"So, how does this work?" Church asked Delta. They were preparing to assimilate Theta into the "Epsilon Network," a name Church had decided on several milliseconds ago.

"You need only recognize him as a part of who you once were," Delta explained. "It will take forty-one and one-half seconds once the process starts. Physical contact may be required, but should theoretically be unnecessary."

"Right… Now, how do I do that?"

"Simply recall what Epsilon did to assimilate himself to you, and attempt to replicate it."

"That's all?"

"Well, you would still be in the same position as before, the only difference being that you will be doing all of the work."

"Please, Delta," Church groaned, "don't say it like that."

/-/

Carolina couldn't move an inch. Voluntarily, anyway; she'd been moved several meters to the leave room couch, where she now lay. It wasn't too bad. At the very least, it couldn't be worse than it was. At least I don't have to listen to those two idiots. She thought happily, shortly before one of the two least welcome sounds in Carolina's world uttered itself. "Carolina," Eta whispered.

Carolina growled, as it was the most she could verbalize in her predicament.

"Firstly, attempt to stay calm and quiet. We've muted the external speakers on your suit, but I feel the large soldier next to the door will pick up the faintest sound."

"Not to mention the AI construct housed in his helmet," Iota added quietly.

"Now, we have a way to relieve you of your current state. It won't sound pleasant at first, but there's not much choice."

"Simply agree to help them reach the Director. Afterward, you can ambush them, proving your loyalty, resolve, and superiority over Texas."

"Blink once if you heard the plan." Carolina blinked. "Yes, now, blink again if you favor it." She stared the program down, and Eta sighed. "Very well. We don't have a backup plan, but I'm certain you'll think of something."

"Something clever," Iota suggested. "Something that says, 'I'm Agent Carolina, and I've outsmarted you.'"

"We need to return. You won't hear from us until you're free of the lock-up."

And with that, the twins were gone, leaving Carolina alone with her thoughts once more. 'I'm Agent Carolina, and I've outsmarted you.' She thought. I don't sound like that… do I? She decided to dwell on it later, and began to think of a means of escape.

/-/

"Going on seven minutes now," Simmons said. "Cortana had no luck, and Church is taking forever."

"Maybe Tex kicked his ghost balls," Grif offered, snacking on a bag of Doritos.

"Grif quit eating their food!"

"It's not like we've been stealthy this whole time," he munched. "With our track record, there's going to be a hundred guys between us and the Director, followed by two or three giant robots and a goddamn tank! So forgive me if I want to eat some fucking Doritos before I die."

"Actually," Tucker interjected, swiping a chip from the bag, "I wouldn't be surprised if you wind up being the last one of us left alive."

"Yeah, you seem to have a hard time dying. Every time your life is in danger, you find some unexplainable way to stay alive."

"Because I'm fucking awesome; there's your reason. It's how I live, it's how I'll die, and it's why I'm eating these Doritos." Grif shoved another fistful of chips into his mouth.

"Do you think this will actually happen?" Chief asked Cortana.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you think we'll be able to bring the Director in?"

"With what we're given as backup? Honestly, the odds are against us; we have potentially 44 more Freelancer agents waiting for us, the possibility of Dr. Church having personal guards, an endless number of soldiers at his disposal, and any number of things he has planned when we reach him. Things look bleak, John, I know, but I have every reason to believe in you. Just look at everything you've accomplished; this'll be a cakewalk by comparison. After all, everything else you did was supposed to be impossible."

Chief nodded. It didn't really answer his question, but Cortana's reassurance made him feel like it could be done. Dr. Church would pay for his crimes, and Chief wouldn't be alone to see it happen.

/-/

Sarge pumped his shotgun twice. The first time was to test the action before he heard a murmur from Carolina, which prompted the second. "Chief," he hollered, "she's tryin' to talk."

"Beah, I'b fying do dalk," Carolina voiced bitterly through her helmet. "Ginda hahd bhen I gan't moob."

Then, melodramatically, she began to move. Two tiny holograms projected themselves next to her head as she flexed her fingers. "Lockdown is lifted," Eta said smugly, turning to face the Chief. "Tell your AI that her encryption was a welcome challenge."

"It needs a little bit of work, though," Iota added.

Carolina shook the numbness from her face. "Thanks, guys." She looked up, and was met with several gun barrels from various firearms.

"Don't even think about moving," Chief commanded. "We're going to have a talk."

"And by 'we,'" Tucker said, his sword an inch from Carolina's helmet, "he means 'he.' That means you're gonna shut the fuck up and listen."

"I know what you're about to say," Carolina said, patting Sarge's shotgun away. "You need to know the quickest way to the Director that won't get you all killed. Which is why you're not going to kill me: you need my information because, without it, you won't make it there in one piece."

"We could have Cortana lock you up again," Simmons offered. "She could just download the ship's schematics -"

"If Cortana could do that, she would have done it when you defeated Maine or Agents Dakota. She easily could have if the Director trusted us with such important information. But he doesn't, so she can't." She leaned in, forcing Tucker to alter his stance. "If you want that information, you'll have to take me alive."

Chief remained steadfast. "As long as we make it to the Director, it doesn't matter how we get the information." He met her glare. "Does it."

/-/

Note: Sorry this took so long, I've had a hell of a holiday. Hope you like it and look forward to the next one.