After leaving the hologram chamber, Kaede went to blue base where she fell asleep on Cabooses bed. He didn't seem to mind considering she awoke a few hours later uninterrupted. She went atop the bade to see Wash, Tucker and Caboose staring down at the reds below.
"Whats going on?" She asks one of them.
"Their surrender." Tucker says in a monotone voice.
Simmons then steps forward. "I would just like to let everyone know that I suck... and that I'm a girl... and I like ribbons in my hair... and I want to kiss all the boys."
"You know, it was funny the first few times, but this is starting to get depressing." Tucker says.
"Yeah..." Washington agrees.
"How long has this been going on?" Kaede asks.
"How long were you asleep?" Caboose asks. Kaede only shrugs.
"A few hours?" She suggests.
"Yeah the-then that amount of time." Caboose says.
"Hey, what else have you got?" Wash asks.
"Nothing! That stupid flag was the only thing we had left!" Grif yells. Kaede turns around and is met with a pile of the Reds things from their Warthog down to some fresh banana bread.
"Woah, and you guys got all this in a few hours?" Kaede asks.
"Pretty sure it was longer than you're making it seem, but almost." Tucker says. "We won't stop until we've cleaned those reds things out."
"Actually, there is one thing you haven't taken." Simmons brings up. The Blues then follow the Reds back to their base.
"Geez, the teams are really unbalanced now." Kaede comments on the walk there.
"Tell me about it." Grif groans. When they arrive, Simmons shows them a familiar grenade launcher.
"Whoa!" Tucker exclaims.
"Great Ginzu gunshow!" Sarge agrees.
"Is that what I think it is? Is that whose I think it is?" Wash asks.
"Stolen alien weaponry used by the scariest fucking mute in the galaxy? Yeah. Pretty much." Simmons confirms.
"It's like half-knife, half-rifle. What would you call that?" Sarge says.
"I don't know, but we'll take it!" Tucker exclaims,
"No! There is no way I'm giving up the "Grif Shot!"" Grif argues.
"Grif shot?" Kaede questions. "That's the best name you could give it?"
"Who has time to sit around thinking about names?" Grif questions.
"You do, jackass. You sit around doing nothing all the time." Simmons brings up.
"Yeah! And what were you gonna do with it while sitting around? Eat off it?" Tucker questions.
"Uh, actually dickhead, I asked Donut to mount it for me in the base." Grif says. At the mention of his name, Donut emerges from the base.
"And you know I can't resist a good mounting!" He says.
"Donut!" Kaede exclaims.
"Hey Kaede. How was your nap? I would have slept like a long if I went through all that you did. I had my own adventure and did anyway." Donut greets.
"I'd think so." Kaede agrees. "How'd you escape those attackers?"
"So, no one is going to bat an eye at the fact that Grif has been hiding one of the most advanced pieces of technology known to man, so he could hang it in his living room?" Washington questions.
"Well, when you say it like that it sounds dumb." Grif says.
"That's because it is dumb!" Wash exclaims.
"I think its kinda cool." A familiar voice says. Everyone turns to see Doc approach them. 'Wait, did we forget doc when we left that ice base?' Kaede mentally questions. 'How did he end up here?' "I mean, when I met you guys, all you did was stand around and talk. But now you can't walk five feet without getting wrapped up in some crazy adventure."
"What's your point?" Sarge asks.
"I don't know, it's just cool. I mean, come on. You guys have been through a lot together. Don't you want something to remember all the good times?" Doc explains.
"The good times? We were stranded in the desert!" Tucker refers to himself and Kaede.
"We were almost killed!" Simmons adds.
"I learned my entire military career was a lie!" Sarge brings up.
"And I got shot!" Donut finally says. Kaede then takes notice of Wash whistling guiltily. Did Donut even realize it?
"Ok yeah, it wasn't perfect, but look what you all got out of it." Doc brings up.
"You mean the rifle-knife?" Sarge questions.
"You mean the "Grif shot."" Grif corrects.
"For taking all of two seconds to come up with the the name, you sure are protective of it." Kaede says to Grif. He can only shrug in response.
"Well, sure there's that, but Sarge, you got to lead an actual military operation. And Tucker, you learned to use your sword like a pro." Doc lists off.
"Bow chicka bow wow?" Tucker quips.
"You found a new team. Simmons got back his old team. Kaede got her family back. I managed to keep a patient from dying..." Doc continues, referring to Wash with that first one.
"And in return, I didn't die!" Donut exclaims.
"You see? In the end we all worked together and everyone got what they wanted." Doc explains.
"Not everyone..." Caboose sadly says. Everyone then looked to each other in shame. Even Kaede. 'I should know what anger towards someone would do to a person. How irrational it makes them.' She then see's Tucker pull out his sword and walk away. They all knew what he was thinking, they were thinking it too.
"You realize that if you go after them, there's no promise you'll come back. This isn't a game to the Director. He plays for keeps." Wash warns him
"Oh well, this place was getting kinda stale anyway." Sarge voices.
"We just got here." Kaede whispers to Tucker.
"Its really no different than Blood Gulch." Tucker whispers to her.
"After everything Church and Carolina said? The-the way they treated you!" Wash exclaims.
"Hey, we gave you a second chance." Simmons brings up.
"Besides, if we quit every time Church started shouting, this shit would have been over a long time ago." Grif adds, now wielding his "Grif shot".
"We'll be outgunned, we'll be out... everything! This is stupid. Just think for a minute before you do anything reckless." Wash urges.
"Son, stupid and reckless is how we always get things done." Sarge tells him.
"But Sarge, I..." Wash starts but is interrupted.
"You know, there's one thing you Freelancers always seem to forget. And that's the fact that we've managed to kick your ass time and time again." Sarge says. "Oh sure, you've got all your smart plans, and your fancy technology, and your advanced training, but, in the end, what has that gotcha? Without a team you can count on and your fellow soldier by your side, all that doesn't really amount to squat, now does it? So instead of standing there bellyaching all day, just tell us, are you gonna keep playing it safe..." Sarge cocks his shotgun "...Or do you wanna get a little reckless?" A moment of silence passes.
"This has to be the worst idea... ever... but you can count me in." Wash says.
"Me too!" Donut adds.
"You guys would get killed if I didn't come." Kaede smirks.
"No we wouldn't." Tucker denies.
"Yes we would." Grif agrees.
"Yes... and me! Oh! Church is going to be so happy!" Caboose exclaims.
"I'm in too! Oh man, this is so cool! I love how inclusive you guys have become. I'm going to go pack my medical gear for the trip. WOOHOO WE'RE BACK TOGETHER!" Doc exclaims before running off elsewhere.
"Um guys... they have a huge headstart. How are we supposed to reach them in time?" Simmons questions.
"Freeze! This is an ambush! You are under arrest for the theft of UNSC property!" A voice rings out. Three hornets then seem to appear out of no where, surrounding the group.
"What?! We really are wanted criminals of the UNSC?!" Simmons exclaims.
"Holy shit! Wash was right?" Grif adds.
"Oh, you've gotta be fucking kidding me." Wash groans.
"This has to be Karma, right?" Kaede questions as she readies for an attack.
"Surrender now! You are outnumbered! Uh, well... technically you're not really outnumbered... I think we have the same number, uh, it's like one-to-one, but we do have airships! Fast, easy-to-fly airships! Which we will now land... in order to take you to jail." The pilot announces.
Kaede and Tucker share a knowing look. She also notices someone is doing this with someone else in the group. Here we go again...
Kaede rode on one of the three stolen hornets as they flew away from Valhalla.
"Goodbye people we stole these planes from!" Caboose calls to them.
"Mother fucker!" Kaede hears one of them yell.
"I sure hope this stealing business doesn't become a recurring them. Could look bad on our permanent record." Kaede says.
"Psh. No such thing." Tucker responds.
"Man! This is awesome! Hey Simmons, who's the blue guy with the yellow accents? His voice sounds familiar..." Donut exclaims.
"Oh, right. Funny story about that." Simmons says. Kaede then goes though the enjoyable experience of listening to Simmons relay what happened with Donut.