Aftermath
"Fuck!"
The shout rang across Haven as a fist impacted the wall. Agent Kelso observed as Agent Haze continued to punish their bulletin board. The last few hours had been insane. Their raid on Liberty Island was an emotional rollercoaster ever since Black Tusk forced them to crash the ferry. Kelso had to stay behind as the rest of the team advanced deeper, but she could hear their struggle against the Razorback and the Marauder even without the comms. And when they finally caught up to Keener… damn. After they got back, the rest of the team had deemed it appropriate to leave them alone and get some rest after one look at Jess's glazed eyes. Her stunned demeanor didn't last long, however, as Benitez entered the room, awakening the agent from her trance-like state.
"Goddammit!"
The second hit took a toll on her strained skin, which only half an hour before had been gripping her rifle in a life-of-death battle on Liberty Island. Red smears began to stain the various notes pointing towards Aaron Keener, now useless. It was over, the Rogue leader was dead, but not before getting his final laugh. Keener's last moments and the minutes following them were now carved into her mind, his mocking laugh driving her insane. Ignoring the pain, she kept up her assault, knuckles cutting open and bleeding even more profusely. As Benitez finally dragged her away, she kept on unleashing profanities against this unfair world they were stuck in.
"That bitch! Vittu! Saatana! Paskiainen!" she spit the words out, not even caring about slipping into her native tongue. She struggled against the strong grip, but exhaustion was starting to set in, and eventually she had no more energy to keep on raging. So instead Jess collapsed onto the floor and began crying her eyes out.
Benitez turned back to Kelso. He couldn't watch this anymore. It reminded him too much of the same scene eight months ago, when he'd often find the same agent sulking in the corner, burrowed deep in her own, dark world. Killing her father had done a number on Jessica Fraser's psyche, and there were times when recovery seemed like an impossible task. But she'd had help. Professional help, as well as a tight group of colleagues and friends, who made her pull herself back together. And then there was Faye.
Jesus, Faye.
"Look, I just wanted to say: I'm sorry about Lau," he told the much more composed agent whose eyes were glued to the sobbing pile of gear and anguish on the floor. "I… I don't even know what to say."
"I still can't believe she chose Black Tusk over us," Kelso responded. Her words held back constrained anger. They weren't exactly familiar before, but she'd heard all about the acting Division commander of NY, who'd struggled through the winter, crippled, but determined and dedicated to their cause. These last few days they'd worked together had formed a tight bond between them, only for it all to be shattered by the voice from Keener's watch. It was all so surreal.
"Why didn't I see it before?"
"No one did. She fooled us all," answered Benitez
"She didn't fool me," Rhodes announced as he strode into the room, cradling Keener's watch.
"I never trusted her. Never."
He turned to Jess, but fell silent as he saw the woman, now sitting down, tears painting her cheeks. Rare words of praise died in his throat Now that he thought about it, they had been pretty close during winter. Of course she'd take this more personally than anyone else.
Awkward silence filled the room. Rhodes quickly directed his words back to Kelso.
"By the way, I couldn't access the "Rogue Network." But the watch itself… I've never seen anything like it." He examined the piece of tech as its color turned from red back to Division orange. It'd been many months since that watch had last been on their side, but all scans showed it should be safe. He threw it to Kelso, who caught it in surprise.
"Give that to our ball of misery here once she collects herself. She's earned it." Rhodes gave one last glance to her before exiting the room, right as Benitez began to speak again.
"Listen, I understand if you need to get back home, but I know I speak for everyone here when I say you're more than welcome to stay. We still need your help and New York's safer with you here."
Kelso was about to thank the captain, but a raspy voice interrupted her.
"There's no need."
Jess finally picked herself up, full of new energy Kelso hadn't expected. Not fury, not sadness, but something in between. Determination. Willpower. Grit. Like the phoenix of their insignia, she rose back up. She obviously wasn't okay. Far from it. But she offered her shaking hand nonetheless. Kelso handed her Keener's watch, which she took without a word. The orange circle greeted her as she wrapped the timepiece around her wrist, discarding her old one. She heard Benitez offer to take care of the old one, but disregarded it as the old watch captured her gaze. The one she'd gotten after training. The one that had eluded her for half a year. The watch that was so full of memories. Still not uttering a word, she stormed out of the meeting room, leaving behind two confused the curious gazes in the main lobby of Haven, she sought out what she was looking for: Faye's desk. Raising her voice, she shouted out:
"LISTEN UP, EVERYONE!"
Movement stopped. Rhodes dropped his kit. All eyes turned on her. Even the puppy from the garden came to look what all the commotion was all about. With the attention glued to Haze, she left the old watch resting onto the desk.
"This will be the symbol of our future! As long as this watch is here, that means our enemy is still at large! Keener may be dead, but we have been once again betrayed! Faye Lau, the one we trusted, the one we called out friend, has sided with those son of bitches at Black Tusk! And until she's brought down, no one is to remove this watch nor claim this desk! Because from now on, The Division is back in town, and we won't rest until Lower Manhattan is safe! Then we move onto Midtown, and we won't stop until this city sees peace once again! Then, and only then, shall this watch be removed! Am I understood?"
Complete silence. Every onlooker was dumbfounded. No one moved a muscle. Haven stood completely still after the speech. Kelso was about to facepalm, before she heard a clap. And another. Then a cheer. Soon the whole room was applauding and shouting words of praise.
"The Division forever!"
"Down with the Cleaners!"
"Yeah, let's show 'em!"
The crowd began to disperse as relieved civilians began to spread the news. The settlement's mood had improved considerably. There was even talk of a party in honor of their triumph against Keener.
Kelso made her way to Haze, smiling.
"Well, you sure got them riled up. Great work on that. But how are we gonna keep those promises?"
"Well, for starters we need a new field commander. Benitez will collapse soon without coffee. And due to shortage of remaining NY agents…"
Kelso's smile dropped. She knew what Jess was implying. Sure, it was the best option, but…
"Are you sure about this? I don't want to sound selfish, but we need you in Washington, too. Come on, reconsider. We can figure this out! Maybe we could-" she was stopped by Jess putting a hand on her shoulder. Kelso looked into her eyes one last time. She was in pain. It was obvious. The job would be enormous. Almost impossible. She would most likely die trying. But still, that fire from before hadn't faded. There it was, smoldering just beneath the surface.
"This is partly my fault. I knew how Heather's death affected Faye, but I was so caught up in D.C I hardly even cared. I made her carry all that weight alone, as well as the responsibility of keeping this hellhole in check. It's my turn to pay back all those months I stood around without a purpose while everyone fought in my stead."
"But trying to do this practically alone, it's-"
"I know, Kelso!" She shouted out. "But I won't be alone. I have Benitez, I have Rhodes, I have dozens of people here in Haven. And if I ask, I'm sure I'll get a couple volunteers. Splinter. Aegis. Tinker. Good people. You can take the rest back to D.C. You belong there, and Manny needs help. Black Tusk is sure to retaliate after this, and they have the remnants of LMB with them now. So go. We'll keep things in check here."
Kelso nodded. It was obvious there was no stopping Haze. As agents, they were equal, but as people they belonged in different worlds. And her world was New York. Spreading her, arms, the agents embraced each other in a hug.
"Stay safe, Haze."
"I will, Kelso. Blow up a few Outcasts for me when you get back. And when you find Faye," she added, breaking the embrace, "Call me. I might be able to bring her back. And if nothing else, I should be the one to stop her."
She paused, realizing the weight of those words. Yeah, it was likely that they would soon be staring Faye down at the sights of their guns, like they had Keener. Patting Kelso in the back, Jess made her way to Rhodes to talk about transport to D.C.
Two hours later three helicopters rose high above the skyline of Manhattan, carrying off Division agents, their orange lights waving goodbyes in the fading evening light. Haze and a couple others waved back, watching the disappearing figures. After the figures were nothing more than shadows against the sunset, she turned around and scanned her surroundings. Aegis, Tinker, Splinter, Ember, even Glint had stayed behind. Five. Plus the Peacekeepers. Six agents, a ragtag militia and way too many dangerous toys to take back an island. She smiled shortly. There have been worse odds.
"All right people. It's us versus insane janitors and trigger-happy convicts with nail guns. Odds are a thousand against one. And I don't know about you..." she said, grabbing a Seeker Mine as a Cleaner attack party alerted by the helicopters approached their front gate.
"...But I can't imagine a better way to spend the summer. Let's boogie."
Translations
Vittu - Cunt
Saatana - Satan
Paskiainen - Shithead