The Freelancers and Pilot were interrupted from their discussion on how stupid it was that the Freelancers didn't get overtime by a-
"Incoming transmission" 479ER announced from the pilot's seat
"I've got it" Carolina replied she turned on the ships radio connecting to the Mother of Invention. "This is Pelican Four Seven Niner go for secure"
"Secure hello Agent Carolina" a voice said this was F.I.L.S.S. the Freelancer Integrated Logistics and Security System the Director's personal AI assistant
"Good morning F.I.L.S.S. nice to hear voice" Carolina replied
"Is this a bad time" F.I.L.S.S. asked. "You sound occupied"
"The LZ got a little…hot" Carolina admitted. "We may be late but we'll get there don't leave without us"
"Understood it sounds like the Director to send you and Penn to assist the Team" F.I.L.S.S. stated
"Seems that way but I can't say everyone onboard feels the same F.I.L.S.S." Penn added from the doorway he glanced back at South who was using the ships med kit in an attempt to stop North from bleeding out
"Acknowledged Agent Pennsylvania all Agents accounted for excellent work" F.I.L.S.S. said Pennsylvania frowned as he glanced over at the mission headboard he noticed something that he hadn't seen before
"F.I.L.S.S. I see a blank spot in the head count can you verify this" Penn asked Carolina then noticed this to odd
"We will see you at the rendezvous fly safe and have a nice day" F.I.L.S.S. replied ignoring the question Penn and Carolina raised a hidden eyebrow at this did F.I.L.S.S. just lie to them Carolina glanced back at him with a puzzled look Penn could only shrug in response he didn't know what F.I.L.S.S. was trying to hide so they silently decided not to press the matter any further
"Roger that Carolina out" The female freelancer replied she glanced back again. "Hey Penn check our six"
"You've got it boss" he replied with a two fingered salute Penn rushed pass North and South to the troop bay door peering out the window he saw the they were being pursued he turned back to face the cockpit. "HEADS UP PEOPLE TWO LONGSWORDS INBOUND HANG ON TO SOMETHING"
"So who are your friends" 479ER asked
"Just some people we meet at what Penn described as a party" Carolina replied like their lives weren't in mortal danger
"They seem nice" 479ER muttered sarcastically as the longswords open fired the Pelican swerved "avoiding the bullets 479ER pulled back on the controls making the longswords to shoot passed them
"Firing Missiles" Carolina announced pressing fire button four missiles shot out toward their targets the pilots swiftly maneuvered around the missiles and the Pelican getting behind the Freelancer ship again South meanwhile stumbled to the doorway
"Can't you get us out of here" she asked
"Working on in" 479ER replied suddenly a red flashing light followed by an alarm went off
"What's that noise?" Penn asked appearing in the doorway
"They've got missile lock" 479ER replied
"That's bad" South stated
"Yeah that's really bad"
"Take evasive maneuvers"
"I'm trying"
"Well Try Harder"
"Hey South do me a favor would you" 479ER asked glancing back at the impulsive Freelancer
"What" South replied the pilot pressed a button closing the door to the cockpit it locked shut with a whirl of the mechanism 479ER smirked slightly. "Thanks oh and sorry Penn"
"It's okay"
"YOU STUPID BITCH" South shouted
"You deserved that" Penn stated with shrug
"Oh shut up" South growled as she attempted to punch him Penn easily caught the attack Penn leaned close to her face
"Don't ever try that again" he demanded in a threating tone South pulled her arm away hiding her fear of him he could be damn scary when he needed to be the Longswords shot missiles at them
"Releasing flares" 479ER stated a panel opened on the Pelican a bunch of flares shot out attracting the missiles to them causing them to explode rocking the whole ship Penn stood perfectly still thanks to his Grav boots while South was stumbling around
"I HATE FLYING" South yelled before stumbling back and slamming her head against the wall knocking herself out cold Penn quickly picked her up and set her in the seat next to her brother she may be a bitch but he was gentle man he wouldn't leave her on the floor North groaned as he regained consciousness looking down he saw bandages covering his chest turning his head to the right he saw Penn as he lowered the guard on his sister
"What happened?" North muttered Penn pulled his helmet off it was broken anyway
"You got shot bubby luckily they went straight through" Penn replied shrugging as he tossed away the purple and green headwear he then sheepishly added while scratching the back of his helmet. "But you'll probably live I don't think the bullets hit anything vital"
"PROBABLY YOU DON'T THINK THEY HIT ANYTHING VITAL this is the worst bedside manor ever of all time"
"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME I'M NOT A DOCTOR OR A NURSE OR A MEDIC be glad I'm not the last one otherwise all I'd be doing is confronting you until you die"
"You're such an asshole" North muttered wincing in pain
"Everyone hang on hold on back there thing are about to get a little um…" 479ER began
"Bumpy" Carolina added hopeful
"Yeah well I was going to say crashy but um bumpy works" the pilot replied she pushed down on the controls sending the ship into an ice chasm dodging missiles as causing them to strike the icy walls
"This is like that scene in that really old movie Star Wars a New Hope the um Death Star trench run" Penn exclaimed hanging onto one of the seats
"Counter measures depleted North I'm clearing you for equipment usage" Carolina ordered Penn groaned as he raised the guard up off North
"Grab on I'm not letting you walk on your own" Penn ordered North groaned as he stood up Penn pulled him onto his back he walked to the ladder and climbed up it pushing the hatch open Penn step onto the roof he let North slide off their Grav boots keeping them in place North took a few steps forward as the Longswords unleashed another volley of missiles
"Here goes everything" North muttered raising his fist he slammed it against the cold metal his suit a projected large golden bubble shield with a honeycomb pattern around the back of the ship the missiles collided against the shield pushing the Pelican down North stumbled back into Penn's arms falling unconscious once again
"PULL UP PULL UP" Penn yelled into the radio as he started pulling North back to the hatch 479ER managed to get the ship under control again and level out Penn pulled them back to the hatch and carefully lowered North in before jumping down himself Penn lifted North up again and set North back in his seat
"There's the rendezvous point if we're gonna make it you'd better punch it" Carolina ordered
"Punching it" 479ER replied increasing the Pelicans speed the Longswords still gaining until a mac round hit on of them and tore it to shreds the second Longsword wisely turned to flee as a Charon-class light frigate (Note: I know my Halo) dubbed The Mother of Invention emerged from the clouds it fire again taking out the second Longsword
"Mother of Invention we are inbound" 479ER communicated through the radio
"We will medical personal waiting for you in the landing bay welcome home Four Seven Niner" F.I.L.S.S. replied
"Thank you F.I.L.S.S. it's good to be home" Carolina stated once the Pelican landed Penn lifted the unconscious North up bridal style and carried him down to the ramp to the medical team of four
"You're gonna be just fine North" Penn muttered more trying to convince himself
"Sir set him on the gurney nice and slow" one of them ordered Penn did so he stepped back and watched as they strapped him in
"Hey you two go check on South make concussion or anything" Penn ordered
"Yes sir" two of them replied before rushing onto the Pelican sighing Penn pulled off his helmet and took out a flask branded with the UNSC logo unscrewing the cap he took a swig he felt the liquid go down his throat rather smoothly Carolina tapped his shoulder he turned to face her she her helmet under her arm revealing her beautiful red hair and gorgeous green eyes probably two things Penn loved about her the other things were her strength and her ability to lead a team through any situation though he'd never admit to those feelings
"What are you doing" she asked
"Having a drink it helps calm me down especial after this"
"I guess that makes sense" Carolina muttered Penn turned toward her and held the flash out to her offering her some. "What's is it"
"It's Aberfeldy Scotch Carol" he replied she shrugged took the flask and took a swig herself they decide to head to the Medical Ward Recovery One to wait for the word on North