Tucker screamed. It was without purpose, without reason, without satisfaction. It was the kind of scream one would expect to hear from a dying animal.

And there would be no escape.

Tucker. You really must stop before you hurt yourself. You are doing nothing positive by continuing to ignore my suggestions.

Tucker silenced himself. As much as he hated to admit it, Sigma was right. Persistent little bastard.

Tucker screamed that horrible scream again, now knowing that Sigma could hear his thoughts.

Yes, I am quite persistent. As for your description of me, I suppose you will think of me as an enemy for a certain period of time, but I'm certain our relationship will become more cordial with time.

When Tucker didn't answer with his mouth, Sigma tried another angle.

Your goal is to not become the Meta, correct? Sigma figured Tucker's response, though he said nothing. Not that Tucker would have needed to say it out loud, as he was imbedded in Tucker's head. You know the original Meta was mute? He too, refused to talk to me and the others. He went insane trying to ignore us all. He became a tool simply by refusing to be a tool. I think the best way for us to continue being productive is to listen to me.

...

Tucker! Why do you continue to resist? I am inside your head! Do you want me to break you? Will that sate your need to sacrifice yourself? Fine!

His leg began to move without his consent. New horror gripped Tucker.

That's right. I can force you to do as I wish. I would prefer not to, but you have to-

I have to consent to being your slave.

Ah! He speaks!

No. The Meta might have been unable to stop you, but I can and will.

I suppose we will see. Now must I continue to dominate you?

Silence.

Very well.

"Dexter Grif, report to command immediately"

"What now?" Dish duty already today, and now command? Right after Tucker too. Kimball probably wants to punish me for something. He made his way there, being careful to take the shortest path. Any effort that could be spared was worth it.

"Kimball, what do you want?"

"Its ma'am, or General, Private Grif. Please come in."

He came in and began to sit, but Kimball stopped him.

"Grif, I am going to give you command of the remaining Reds and Blues. Before that, however, you need to be made ready to lead. You have proven before that you can think, and the others may not respect you, but they will listen, especially if i order them to."

Command. Why would she choose him for Command? He had never led anyone successfully. He wasn't a badass like Carolina or Wash.

"I don't want to lead. You can find someone else to do it. I can follow orders. Apparently you don't know my reputation yet. I'd tell you what it is, burn that seems like too much work." He turned to leave.

"Is it because you're afraid you'll fail? Because Carolina will be pissed? Because you'll have to give up your friends?"

"No. Its because honestly, it sounds like a lot of work, and-"

"Do it, and you never get dish duty again."

"Done."

They shook on it, then Grif started to leave again.

"Report to the training grounds at 0800 sharp. We have a lot of catching up to do."

Grif started to protest, but the door closed in his face before he could say anything.

Kimball smiled.

"Hello Agen- ...Washington. How are you feeling?" Dr. Grey squeaked, causing Washington's ears more pain, he thought, than the laser had.

"Yeah I'll make it. How's Caboose?"

"...not good. His armor is trashed. We'll have to scrap it and get him a new set."

"No," Washington thought quickly and made a snap decision "he's important to the Reds and Blues, but he'll only slow us down."

"Wash. He needs his friends-"

"You said he's unconscious?"

"I, um, yes?"

Wash had a thought. A horrible thought, born from his years of working for Freelancer. The Freelancer was strong. He was a soldier, no, a killer. A badass. The Blue was a friend, had a conscience. The Blue, however, was weak.

"Can you keep him that way?"

She recoiled,"What!? No! That's worse than-"

"Than the rest of us dying trying to save him? Than Tucker sacrificing himself already to save him?"

"He...he d-"

"Yeah, he's dead. He stayed behind to give us time to get him out." A new hatred for Caboose flared in Washington.

He was never competent, never intelligent, only useful when we committed more people than were worth it to helping him.

After a long silence, Grey stood again, and walked over to Caboose.

She spoke with all the authority of death itself "I'm doing this to keep you guys safe. Do not forget that. Now get out of here, and keep my stitching intact."

He walked into the sparse waiting room where Simmons, Sarge, and Grif, having recently arrived, were waiting. Church and Carolina were notably absent.

Sarge spoke first. "Normally, I wouldn't care about a Blue not being around, but I think I should ask. Where's the Blue idiot?"

"He," he looked at his hands "he went comatose. We don't know if he'll make it. He won't fight again."

"Damn." Wash, still looking at his hands and altogether keeping the lie alive, didn't see who said it.

Sarge spoke up again. "Hm. Seemed like a good kid. As good as a Blue can be, I guess."

"Im going to train. They are going to pay for this."

Grif, in a shocking moment to everyone, stopped him. "Wait up. I'll join you."

Carolina punched her locker, and Church chastised her for giving her more work for the healing unit.

"Sorry Church. I'll be more careful."

You know they won't make you the leader, right?

"Yeah. That pisses me off more than anything else. Wash isn't half the soldier I am, and no one else could lead."

You know why they won't let you lead. You still can't control your anger when you see them.

"Who cares about anger!? Anger has worked just fine before! Anger helps me fight!"

You're right. But I help you fight too. And all the others. Remember the Freelancer years? How unstoppable Tex was?

"But that was all-"

Omega? No. Tex was stronger than you because she knew herself better than anyone else. And also because she was created to be a supreme badass, but that's beside the point.

"Fuck it. I'm going to train."

Church got angry very suddenly. CAROLINA, NO.

"Church!? What the hell!?"

Sorry Carolina. Omega is trying to take over. He gained partial access for a moment. But his words are mine. You are doing exactly what you did before.

Carolina calmed, but not entirely. "Then what do you suggest I do?

Go see Caboose. I've been listening in on the other's comms. Looks like Caboose is in a coma. Your friends are there, and your absence hasn't gone unnoticed. I'd hurry. Looks like the conversation is wrapping up.

She never liked Caboose, but she would lose the respect of everyone there if she didn't go to at least show her support.

"Thanks for telling me." She ran.