With a satisfying thud, Gwen lays the husk of a training simulator bot across Elena's workbench. Frayed wires spit out small showers of sparks upon contact, a tangled mess throughout the crumpled mechanical carcass of the scientist's latest design.
Elena studies her mangled work with a low whistle. Hands sliding easily into the front pockets of her lab coat, she lifts a brow as she returns her gaze to her fellow Plumber. "I thought things had slowed down around here. Glad to see you're back, Gwen."
"Thanks," the redhead responds cooly. She reaches up to push back strands of hair matted to her forehead, slick with sweat. "Got a real challenge for me?"
"You know as well as I do that each Plumber is only assigned one training target. The microchips in this bot will continue to adapt to your fighting style." Giving Gwen a once-over, she allows a small smile. "Looks like it didn't go down easy."
"I wanted a good workout." Gwen shrugs.
Elena turns to the neighboring workbench where her colleague has been looking on silently. "Cooper," she addresses the young man. He straightens up at the sudden attention, back going rigid. "Assess the damage and bring me new parts. We need to get this bot back online asap."
The shaggy haired blond glances between the two women, his pale complexion growing rosy at his freckled cheeks. "Got it," he affirms before be-lining for the rows of shelves at the back of the lab.
"Did he even look at it?" Gwen asks.
"Sorry," Elena sighs, watching as Cooper nearly trips over his own feet along the way. "I keep telling him it's rude to stare."
"I hardly noticed." She gives an amused smile before turning back to the scientist. "When can I pick it up?"
"We can try to have the improved bot ready for you tomorrow morning, though I'm sure you will want to spend that time with your cousin and friends when they return."
"What?" Gwen is incredulous. "They're on their way back?"
"Yes, Omega squad had to retrieve them." Pulling out her Plumber's badge, Elena projects a map of the cosmos between them. A flashing red dot pinpoints where Omega's ship is currently crawling through the space fields. "It looks like they'll arrive tonight."
Something in Gwen's chest tightens. It's beacon of hope, if there ever was one. She recognizes the star system they're traveling through. To her relief, it isn't an occupied one.
Retracting the map, Elena pockets her badge with concern creasing her face. "I was notified that Helen's suit is in need of repairs. I'm not sure of the nature of the damage, but it sounds like her injuries may be part of the reason why they're returning early."
"She's hurt?" Gwen asks, green eyes going wide.
"From my understanding," Elena explains, "Alpha squad is being retrieved, Helen will be assessed upon arrival, and I'm to mend her suit immediately. She may be able to redeploy within twenty-four hours."
Fingers curling into her palms, Gwen wishes she hadn't handed over the training bot just yet. It could have taken a few more punches. "This is all news to me," she says, careful to keep her words measured.
"Really?" Elena responds in pure puzzlement. "Aren't you a part of Alpha squad?"
"I am," Gwen shoots back, her nails pricking skin. She quickly thanks Elena for her continued work on the training bot then turns to leave the lab. As she makes her way to the nearest transporter, a single searing thought races through her mind.
It should've been me.