A Red vs Blue Fanfiction:
"I against I and Me against You"
Episode IV: Boom Boom Goes Florida
The talk with Church had been relatively nice, all things considered. Carolina liked to think she understood him a little better, though she still had to remind herself that this wasn't the same Church she had bonded with. Even so, he was still Alpha. Her partner. Her...friend.
God, that just sounded weird in her head! If he ever heard her say that, he'd hound her and hold it over her head for years to come.
At any rate, it was now her third day here at Blue Base. It was still taking time to get used to everything. Especially Tucker. She couldn't count the amount of times she's smacked him around for making a lewd comment or his constant attempts with flirting with her. Church mostly kept to himself, but he did often take the time to bitch about the state of things, even if they were just mostly minor.
As for Florida, the man was quite busy. She hardly saw him around the Base, no doubt up to his own devices and playing the role of the faithful soldier Command wanted him to be. She wondered what the Director would say if he ever learned that he was actually working against him.
Currently, she was helping Church and Tucker test out one of the functioning teleporters on the base. It hadn't been tested yet, despite them having been here for quite a while before Florida pulled some strings to get her here under her new identity as Carol Mackenzie. The teleporter seemed to be fluctuating a bit, thus they were uncertain as to whether or not they should jump inside to test it. So, instead, they decided to toss rocks through it. Church and Carolina were at the Base, fiddling with it while Tucker waited at the site where the teleporter was linked out on the field, in the event they needed to quickly intercept the enemy.
"There." Carolina announced as she moved away. "Should be working now." She put her hand against her helmet, bringing up communications. "Tucker, did they come out on the other side?"
"Yeah!" the standard blue armored soldier and resident pervert called back. "But, they're smoking and black."
Church cocked his head. "That supposed to happen?" he asked.
"Maybe you guys have it cranked up too high?" Tucker suggested.
Carolina snorted. Too high? What did he think it was? A microwave? Still, the concern was valid. What was that black stuff coating the rocks? Soot, perhaps? "I'll keep fiddling with it." she said, grabbing her wrench and hammer. "Church. Toss a few more rocks in, will you?"
Before Church could respond, Florida emerged from out the base. "Everyone." he called out. "Sorry to interrupt, would you all mind huddling up?"
"Sure!" Carolina shouted back. "Tucker, come on back. Captain Flowers is calling for a meeting." She closed the communication link before she and Church made their way down the base, hopping off the edge. Afterwards, they made their way over to Flowers, who was waiting for them patiently by the entrance. "What's the matter now, Flowers?"
"Oh, nothing, really. Wanted to see how you were adjusting to your time here is all, Carol."
Carolina raised an eyebrow before she folded her arms. "I've been here for three days." she said plainly. "But, if you're asking if I'm getting along with the Privates, so far all I've done to actually harm any of them is punch Tucker as payment for peeping on me."
"Technically, you deserved that for sleeping in the nude." Church pointed out to her. "And secondly, where the fuck did you get booze? I've been trying to ask Captain Flowers to order some for weeks!"
Florida sighed, shaking his head. "Church, we have been over this. Simply because the Reds have been fairly docile these last couple of weeks doesn't mean you should slack off. And besides, alcohol is bad for your health! Imagine what it does to your liver."
You say that, but every chance you got, you went drinking with us after a mission. Carolina wanted to call him out, but refrained from doing so, choosing instead to remain silent. Of course, that being said, she was going to scold him later when she was sure there were no prying eyes.
Tucker soon arrived, jogging over to the base. "I'm here." he announced, slightly out of breathe. "What's up, Sir?"
"Tucker..." Florida groaned. "I told you, call me Captain! Or, Cappy… I don't want silly things like order or rank to ruin the dynamic."
"Oh. Okay, then." Tucker shrugged. "Captain it is."
"...I am truly commanding the finest army in all of Blood Gulch."
The red head rolled her eyes. Sheesh, melodramatic much? She thought. Florida always did have a flair for the dramatic. Still, did he have to lay it on thick? "So, why did you call us? Doubt it's for a social call or to ask us how we're doing."
"Oh, right. Sorry." Florida laughed, rubbing the back of his neck before clearing his throat. "It's my pleasure to inform you that we will be increasing our staff here at Blood Gulch Outpost Alpha. Within the next week, we will be receiving a new shipment from Command: the M808 Main Battle Tank, designated as Scorpion, and a new soldier!"
Carolina's eyes widened. A new soldier? So soon? Tucker, on the other hand, looked excited. "Is it a chick?" he asked, typical of him.
"No, Private. Michael J. Caboose is male, I can assure you." Florida told him, much to his disappointment. Carolina internally snickered, however, as she knew who Caboose was. It seemed that Church's suffering was coming sooner than she thought he would. "In the meantime, though, I'd like to discuss strategies in regards to halting the Reds. According to recent recon reports, it seems the Reds have begun working on some sort of new project. What, I'm not sure. But, just to be on the safe said, I think it's best we work on counter measures."
"Yeah I've been thinking about our orders from Command...uh, Cappy." Church raised a hand in protest. "And I gotta tell you, I don't think three guys plus one girl is enough to stage such an elaborate counter measure."
Tucker snickered. "Yeah, you should listen to him, Captain." he said, ribbing Church in the side. "He sounds like he knows what he's doing."
"Can it, shitbird."
"Men, your delightful tomfoolery puts a spring in my step, and a bounce in my britches." the aqua colored soldier said, positively beaming. "If I weren't your commanding officer I'd pick you both up, give you a giant bear hug and make you call me Daddy."
Carolina gagged while hiding her discomfort. Dear god, you just gave them the same speech you did when you were working with the staff onboard the Mother of Invention. She thought in mock horror and disgust, wondering if Florida was always so chipper or something. Even so, hearing the speech again, and somewhat directed towards her no less, was just disturbing on so many levels.
"Well, thank god for the chain of command." she said rather dryly.
"Amen." Church agreed whole-heartedly.
"Now." Florida clapped his hands together, bringing attention back to him. "I know you're worried about our mission. But I can tell you this. There's nothing, more important to me, than the safety, and well-being, of my men. Or my name, isn't Captain. Butch. Flowers."
Project Freelancer, "Mother of Invention" - Years Ago
Carolina pushed her thoughts about the strange AI called Church out of her thoughts as she entered the main deck, where several personnel were located, either operating at the nearest console or moving about, tending to other tasks such as checking up on the other soldiers and other menial tasks. Naturally, however, she ignored them and moved straight to where the single most important individual in Project Freelancer waited, at the central hub of the entire ship with Aiden Price at his side.
The Director of Project Freelancer himself.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" Carolina reported, body as stiff as a board as she saluted.
The Director didn't answer her immediately. "We will finish this discussion later, Counselor." he said, voice as cold as ice. Price looked somewhat disappointed, but nodded and made his way off the deck, momentarily stopping to give Carolina a greeting before making his way. As he left, the Director, back still facing her, spoke. "I understand that there was a viral infiltration attempt on your personal console, Agent Carolina."
"Yes." she answered immediately. "According to investigation, it was regarded as unsuccessful. Even so, I've asked our personnel to analyze my console, in the event the infiltration did in fact succeed."
"A wise choice." Carolina felt her heart soar at that short praise, but otherwise kept her face straight. "But we can discuss this matter later. You are aware that Agents North and South Dakota have been assigned to retrieve vital information at the Insurrection Base Site Bravo, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"I want you to act as insurance." the Director told her simply. "Should they fail, it will be up to you to clean up the mess. As you've stated in your report, Agent South is impulsive in her actions. The percentage of her failing to maintain the stealth aspect of the mission are approximately . Even if she is paired up with Agent North, the odds are still quite high."
"Understood, sir. When do I leave?"
"Effective immediately, Agent Carolina." The Director tilted his head slightly, but not enough for her to see his eyes. "Do not let me down."
She nodded, and turned on her heel. No one noticed the smallest grin touching her face or the bounce in her steps as she left the bridge, making her way straight to the shuttle bay.
Today was going to be a good day.
Blood Gulch – Present Day
Carolina had attempted to retire for the day, once Florida's meeting had concluded. Unfortunately, like her first day here, she was unable to get some sleep. For some odd reason, she felt restless. Hoping to ease it, she decided to go out for a little walk.
She still hadn't gotten used to Blood Gulch, but she supposed she never would. Not when she was practically demoted, all so she could save that rude asshole that she considered a friend. She also gave some thoughts as to whether or not she could possibly help change things. While she didn't remember every detail, she did remember some of the more prominent details.
Tex arriving when Church's body was killed.
Wyoming being hired by VIC and Omega to deal with Tucker.
The whole "time-traveling" shtick.
The alien impregnating Tucker.
Those were just the ones that stuck out to her the most. She really did question that last one, though. She knew the Covenant had some strange ways of reproducing, but being able to impregnate a male via a parasitic embryo? Where would the baby even come out from?
Sadly, the image burned into her head and shuddered, hoping to god she would be able to purge it from her mind.
The day seemed quiet, the Reds weren't trying to raise a stink, and Tucker wasn't throwing passes at her. Honestly, it was a wonder how in the world he had yet to learn his lesson.
"…never thought I'd see the day when I hoped for a quiet day." Carolina remarked to herself as she made her way back to the base.
Every day in Project Freelancer was a day when she wanted action. Everyone wanted to go on a mission, hoping to improve their score on the leaderboard. Out of everyone, she had the highest score and the highest number of missions. She completed each mission thrown her way with efficiency, though she only did so she could get the Director to look at her.
Her face soured. Somehow, thinking about the man turned what should have been good memories into bitter ones.
Maybe a shower would do her some good.
Carolina arrived at the back of the base, ready to turn in for the day. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Flowers lying on the ground. "Florida?" In a panic, she quickly shot to his side and set her rifle down, picking up her comrade and putting a hand to his neck. She scowled. "Fuck!"
"Hey, captain, about that whole sniper rifle order thing I-" Church emerged from the base in a daze, hair messy and soaking wet. He stopped dead when he saw Carolina holding Flowers' body. "C-Captain? Hey, Lieutenant, what happened?!"
Off in the distance, a familiar cobalt blue soldier stared at the sight with dread and a grimace as he dragged a hand down his face.
If she ever found out he was the one who killed the captain, she was going to murder him…
Andy: Heeey, look who's back! The dickhead. And it took you, what, falling into depression to get your ass back in gear?
Doc: Andy, that's rude. You're going to make it worse.
Church: I'm just glad we're finally getting into the actual meat of the story.
Tucker: What? Dude, it's been three chapters! Not that long!