Morning sunlight shined through the windows into the quiet base. It was day two of training, which wouldn't be so troublesome if not for Agent Raymond's report last night. While Shatter Squad was full of decent fighters, they weren't nearly ready to face off against Viper in two days time. Carolina took another sip from her coffee in contemplation, putting it down as footsteps neared the kitchen door. A moment longer and a familiar spiky blonde walked in.
"Morning David."
"Morning," he replied groggily, turning towards the cabinets to see what food was around.
Carolina watched him for a second before green eyes flicked down to the scar on his neck. She shouldn't fret over him like this. Nothing about his actions yesterday was particularly alarming, and no one on Shatter Squad said a word if they even noticed. All their friends believed in him, she should too.
She snapped her eyes back up the moment he turned around, acting as if she never looked down; and watching as he joined her at the table, fruit in hand. As he began peeling a banana, he quietly spoke up, "So yesterday, did you notice anything off about...East?"
"Off is an understatement. Did you try using your BioScan on her yesterday? I tried during training. It doesn't work. At all."
The confusion in his eyes made her regret her answer, which she knew was stupid. He knew East's name, he remembered at least some events from yesterday, hell he even found the kitchen while still half-asleep. Caboose has far more brain problems than Wash, and yet she doesn't worry like this over him.
Wash finished his bite of banana before answering, "I didn't...I mean I might have but that's not why...are you saying she's an AI?"
Carolina shook her head, "I don't think so. Her body doesn't seem robotic, otherwise she wouldn't have exhausted herself yesterday. But between that and the flickering, there's definitely something bizarre going on here. What was it you noticed?"
"Well before you arrived, I saw her...uh…" he trailed off, looking desperate for words she wished she could offer. His features filled with frustration as he continued, "It was...important, or at least, concerning. I know I wanted to ask if you think I should talk to her but….did you really not see anything else?"
"Nothing else out of the ordinary. I'm sorry Wash."
"Don't say it like that."
"Like how?"
"Like you have to apologize for not hanging around 24/7. You're not my nurse Carolina, I'm not mad you don't know the answer. Really, I'm just mad at this stupid neck wound."
She sighed, "I know. I just-"
"Wish I could do more. That you've said enough to ingrain into my memory," he gave a small smile Carolina weakly attempted to match, "You broke all of time for me. I couldn't ask for anything more. Seriously, I think those AI gods would try to smite us again if I did."
Earning an actual small laugh from Carolina, widened Wash's smile. After a beat of silence where Wash switched over to an apple, the redhead added, "For what it's worth, I think you should talk to East."
"I don't even know what I want to talk to her about."
She shrugged, "I'm sure you'll figure it out. "
"At least one of us believes in me."
It took all her willpower not to choke on her coffee, and she could only hope her smile afterward was half as convincing.
An hour later and the base was more alive with activity. One girl in particular was far more awake than the rest.
"A bit early for target practice eh?"
Another bullet hit its mark before Jamie responded, "Hey if we're gonna fight those schmucks soon, I gotta get my aim in right?". She let loose a headshot this time, and Axel tried very hard not to think about that same gun aimed at Zero.
"Right...well I came here to tell you we're doing warm-ups in 15. But since we're both here anyway, I wanted to talk to you about-"
"Oh god please not a lecture, it's way too early for that."
"But not too early for gun practice."
"Are you planning to talk the enemy to death or shoot them?"
("Please, if we just sit down and talk about this-" "I've tried talking over and over. Now is the time for action, for power.")
"Sooo are you planning to silently judge me for 15 min because I'd rather you talk in that case."
What? Oh right. "I wanted to discuss East with you."
"Oh god not her."
"That right there. You know she had a rough life growing up-"
"Join the club."
"-and I think it's best not to pick fights with her anymore."
"I'm not picking fights, she overreacts to everything! Why can't West ever reign her in?"
"She was born with a fatal disease. West got her into treatment, but it was..unconventional to say the least."
"Wow, so she didn't die and got superpowers out of it. Truly a tragedy for the ages."
"It's not that simple-"
"Yeah your right. Let's not forget how she treats her father like shit after everything he did for her. You know some people would do anything to get one last conversation with their parents." She said it in the same indifferent tone as the rest of the sentences, but her hands were shaking. The next shot hit the wall making her curse.
"Jamie-"
"Oh don't worry, I clearly see what a wonderful martyr East is and how we should all worship at her feet."
"I...listen, the procedures she went through-"
"What, a bit of surgery or radiation or whatever? Yeah it probably sucked but-"
"It's not that black and white okay?! " This time she missed when she jumped in surprise at his sudden yelling. She lowered her pistol and turned to face him for the first time all morning, her confident demeanor faded. "Sometimes things are messy and complicated."
"Well yeah but-"
"Sometimes good people make the wrong choices, but it doesn't mean we should vilify them! Sometimes corporations are corrupt! Lashing out at the world won't fix anything One!"
"...You never call me One. Are you okay? Are we still talking about East or…?"
He was breathing heavily, had his volume steadily rose the whole time? The tone in her voice sounded worried and slightly scared. No no, he needed to get outside and calm down. He shouldn't burden his precious daughter like this.
He shrugged off her hand on his shoulder and speed walked to the door, "I-I'll see you in 5 in the training room."
"What? No, dad, wait!"
He ran before she could move to stop him. When he got outside, he ripped off his helmet and slunk down quivering into the dirt.
