Once they were back at the base, Tygan prepared to do a better job on Mox's shoulder. That's how it usually went. Mox getting injured in the field. Tygan patching him up well enough so that he could fight again and once they were back he'd make sure he wouldn't lose permanent use of a limb or two. To be honest, most Skirmishers were like that. There was a recklessness to their way of combat. It didn't really bother Tygan. It came from a place he was all too familiar with; a desperation to make up for past misdeeds. While their circumstances were different, the Skirmishers seemed to understand him in this regard. Even beyond that, they seemed to understand him and he, in turn, understood them. It created a strong bond between them. It made Tygan feel… at ease. Accepted. At home.

So he couldn't quite explain why he felt uneasy when Betos called on him.

Even more uneasy when he walked into her quarters and she was not alone.

"You gotta be kidding me..." Betos' visitor muttered under his breath as Tygan entered, bowing slightly as a greeting.

"You wished to see me?" He asked, keeping his eyes on the stranger and trying to get a grasp on what sort of person he was dealing with. Older man. Appeared to be military. Scarred face suggested he had been active in the field.

"Tygan. Meet John Bradford." Betos started. "He is with XCom." Tygan felt himself stiffen almost immediately.

Xcom…

The people that left him to die.

"Uhm. Hi." This Bradford said, sounding extremely awkward. "You might remember me."

"I do." Tygan said coldly before turning to Betos. "Why was I called?"

"Bradford came for you with a proposition." A proposition? Tygan could sense where this was going and he did not like it. Not after what they did.

"Yeah. Despite making some good progress, we've hit some snags on the road. We really need someone with scientific knowledge to really start becoming a threat to ADVENT."

"And this wasn't a concern the first time I contacted you?" Tygan asked, still cold.

"It was. Sort of. Back then we were just starting out and we hardly had the resources to keep ourselves afloat, let alone get deep into enemy territory to extract you."

"Then there's, of course, my once being a part of ADVENT."

"Listen, you have to understand…"

"I understand perfectly well. That doesn't take away that you decided to leave me to die."

"How was I supposed to know you would carve your head open like a goddamn Christmas turkey?"

"Did you really think ADVENT would let me get away with trying to contact you? How ignorant do you have to be?!"

"Tygan!" Betos interrupted the two men. "That is quite enough." Tygan simple looked away, crossing his arms.

"YOU have to understand that having nearly died down in that… that hell might have scarred me beyond just what you can see." He softly said. Surprising him, Bradford just nodded.

"I understand." He said.

"Could you leave us for a moment?" Betos asked as Bradford nodded and left the room. There was an uneasy silence between the two of them for a while.

"Apologies for my behavior." Tygan eventually started. "I figured I was past these feelings of betrayal, but it seems that isn't the case."

"Would these feelings impede your judgement if you were to work for them?" Betos asked, Tygan couldn't help but frown.

"I can't say they won't. I can only say that I will try." He answered.

"You will be going?" Betos asked. Tygan nodded solemnly.

"A lot is at stake. In the end, my feelings on the matter shouldn't stand in the way of things." He said.

"Good. I do not wish to give orders that harm my people." Betos said. "That being said, please do try to act professionally."

"When have I not?" Tygan said as Betos just looked at him skeptically. "Fair enough." He conceded and went for the door, seeing a somewhat restless Bradford lean against a wall.

"You can come in again." Tygan said as Bradford did so. "I've decided to take up your offer and join XCom. I think we can all agree that if we want to defeat ADVENT, we need to work together."

"That's good to hear." Bradford said, smiling. "Listen, I know we got off on a bad start there, but I do want to make this work."

"We all do." Betos said. "I trust you will take good care of Tygan. If not…"

"I'd rather not find out." Bradford said, before turning to Tygan. "Just say whenever you're ready. I'll be waiting outside." With that he left as Tygan turned to Betos.

"I guess this is goodbye for now." He said as Betos nodded quietly.

"Know that you will always be welcome here." She said, smiling warmly. "You are one of us. You always will be."

"Thank you." Tygan said, bowing, before heading to the door.

"Vox Tala For Ten, Tygan."

"Vox Tala For Ten."

He made one final round through the base. There were many goodbyes and well wishes. Also a number of 'If they harm you, we will come for them' which Tygan appreciated but would probably not share with Bradford.

This eventually led him to Pratal Mox, currently with his right arm in a sling. It started out with a rather awkward silence.

"Apologies for not helping with your shoulder as I promised." Tygan softly said.

"It is all right." Mox answered. "Betos told me about where you are going."

"So you know this means goodbye." Tygan answered, looking down.

"For now." Mox said. "We will meet again."

"I know. It's just…" Tygan started to stammer. "It doesn't take away that I will miss you." He managed eventually. "I've been by your side for long enough it will feel… empty without you." Mox looked at him for a moment, before closing his eyes and pressing his forehead against Tygan's.

"You do not have to feel empty. I am still here." He simply said as Tygan just closed his eyes, savoring the moment.

"I know." He softly said before they separated. "Until we meet again."

"Until we meet again." With that, Tygan headed off outside, where Bradford was waiting.

"Ready?" He asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Tygan sighed, taking one last look back at what he started to call his home. He hoped to call it that again soon.