" Sandman looked surprised, before bursting out in laughter, "Fair enough." Thumper chuckled a little, as Washington's voice came across the call, "Carolina's busy right now."

"What about Caboose," Simmons's voice suggested.

"CABOOSE," Tucker's voice called out. Caboose appeared on the screen, "Hi!" Redding started to squirm and freak. Washington's hand appeared just long enough to grab Caboose and pull him off screen. After a moment, Caboose appeared again, sans armor.

"What is going on," Caboose asked curiously.

"Redding lost her memory," Thumper answered. Caboose gasped, "She has amnesia?"

"Wow, Caboose," Grif's voice said in shock, "How do you know what that is?"

"Wait for it," Tucker warned.

"She must have been bit in her sleep," Caboose deduced.

"Ah," Grif's voice said. Redding looked at everyone curiously. Thumper turned to her, "How are you feeling?" Redding answered shyly, "I don't know. But he has a funny voice." She giggled. Thumper sighed, "Still nothing."

"Well, the image is pretty fuzzy," Daniels pointed out, "Maybe if we could clear it up, it would click?"

"I couldn't adjust it anymore," Thumper answered, "I'd have to be a robot to get it any more precise." Daniels, Sandman, and Vecoli looked pointedly at the door.

"The whole armor thing," Thumper sighed.

"What if we have her look away," Vecoli suggested. Thumper looked at Houston. Houston took the hint and turned towards Redding, "So, what are you going to name the unicorn?" While Redding was distracted, Daniels quick ushered Boone in, whispering to him, "We need you to adjust this." Boone stood right behind the hologram as he adjusted the projector, "Why am I adjusting this?"

"Because you can get the most precise adjustments," Thumper answered. Boone paused and looked at him, "You mean because I'm a robot and not human."

"Well," Thumper scratched his head nervously. Boone turned back towards the projector.

"Wait, don't look that way," Houston said. It was too late. Redding was turning her attention back towards the hologram. Everyone froze. At the same time, the image became sharp. Redding just stared at the hologram for a minute while everyone held their breath. Suddenly, Redding grabbed her head as if in pain. Thumper quickly ushered Boone out of the room.

"What happened," Sarge asked. Redding slowly lifted her head back up and looked at the stuffed unicorn in her hands.

"Why the fuck am I cuddling a plushie," she asked in her normal voice. Caboose gasped, "The amnesia is no longer hurting her voice!" Tucker's voice sighed.

"Redding," Thumper asked.

"What," Redding asked, rubbing her forehead in pain. Thumper just looked at her.

"What is it, Thumper," she asked again.

"I'd say that it was a success," Sandman commented.

"The hell is going on, guys," Redding asked in confusion.

"You lost your memory," Vecoli said.

"How badly was he trying to flirt with me," Redding asked Sandman.

"I have morals," Vecoli stated, annoyed. Sandman shrugged, "He didn't." Redding looked mildly surprised.

"Morals," Vecoli emphasized, before leaving the room. Sandman sighed, then followed, "Don't think you can just walk off like that."

"Glad to have you back," Thumper said with a smile.

"Hey, Sandman said it worked," Boone said, re-entering the room. Redding looked at him in shock.

"What," Boone asked.

"Oh, right," Thumper said, "Let's fill you in."