"And then this asshole shows up. Walking out of the smoke all dramatically. He's got shark teeth drawn on his helmet. It was super creepy." Wash continued vividly. He was recounting his experience from their latest mission, the extraction of the Sarcophagus.

Wash was amusing to listen to, evident by the small smiles on North and York's faces as they looked at him. "Next thing I know guy's blasting us with flames. Seriously! Who the fuck brings a flamethrower to a gun fight?" Wash asked incredulously.

"From the numerous scorch marks on your armor, I assume the flamethrower was an effective choice." York smirked.

North couldn't help but chuckle in agreement. He too had seen the burns outlining Wash's armor after they had returned to the MoI.

Wash shot York an 'I am not amused' look but was not discouraged. "So our bullets don't seem to be doing much damage. I throw a grenade but he hits it with a burst of flames and it explodes midair." His face and voice intense. "Carolina, clumsy person that she is," He said jokingly, "knocks this large gun off a table and it lands between us. I bravely abandon my shielded spot and grab it. It shoots this wicked looking green plasma ball that lands right at his feet. And what happens? It bounces! It fucking bounced off the floor and blew up on the ceiling!"

Before Wash could continue or York could make another snarky comment, Carolina sat down at their table and interrupted. "And that's when I had to save your ass because you were too busy complaining about the gun. In the middle of a fight. Standing out in the open. Against a flamethrower. Also I'm going to remember that clumsy comment." The redhead finished with a wicked grin.

Wash frowned, pausing for a moment, then: "Okay but who designs bouncing bullets?"

North slowly shook his head, trying not to laugh. "We may never know."

"It's heartbreaking really." York responded, equally amused.

Wash rapped his fingers on the table "I've got a training session to get to." He stood up. "I'll see you assholes later." Wash quipped good-naturedly, leaving North with Carolina and York.

They sat quietly together for a minute. "Wasn't a very smooth mission was it?" North sighed as he looked at York and Carolina across from him.

"That's an understatement." Carolina retorted, rolling her eyes.

North and York shared a look. After the mission the two of them had discussed the Project. Both had doubts that they were on the right side of things after being attacked by the military and law enforcement. Both questioning Agent Texas's timing. Was it her presence that had changed things or was it the missions?

Agent Texas.

York had mentioned Carolina's feelings toward the newcomer. They were overwhelmingly negative. Carolina had been number one for as long as North could remember. And then Agent Texas shows up one day, out of the blue, as stubborn and skilled as Carolina. He could understand his friend's issue with her.

North hadn't seen the newest Project Freelancer addition since the run in at the mess hall. She never joined the rest of the team at meals, in training, or in class. They'd only seen her on the mission and beating up three top agents.

There was definitely more to Agent Texas' story, and he was determined to figure it out.

"Earth to North." York waved his fingers in front of North's face.

"Sorry," he replied sheepishly, noticing that Carolina had left.

"I asked if you were nervous about getting an AI." York repeated.

North gave a slight shrug, "Kind of hard not to be. Having a sentient computer program in your head sounds more than a little dangerous."

"Agreed." was all York responded.

"When do you go in for yours?" North continued.

"Tomorrow morning." York answered, looking anxious, "Aren't you scheduled after me?"

He nodded, "A few days later. I guess to make sure your transition goes well."

"That sounds ominous." York paused, "Did they actually say that?" He sounded more worried than before.

North sighed and held his friend's gaze, "No they did not say that. They've done this procedure many times now with no issues. You'll be fine." He tried to sound upbeat, for York and for himself.

York nodded gratefully at his friend, looking a little less pale than before.