Virginia, Ten, Oregon, Michigan and Nevada felt the jabs of the rifle in their back as they were ordered to continue walking straight.
They came to a separation in the hallway, one leading to a closed off room.
"The surgeon would like you to go in first." The guard said, shoving Virginia inside. Virginia, slightly hesitant, glanced back at her friends.
"What are you going to do to her?!" Nevada asked.
"Shut it. Your turn will come up soon enough." The other guard laughed, and then he continued to shove the Freelancers away.
Virginia was shoved into the room by the guard, and found herself looking at an operating table and a small rack with surgical gear on it. A monitor hung overhead the table. A weird object caught her attention - sitting on a nearby table was a metal ring that had goggles attached to it. A few wires poked out from it's metallic plating.
As Virginia's attention was focused on the item, she felt a sudden jab poke into a visible portion of her neck. She winced, and suddenly felt loopy.
The guard heaved her body onto the table with ease, and then removed the handcuffs. She tried to raise her arms and legs, but felt the gravity push them back down. She was strapped in without a problem.
The surgeon, accompanied by another, walked into the room, smiling. He walked over to her and removed her helmet, then placed it to the side.
"Ah, you're a pretty girl, aren't you?" He grinned as he looked down at her.
"I'm ready for the brain scan, doctor." The second surgeon said.
"Good. Once she's under, do the scan. Then, we'll go from there." The surgeon kept his dark eyes focused on Virginia. Her eyes slowly fluttered shut as her last thought was of Simmons...

Nevada, Ten, Michigan and Oregon were shoved into separate cell rooms, leaving the handcuffs attached to their wrists. The cell doors gave a loud slam as they were shut in.
"This is mighty fine bullshit, if you ask me." Ten grumbled.
"I concur!" Oregon yelled from across the hallway, poking his head up to the visible small window on his door.
"We got to get out of here and find Carolina." Nevada said, looking sideways from the window, unable to see his friends.
"And help Virginia! Who knows what the Hell they're doing to her!" Michigan added.
"They're going to torture her." Came a feminine voice.
"Who's there?" Michigan asked. Coming into view across the hallway from him was a person in teal armor.
"Agent Carolina, is that you?" Ten asked.
"Yes, it's me." She said, sounding tired.
"What do you mean 'torture'?" Nevada asked, feeling himself growing nervous.
"They're going to make copies of us as A.I's... but first, they're going to get our adrenaline going. They're going to make us relive the memories that bring out our killer instincts." Carolina explained. "Then, once that happens... they'll make copies of us. They want us to be aggressive A.I's."
"Holy shit." Nevada gasped.
"Did they... do that to you?" Oregon asked in a soft, concerned tone.
"...Yes... yes they did." Carolina admitted. "And it was the most fucked up thing I've ever experienced."
"I don't think I want to relive anything from my past..." Ten said, gulping.
"Yeah, there are a few choice memories I'd rather keep repressed, thanks." Oregon chimed in.
"Sadly, you can't fight it. They have this... machine... that they strap to your head. It stimulates that part of your brain that controls your anger and... then, it brings out your worst fears." Carolina trailed off, trying to express what she experienced. "It's... it's just bad."
"What the heck do they want aggressive A.I's for?" Michigan asked.
"For their armor, I'm assuming. I overheard them talking about the A.I's and the process... and then I heard mentioning of armor." Carolina explained. "It's all called Project Revive."
"The revival of Project Freelancer." Nevada added.
"Well, shit." Ten frowned.

Virginia felt her heart grow heavy as she relived that terrifying moment. Several yards away, lying in the brush, was West. She rushed over to him, only to find that his head was not attached. Virginia dropped to her knees and scurried backwards, choking on a scream.
"Please... no!" She cried. The vomit came up and she could taste the bile. Her throat burned. The dirt could be felt under her nails as she curled them into the ground. She screamed at the top of her lungs, trying to release all the pain.

"How are we going to sneak in?" Grif asked in a huff.
"Looks like there's a hatch right there." Donut pointed to the top of the ship. Everyone looked to see a perfect sized square with a handle.
"We have no idea what it leads to. For all we know, it could drop us right into a cell." Grif stated.
"Relax. I'll go check it out first." Simmons volunteered.
"Say what now?" Sarge said.
"I'll strap on a jet pack, fly over to the hatch and make sure the coast is clear." Simmons explained as he picked up a jet pack off the wall.
"Have you ever used one of those things before?" Doc asked.
"No, but it should be fairly simple." Simmons said with a shrug, then slung it over his shoulders. "Lopez, open the back door!"
"Es tu funeral/It's your funeral." Lopez said and popped open the back door. It slowly lowered down, forming a ramp, allowing Simmons to step casually to the edge. He pushed the button to the jet pack and awkwardly jumped off, nearly colliding into the ship's surface.
"Graceful. Like a swan." Grif snorted.
"I hope they're okay." Kaikaina said.
"They're all Freelancers. They're the definition of tough." Tucker said, trying to reassure her. He wasn't sure how convincing he sounded, feeling the anxiety build up in his chest.
Simmons flip-flopped as he flew his way over to the hatch. He was unsteady and awkward, tilting occasionally to try and straighten out. He completed a few twirls on his way to the hatch, screaming into his helmet.
"Look guys, he's made it!" Donut cheered.
Simmons snatched the handle to the hatch and panted, trying to calm his racing heart. He feared if he let go of the latch, he'd float off into space. He gave a few tugs at the hatch until it finally snapped open and he peered down. It was a tunnel with railings to climb down. Simmons looked back at the ship and gave a thumbs up before going down into the tunnel. He climbed down the railings, quieting the jet pack so nobody knew he was coming.

Virginia felt panic rise within her as she saw herself surrounded by the familiar faces. Her Freelancer allies, as well as the Reds and Blues, all surrounded her.
"Useless." Came the voice of Tucker.
"Pathetic." Grif snapped.
"Weak." Ten stated.
"Worthless." Michigan chimed in.
"A disappointment." Donut said.
"Disgusting." Simmons hissed. "How could anyone ever love you?"
"You are the worst Freelancer." Wash added. The group began to close in around her.
"Because of you, West was killed." Carolina stated.
"Everyone hates you!" Kaikaina screamed.
"It would be better if you were gone." Doc was the first to shove her. Virginia stumbled, trying to regain her balance, but Sarge smacked her over the head with the butt of his shotgun. She dropped to a knee, hearing the ringing in one ear.
"Please... stop." Virginia felt the tears forming in her eyes. Someone suddenly kicked her, and she felt herself roll over onto her back. The group looked down at her, simultaneously.
"Awww... is someone's feelings hurt?" Caboose taunted. Virginia forced herself up to her feet, suddenly being smacked over the head, and then kneed in the gut.
It was an outburst of sudden attacks - she couldn't keep track of the punches, kicks and elbows that were hitting her.
"Idiota/Idiot." Even Lopez was teasing her and joining in on the assault. Before Virginia's knees buckled, she was grabbed by the throat. Nevada was staring at her through his visor, squeezing her windpipe.
"I never understood what West saw in you." Nevada said, before chucking her into the arms of Oregon. Oregon threw her down onto the ground.
"You're all alone." Came a distant voice. Virginia received a kick in her ribs, and in that moment, she tasted blood.
"You're all alone." The voice repeated. Virginia spit out the blood inside of her helmet. The tears were streaming down her cheeks.
"Please, no." She whimpered as she was kicked again.
"Alone."
"You're all alone."
"Alone..."

Simmons peeked through the grate and saw that he was in a massive room that looked to lead to escape pods for emergency evacuations. The pods lined the walls, and there were no signs of guards. The door to the room was shut, so nobody would be seen coming out of the ceiling.
"Perfect!" He whispered, before he turned to climb up the railings.

"How's the newest specimen doing?" The handsome, mysterious man entered the room, watching Virginia as she twitched on the operating table.
"Ah, we are almost at a peak." The surgeon announced.
"I knew partnering with you would make things run smoothly." The man grinned, showing a perfect row of white teeth.
The surgeon smiled as he tinkered with the machine that was strapped to Virginia's head. Her fingers twitched and occasionally curled into fists.
"Carolina's being developed as we speak." The mysterious man announced.
"Perfect." The surgeon replied, leaving his eyes on Virginia.
"Doctor Raini, please keep me posted when this one is complete." The tall man asked as he turned to leave the room.
"As you wish, Mr. Cane." Dr. Raini replied.

Virginia saw nothing but blackness, but she knew she was awake. A distant muffle caught her attention, and she turned her head. She was suddenly in her bedroom. Her bedroom from when she was a teenager.
Her fingers reached out to touch the posters that hung on the wall. Her eyes glanced over the purple bedding, the single nightstand with a matching lamp, and the small desk that had her laptop propped open on.
Virginia stood in front of the closet door, where a full length mirror hung. She was wearing a black T-shirt with cut-off jeans. A single charm dangled around her neck. She was 17 years old.
"NO..." The muffle was becoming clearer, and Virginia turned her head again. She was reaching for the door handle, just like she had done before...
She ran down the hallway, and found her mom being thrown onto the ground. Her boyfriend was screaming, and Virginia was ordering for him to stay away.
He looked at her, his eyes full of rage. She knew he wouldn't stop. Virginia ran down the hallway to her mom's room, felt above the cupboard and took hold of she knew was hidden there.
"Please, no!" Her mom cried out. Virginia could hear the sound of a fist impacting against something, and a thud. She rushed out into the hallway, stood in a stance and aimed the gun at him.
The gun went off... then it was silent.
Virginia has squeezed her eyes shut as she shot, but she slowly opened them, seeing the once abusive boyfriend on the ground, still. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stepped closer.
"What did you do?!" Her mom cried out, looking at what Virginia held in her hand, and then back at the lifeless body. Her mom slowly picked herself up from the floor; the side of her face bloody and bruised.
A small, red hole was centered in the man's temple.
Virginia's mouth hung agape, trying to utter a single sentence. Her hand was trembling as she realized what she had done. It slowly slipped out of her grip and fell to the hardwood floor with a clank!
It was the first time she had killed...

Simmons boarded the ship, panting as he nearly got swept away from the power of the jet pack.
"What did you find?" Sarge asked.
"It looks like this hatch leads to an emergency escape room. There's pods in the room. Door shut. No guards." Simmons reported.
"Alright, guys. I think we know what to do!" Tucker said as he punched his fists together.
"I'm coming, too..." Wash stated as he tried to stand.
"No way, josé." Sarge said as he pushed on his shoulder to make him sit down.
"Yeah, you're still too drowsy." Doc added.
Wash sighed, obviously not having the strength to argue.
"Kai, Lopez, can you stay with Wash?" Tucker asked.
"Sí/Absolutely." Lopez replied.
"No problem!" Kai said enthusiastically.
Everyone grabbed a jet pack and strapped it on to their backs.
"Alright, let's infiltrate their ship and break out everyone!" Simmons stated as he jumped off the ramp, boosting the jet pack so he could fly back to the hatch.
"Yea, let's go get shot at." Grif said smugly.
"We'll be back, Wash. Just stay and rest." Tucker gave a nod to the tired Freelancer before bounding off the ramp.