Tex had realized that there would have been some pushback from the plan she had presented. These guys were just a bunch of idiot sim troopers after all. But she certainly underestimated their grit and capacity for defiance.

Breaking it down quickly, as soon as Tex had told them they should leave the canyon, an outcry of "NO" was heard all around the table. Tex had tried to argue against dying at the hands of the Meta being one brutal end, this only inspired a further defiance and anger in Sarge who loudly stated,

"That bastard can come and drag me out!" To which Tex replied,

"He probably will."

There was more pushback however from Caboose of all people who told Tex,

"I don't want to leave my home."

Grif was adamant about not moving, though still nearly ran a marathon when Tex simply feinted an attack at him. Donut complained about wanting to model blood gulch more, Sheila sarcastically reminded them she was a tank and literally couldn't move. Lopez said something in spanish of which Tex only understood the word "shit". Tucker was more so against Tex than anything. But this was only the start. When Tucker had proudly stated,

"Listen, I know you're new here, but this is our canyon and we're not going anywhere." This sparked the ire of Sarge who proclaimed,

"THIS IS REDS CANYON!"

The situation only spiraled down from there. Everything turned into an argument (from which Donut, Lopez, and Sheila decided to leave and not get involved in) about whos canyon it was, which Tex repeatedly tried to explain was REALLY FUCKING STUPID. To which the reds and blues responded with storming away.

Which left Tex exactly where she was now, kicking the shit out of the table. This was getting really, really, REALLY annoying. She just couldn't have gotten the luck of getting some smart sim troopers could she? Apparently Church had some terrible taste in friends.

"GODDAMNIT!" Tex practically screeched, though she knew no one was around to hear her.

This was frustrating. If only they knew what role they played, what kind of shit they were in MAYBE they would be willing to just cooperate. But they were sim troopers of course, brainless rejects, soldiers sold off to the freelancers to be used as pawns in their training games. Thrown into a meaningless struggle for the sake of a barely maintained illusion to keep them in check. But it was enough to fool them, the dumbasses. But still, despite their lack of visible intelligence, physical strength, innovation, or anything that made a particularly good soldier, they were adamant and stubborn. Maybe that deserved a little recognition, but Tex wasn't looking for stubborn morons right now, and it was only making things harder.

Tex continued to storm around the rooftop thinking through the plan over and over. Trying to find some way to get these idiots to listen, maybe get Church to help? No he hated her now. Threaten? Hadn't solved anything yet. Threaten harder? Maybe.

"Are you still fucking up here," Tex turned to the voice of Tucker, who was peeking out from the stairs, "Just give it a rest. We're not following you anywhere yet."

"Why the hell not?" Tex asked him in a noticeably pissed tone,

Tucker nearly did a full-body flinch at the step she took closer to him, as well as visibly shrinking backwards in response to her approach.

"If you stay here-"

"We'll die, yeah, yeah we got it." Tucker remained with a defiant tone though it was still rather riddled with nervousness now.

"What is your deal with me," Tex asked, "All of you idiots?"

"Well for starters I think the reds are a little pissed you blew off Grifs arm. Sarge might be a little ticked you let Florida get injured."

"I didn't let-"

"I think Church's reasons might be obvious, Caboose is angry because we're angry, and I'm pissed because of what you did." Tucker finished with an angry tone.

"What exactly did I do?" Tex asked, though a part of her knew the answer.

"Seriously," Tucker asked aggravatedly, "You manipulated Church."

Defensively, Tex clenched her fists and her posture noticeably became more rigid, her next words coming out as more of a growl.

"I did not."

"OH? Then why the hell did you leave him? Why didn't you help him when he nearly died all the other times? Why did you not even say goodbye? Why would you hurt him when you knew he lov-"

"DON'T," Tex shouted, "Finish that sentence."

Tucker shut his mouth though the glare was easy to notice even behind the visor.

"Why?"

Tex paused to think. Why had she done it then? It wouldn't have been safe for him...the Meta was hunting for them both. If he would have found her he would've hurt Church. But that wasn't the full reason was it? She knew there was something else that scared her that she wasn't ready to face then. She just didn't know what it was. So instead she told Tucker what she did know.

"The Meta was hunting for Church and I. I believed that if he found me he would find Church and hurt him too. So to protect him I put distance between us."

"Fat load of good that did." Tucker snorted,

"Yeah I guess so." Tex nearly chuckled,

But Tucker wasn't quite done yet.

"But I'm still confused. Who is the Meta? Why was he hunting you two?" Tex almost considered telling him.

But no. She'd tell them all later. Church too, whether he wanted to listen or not. But not right now.

"There is a lot going on Tucker," Tex began slowly, "It's all a lot bigger than you, than the red and blue teams. I can't tell you anything now, but I will soon. It will make sense soon, but if you want to learn anything we need to get out of this canyon. Quickly."

Tucker was silent. Tex still couldn't see his face through the visor, but she didn't need to see him to know there was a debate going back and forth through his thick head. Silently she waited for his verdict. Then finally with a sigh Tucker answered,

"Fine. I'll try and help convince the reds too. But you owe us all one hell of an explanation." With that Tucker left.

Tex nodded even after he had gone. She had some stuff to do now. Firstly she needed to radio in for a pelican and a medic for Florida. Then she had to find Church. There were a couple of things that needed to be said. Although he probably wasn't going to make it easier for her.