Church hovers over a table, pointing out locations on a holographic map while generally sounding superior and 'leaderly'. At least, that's what he said he's doing. The superior part is coming across alright, but I doubt it's having the effect he intended. His born leader act seems to be gathering some annoyance from his audience, especially a few sim-troopers. Luckily, Rho is there to step in and act as a buffer from time to time.
The map's pretty good, at least. Aside from a few hazy areas, it's very detailed. That's only natural, though. The Director visited the base it represents hundreds of times, and Church pieced the map together from his memories.
"This lab is where the Director usually worked," Church explains, hovering over a highlighted room. "And this is where Dr. Han handled most of her experiments," he continues, pointing to a different room. "There's no guarantee she hasn't set up in another part of the base, but considering that all the equipment she needs would have already been there, I'd say it's a good bet that this is her base of operations."
Rho cuts in at this point, having read from a few faces in the crowd that they needed a break from Church's voice. "This is a rather large facility," she says, appearing at the other AI's side.
Somewhere in the back of the audience there's a muttered "bow chicka bow wow," followed by a grunt as an elbow finds its way to the speaker's ribs.
"We think," Rho continues, ignoring the brief commotion, "that most of the base will be closed off and without power. This means, hopefully, that those sections will be easy to sneak through."
"Now, in the past, Dr. Han and the Director always used the main hangar at the front, here," Church takes over again, marking the area. "But there's actually a secondary landing strip in the back." Another whispered catchphrase and pained grunt. "Team one, consisting of Washington, Silver, Rho, Carolina, and myself will land here and sneak into the base. Meanwhile team two, consisting of Platinum, Nickel, and Doc, will secure the main hangar so no one can escape."
"Once inside, team one will split up," Rho explains. "Silver, Wash, and I will search this half of the base, while Carolina and Church will take the other," she says, a side of the base highlighting when she indicates. "We'll meet up in the main lab. Doc will stay with Nick and Tinu, and be ready to go help anyone who needs it."
"There's a chance this base will turn out to be abandoned, but just to be safe we're going in prepared for an army," Church finishes.
Sensing that they've finished their presentation, I step in. "This is a no-kill mission," I say, looking at the group gathered around the table, eyes lingering on Carolina a bit longer than anyone else. "Gold's a victim, like us, and we need mom alive to clear our names."
"Understood," Carolina says. I can't tell of she's offended by the way I singled her out, but I doubt it. I have a feeling she understands my need to be clear on this matter.
I nod, studying the map for a few more seconds. "Okay," I finally say. "We have a plan. We leave tomorrow."
The hologram of the base disappears and Church flashes to Carolina's shoulder. Everyone gathered in the conference room begins to disperse, creating a small traffic jam around the door. Most of them seem to be in a hurry, even those who aren't going on the mission. I guess they all have something important they want to do before such a big event, whether they'll be involved in said event or not. Still, I have a suspicion that the teens who snuck into the meeting just want to go gossip the news to everyone else.
I wait until the majority of the crowd has gone before stepping toward the door. The moment my feet move I get hit by a wave of dizziness. I stumble, reaching out a hand in an attempt to catch the edge of the table before I fall. Nick and Tinu each jump toward me, but before they can make it I feel a hand on my elbow steadying me. I wait a moment, letting the spinning in my head slow, before looking up to see who caught me.
"Are you okay?" Wash asks, a touch of concern bleeding into the otherwise impassive tone.
"Just caught my foot on the table," I fib. I look up into his eyes, feeling overly aware of the hand still on me. "I'm fine."
Wash's hand falls away just a bit too quickly as he breaks eye contact. "Good," he says, stepping away. He leaves before I can say anything else. I wish he'd have let me thank him, a least.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Nick asks as he steps up beside me, and I can feel the brotherly concern in every word.
"Yes," I insist, meeting his eyes steadily. I know he's studying me for any sign that I haven't told the truth. I won't show him any. He doesn't need to be worrying about me right now.
"Okay," he says, still sounding skeptical. "Anyway, Tinu and I are about to go spar. I want to practice with my new arm a bit more before the mission tomorrow. Wanna come watch?" He looks eager, like a kid wanting to show off a new toy, which is really the perfect analogy for how he's been treating the new arm.
"Yttri really outdid herself," I comment, looking at the shining appendage. "Are you sure it's ready for combat, though? Are you?"
"Rhodi said I'm good to go," Nick confirmed. He stretched his arm out a few times before flexing and rolling the shoulder. "The movement's good. It actually feels pretty awesome. Weight's the same as my real one was, so I'm balanced. The only difference is that this arm is much stronger." Halfway through talking he starts staring at his hand, curling his fingers and watching the way they move.
"You look like Tinu when she paints her nails," I laugh.
Nick suddenly holds his hand I front of his face, fingers splayed dramatically. "But don't they just look so pretty?" he asks, copying his partner's voice.
"I do not sound like that," Tinu insists, voice hitting the exact pitch Nick's had. We both start laughing as she folds her arms in a pretend pout. The truth is she hasn't been able to stop smiling since Nick got his new arm and started walking around three days ago.
I smile, glad we can still have moment like this despite all that's happened, and everything we still have to do.
"Anyway, do you want to come watch or not?" Nick asks. His voice carries all the impatient energy of the young man he's supposed to be.
"I can't," I answer regretfully. "There's still some stuff I need to take care of before tomorrow."
"Don't work yourself too hard," Tinu advises in a rare moment of seriousness. "We can't have you sleeping on your feet during the mission."
"I won't," I promise, though I doubt they're convinced. "Look, I just need to talk to some people. Easy work. Nothing to worry about."
"Just be safe," Nick says, hugging me. I can tell he's being extra careful of his new arm, keeping the strength in check.
"I will," I say, knowing the instruction isn't for today and knowing my promise is empty at best.
They leave and I do a quick turn to see who else is still in the room. Grif and Tucker are standing in the corner talking about something, and from the way Grif's rolling his eyes I guess it doesn't have to do with the mission. I approach the pair and they each turn to face me, standing a little bit straighter. I hadn't expected that. It's not a sign of friendship, but respect. It's something I've never seen them show anyone before, not even their commanding officers. I'm surprised by the gesture, but recover quickly.
"Are you alright?" I ask, noting how Tucker seems to be favoring one side.
"I think Tinu cracked one of my ribs," he admits, rubbing the spot where she'd elbowed him before. "And, y'know, not in a fun way," he adds with a grin.
I roll my eyes, but decide to let the comment slide. At least for the moment. "You two are going to be staying here during the mission," I inform them.
"Yeah, we know," Grif says, sounding bored. "Which kind of makes me wonder why we got dragged all the way down here to hear the briefing if we won't even be going."
"I wanted you to know the plan so you could better gauge if something goes wrong," I answer. "You both stepped up during the attack. Honestly, I hadn't expected that much from either of you, but you proved me wrong, along with the rest of your teams. I want you to keep an eye on things here while I'm gone tomorrow. You know how long the mission should last. If we're not back within a two hour margin of that, I want you to take everyone to one of these alternate bases." I hadn't them each a holo-pad with a list of coordinates on them.
"I don't want to risk what happened last time happening again."
"Uh, are you sure we're the ones you want handling this?" Grif asks slowly.
I nod. "Like I said, you've proven yourselves. I need someone with good instincts keeping an eye on things around here. I've already told Donut, Simmons, and Sarge the same thing. You guys are in charge while I'm gone."
"Uh…" Grif says, drawing out the sound uncertainly. "We'll do our best," he ventures, managing to make the sentence sound almost like a question.
"I know you will," I say confidently. "I trust you."
Despite what I said, I find myself sitting in the ceiling above the training room, watching Tinu and Nick fight. It's an amazing sight. Tinu's an artist, her attacks like a dance, grace and balance leading to beautifully fluid motion. Meanwhile, Nick fights like a machine, each move precise and carefully calculated, using the strength in his new arm to efficiently counter Tinu's powerful blows. They're a perfect balance for each other; instinct and logic, passion and reason.
It gives me hope for tomorrow. I was afraid at first when Rho told me her plan to have them guard the hangar. I didn't like the chance that they might face enemies on their own, especially since we know Gold might be there. But she reminded me of how well they work together, and that Gold's just one person. I'm still not sure if they could handle him on their own. I hope I won't have to find out. Still, I'm confident they'd survive the encounter, even if they can't stop him. I know they'll be okay.
From this vantage point I can see the hallways surrounding the training room. I watch as people pass by. There's a nervous energy to their steps. They all know that whatever happens tomorrow, it'll be big. Some look excited, others scared. A few stop and glance up at me. Word seems to have spread fast that this is my new thinking spot.
I see one person who's different from the rest. There's none of the usual energy in his gate. Instead, his shoulders seem weighed down, dragging at him in a way I've grown far too familiar with. There's something deliberate in the way he doesn't look up at my perch as he passes, neck stiffening to ensure his head won't turn my way. He's clearly avoiding me.
I sigh, beginning my descent to the ground. I know I should just let him go. I should leave well enough alone. All of this will be over soon, anyway. It doesn't matter.
Except it does. This matters to me. Even if we never see each other again after this mission, which I know is a fair possibility, I still can't stand to let it end like this. I can't stand knowing he'll hate me for the rest of his life.
I catch up with Wash in an abandoned hall, grabbing his shoulder hastily to stop him. He doesn't turn my way, doesn't acknowledge me any further than stopping. Part of me is glad. I don't want to see the veiled pain there anymore.
"We're going to be partners tomorrow," I say, finally breaking the silence. It does nothing for the tension, though. "Are you okay with that?"
I half expect him to not respond, but he does. "Our fighting styles complement each other. It's a good choice," he says.
"But are you okay with it?" I repeat, knowing he's avoiding the real question.
"I agreed to help," he answers. "I'll do the job you've given me. That's all there is to it."
We both know that's a lie. There's so much more to this, so much more going on here. Neither of us want to say it. He wants to act like it's okay. I should let him. I've lied to myself for a long time. I have no right to deny someone else that luxury. But right now isn't the time for luxuries. If I have to do one willfully selfish thing in my life, I suppose it will be this.
"Dammit, Wash, will you just talk to me," I finally snap, sick of the silence and absolutely done with being ignored. "I know you're mad, and I'm sorry. I just wish you'd say something."
He doesn't speak for a while, and I almost leave. His quiet voice anchors me to the ground. "I'm not mad," Wash says, voice barely above a whisper. I wait for him to continue. "I'm not mad," he repeats, louder. "I can't be angry just because you don't feel the same way I do. But that… that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it."
"I didn't mean to hurt you," I insist. "I wish this could have happened differently."
"So do I," he says almost bitterly. He begins to walk away, my hand falling from his shoulder, and I call out to him.
"Wash," I say, begging, pleading for him to help me reconcile.
"Washington," he corrects in a monotone, not even bothering to glance at me. "Let's just do the mission tomorrow and get this over with," he suggests. I don't stop him as he disappears around a corner, leaving me with nothing but his scent in the air. I used to think it was a comforting thing, being able to sense a person's presence eve after they've left. Now it just makes me feel sick. I walk the opposite direction from Washington, determined to find a section of the base that won't remind me of him.
So, this was Silver's moment of 'I shouldn't but I'm gonna anyway'.