"So Sarge made Redding's prosthetic leg," Grif asked out loud. Him, Simmons, Donut, Doc, Caboose, Tucker, and Washington were sitting around an extinguished campfire. A pelican flew past in the distance, unnoticed.
"That's what they told us," Simmons shrugged, before going back to the papers he had retrieved from the mountain lab.
"And no one else thinks there could be a problem," Grif raised an eyebrow.
"Well, Sarge built two robots," Donut said.
"Yeah, that can only speak Spanish and tend to revolt," Grif retorted.
"But doesn't the leg respond to muscle movements or whatever," Donut asked.
"For basic movement functions, and only for Redding," Church said from Tucker's shoulder.
"What do you mean," Simmons asked.
"When I was first paired up with her, I had to translate her intended movements to her leg until she readjusted to it. Also, Sarge may have installed a few other functions that don't activate based off of muscle or nerve movement," Church responded.
"How easy was that," Tucker asked.
"Oh, it was easy enough… Once I downloaded and installed a language translator," Church answered.
"So you can speak Spanish," Donut asked.
"Nein, es war auf Deutsch," Church responded. Everyone just stared at him. "No, not Spanish," Church sighed.
"So what are you doing over here, instead of with Redding," Washington asked.
"Sarge was saying I'd 'mess up' the new leg if I was inhabiting her suit during the process," Church mocked, "So I'm taking a better look at Tucker's suit in the mean time."
"But you've been talking with us," Tucker pointed out, "And wouldn't I know if you were checking out the suit?"
"Multi-tasking, man. While we've been talking, I've been reading the logs," Church responded.
"So how long do you think it's gonna take them," Doc asked.
"All done," Sarge announced as he walked towards the group.
"That was quick," Washington commented. Skye was walking behind Sarge with a stiff right leg, her accents a royal blue color.
"Alright, Xi," she said, "You can come on back." Church vanished from Tucker's shoulder, as Skye's accents faded back to a light blue. Church appeared on her shoulder as she started to move her leg around more naturally.
"It's still hard to believe that you two are related," Simmons stated.
"Really," Grif and Sarge questioned at the same time. "She acts a lot like him," Grif continued.
"I'm with Simmons," Tucker said, crossing his arms. "She's too hot," he continued, winking. Sarge's shotgun cocked to the side of Tucker's head. Behind his head, a pistol and a battle rifle cocked next to a machine gun.
The others were just staring at the three new soldiers aiming their guns at Tucker. "Don't you dare talk about our big Sis like that," the machine gunner growled. He was big, wearing blue armor with black accents. The owner of the battle rifle, to the left of the machine gunner, was on the smaller side, wearing brown armor with green accents. On the machine gunner's right was a medium build soldier wearing gray armor with white accents. On his back was a gravity hammer.
"Who the fuck are you," Grif asked.
"My team," Skye stated, "Allow me to introduce you all." Skye pointed at the soldier in gray, "First Lieutenant Jonathan Rabbit, who serves as our medical officer." The soldier in blue, "Gunnery Sergeant Teddy Walters, our weapons specialist." The soldier in brown, "And Corporeal George Boone, who can drive anything." Boone crossed his arms proudly.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," the soldier in gray warned.
"Why shouldn't I, Thumper," Boone shrugged.
"Thumper, Thumper, first base bumper," Carolina said, appearing with firewood.
"Carolina! Long time no see," Thumper said, surprised, "What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that," Carolina said.
"And along with that," Skye continued, "Where's Austin?" Thumper, Teddy, and Boone all looked at the ground. Thumper removed his helmet, showing his platinum blonde hair cut high and tight. His brown eyes were deeply saddened.
"Staff Sergeant Austin Houston," Thumper reported solemnly, "is dead." Everyone but the three looked at Skye. "I shot him myself," Thumper said, looking Skye in the eye.
"What happened," Skye asked sternly.
"I… don't know," Thumper said, shoulders sagging, "He started to attack Ashley. He was going to kill her."
"His own sister," Skye said sadly, thinking.
"It was strange, though," Teddy said aloud.
"Besides him trying to kill his own sister," Skye questioned.
"He was bleeding black stuff," Teddy answered.
"Black stuff? You don't mean," Doc asked.
"You guys know about it," Thumper asked.
"Yeah, we've been dealing with zombie guys here who have black blood with… with…" Grif started responding.
"Nanobots," Simmons finished, without looking up from his papers. Skye's growl was extremely audible, causing everyone to look at her. Her hands were clenched into fists, and her pupils were dilating in rage. Thumper immediately ran over, pulled her left arm behind her back, and held the back of her neck with his right. A syringe was sticking out of his right wrist, ready if needed.
"Calm," he said sternly. Skye closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and responded, "Calm." Thumper let go.
"Where's Ashley," Skye questioned.
"She's in the pelican," Thumper responded.
"Teddy, go keep her company," Skye instructed. Teddy turned around, about to leave. "And remove the helmet, for her sake," Skye added softly. Teddy removed his helmet, revealing a bald, dark brown head.
"So, what's the plan," Thumper asked Skye. Turning, his gaze stopped at Sarge.
"S-S-Sergeant Redding," he squeaked fearfully. "I'm gonna go keep lookout for them," Thumper quickly stuttered, before taking off after Teddy.
"What was that about," Grif asked.
"None of your business," Boone stated.
"And what was with that 'calm' thing earlier," Tucker asked.
"Definitely none of your business," Boone spat at Tucker.
"Boone," Skye commanded.
"But—," Boone started.
"But nothing. Unless you're looking to fight," Skye said, crossing her arms.
"As always," Boone responded. Skye sighed, "Five to prep."
The group had gathered around the outskirts of a clearing. Skye and Boone were facing each other in the center.
"So, is this to the death too," Grif asked. Sarge shrugged. Skye removed her helmet. Grabbing her braid, she draped it over her right shoulder. Boone removed his own helmet. He had short, dark brown hair that was in a stripe on top, while the sides were completely hair free. His tan skin was pulled back in a smirk, making the scar on his left cheek arch. Skye was just a little shorter than him.
"I'll get it this time," Boone stated, voice and green eyes brimming with overconfidence.
"Then come get it," Skye smirked back. Boone suddenly shot forward, charging at Skye, who stood her ground. At the last moment, Boone dropped and slid between Skye's feet. He turned back around with a smile, that quickly disappeared when he realized she had rolled forward, away from him. Skye leaned back on her right leg, with her left foot balanced on her heel in a semi-squatting position. Boone paused for a moment on his hands and feet, analyzing the situation. Suddenly, he charged forward, keeping close to the ground while zigzagging. Skye spun her left leg around.
"Don't turn away from me," Boone muttered under his breath, before springing into the air to sail over her. Unfortunately for Boone, Skye pulled her left leg under herself and shot it up and behind, into his gut. Boone was sent flying back, landing with a very solid THUD. Skye set her foot back down on the ground, before spinning it around to the back as she stood up. Boone picked himself up off the ground, brushing himself off a bit before saying, "Are you done with your warm-up, yet? Or have you been playing around so long that our dear Cappy won't be coming back." Skye's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What did you call me," she growled. Boone smirked, "You heard me." Grif and Simmons looked at Sarge questioningly. Sarge just shrugged in return. Skye brought her hands up, taking a more aggressive fighting stance.
"There we go," Boone grinned, taking his own stance. They started circling each other.
"Are they gonna fight or—," Tucker started saying, when the two suddenly rushed each other. Boone stopped short, throwing a right kick at Skye's head. Skye ducked under his leg, before popping up and throwing a backwards punch at the side of Boone's head.
"Put your helmet on," Skye stated. Boone staggered for a mere second from the hit.
"Make me," he responded, throwing a left hook. Skye deflected the hit, before throwing a straight punch back, "Do it." Boone ducked out of the way of the punch, "Nope."
"We should probably find that helmet," Church said to the others.
"Why," Tucker asked.
"She wants to test her leg, but she can't do it without his helmet on," Church replied. The group just tilted their heads.
"Do you remember when she kicked Washington," Church asked.
"Oh, right," Donut exclaimed.
"And would you like to share something with the others, Sarge," Church asked, looking at Sarge.
"Uh, right… I may have doubled the power of her leg…" Sarge replied.
"We need to find that helmet," Washington quickly said.
"Got it," Doc and Boone said at the same time. Doc was holding Boone's helmet. Boone had just dodged a left punch from Skye and had spotted an opening. He lunged for her braid, but Skye quickly whipped her head to the side, pulling the braid out of reach. With her left hand, she grabbed the back of Boone's neck, and pushed him forward. Doc started to wind up for the throw.
"No you don't," Washington said, grabbing the helmet from Doc, whose shoulders sagged. "Incoming," Washington shouted as he threw the helmet at Skye. Without even looking, Skye caught the helmet and rushed forward.
"I said, I'm not gonna wear—," Boone started, but was cut off as Skye forced the helmet onto his head. She quickly raised her right leg, and roundhouse kicked him. Boone vanished into the surrounding woods, his flight being marked by trees falling over due to a sudden lack of attached trunks. The group just stared, speechless.
"Boone?" Skye questioned.
"You didn't have to kick him that hard to test your leg," Thumper said, appearing next to the group.
"I didn't. That was only fifty percent," Skye responded.
"Is he dead," Donut asked, concerned.
"Nah, Boone's got the highest grade armor here," Thumper said.
"Mine's higher than normal, yet she nearly knocked me out earlier," Washington said.
"What number," Thumper asked.
"34," Washington answered.
"Boone has grade 82 armor," Thumper said.
"Still… breathing…" Boone said weakly over the radio.
"Let's go collect him," Skye said to Thumper.
The group was gathered around the now lit campfire, the sun having sunk below the horizon. "Ow," Boone shouted in pain.
"Stay still," Thumper commanded, working on Boone's left side, which was covered with a massive purple bruise. Boone irritatedly rested his chin on his right palm, trying to lean away from the pain. Once done with the bruise, Thumper started wrapping Boone's side up.
"Why do you have to wrap it so tight," Boone complained.
"Well, maybe if someone would stop getting into fights with their Captain, they wouldn't have to worry about broken ribs so often," Thumper responded, "How many times have you had a broken rib now?"
"42," Teddy piped up.
"You'd think Boone would've figured out by now how to keep from coming up short, huh," Thumper chuckled.
"Don't even start with that," Boone growled.
"Is it always like this," Washington asked Teddy.
"Oh yeah, all the time," Teddy responded cheerily.
"Man, she really beats the crap outta you," Tucker said, indicating the scars that covered Boone's chest and back. Boone glared at him and growled threateningly.
"Hey, I'm just saying—," Tucker started.
"Drop it, Private Tucker," Skye commanded, her voice full of warning. Tucker opened his mouth, paused, then closed it, glancing quickly at Boone's wrappings as a reminder of why talking was a bad idea. Everyone was quiet for a moment. Boone quickly pulled his shirt back down as soon as Thumper was done.
"Let me fight," the girl sitting next to Teddy said. Even though she was just a little shorter than Teddy, she was barely visible, having shrunken in on herself. Her armor was dark green with white accents. Ashley Houston had chin length blonde hair and hazel eyes, which reflected the sadness of her brother's death as she stared straight at Skye. Skye looked her back in the eye, "Get some sleep."
"Please, let me—," Houston started.
"I can't properly evaluate your abilities if you're too tired to fight," Skye interrupted. Houston just stared back for a moment, before nodding. "You can sleep in my tent," Skye said, pointing it out.
"But—," Houston started.
"No need for you to waste time setting up when you haven't slept for days," Skye stated. Houston just nodded, before getting up and making her way to the tent.
"Anyone else," Skye questioned.
"Not that we've heard," Thumper replied, "Sandman is keeping a close watch on everyone back on The Comedy." Skye nodded, then turned to Simmons, "Have you learned anything new, Private?"
"Not yet," Simmons said, nervously shuffling through papers, "Its either stuff we already figured out, or it's coded and taking a while."
"I'll send a copy in the morning to Sandman, see if they can find a cipher," Skye responded, standing up. She started walking towards the spot her and Boone fought.
"And where are you going," Grif questioned.
"I need to think," Skye said back, disappearing into the trees.
"I'd suggest you give her some space," Thumper stated.
"Why," Tucker asked, curious.
"Might I remind you of Boone," Thumper said, pointing at his subject, who was putting his armor back on.
"Hey," Boone exclaimed. Thumper ignored him and continued, "Right now, she's likely to get more volatile."
"Oh yeah, what was that all about earlier," Tucker asked, genuinely curious.
"When Redding gets mad, she tends to lose it. Completely," Thumper responded, "Like Jekyll and Hyde or the Hulk."
"And she's more unstable right now having lost a member of her team, correct," Washington asked.
"Exactly," Thumper answered, "She hasn't had a chance to deal with it yet." Boone was looking around, confused.
"Can we help you," Grif asked, a little annoyed.
"Wasn't there a blue guy with you," Boone questioned. Everyone looked around, noticing Caboose's absence.
"He must have followed Redding," Donut happily pointed out.
"Who right now has a high chance of going off her rocker," Grif pointed out.
"Oh. Right," Donut said, realizing the scope of the situation.
"I've got it," Teddy said, standing up.
"Keep her calm," Thumper told him. Teddy waved his hand as he walked after Skye and Caboose.
Teddy appeared in the clearing to find the two sitting and staring at the sky. "Are you star gazing," Teddy asked excitedly.
"Did you wanna join," Skye asked back, extending her hand to Teddy. He hopped over, plopping onto the ground and grabbing Skye's hand to connect visuals.
"Do you like the pretty stars, too," Caboose asked.
"Yeah, definitely," Teddy exclaimed, happily, "Look! It looks like a giraffe over there!"
"Oh! I can see a doggie," Caboose pointed.
"And a fluffy bunny," Caboose and Teddy said together, pointing to the same spot. Skye couldn't help but smile, her display connecting the stars to show their constellations.
"What are you guys doing," Boone said, walking past.
"We're star gazing! Wanna join," Teddy offered.
"I'm good," Boone said, walking away, "Need to get the guns up and working."
"Can I help," Teddy asked.
"Why not," Boone answered over his shoulder. Teddy hopped up and followed. Skye and Caboose continued star gazing.
"Ok, talk," Tucker said to Carolina and Sarge. Thumper had gone off on his own, leaving the group to sit in silence.
"What about," Sarge asked. Grif made weird motions with his hands, "That!"
"It appears to be her team," Carolina said.
"Well, no shit," Tucker responded.
"Well, what are you trying to get at," Carolina shot back.
"How about that rage thing, for starters," Grif suggested. Carolina sighed, "I don't know how that started, I just know that it's nearly impossible to stop her or calm her down from that state. Perhaps Sarge knows, being her father and all." Everyone looked at Sarge.
"Errrmmm…," Sarge responded.
"Did you even know about it," Carolina questioned, skeptical. Sarge scratched his head.
"How do you not know that you're the father of the Hulk," Grif asked.
"Because he wasn't around that often," Carolina responded for Sarge, crossing her arms.
"What," Grif said, surprised.
"Redding lived in a foster home," Carolina continued, "Because her only living relative, her father, was, well…" Carolina pointed to Sarge.
"I was fighting the war, making things safer for my little princess," Sarge said, choking up a little.
"Father of the year," Tucker muttered. Sarge glared at him.
"So, we don't even know what happens when she goes into a rage," Simmons asked.
"We know that she loses sense of those around her, focusing exclusively on those perceived as a threat. Also, if we can restrain her for a time, she will eventually calm down," Carolina said, "But I've never seen anyone besides Thumper and myself do that. I just don't know what caused her to start doing that in the first place."
"Oh," Simmons said.
"So, now that her team is here, they're just going to take off and we go back to doing our own thing, right," Grif shrugged.
"I don't think it's going to be quite that simple," Washington said.
"Why," Grif asked.
"We've likely already been associated as being with them," Washington continued. Grif sighed, "That makes it sound like we're extremely involved now."
"Pretty much," Carolina said. Grif and Tucker both groaned.
"I'm surprised that you're still creating constellations, Caboose," Skye said. Her display was filled with criss-crossed lines thanks to Caboose's imagination. Suddenly, the lines stopped.
"Now what," Caboose asked.
"Now, I should probably go check on Boone and Teddy," Skye answered, getting up.
"Ok," Caboose said, getting up as well. Skye and Caboose walked through the woods until they found the pelican. Boone and Teddy were sprawled on the ground next to it, asleep. Skye sighed, "I swear." She walked into the pelican, opened a panel, and pulled out a couple of blankets and pillows.
"Are they ok," Caboose asked.
"They're fine," Skye responded, lifting Teddy's head and placing one of the pillows under, "They just worked until they fell asleep. Teddy copes with losses by helping others. Boone, well, he's always working on the pelican, so I guess that's how he copes as well?" She placed a blanket over Teddy, before moving on to do the same with Boone.
"You are just like a big sister," Caboose said happily.
"They're my family," she responded, before smiling sadly, "This is where we part ways for the evening, Caboose."
"Why," Caboose asked, confused.
"We all have our different ways of coping," Skye responded. She raised her hand in warning before Caboose could respond, "I need some time alone. Xi will take you back."
"Don't destroy too many trees," Church said from Caboose's shoulder. Skye nodded, before walking off into the trees by herself.
"C'mon, Caboose, let's head back," Church said to Caboose.
"Good morning everyone," Donut said cheerily. The group had gathered around the extinguished campfire, looking up at Donut momentarily before returning to what they were doing.
"So I take it that Redding and her team already left," Simmons asked, noticing that they were missing from the group.
"Yeah," Tucker cheered.
"Not quite," Thumper said, lounging on a tree branch.
"And there goes my dream of things going back to normal," Grif sighed.
"Nothing is fucking normal for us," Tucker reminded him.
"You know what I mean," Grif said back.
"The others should be here shortly," Thumper said, lazily swinging his foot back and forth.
"Why the hell are you in a tree," Tucker asked.
"The higher you are, the farther you can see. And you wanna be pretty far when keeping an eye on the captain while she's letting out her frustration," Thumper responded.
"Why didn't you stop her," Donut asked.
"I didn't want to lose my head, literally. Plus, if she let's some of it out now, she'll be able to maintain better control later on," Thumper answered.
"So that really does help," Carolina asked.
"Yep. I need to catch you up on what we've learned since we parted ways," Thumper stated, hopping down.
"Shouldn't Redding be part of the conversation," Carolina suggested.
"I'll go wake her up," Caboose said happily, heading towards the tents. Teddy and Boone strolled out of the trees.
"Redding will be here in a moment," Teddy stated, "She's rearranging some tree trunks."
"Wait, so which way is she," Doc asked.
"That way," Teddy answered cheerily, pointing towards the trees.
"So, if she's that way, then who is Caboose about to wake up," Doc questioned aloud. Everyone looked at each other.
"Good morning," Caboose said happily, about to lift the tent flap.
"Wait—," Thumper started. Before he could finish, though, Skye appeared behind Caboose, grabbed him by the collar, and turned him towards the campfire.
"Don't you know you should knock before opening a lady's door, Caboose," Skye said, "Let's allow Ashley a bit more time to rest." Caboose and Skye joined the others at the campfire. Simmons was holding the papers he had the other day, albeit it was now much smaller.
"What the fuck happened to the rest of my papers," Simmons said, scratching his head in confusion.
"You lost them," Tucker asked, incredulous.
"I didn't lose them! Someone must have taken them," Simmons responded.
"Who would've taken them," Grif shouted.
"I did," Houston said, walking towards the group. The missing papers were in her hand.
"Why," Simmons asked. Houston held the papers up. They were covered in marks and writings.
"I decoded them," she said.
"Already," Simmons questioned, taken aback.
"That was quicker than sending copies to Sandman," Skye remarked. Thumper caught a slight hesitation in her voice, knowing that she almost said, "quicker than Austin."
"I knew you were good with coding, but I thought that meant computer codes, like, programming and stuff," Teddy chuckled. Houston shrugged and handed the papers to Simmons before sitting down.
"Any good news," Skye asked Simmons.
"I need a bit of time to look through these," Simmons said, already getting lost in the papers.
"Ok. While you do that, we'll evaluate Ashley. Should that be enough time," Skye responded.
"Maybe," Simmons said distractedly.
Everyone, minus Simmons, Donut, and Boone, were gathered in the clearing that was the location of the previous day's fight. Skye and Teddy were on one side of the clearing with Houston facing them from the other side, while everyone else was gathered off to the side, watching.
"So how exactly does this work," Tucker asked Thumper.
"Teddy and Ashley each have training weapons that they can use. Redding, like usual, will not be using one. They're going to fight until Redding calls it off," Thumper responded.
"What's the point of that then," Tucker asked back.
"Redding simply wants to see how Ashley fights, so she can give her a proper load out and position," Thumper shrugged, "But don't get the wrong idea, this is still going to be a fight." Houston had a pistol, while Teddy had an auto rifle. Skye removed her helmet, tossing it to the side. Houston began to remove hers.
"Keep yours on," Skye shouted across the clearing, "You're going to have to fight. Hard. I'll call out when we're done, but don't think I'll go easy on you." Houston nodded back in agreement.
"Are you ready," Skye asked Teddy over her shoulder.
"Yep," Teddy responded eagerly. Skye looked back at Houston, "And how about you? Ready?" There was a moment of quiet. Houston nodded, before quickly raising her pistol and firing a shot at Skye's feet. Teddy hopped back a little, while Skye remained motionless, the purple gunk barely missing her boots. Houston turned and quickly disappeared into the trees.
"Hmmm…," Skye thought to herself. She waved Teddy to go slightly right, while she went slightly left.
"Wait, so we won't be able to see what's going on," Tucker said, disappointed.
"Doesn't look it," Washington replied.
"She's going on the defensive," Carolina stated, then thoughtfully, "Not a bad idea, knowing Skye."
"But what if someone gets hurt? We won't be able to see," Doc commented.
"No worries," Thumper responded, tapping his helmet, "I have full vital readings on screen."
"And I have their locations," Church said from Tucker's shoulder.
"You seem to prefer Tucker, don't you," Grif said.
"He's got the advanced suit, man," Church replied, "Do you know what I can do when I get it active?"
"Uh, no," Grif said back.
"Well, you'll see…," Church muttered.
"So there was something I was wondering about," Doc started asking.
"Which would be," Washington encouraged.
"What did that Boone guy mean about Redding 'playing around' when they were fighting earlier," Doc continued. There was a couple of spats of gunfire in the distance.
"Oh, that," Thumper shrugged, "When Redding left for her leave, she said that she was 'going to go play with Carolina.' Sounds like she wasn't taking things seriously before we arrived."
"Well, her 'playing' got her thrown off a cliff," Grif pointed out.
"A Redding never plays around," Sarge stated.
"Uh, well," Thumper stammered, before clearing his throat, "Hey, Xi?"
"Yeah?"
"How far down was the ledge," Thumper asked.
"Literally right below where we collided with Caboose," Church shrugged.
"Huh? Ledge," Grif asked, confused.
"Do you believe she would let herself get knocked off a cliff easily," Thumper asked, then pointing at Carolina, "At least, do you believe that?"
"She was trying to make someone sweat, I think," Carolina said, glancing at Sarge.
Houston was leaping between tree branches, veering course every time she caught a glimpse of Teddy or Skye.
It's like they know exactly where I'm going, she thought to herself, They're always one step ahead. Then it clicked.
They're always ahead of me, she realized. Houston quick turned on her toes and headed back towards the clearing. Skye watched silently and grinned.
The spectators were lazing about, unaware that Houston had skirted around the clearing and hidden behind a tree on the other side. "And Boone was complaining about missing out on this," Tucker complained.
"He's probably having a more interesting time teaching Donut how to drive. Fun? No, but not as boring as this," Grif groaned.
"I don't think it's going to remain boring for much longer," Church said. The group returned its attention to the clearing. A spat of auto rifle fire came from the trees to their right. There was a pause. Teddy peered out for just a moment, before vanishing back into the trees. Suddenly a tree, which appeared to have been ripped clean out of the ground, landed in the middle of the clearing. Teddy had to strain his ears to hear Houston's gasp over the sound of Grif's yelp. He popped out and started firing at the location where he'd heard Houston. Houston hid herself behind her tree, rounds whizzing past her head on both sides. She gritted her teeth. Looking around, she noticed a tree right in front of her, with a branch just low enough to run up to, if one were as tall as Houston. She placed the pistol on her hip and quick ran up the tree, barely grabbing the branch in question. Houston pulled herself onto the branch and crouched close to it. She re-equipped her pistol, raised it, and took aim at Teddy's chest. The round turned the left side of Teddy's chest purple while sending him sprawling backwards. Doc cheered.
"Don't celebrate yet," Washington warned.
"Huh," Doc responded, confused.
"Just because you can't see her, doesn't mean that Redding isn't around," Thumper chuckled. Houston listened for a moment, before realizing that Skye wasn't making any noises. She looked around cautiously, figuring out where to move next.
"Focusing on your next move instead of celebrating. That's good," Skye said. Houston looked up as Skye dropped down from above. Skye grabbed Houston's arm and threw her into the clearing. Houston skipped sideways along the ground, skidding to a stop in the center. Thumper twitched uncomfortably. Skye launched herself into the air, landing behind Houston. Houston quickly picked herself up, facing Skye. She quickly raised her pistol, only to discover that the slide was missing. Houston panicked for a second, before chucking the pistol at Skye's head. Skye simply moved her head, before grinning at Houston, who took a step back. Skye cocked her head to the side, and said, "Company." The group suddenly heard the warthog music, getting quickly louder as it approached. Donut's warthog came crashing through the trees. Everyone but Skye hopped back. The warthog came skidding sideways at Skye, who crossed her arms. Boone had the hand brake up as high as he could pull it. The warthog came to a rest at Skye's heels, and she merely leaned back against it, "How's the lesson coming along?" Donut was tightly gripping the steering wheel with both hands, "Uhhhh…"
"Why do I have to teach him," Boone complained.
"You're our best driver," Skye responded.
"You got the short end of the stick," Thumper shouted over, laughing.
"Shut up," Boone shouted back. He groaned loudly, annoyed, "Keep going." Donut moved stiffly, and the warthog sputtered as it stalled. "How many times do I have to tell you about shifting," Boone shouted, "First!" Donut squirmed uncomfortably as he shifted gears and restarted the warthog.
"Wow, I almost feel bad for Donut," Grif said. Tucker raised an eyebrow at him.
"Don't forget the hand brake!"
"Almost," Grif emphasized. The warthog vanished back into the trees. Skye looked at Houston, "I think that's good enough for now."
"Simmons," Sarge addressed as the group reached the camp, "Do you have any new intel on the enemy?"
"Yes, sir," Simmons saluted. The group sat around the fire pit. "Ok, so it looks like those zombies are controlled via a control center within the brain," Simmons began explaining.
"Meaning," Grif asked.
"If you can take that out, you can take them out, individually," Simmons responded.
"So, like an actual zombie," Tucker stated.
"Yes. Now, when I first saw this," Simmons held up a diagram of armor, with what appeared to be a robotic leg, "I was kind of confused. But now I know it's—."
"Redding's leg," Thumper interjected.
"Exactly," Simmons replied, "So my guess is—."
"I'm a target of some kind," Skye said, beginning to think deeply.
"Yes…" Simmons replied, a little annoyed by the interruptions.
"Wait, if they know about Sis's leg, then it has to be someone close to us," Teddy exclaimed, starting to freak out a little.
"Not necessarily," Thumper stated, "Anyone with access to UNSC records could easily find out about her leg."
"How detailed is the diagram," Skye asked.
"Very," Simmons responded, "They have all sorts of measurements on here, like the height of your prosthetic and width."
"How about details on the extra features or internal workings of the leg," Skye inquired.
"Huh," Simmons responded, confused, "Uhhh… Nothing like that on here…" Thumper perked up a bit, "They're not one of us." The Reds and Blues looked at Skye and her team, confused.
"We all know about her leg," Thumper stated.
"Even the shotgun feature," Teddy smiled. Washington had been peering over Simmons's shoulder at the diagram, "The detail in this, though, makes me think that they still know you in some way…"
"I need to update you guys about the new prosthetic," Skye said to her team.
"Maybe you shouldn't," Washington cautioned.
"Excuse me," Skye responded, warningly.
"As I said, it sounds like whoever made this diagram knows you outside of records," Washington continued.
"I can trust my team," Skye growled.
"Anyways, how do we know you aren't leaking information," Boone suddenly accused, standing up. Washington looked at Boone.
"Sit down, Boone," Skye commanded. Boone followed her command, without looking away from Washington. "Fine, I won't talk about my new leg. For now, Dad, Xi and I will be the only ones who know the details," Skye said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
"Any other information," Carolina asked.
"Well, there is mention of a Dr. Hand," Simmons responded, "Apparently, his lab is holding some sort of gala this evening in some city not far from here."
"Oh! Are we gonna infiltrate it," Teddy asked excitedly.
"Of course," Skye responded, "Thank you for the information, Private Simmons. And thank you all for your hospitality." Skye stood up, getting ready to leave.
"Wait, you're leaving? Just like that," Tucker asked, surprised.
"That's the plan," Skye shrugged.
"Not going to happen," Carolina stated. Skye looked at her. "We're coming with you," Carolina continued.
"We are," Grif and Tucker asked, shocked. Skye didn't respond.
"Those things already came after us. Who says they're going to stop," Carolina pointed out. Skye paused for a moment, before nodding her head.
"The more the merrier," Teddy proclaimed happily.
"Say hello to Beatrice," Skye said, indicating the pelican in front of them.
"Beatrice? What kind of fucking name is that," Grif asked.
"It sounds girly," Tucker added.
"Well, ships are considered to be 'female'," Washington stated.
"Oh," Tucker said.
"Although," Washington thought out loud, "That is one weird looking pelican."
"Boone's modified it quite a bit," Skye responded, "Ever since we were allowed to keep it instead of retiring and scrapping it."
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Thumper muttered to Boone, who had started crossing his arms proudly but dropped them and his shoulders instead.
"First things first, though," Skye said, "We need to get Ashley a proper load out. Teddy, what do we have for a ranged position?" Teddy opened a panel on the inside of the pelican, "Let's see… How about a DMR and a sniper?" He pulled out the aforementioned weapons and tossed them to Skye, who handed them to Houston. Tucker peered over Teddy's shoulder at the weapons lining the inside of the panel, "You, uhhh, wouldn't happen to have another sniper, would ya?"
"Sorry, bud," Teddy shrugged apologetically, "The other one's being maintenanced."
"Speaking of maintenance," Skye said, "Remind me to have Daniels and RT check out my suit. I think one of my sensors is going."
"Sure it is," Tucker snickered under his breath.
"Do I get to learn to fly this next," Donut asked.
"No," Boone responded, nearly shouting.
"Awww, why not," Donut asked, disappointed.
"Beatrice is very sophisticated," Skye interjected, "Maybe one day Boone can teach you using Virgil." Boone sighed annoyance from the cockpit, "Are we ready, yet?"
"Let me do a quick count," Thumper said, counting each person out loud, slowly backing towards the pilot's seat, "10, 11, 12." He tapped Boone's shoulder, chuckling, "And a half." Boone growled, before flipping switches on the console in front of him. The hatch closed up as the engines roared to life.
"Is it just me, or is it really cramped in here," Doc asked.
"It's not just you," Washington responded.
"Grif! Get your elbow out of my side," Simmons complained.
"Well where am I supposed to put it," Grif complained back.
"How about your lap?"
"But that's so uncomfortable."
"Is it always liked this," Teddy asked.
"Yup," Tucker responded, annoyed.
About thirty minutes of flying had the Reds and Blues restless. "Are we there yet," Tucker whined, "I've been forced to put up with playing footsie with Donut for the past half hour!"
"You're just upset because you're losing," Donut stated.
"I'm not even fucking playing," Tucker shouted.
"Like you can complain," Simmons said. He was currently squished between the wall on his left and Grif, who had fallen asleep and stretched out. Thumper looked at Carolina, gesturing as if to ask, "You put up with these guys?" In response, Carolina put her hands in front of her, as if to say, "Don't even ask."
"Open the hatch, Boone," Skye suddenly said. She began to climb past through the sea of legs as the rear hatch opened. Standing on the edge of the door, Skye gestured outside, "Here we are, everyone: Kreuzotter, the only city on Mamba." The others peered out. Below them was a shining city sprawling along a coastline. There were skyscrapers all over in the central area, reflecting the sun with an eerie soft glow.
"What's Mamba," Doc asked.
"It's where we currently are," Carolina responded.
"Is it a country, a state, a continent…," Tucker asked more specifically.
"You don't even know what planet you're on," Boone questioned over his shoulder.
"Planet? So there's only one city on this entire fucking planet," Tucker asked, incredulous. Thumper gave Carolina another questioning glance. Carolina simply stared back. Thumper responded by waving his hands dismissively.
"Ok, Boone, put us down on the outskirts," Skye commanded.
"Where are we heading, Simmons," Sarge asked.
"Uhhh, the gala is being held in the reception area of Hand & Schlange Laboratories and Research Facilities, sir," Simmons responded.
"What is it called," Tucker snorted.
"It translates to snake," Church said.
"What," Tucker asked.
"It's German for snake," Church responded.
"Wait, since when could you speak German," Tucker questioned.
"For a while, man. Keep in mind—," Church started to say, quickly cutting off mid-sentence.
"Keep in mind what," Tucker asked.
"Hmmm? Oh, nothing," Church quickly said. The current group excluded Doc, Teddy, and Boone, who had been left behind at the ship.
"So, who do you think the mole is," Grif whispered to Washington, making sure that Skye couldn't hear him.
"I don't think anyone could possibly be," Donut chirped up. Grif and Washington just looked at him.
"Do you know that sometimes you're too optimistic," Grif asked, annoyed.
"I'm not going to point any fingers yet," Washington said, answering Grif's original question.
"That sounds like you have some sort of idea," Tucker added, joining them.
"I have a guess, but I don't have any proof," Washington clarified.
"I think it's that Boone guy," Grif stated.
"Why would you think it was him," Donut asked innocently.
"Because he's a jerk, he got defensive when Wash suggested a possible leak, and he didn't argue when Redding told him to stay behind," Tucker listed off, "At least Teddy showed a bit of disappointment at being left out."
"But, Grif doesn't like to participate in missions, either," Donut said.
"But that's Grif being Grif," Tucker pointed out, "They act like they want to be in on missions." Donut looked at Washington, who shrugged and said, "He's not wrong." The front of the group stopping effectively ended their discussion. In front of them was the lab in question, stretching high above them.
"Oh, well isn't that a nice view," Thumper commented, pointing down the road, which turned into a hill that gave a grand view of the ocean in the distance, orange from the setting sun.
"Ok, guys, time to assign roles," Skye said, turning to the group, "Thumper, Agent Washington, and Dad will be up top with Xi. Thumper, you'll borrow Ashley's rifle, keep an eye on our backs. Xi, you'll be with Agent Washington, scanning faces from Thumper's display."
"Wouldn't it be easier if I just hopped in Thumper's suit," Church contested.
"Except we don't need you trying to aim his rifle," Skye responded. Church sighed heavily.
"What am I doing," Sarge asked.
"You're back up," Skye responded.
"Back up? Bu—" Sarge started.
"Any trouble goes down, I'll be expecting to see you first through that door," Skye said, smiling as she tried to pacify her father. Sarge grumbled a little, but dropped the argument.
"Everyone else, time to change," Skye commanded.
"Change," Tucker questioned.
"What? Did you think we were going to attend wearing our armor," Skye responded.
"Attend? You don't mean…," Simmons asked.
"Yep, we're going in the front door," Skye said fiercely, "Gentlemen go that way, ladies this way." The group began to separate.
"Oh, by the way," Skye said to Donut, grabbing him by the shoulder, "We're gonna need to borrow you…"
"Wha-?"
"Has anyone seen Donut," Simmons asked as he, Tucker, Grif, and Caboose, all dressed in suits with bow ties that matched each individual's armor, rejoined Washington, Sarge, and Thumper.
"You lost Donut," Washington asked.
"Why are we worried," Grif shrugged.
"For the record, you can't blame me. No suit, see," Tucker indicated his attire. Washington began readjusting Caboose's bow, which was horribly off center, "First, we'll wait for the girls to get back. Maybe they have an idea of where he went." As if on cue, from around the corner appeared Carolina and Houston, immediately followed by Skye, who was dragging another girl by the elbow. Carolina was wearing a light blue dress, Houston a dark green dress, Skye's dress was red with blue, and the mystery girl was wearing pink.
"Who's that," Sarge asked. Mystery Girl fidgeted nervously while staring at the ground.
"We needed to even the numbers," Skye shrugged. Tucker quickly skirted over to Mystery Girl. He poked her shoulder, "Helloooo hot stuff." She squirmed.
"I call dibs. Bow chicka—"
"Tucker! I'm not a girl," Donut wailed, finally looking up from the ground.
"WHAT THE FUCK," Tucker yelled in shock, quickly jumping back.
"Donut?! Is that really you," Grif questioned, incredulous. Donut looked close to tears, "Why do I have to do this?" The guys (minus Tucker, who looked like he was about to be sick) looked amongst themselves in disbelief.
"Sorry, Private, but you're the only one who could pull it off," Skye responded.
"Blame your calves," Carolina mumbled.
"I didn't know you had long hair," Grif said, still recovering from the shock.
"It's a wig," Donut responded, tears starting to well in his eyes.
"Don't you dare cry," Carolina threatened, making Donut wince, "I am not fixing your make-up again." Sarge and Church started muttering to each other.
"What's up," Skye questioned.
"Sarge and I have come to the conclusion that this should never be done again," Church responded. Donut let out a breath of relief.
"We also came to the agreeance that should it need to be done again, we volunteer Grif," Sarge added.
"HEY!"
"We already have the ribbons picked out," Church said. Grif growled unhappily.
"So now what," Simmons asked.
"We figure out pairings," Skye responded.
"So who's gonna be stuck with Donut," Grif questioned.
"Thank you for volunteering the first pairing, Private Grif," Skye said smugly.
"Wait, what?!" Grif and Donut stared at each other, before Grif turned away in disgust.
"I think Simmons should be paired up with Ashley," Thumper suggested, putting an arm around Simmons and whispering in his ear, "Keep an eye on her, and if you even think of laying a finger on her, I'll snap your neck." Simmons tensed.
"That leaves us with Caboose and Tucker," Carolina pointed out.
"I'll take Caboose," Skye said.
"No," Carolina and Tucker both shouted, before glaring at each other.
"Got a problem with it? You can disagree by fighting me," Skye said.
"Remember Boone," Thumper mouthed to them.
"I don't want to ruin my dress," Carolina muttered unhappily.
"I don't wanna die," Tucker stated.
"So, that's all settled. Is everyone ready," Skye asked.
As the "couples" passed through the two sets of double glass doors, they were greeted by warm lighting and classical music. Skye leaned over to Houston and apologetically whispered, "Sorry to ask this of you, but you're going to have to smile." Houston put on a small, fake smile. Somewhere a small orchestra began playing "Pavane". The reception was enormous. In the center was a giant, lit-up crystal statue of a hand, with a jade-and-gold snake woven between the fingers. Tucker whistled, "Fancy shit."
"So, we have to find and talk to Dr. Hand. But try to blend in, we don't know who—," Skye began whispering, stopping when she noticed Grif was missing, "Uhhh, where'd Private Grif go?" Donut and Simmons pointed across the way to the food table, where Grif was piling food onto a plate.
"Are you surprised," Tucker asked.
"Hmmm… I guess that works," Skye shrugged.
"Is this date taken," some random guy asked, slipping his arm around Donut's shoulders. He wriggled away and responded in a slightly higher pitched voice, "Yes, I am."
"Well I don't see him," the guy retorted, shading his eyes and looking around.
"He's right over there," Donut responded, pointing to Grif and quickly taking off in his direction. The guy just stood there awkwardly. Tucker patted his shoulder, "Just drop it man. Trust me." The stranger slouched away.
"How's everything looking," Washington asked.
"Fairly normal," Thumper responded, then pressing the side of his helmet, "Visuals up." A copy of Thumper's view through the sniper popped up on Washington's display. Sarge was sitting a small ways behind them, bored.
"I marked our guys for you," Church told Washington.
"Thanks," Washington replied.
"You seem verily comfortable having an AI in your head," Thumper commented.
"Uhhh…" Church said awkwardly.
"Its actually kind of… complicated," Washington responded.
"I'm guessing you don't want to talk about it," Thumper questioned.
"More of we don't really have the time," Washington returned. Thumper shrugged, before flinching as Sarge let out a huff of annoyance. Washington looked briefly at Sarge, then back at Thumper, "Can I ask what's between you two?"
"Oh, you know… things. Like when he dangled me out the third floor window when Redding and I were in second grade," Thumper responded, nervously.
"You did what," Washington exclaimed in Sarge's direction.
"Bastard had pulled my little princess's hair and made her cry," Sarge replied self-righteously.
"That's still pretty extreme," Washington argued.
"Wait," Church interjected, "You made Redding cry?"
"Yes," Thumper replied cautiously, "Last one to do so, too. Apparently, after seeing her father's actions, she decided she was going to be stronger. Which meant no more crying. She told me later that she would only cry when she lost everything. But that'll never happen."
"Why not," Washington asked.
"She always finds a reason to keep smiling," Thumper chuckled.
"So, did she kick the shit out of you," Church asked.
"No. At least, not for that. Sergeant Redding got banned from the school grounds, which is why Carolina never got to meet him. But Redding, she just stood up straighter. There was something… different about her. I found it fascinating and began to hang out with her to try to learn more. After a little bit, well, we became best friends," Thumper responded.
"What did she kick the shit out of you for," Church pressed, curious now.
"For nearly bumping off the first baseman," Thumper replied. Sarge, Washington, and Church just stared at him.
"Ummm… Might I ask why you tried to kill him," Washington questioned.
"I thought he had cheated on her," Thumper said.
"You could've mentioned that it was her boyfriend," Church said.
"He had asked her to lunch. The next day, everyone sees him with a different girl. So, during practice, I hit a line drive right at his head," Thumper told them.
"Pretty extreme," Washington commented.
"Good job," Sarge complimented, giving Thumper a thumbs up.
"Sarge!"
"Turns out, he hadn't asked Redding on a date. He had asked her to lunch because he wanted her help in asking out the other girl, who was in one of her classes," Thumper continued, a little embarrassed, "Not only did she kick the shit out of me, but I got stuck with my nickname." Washington sighed.
"Hm? What's wrong," Church asked him.
"You're all insane," Washington muttered.
"And you're still here," Church pointed out.
"Guess that makes me just as insane, huh," Washington chuckled.
"So, what do we do," Doc asked. He was sitting across from Teddy, who was polishing his machine gun.
"We wait," Boone responded, leaning back in his seat with his feet resting on the control panel.
"I meant while we wait," Doc pressed.
"We could play 'I Spy'," Teddy suggested happily. Boone sighed, "Sure, because that'll be just riveting. Rock, tree, gun, cloud. So much to see."
"Simon Says," Teddy asked.
"With two people," Boone questioned.
"We have Doc," Teddy pointed out.
"Exactly, there's two of you. 'Cause I ain't playing," Boone stated.
"Aw, come on, Boone," Teddy complained.
"How about Mum? That's a good game, 'cause I want a nap," Boone said. Teddy sighed, "Wish we could've gone along, too."
"Yeah, me too. I wish you guys could've gone with them," Boone said. Teddy looked a little hurt. Boone scoffed, "You know I didn't mean it like that. I know you've been wanting to see the Captain dance, and this would've been your best chance. Even better if you could've joined her."
"Nah, it looks like Sis has someone special to dance with," Teddy said jovially.
"Who," Doc asked innocently. Teddy and Boone just stared at him.
"You're joking, right," Boone asked.
"Well, he doesn't know Sis as well as we do," Teddy pointed out.
"I'd say it's pretty plain as day," Boone argued back, "She's never been that sweet on anyone before."
"Oh," Doc said, catching up.
"Thumper, checking in," came across the radio. Boone started checking over the control panel.
"Something up," Teddy asked.
"No, just bored," Thumper replied.
"How's the gala," Teddy questioned.
"Boring as fuck. Absolutely no one is dancing," Thumper sighed. Boone flopped back in his seat, "You're telling us there's no dancing?"
"Yup," Thumper answered.
"So then why are we out here," Boone groaned.
"Don't worry, we'll let you do some dancing next time," Thumper chuckled.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT," Boone roared back. Thumper laughed before the radio turned off.
"Screw him," Boone muttered, annoyed. Doc looked at Teddy, confused.
"Boone's not a big fan of dancing," Teddy chuckled.
"I don't dance," Boone growled, crossing his arms.
"Is that why you didn't want to go before," Doc wondered aloud.
"Screw dancing," Boone muttered in response, sinking further in his seat, arms crossed.
Grif was busy piling food on his plate while Donut stood nervously next to him. "Why are you over here," Grif asked, annoyed.
"I keep getting weird looks," Donut responded, upset.
"Well, of course you're going to," Grif responded, not really paying attention. Donut's face sunk. "Hey, can you pass me those potatoes," Grif asked.
"Grab them yourself," Donut huffed, before storming off. Grif just watched him and shrugged before grabbing the potatoes. Donut didn't get far before another guy stepped in his way.
"Did it hurt," the guy asked. Donut tilted his head, confused. "When you fell from heaven," the stranger continued.
"That is so lame and old," Donut said in his fake female voice, miffed. He quickly ducked around the guy and kept walking.
"Poor Donut," Simmons commented.
"You're worried about him," Tucker asked, distracted by the women.
"Would you enjoy being shoved into a dress and hit on by random guys," Simmons responded.
"Well, no. But are you sure Donut doesn't? Maybe it's just the lame pick up lines," Tucker shrugged.
"Point… taken," Simmons half-answered, half-questioned.
"There. Now, if you'll excuse me," Tucker said before zipping off towards a small group of women, "Oh, sorry baby. I couldn't see. I was blinded by your beauty. Bow chicka bow wow! …Wait, don't go." Simmons just sighed and shook his head. Skye walked up next to Houston.
"How're you holding up," she asked.
"Are you asking as a friend? Or my captain," Houston responded, averting her eyes.
"A concerned party," Skye answered. Houston sighed, "Its hard."
"It always is," Skye said.
"How is it so easy for him," Houston asked.
"Hm? Who," Skye questioned.
"Thumper. He hasn't gotten upset at all…," Houston said. Skye sighed, "Thumper accepts death, whether he wants to or not. Your brother would not be the first friend to die under his hand." Houston looked at Skye, confused.
"You can't save everyone, and in the medical line you see it even more," Skye clarified, then looking at Houston, "Your brother was a good friend of his. But I believe right now he's making sure nothing happens to his friend's little sister." Houston looked back at Skye for a moment before nodding.
"Hey baby, are you religious? Because you're the answer to all my prayers. Bow chicka bow wow," Tucker said to another random female, who rolled her eyes before walking away. Without skipping a beat, he moved onto the next, "You look great and all, but you know what really looks good on you? Me. Bow chicka bow wow." And the next, "You must be from Tennessee, 'cause you're the only ten I see. Bow chicka bow wow." Carolina suddenly appeared and grabbed Tucker's ear, dragging him to the table nearest Skye and Houston. "Ow, ow, ow OW! Fucking hell," Tucker cried in pain.
"Sit down and behave," Carolina commanded, throwing him into a chair. Skye chuckled under her breath.
"Behave? I'm not doing anything wrong," Tucker said, "All I'm doing is complimenting them. It's a good thing." Tucker suddenly noticed that Skye and Houston were next to them. He turned his attention to Houston, "Ashley, was it? If I had to rate you from—." He suddenly stopped when he saw Skye's death glare, "Uhhh… You look nice and completely off limits?"
"Just sit there and be quiet," Carolina stated. Tucker sighed heavily, before finding something to distract him, "Hey, look. Someone else is gonna try to hit on Donut." The girls turned in Donut's direction. Yet another guy was approaching Donut, sauntering up from behind. He put his arm around Donut's waist, and wrapping around said, "Hey, sexy thang." Donut freaked out and tried to squirm out of the stranger's grasp, but the latter tightened their hold. The stranger pointed at Donut's chest, which was covered by the dress halfway up his neck, and said, "Let us have a preview of the goods, baby."
"Wh-what," Donut stammered in his fake voice.
"The goods, babe, the goods," the stranger chuckled, licking his lips. He grabbed the top of Donut's collar and gave a slight tug down. Donut's face grew red with rage as he pushed the stranger back.
"Now wait one fucking minute," Donut burst out, completely dropping his fake voice, "What makes you think you have any right to walk up to someone and say that! And touching me like that? Now I can feel your hands all over and it's disgusting! Im wearing this dress because I was told it would make me 'pretty' and 'feminine'. But all it's done is netted me uncomfortable comments and stares from sleazeballs like you who think they are entitled to make women feel less than human, less than any creature, because you lack the ability to think of anything but getting laid, which, oh hey, you can't do because you're so incompetent! Why don't you just go home, pull out that blow up doll that we all know you have hidden away in your sock drawer, and drown your self pity away!" The stranger had backed away a step with each word. Donut was breathing hard, although it looked like he was about to stab the jerk. A moment passed before Donut realized that all eyes were on him. "Uhhh… I am not that kind of girl," Donut said, resuming his female voice and crossing his arms. The stranger took off, tail between his legs. Donut turned enough to nervously look at the girls out of the corner of his eye. Skye gave him a thumbs up, followed by Houston and Carolina. A bunch of girls rushed over to Donut.
"That was awesome!"
"Yeah! You told him!"
"Did you catch all that," Carolina said, turning to Tucker. To her surprise, he was gone.
"You go girl," Tucker said, presenting Donut with a high five. Donut returned it, confused. "Those guys just don't understand the delicacy of the female image. They'd rather tear it down for their own selfish gain rather than respect it," Tucker said, proudly. Donut just stared at him, eyes narrowed. "So, ladies," Tucker began. The girls formed a group around Donut, cutting off Tucker.
"You should totally come hang out some time!"
"I know the perfect coffee shop!" The group started walking away, leaving Tucker behind.
"Wait, what about me? Can I hang out, too? I like coffee," Tucker said, reaching for the now gone group of girls.
"Are you sure that's a guy," Thumper asked. Washington and Church looked at Sarge. Sarge just stared back. After a moment, Thumper shrugged, "I was worried for a moment that our cover was blown. Guess we lucked out."
"Yeah…," Washington sighed. A few moments of silence passed.
"Hey, Thumper," Church asked.
"Yes, Xi," Thumper responded.
"Can I ask you something," Church continued questioning. Thumper nodded, "Sure."
"What happened with Austin?" Silence.
"Thumper," Church pushed. Thumper sighed, "I had to shoot him."
"Yeah," Church responded, shrugging, "You've already told us that. I meant can you give us more details." Thumper sat in silence, thinking. He sighed, and then, "Austin, Teddy and I were playing a game of cards. Ashley was already asleep in the next room over. Austin said he was gonna go check in on her. Her allergies had been acting up a little, seeing as we chose to spend our leave near the woods. And you know, Austin, he gets… would get… overprotective of her. Teddy and I kept playing cards. After a moment, we heard scrambling in the room over. Then we heard Ashley scream. We grabbed our pistols. Just a reflex, really. In the room, we found Austin on top of Ashley, choking her. Teddy yelled out at him, but he didn't respond. His eyes were glazed over, and he had no emotion at all. Her face started turning blue. Teddy yelled again, and still nothing. He wasn't going to stop. He was going to kill her. I shot him. He still didn't stop. I didn't have time to think. I-I… I shot him in the head." Thumper was shaking by this point. Washington placed a hand on his shoulder. Thumper took a deep breath and settled himself, "I've seen a lot of death. I've had good people die on the table, under my hands, with nothing I could do to stop it. I thought I had gotten used to people dying. But this?" Thumper sighed. He looked at Washington and Church, "She hates me, doesn't she?"
"Who," Washington asked.
"Ashley's been full of surprises so far," Church said, "You never know what she's thinking." Thumper thought over Church's words for a moment, before nodding and returning to the sniper scope.
"Good… talk," Washington asked, confused and scratching his head. He looked over at Sarge, who was leaning against an air duct with his arms crossed, staring at the ground. Washington then looked at Church, who just shrugged in response.
"Hey, now we've got something," Thumper said excitedly, still a bit shaky.
"What," Washington asked, concerned.
"Dancing," Thumper responded, grinning.
Teddy and Doc were playing Rock, Paper, Scissors while Boone watched, bored. "35 out of 50," Doc announced.
"Damn! How're you so good," Teddy asked cheerily.
"Because you overthink it," Boone stated with a yawn.
"I'm just lucky, I guess," Doc said, smiling.
"Let's go again," Teddy suggested.
"Yeah," Doc responded. Boone sighed and spun around in his chair.
"Have we got something special for you guys," Thumper's voice excitedly said over the radio. Doc jumped a little, "Huh?" Teddy started bouncing in his seat excitedly.
"Special," Boone questioned.
"Your favorite thing in the world, Boone: Dancing," Thumper responded, before chuckling. Boone scoffed and turned away from the control panel. Thumper's visuals suddenly popped up on the front window. Through the sniper scope, they could see a few couples out on the floor dancing.
"Hey, Washington? Could you send over the audio feed," Thumper asked.
"Huh? Me," Washington's voice asked over the radio.
"Yeah, Xi's been streaming it to me from your headset," Thumper continued.
"Wow, I didn't realize your helmet could pick up sound from that far," Doc said.
"Carolina has the bug," Thumper responded.
"Ah," Doc responded, a little disappointed. Suddenly, the video was accompanied by sound. The orchestra was starting to play "On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op 314".
"What are they doing," they heard Tucker ask Carolina.
"This should be good," Carolina responded with a smile in her voice.
"Huh," Tucker asked. The camera moved a bit, before zooming in on Skye, who was pulling Caboose to the dance floor.
"Sis is gonna dance," Teddy shouted excitedly. He jumped up, spun Boone's chair around, and leaned against the back to watch.
"Hey," Boone shouted back, miffed, "I'm not interested in watching!"
"Shhh," Teddy hushed him. Boone hit a button on the side of his helmet, causing his visor to turn black. Teddy took off said helmet and chuckled, "You're gonna watch."
"Why do you insist I watch," Boone questioned, annoyed, before closing his eyes defiantly.
"Awww, come on, just watch," Teddy urged. Boone sighed and crossed his arms, "Fine! If it'll shut you up…"
Skye grabbed Caboose's hands, "Come on! Like this!"
"Can Caboose dance," Simmons wondered out loud.
"Doubt it," Tucker responded. Suddenly, Skye started spinning Caboose around the dance floor. Caboose was less than graceful, and tripping over his own feet.
"Now I can better answer your question. No," Tucker said to Simmons.
"I can very well see that," Simmons responded.
"So how is it, if Caboose can't dance worth shit, that they are still doing ok," Tucker asked.
"Two things. First, Redding is recalculating to make up for Caboose's falls. Two, she's also dancing in accordance with the male role," Carolina answered, counting off on her fingers.
"How do you know that," Tucker questioned.
"I used to watch her compete when we were younger. Thumper and I both, actually. Also, watch the other couples," Carolina responded, pointing towards the dance floor. Tucker and Simmons both looked and observed.
"Oh, I see now," Simmons exclaimed, watching the males dance like how Skye was dancing, "That makes sense."
"Wow, he sucks," Thumper commented.
"Give Caboose a break," Washington said gently.
"Perks," Thumper asked.
"He's extremely strong," Washington responded.
"Cons," Thumper continued.
"Where did ya wanna start," Sarge asked.
"Well then…," Thumper muttered.
"Wow, this is so cool," Teddy's voice stated excitedly over the radio.
"Nah, this is nothing," Thumper responded.
"Really," Teddy's voice questioned.
"She's just messing around. You should've seen her in competitions. Now that was a spectacle," Thumper said, "I remember her saying how she would practice with her dad when he was visit—." Thumper stopped and looked back at Sarge.
"Huh," Washington and Church wondered aloud.
"Practice makes perfect," Sarge responded to their stares, "Anything for my little princess."
"Yeah, well, what happened with that one dance," Thumper asked.
"Errr… You see…," Sarge stuttered.
"What happened," Washington asked.
"There was a father-daughter dance thing that he was supposed to be taking her to," Thumper responded, jabbing a thumb at Sarge, "But the night before, plans changed. She had a dress picked out and everything. Of course, Redding just acted like it was nothing, but still…"
"New orders got in the way of leave," Sarge grumbled.
"Sure," Thumper said, skeptic, before turning back to his scope. "I really do wish you guys could see her at her peak," Thumper said into the radio, "Seeing as someone else missed it." Thumper turned back towards Sarge, pointedly. Except, Sarge was gone. "Uhhh…," Thumper said, staring.
"What is it," Washington asked turning around.
"Where'd Sarge go," Church asked.
"Hmmm… Hey, Thumper. Check the entrance," Washington suggested. Thumper checked the entrance through the scope, "Good call. He's in a suit, headed in."
"I think your comment about the dance hit a nerve," Washington said.
"Maybe," Thumper shrugged.
"Heads up: Sarge is heading in. We haven't seen anyone problematic, so don't get concerned yet," Carolina heard in her hidden earpiece.
"What," Carolina questioned out loud.
"What is it," Simmons asked. Carolina sighed, "Apparently, Sarge is coming." Simmons and Tucker looked at the front door. Sarge was walking in, wearing a suit with a red bow tie.
"What's he doing here," Tucker asked, looking at Carolina and Simmons. Both shrugged. Caboose dizzily approached them, "Why is everyone moving so fast?"
"I think she put him through the spin cycle one too many times," Tucker commented.
"Caboose, sit down," Carolina said, offering a chair. Caboose missed and landed with a thud next to it.
"Are you ok," Simmons asked. Caboose leaned back and fell over, "Hi Sheila! Why are you driving around me?".
"I think we should just leave him," Tucker said. Simmons looked at Tucker, slightly appalled.
"Good idea," Carolina agreed. Simmons gave her the same look. "Do you want to shake him up more," Carolina asked.
"Well, no…" Simmons responded thoughtfully.
"Dad? What are you doing in here," Skye whispered urgently.
"I owe you a dance, don't I," Sarge responded, arms crossed. Skye looked confused. "That father-daughter dance," Sarge pointed out.
"The what," Skye asked, completely lost.
"Forgive and forever forget," Carolina muttered under her breath.
"But, a dance would be wonderful," Skye said, excited.
"What's Sarge doing here," Grif said, still stuffing his face as he talked. Simmons, confused, responded, "I guess he came to dance?" Grif nearly choked on his food when he started laughing, "Him? Dance? Ha!"
"We'll see," Carolina shrugged.
"Huh," Tucker, Simmons, and Grif looked at Carolina.
"When he did visit, apparently he would help her practice," Carolina clarified.
"Doesn't mean he's good," Grif pointed out.
"He's probably the reason why Redding's good at making up for the other person," Tucker said. Carolina shrugged. "Carmen Suite No. 1, Les Toreadors" began to play.
"Huh," Carolina said thoughtfully.
"What is it," Simmons asked.
"Her favorite song," Carolina responded.
"So she'll be really good at dancing to it," Simmons suggested. Carolina shrugged, "She never danced to it in competitions." Tucker raised an eyebrow, "So maybe she sucks at it?" The group looked on as Skye and Sarge began to dance. Within no time at all, the two were commanding the dance floor. Tucker, Simmons, and Grif all dropped their jaws simultaneously as they realized both Skye and Sarge were dancing perfectly with the song. Grif's plate was left ignored from sheer shock.
"S-S-Sarge can dance," Simmons stuttered, shocked.
"And isn't it wonderful," Donut chimed in cheerily next to them, eyes twinkling with joy.
"Oh, nice job earlier," Grif muttered distractedly, unable to take his eyes off the dancing. Donut looked at Grif, shocked.
"Oh, wow! Who knew Sarge could dance," Doc said. His and Teddy's eyes were glued to the display. Boone was lazily watching, "Whatever."
"You can't even watch dancing without complaining," Teddy asked, a little sad. Boone huffed. They kept watching for a little bit. Suddenly, Doc and Boone noticed something on the screen. Teddy was too distracted watching Redding.
"What was that," Doc asked.
"Oi, Thumper, go back," Boone said into the radio.
"What," Thumper's voice asked back.
"Look at the overhang again," Boone said urgently.
"What's up," Teddy asked, confused. The display looked up at a second floor overhang, with a glass railing. A figure in black armor with white accents could be seen looking down on the proceedings. "Shit," Teddy said, wide-eyed.
"Uh, that's a friend, right," Doc asked nervously. Boone started hitting buttons on the control panel, hurriedly starting up the pelican.
"No, far from it," Teddy replied ominously.
"There's no fucking way," Thumper said, shaken.
"What's wrong," Washington asked.
"How is he here? Why," Church asked, upset.
"I don't know," Thumper shot back, packing up the rifle.
"Will someone tell me what's going on," Washington demanded.
"That guy in the armor," Thumper said, pointing towards the labs, "Is the reason why Redding is missing a leg. And he means trouble." Thumper quick hopped over the edge of the roof, onto the scaffolding below.
"Fair enough," Washington replied, before following.
As the song came to an end, Sarge and Skye's performance was greeted with a round of applause. "That was awesome," Donut exclaimed, running up to them. He was followed by Simmons, Houston, and Caboose.
"I never knew you could dance, Sarge," Simmons said. Sarge scratched his head, not knowing how to respond, "Err…"
"Dad always helped me practice when he was visiting," Skye said, face beaming.
"That was quite the performance," a gruff voice behind them said. They turned around. A man in his late forties was approaching them in a lab coat. His brown hair was intermingled with gray and white, effectively turning it tan.
"Doctor Hand, I presume," Skye said, curtsying. Hand bowed back, "Indeed, that would be me."
"We were actually hoping to speak with you this evening," Skye said.
"Oh, really," Hand responded, surprised.
"Carolina, we've got big trouble," Thumper's voice said in Carolina's ear.
"Huh," Carolina questioned, turning away.
"What is it," Tucker asked. Carolina paused, listening.
"Before we speak, though, I must introduce my benefactor. Without him, I wouldn't have been able to create the Flashback Bracelets," Hand said, smiling.
"The what," Houston asked.
"The Flashback Bracelet, m'dear! You haven't heard of it? If something happens to you and causes death, the bracelet will bring you back! I thought everyone in Kreuzotter had one," Hand responded with a chuckle.
"Bring you back," Simmons began.
"From death," Donut finished. The group just stared, wide-eyed.
"You kind of sound like a male, m'dear," Hand said to Donut. Skye noticed that everyone around them was wearing a thick, black bracelet. Carolina was searching the second-floor overhang.
"Don't tell me—," Grif started saying.
"There," Carolina hissed, pointing towards the soldier in black and white.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Hand announced, "Thank you for coming here tonight. As you all know, Hand & Schlange Laboratories is responsible for the Flashback Bracelets, of which I see most of you are wearing."
"Are there seriously people who aren't wearing one? My uncle would've died if he wasn't wearing one," Donut heard someone whisper.
"Actually, he did. But it brought him back," their friend whispered.
"The truth of the matter, though, is that I merely designed the bracelet and its method of administering the serum. The serum in question was designed by my friend, and the man responsible for funding this project's research, Mr. Schlange," Hand announced, indicating the top of a glass staircase that led to the second-floor overhang. Thumper and Washington came skidding through the front door, as the crowd looked up to where Hand was indicating. The soldier in black and white stepped forward to the top of the stairs, arms stretched wide. Thumper and Skye growled at his appearance.
"Thank you, Dr. Hand, for that wonderful introduction. But I have a confession to make," the soldier chuckled, "I must admit, you people have a strange liking for snakes. You accepted me as simple as a child accepts that one plus one equals two. Now, I'm not one to beat around the bush. I'm sure that Miss Redding can tell you my real name." The soldier pointed at Skye, "If you would, Skye." Skye growled loudly, fists clenched. "I see. So, you wish to keep me your little secret," the soldier chuckled.
"CRYPT," Skye snarled defiantly. Houston stared wide-eyed, "Him."
"Who," Simmons asked. Carolina, Grif, Tucker, Washington, and Thumper grouped with the others.
"Easy, Redding," Thumper cautioned, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Civilians."
"Civilians? I don't see any civilians," the soldier laughed, looking at the crowd below him. The audience looked around and muttered amongst themselves in confusion. "I only see loyal subjects," the soldier laughed, pulling out a small control.
"No," shouted Skye, Carolina, Thumper, and Washington in unison.
"Why, yes. And it's Necro now," the soldier sneered, before pressing the button. Everyone wearing a Flashback Bracelet screamed in agony around them. Necro laughed triumphantly, "Watch as these mere mortals turn into my loyal subjects. I shall have an unwavering army, ready to claim for me that which is mine."
"And what supposedly is yours," Tucker shouted. Necro smirked, before pointing at Skye, "Her."
"Go fuck yourself," Skye screamed, pulling out her railgun. Sarge was right next to her with his shotgun.
"Where the hell were you guys keeping those," Grif asked.
"A Redding never goes anywhere without their gun," Sarge responded.
"But, space? Physics," Simmons questioned.
"I actually don't want to know where they hid them," Washington said. They suddenly realized that the screaming had stopped. Looking around, they were met with glazed-over eyes, staring at them.
"The door," Thumper whispered, loud enough for the group to hear. They started slowly inching towards the door.
"Why aren't they attacking," Donut asked.
"I don't know," Simmons responded.
"Thumper, Washington…" Carolina said. Both responded by tossing her a pistol each.
"It's simple: They're waiting for my orders," Necro chuckled.
"Uh oh," Simmons said. Necro looked at the corner farthest from the door, where a guy and two girls were standing. These three had not been wearing bracelets, and were staring fearfully at the crowd.
"Let's have a demonstration, shall we," Necro said, flicking a hand at the three. A group of zombs broke off and approached them. The guy stepped protectively in front of the girls, "Please, leave us alone!" One of the zombs grabbed his arm and bit it. The guy screamed in pain, falling to the floor and writhing around while clutching his arm.
"His transformation will be slow and quite painful, but he will join us," Necro mused. The girls screamed before trying to run away. Their escapes were stopped by more zombs, who bit them each in turn. Necro just laughed at them.
"We gotta get out of here," Washington stated.
"No shit," Tucker responded.
"Ashley," Thumper whispered. He shoved the sniper rifle into her hands when she turned to him.
"And you," she asked. He pulled out the gravity hammer in response, before quickly turning towards Skye, "Wait—." Thumper's words fell on deaf ears as Skye began to charge forward.
"Get her," Necro commanded, a serious look on his face. A small group of zombs leapt towards Skye. She merely swung her arm, knocking them all back. Thumper and Sarge rushed forward after her.
"We've gotta get out of here," Carolina said. The rest of the zombs were slowly approaching them.
"What about them," Washington asked, gesturing towards Sarge, Thumper, and Skye.
"They'll catch up," Carolina said. Houston looked towards Thumper, a little anxious.
"I have no command over you," Carolina said to her, "But I've got to get these guys out of here." Houston nodded, before taking off after the others. A zomb leapt at Houston as she ran. She stopped, embedded the muzzle of the sniper rifle in its chest, and pulled the trigger. The force of the blast tore open its chest and sent it flying backwards. Momentarily stunned, it pulled itself up after a minute.
"What," Houston exclaimed.
"Ain't you never fought a zombie before," Sarge said, "Shoot 'em in the head!"
"I figured it would be different, considering its nanobots instead of a virus," Houston muttered. Thumper had caught up to Skye, the syringe in his wrist extended. He grabbed Skye's shoulder, attempting to insert the syringe into her neck. She roared, throwing him back towards Sarge and Houston. Thumper did a backflip, before landing with a skid on his hands and feet like a cat. The other two just stared at him for a moment.
"Well how'd that work fer ya," Sarge asked. Thumper rolled his eyes.
"10/10 on the landing," Houston said.
"Why, thank you," Thumper responded, slightly cheery. Skye bowled through another group of zombs. "We need to get to her," Thumper said, standing up.
"We'll cover you," Church said from Sarge's shoulder.
"Weren't you with Washington," Thumper asked.
"Yeah, but I decided to come help you guys," Church responded, "The others are already outside."
"You won't be helping to aim, will you," Thumper asked.
"We won't shoot you in the back," Church said.
"Mighty hard to mess up a shotgun," Sarge added, "Just point and shoot."
"You'd be surprised," Thumper said, raising an eyebrow.
"Anyway, we'll cover you. You just take care of Redding," Church said.
"So why did we go so far away, again," Doc asked.
"To keep out of sight and off radar," Teddy responded, rummaging through a side panel.
"What do we do when we get there," Doc asked, nervous.
"We get everyone inside," Teddy answered.
"Guns are still offline," Boone stated. A moment passed.
"Hey," Teddy said, popping his head back out and looking at Doc, "You ever fire a missile launcher before?"
"Missile… launcher?" Doc said, tilting his head as his voice slowly turned into O'Malley's. He laughed.
"Going topside," Teddy said, passing the missile launcher to Doc, before opening a hatch in the roof.
"Now what," Tucker asked. The group was outside of the lab.
"You guys change. I'll go figure a way out," Washington responded, before taking off. Carolina and Houston vanished around a corner. Donut was close to crying again.
"Are you really gonna cry right now," Grif scoffed.
"Jenny and I were gonna have coffee at Café Biscia and talk about home interiors," Donut wailed, "But now she's a zombie!"
"Who," Simmons asked.
"She was the one wearing the purple flower dress," Donut told him.
"Oh! She was hot! Too bad it was because she thought you were a girl," Tucker shrugged.
"Oh, they all knew I wasn't a girl," Donut stated.
"So, you had a date," Tucker asked, incredulous.
"A date? What makes you think it was going to be a date," Donut asked, completely confused. Simmons stared at Donut slack-jawed while Tucker and Grif both face-palmed.
Thumper bolted forward towards Skye. Houston was sniping any enemies going at him, while Sarge covered behind them. Skye was throwing bodies around in a rage. She picked up one zomb and swung him above her head, using it to pummel other zombs in the vicinity. Thumper used the opportunity to slide in behind her, plunging the syringe into her neck. Skye roared in rage, hurling the zomb pummel across the room. She grabbed at her neck while she dropped to her knees.
"Got her! Now, we gotta cover her," Thumper said to the others.
"Got it," Sarge and Houston said in unison, moving up. A zomb suddenly leapt at Houston from behind.
"Houston, behind you," Church exclaimed. Thumper pushed her out of the way, swinging his gravity hammer down onto the zomb's head, crushing it like a tomato can.
"Thanks," Houston sputtered.
"Don't mention it," Thumper shrugged. Necro waved a hand, commanding forward something behind him. Two androids appeared next to him, white with black accents. Necro pointed at Skye, "Bring her to me." The androids hopped down, joining the mob of zombs.
"Ashley, keep them off her," Thumper said. Houston turned her attention towards the androids. Each shot of hers was dodged as they got closer.
"They can calculate your shots," Church piped up. Sarge and Thumper had their hands full with the zombs. The androids leapt at Skye.
"No," Sarge shouted. Skye suddenly shot her fists upward, sending the bots flying back.
"Welcome back," Thumper commented as Skye stood up.
"Fucking hate that shit," she said, annoyed, as she pulled back out her railgun.
"We should get moving," Houston said.
"Yeah, and might I suggest out of here," Thumper added. Skye nodded in agreement.
"You think you're leaving? Think again," Necro laughed, then to the androids, "Don't just stand there. Get her!" The androids began to charge again.
"Redding," Sarge said, tossing Skye his shotgun as she turned. Skye grabbed the shotgun and spun back towards the androids. She aimed the shotgun at one, her railgun at the other, then pulled the triggers, shouting, "BOOM BITCHES!" Both androids were sent flying back. The one hit by the shotgun was riddled with holes but started to slowly recover while the other one was missing half of its torso and lay there, dead.
"Shotgun," Sarge said proudly.
"Go time," Thumper asked, knocking back a group of zombs with a swing of his gravity hammer. Skye growled before replying, "Yeah." She tossed the shotgun back to Sarge.
"How long do we wait," Grif asked.
"We can't leave without them," Donut said nervously.
"Well, it appears those things aren't as interested in us as they are them," Simmons said thoughtfully. They were standing in a semi-circle in the street outside of the labs, back in their armor. Carolina was nearby, also having changed.
"Done," Washington said, rushing over. He was followed by Caboose and Tucker.
"That was… surprisingly quick, considering," Simmons said.
"Wow, you guys actually got him back in his suit before the others got out here," Grif said, surprised.
"You owe me ten bucks," Simmons said to Grif, who sighed in response.
"Incoming," Thumper shouted from the front door. He was immediately followed by Houston, who darted around the corner of the building. Sarge and Skye brought up the rear. Skye fired the railgun at the top of the doors, causing it to collapse.
"That should spare us a moment," she said.
"What took you guys so long," Tucker asked.
"Someone had a small tantrum," Thumper shrugged. The guys looked at him, confused.
"You're making me sound like a child," Skye said. Attention turned to her.
"Wait, when did you change back to your armor," Grif asked, pointing towards the red armor Skye was back in.
"Just now," she shrugged.
"And we missed you undressing," Tucker asked, disappointed.
"Watch yer mouth," Sarge growled in warning. Skye punched him softly in the chest with the side of her fist. Sarge's suit faded back to his armor.
"Hologram suits are so old-fashioned, Dad," Skye chuckled.
"Are we ready to go," Thumper asked.
"What about Houston," Simmons asked.
"Hurry up," Houston said from next to Carolina, back in her own suit.
"Oh, uhhh…," Simmons said.
"Dammit," Tucker muttered.
"Time to go," Carolina shouted.
"I've got us a, um, ride waiting around the corner," Washington said. The group quick skirted the corner and found… a postal truck.
"You're kidding, right," Grif asked.
"It's all I could find on such short notice," Washington said.
"That's disappointing," Tucker said. Washington sighed.
"Let's move," Skye said, hopping onto the roof of the truck.
"What," Grif asked.
"Just get in," Carolina said, hopping up next to Skye before whispering, "I am not getting stuck in there with them."
"Thumper, Agent Washington, up here with us," Skye commanded.
"Huh," Washington asked as Thumper climbed up.
"Why don't you guys have to cram in here with us," Tucker complained.
"Because we're gonna keep those things away from the truck," Skye said, as they all heard a crash from the labs.
"Hurry up," Grif said from the front left of the truck. Donut had hopped in the other side of the front. The others piled into the back as Washington climbed on top of the truck.
"All set," Skye shouted towards the front.
"Ok, let's g—," Grif started saying as he turned forward.
"What's wrong," Simmons asked.
"The fuck is the wheel," Grif asked, confused. He turned to his right, where Donut was starting the truck. "No! No fucking way! You're not driving," Grif shouted. There was a crash from the alley.
"No time! Just go," Thumper shouted.
"Hold on," Donut shouted back, which was met with terrified and desperate scrambling for good handholds. He shoved the gearshift into first, slammed his foot onto the gas, and carefully released the clutch. The postal truck leapt forward as zombs began to spill out from around the corner. A shot from Skye's rail gun knocked the zombs back.
"How do you plan on holding them back," Washington asked Thumper.
"Hmm? Oh, right," Thumper responded, "Hey, Car—." Carolina was already tossing him Washington's and his own pistols, switching instead to using her battle rifle.
"Annd we're in business," Thumper said satisfactorily. The postal truck sped downhill as the road became a hill.
"You'll go faster if you shift out of first," Grif said matter-of-factly.
"I know. We're in fourth, about to switch to fifth," Donut replied.
"When did that happen," Tucker questioned. Donut smoothly slid the gearshift into fifth, with no hiccups from the engine, "I've been doing it as we've sped up?" Tucker looked at Grif, who responded by shrugging and staring at the gearshift in disbelief. More zombs started piling out of other buildings as they flew by. There were a few people who hadn't been transformed yet, but that status didn't last for long as hordes of zombs attacked them. Carolina and Thumper covered the back, while Skye and Washington cleared out in front of the truck.
"So, what's the plan," Simmons shouted out of a slightly cracked rear door.
"We wait for the cavalry," Skye shouted back.
"And how long is that gonna take," Grif shouted out his window. Skye looked over her shoulder as Beatrice roared into view.
"Right on time," she mumbled, smiling. Doc and Teddy were standing on top, weapons ready. "Took ya long enough," Skye chuckled into the radio.
"Hey, we waited exactly where you told us to," Boone replied back, "So don't blame us, Cappy." Skye snarled a little.
"Someone's cranky because they didn't get to take a nap," Teddy chuckled.
"It's too late now to sneak in a couple more inches of sleep," Thumper said. Boone's growl echoed over the radio.
"So, how're we supposed to get on," Grif asked.
"You're too hot up front," Boone responded.
"Sorry, I didn't have a chance to check under the hood," Donut responded. There was a very audible THUD over the radio from Boone's face palm.
"He meant enemies," Tucker hissed.
"Oooohhhhh," Donut responded.
"Wanna give us a hand," Washington asked.
"Thought you'd never ask," Teddy chuckled, "Let's clear up some of this clutter!" Him and Doc began blasting the zombs in front of the truck. One of Doc's missiles hit close enough to cause the entire truck to shudder.
"The fuck was that," Tucker shouted.
"Watch where you're aiming that thing," Grif yelled as well.
"Sorry," O'Malley cackled unapologetically. As the general area in front of the truck cleared out, Boone brought Beatrice forward. Once the pelican was fully in front of the truck, she matched speed and came to fly right above the ground.
"Are we driving in," Grif asked.
"We're too big," Simmons stated. Suddenly, a set of red-armored fingers pierced the roof of the truck in the front.
"What the fuck," Grif asked, surprised. The bottom of Thumper's hammer pierced the roof in the back.
"You better hold on," Skye shouted, grabbing hold of Washington's ankle. Thumper and Carolina were holding onto the gravity hammer.
"Huh," Simmons asked.
"Spin 'er around," Boone said over the radio.
"Yessir," Donut replied nervously. Simmons and Tucker exchanged a fearful look, before grabbing whatever they could along with one of Caboose's shoulders each. Houston found herself a handhold along the side as Sarge grabbed onto a handle in the ceiling. Donut slammed the wheel to the left while pulling the parking brake, effectively causing the vehicle to spin. Grif held onto the frame of the truck as best he could. Washington would have been thrown clean off, had Skye not been holding onto his ankle, but instead fell sideways. Donut threw the truck into reverse and slammed on the gas as they came to the end of the spin. Grif looked to his left and saw Washington through the window. He gave Washington a slight wave, who sighed in annoyance.
"What're you doing just hanging around," Thumper asked jokingly, offering Washington a hand up.
"You should try this, it'll do you wonders," Washington replied, taking hold of the proffered hand. Skye let go of his ankle as he pulled himself up.
"I'll pass," Thumper chuckled. Carolina knelt down and smacked the back door, "Open up." Sarge's head popped out as the doors swung open, "You knocked?"
"Get ready to jump," Carolina commanded. Tucker's head popped out next to Sarge, "Where are we jumping to?" Boone opened the hatch. "Oh," Tucker said, realizing the plan.
"Hurry it up," Boone shouted.
"We're really jumping," Tucker asked.
"Come on, man. You'll be fine, see," Church tried to reassure, a full-sized version of his hologram appearing in the back of the pelican.
"Easy for you to say," Tucker shouted at him. Suddenly, Houston leapt from the back of the truck into the pelican.
"I'm in," she said over the radio.
"Show the boys how it's done," Skye chuckled. There was a pause as the others inside the truck looked at each other. Sarge set his jaw and hopped over next. Turning around, he said, "What you waiting for, Simmons? Beat those Blues over here! You too, Grif!" Simmons shuffled nervously, then leapt while shouting, "Geronimo!"
"Do I have to," Grif asked.
"Yes," Sarge and Simmons shouted unanimously. Grif pulled himself to the back with a sigh.
"All right, here I co—." Grif started saying, as Caboose leapt across.
"Did I win," Caboose asked.
"Grif! You took too long," Sarge shouted angrily.
"Whatever," Grif shrugged, before leaping across.
"For real," Tucker questioned. Carolina leapt over, followed by Washington.
"Just jump," Simmons shouted. Tucker sighed, then leapt. His foot slipped a little, causing him to start falling back.
"Whoa," Tucker shouted. Carolina and Washington grabbed him and helped him steady. Back on the truck, Skye patted Thumper's shoulder before heading in the direction of Donut's door. Thumper quick hopped into the pelican.
"Private Donut," Skye shouted.
"Yes," Donut questioningly answered back.
"When I tell you to, you're gonna spin your door towards Beatrice," Skye commanded.
"Um, ok," Donut replied.
"Pitcher's on the mound," Thumper said over the radio. Teddy gave Doc a small slap on the back, smiling, "That's my cue. Keep it clear." He opened the top hatch and dropped into the pelican. Taking a catcher's stance, Teddy said over the radio, "Ready at home plate." Skye grabbed the frame of the truck above the door, throwing it open and shouting, "Now, Private!" Donut spun the truck sideways, his door facing Beatrice. Skye reached into the truck, grabbed Donut, and threw him towards the pelican. Teddy caught him as he came tumbling and yelling into the back. Skye was right behind Donut, landing with a skid. "Take us up," she shouted to Boone, who started raising the pelican into the sky. The postal truck skidded before rolling the rest of the way down the hill, bowling over groups of zombs in its path.
"Uhhh, guys? Can I come back in," Doc asked over the radio, kicking on the door of the hatch a bit. Thumper let him in.
"So, where do we go from here," Washington asked. Kreuzotter disappeared below them as they rose above the clouds. Skye and Sarge were standing on the still open hatch doors, while everyone else was crammed more inside.
"We should—," Skye started saying. Suddenly, the pelican bucked, jostling everyone. Sarge fell backwards out of the pelican. "Dad," Skye shouted, before leaping out after him.
"Shield, take it," Church said to Tucker, before vanishing. A bubble shield formed around the pelican from Tucker's suit.
"Shit," Teddy yelled.
"Go get them," Thumper shouted at Boone.
"I can't," Boone yelled back, despaired, "We're caught in some sort of tractor beam!"
"What's below us," Thumper asked.
"My panel is completely blacked out," Boone shouted back, giving Thumper a depressed look.
"Shit," Thumper yelled.
