Chapter 7

The medical officer politely pushed Colorado out of the surgery area. "Sir, you have done all you can, especially with your arm. Please, let us handle it."

The agent sighed and responded with a "Yes, sir," stepping away from the door. He made his way to the observation window in the recovery room, where Arizona was waiting. He stopped next to her and watched as the personnel inside worked on Maine.

"How is he?" 'Zona asked.

"Not good. They're gonna stabilize him for transport to a medical station."

"And you?"

"Nothing to worry about."

She narrowed her eyes. "Colton..."

"Dislocated my right shoulder, reset upon pickup. Stuck with just my left hand for a few days," he explained quickly.

An English chuckle came from one of the beds. "Just kiss each other already, you two."

Colorado rolled his eyes and glared at Wyoming. "Shouldn't you be resting for your own injuries?"

"How can I when you two are standing in the same room and talking?"

The crimson agent groaned much to the others' amusement. "Fine. We'll leave. But as a medical officer, I order you to get back into top shape soon."

"And you're not giving yourself the same order?" Wyoming asked, nodding at Colorado's right arm.

"Ugh, I can never win with you." He turned back towards Arizona. "I'm going to the mess. Coming?"

"I'll catch up shortly."

Colorado nodded and went out the door, leaving the two Freelancers watch as Maine was worked on. The room stayed silent until Arizona stepped towards the door.

"You are a perfect match for him. And he for you."

"Yes, he is."

"May I ask when you two will get married?"

"As soon as we get out of Freelancer."

"Well, I advise doing it quickly. We don't stay young forever."

Arizona snorted. "And what does an Englishman know about love?"

"Fine, forget I said a thing," the man remarked, his tone unchanged. "If you want the actual love expert, then talk to Louisiana."

"He goes by Louis, Wyoming."

He raised his eyebrows. "Oh, so you have talked to him?"

The female agent shook her head and left, leaving the laughing former bounty hunter to his mustache.

When 'Rado walked into the mess, he noticed that there were more fellow Freelancers than there usually were. Fortunately, each of them stuck to their own little groups and teams, making the population increase easier to see. Maryland, Massachusetts, and Nevada were talking around a table while California and Rhodey worked on something on the opposite end. North and South were at another one conversing with the Virginia sisters.

Grabbing his tray of food, he walked over to Utah and Mexico, the latter's helmet off. They didn't say anything to him, immediately telling him that something is going on. After several failed attempts at using his fork-laden left hand, he set the utensil down and groaned. "Alright. What's going on, you two?"

"She... didn't tell you?" Utah asked. Ever since his training accident with his armor enhancement, his attitude and outlook had changed. But the other Corners knew that he'd be back to his old self eventually. They bet on when that happened.

"Tell me about what?" the crimson soldier asked, totally lost.

The other team members looked at each other nervously. "She said she wanted to tell you before you left for your mission," Mexico said, "but I'm guessing she didn't want you to lose focus."

"W-what are you talking about?" His voice was being laced more and more with concern.

"Zona is... well... How do I explain this?"

Mexico sighed. "Congratulations, Colorado. You're going to be-"

"Be what?" Arizona's voice interrupted. Colorado looked over his shoulder and scooted over for his girlfriend. "Hmm?"

Utah's facade broke as he groaned and buried his head in his arms. "Dang it, 'Zona. We almost got him to break."

"Wait, what?" the crimson agent asked, completely confused.

"We can still tell him," Mexico said to Utah. She turned towards 'Rado. "As I was going to say, congrats. You're going to be a father."

Colorado's mind stopped and had to backtrack. "Wait. A 'father?'"

"Well, I wouldn't put it like that Colton," Arizona said as though she didn't fully grasp what their sand-colored teammate had revealed. "More of a... father figure."

'Rado raised his eyebrow.

"Remember when I said I've been hearing rumors about AI implantation?" 'Rado nodded. "Well... I'm getting one. Soon."

With Talon's help, Colorado finally understood. But one thing was stuck on his tongue. "But where does me being a father-like figure come in?"

"The AI that's been assigned to me is a little... shy. The Counselor and I had a meeting about it. From what he's told me, she's the first one they managed to get and that given our relationship, I would be the perfect match for her."

"Her?" Utah asked.

"Feminine programming, Ute."

"Oh."

So does this mean we'll be getting a new addition to the family?

I think so, 'Rado mentally said. Glancing at his teammates, then at his uneaten meal, he pushed it away and stood up. "I can't eat like this. I'll just get myself some of Vermont's ration bars."

"I'll take your lunch," Utah said, already pulling the tray towards him.

"I've got equipment training to do. Y'all can come," 'Zona offered.

"Sure," Mexico agreed, getting up herself.

"I'll be right there," the team's white-platinum agent replied around a ball of food.

Utah and Mexico took cover behind two pillars, while 'Rado watched from above in the observation room. 'Zona was actively hunting the other Corners, aided by a small drone under her—and Talon's—control.

So when is this implantation supposed to take place?

"A few days from now," 'Zona answered, her exterior speakers turned off as well as the others.

The video feed from the drone went nuts when Mexico took some potshots at it. The device moved back behind a pillar and broke contact, now off to find Utah.

Arizona, now that Mexico was marked on her HUD, pressed forward to eliminate the Southeast Corner. A flash alerted the agent that Utah had been spotted and was now outlined.

Yay. For some reason, I can't stop thinking about it. Would it be... human of me to consider her as a sister? Talon asked as he brought the drone back to the blue-and-gold Freelancer.

'Zona halted her advance to remove the scanner attachment and replace it with the weapon attachment, fully loaded with lockdown paint. "I'd say it is, Tal." A pink glob shot past her visor, forcing her around the pillar. The sound of stomping footsteps increased, then ended with a BAM as Utah was clothes-lined by an outstretched arm reinforced with the body of a drone.

The downed soldier activated his external speakers. "I ran into that one. But I can't deny the view," he quipped, chuckling until 'Zona shot him in the crotch. He could see the smile through her polarized visor as he moaned.

A paint-shot caught Arizona in the leg, knocking her to the ground with a curse. Mexico opened fire while her opponent used the drone as a shield. Ultimately, the paralyzing substance overcame the makeshift defense and covered the Freelancer, leaving Mexico as the victor.

"Is it wrong for me to say how incredibly sexy you look right now?" Utah said, earning a look from the standing woman. There was small pause—and a hidden smile—before she shot her teammate in the face.

Guess it is, the AI said. Nice going... uncle.

"What?" Utah shouted in surprise, his voice muffled almost completely by the paint over his helmet. He had to wait a minute for New Mexico to apply the remover before getting up. "What did you just call me?"

Uncle Utah. Hmm, has a nice ring to it, Talon cajoled. Now, would you mind helping Mom up, please?