Ch 23
"Caboose, where did you find him?" Six asked, as blue team was standing in front of Caboose and Freckles.
"I found him in some of the wreckage." Caboose said.
"Of course our ship is carrying a lethal weapon like Freckles." Six muttered.
"Great. Boy meets dog. Dog turns out to be a military grade killing machine." Tucker said.
"Caboose, you know a pet is a lot of responsibility." Wash said.
"That is why I will water him and feed him every day." Caboose said.
"What the hell are you talking about? It's a machine. Not a flesh and blood person." Six said.
"Yeah. What does it run on?" Tucker asked.
"It runs on the power of the friendship of our love." Caboose said.
"This is so fucked up." Tucker said.
"Didn't you give birth to an alien baby a few yours back?" Wash asked.
"Now that shouldn't be physically possible." Six said.
"So, what fun adventures are we going to go on today, Freckles?" Caboose asked.
"I'm not doing shit. We're getting rescued, remember?" Tucker asked.
"Actually, I think it would be best if we continued our training routine." Wash said.
"There's no point." Tucker said.
"Training is an ongoing process, Tucker. And as the leader of this team, I want to make sure we're ready for anything." Wash said.
"This is fucking stupid." Tucker replied.
"Tucker, you do realize that the giant robot can kill you if you don't comply with Wash's orders. Hell, I'm a Spartan, and I wouldn't take that thing on." Six said, as he went to run laps across the canyon.
"Where are you going?" Tucker asked.
"To take an inventory of our food supply. I prefer it be someone who can count." Wash said.
"I only screwed up twice." Caboose said.
"You screwed up once." Wash said.
"Yeah. I can see your point." Caboose said.
Six returned from his jogging, and found Simmons at the base.
"Simmons, what the hell are you doing here?" Six asked.
"High, Six. I'm defecting." Simmons said.
"Boy, Sarge is going to kill you." Six said.
"Hey, you don't know how gross Grif is." Simmons said.
Six sighed in exhaustion.
"Fine. But if the Reds attack, don't be surprised." Six said.
Simmons headed inside and found a room. He headed to a balcony and looked down at Caboose, Tucker, Six, and Freckles.
"Hey, Tucker. Any idea when Wash will be back?" Simmons asked.
"Who cares?" Tucker asked.
"I have some suggestions for the upkeeping of blue base." Simmons said.
"I don't know, and I don't care." Tucker said.
"Well, I got two words for you. Chore wheel." Simmons said.
"Is he serious?" Six asked; blue base was in better shape than red base was.
"He is." Tucker said.
"God help me." Six muttered.
"Tucker, why aren't you running drills?" Wash asked.
"How do you know I didn't finish them?" Tucker retorted.
"Because you're not complaining that your nipples are sore." Wash said.
"I'm telling you. My chest piece rubs right up against them. And not in a good way." Tucker said.
"Why do you refuse to take things seriously?" Wash asked.
"That's a good question." Six said.
"Why can't you just let us do our thing?" Tucker asked.
"I'm trying to make sure you're the best. That you're ready for anything." Wash said.
"Why? Blue team was just fine being mediocre. What are you worried about?" Tucker asked.
"When will you get this thru your head?! We're marooned on some unknown planet, that could have some parasitic life form waiting to kill us all! Of course, we need to be prepared!" Six shouted.
"If they wanted to attack, they would have done it by now! But no-one is going to attack us!" Tucker shouted.
"Hey Wash, didn't know you were back." Simmons said.
"What is…why is he here?!" Wash asked.
"He defected from red team." Six said.
"I took the liberty of claiming the bunk closest to you. I hope you don't mind." Simmons said.
"Why would you willingly choose to sleep as close to your CO? And I just realized that sounded better in my head." Six said, noticing everyone looking at him.
"I don't have time to deal with you, right now. Go away." Wash said to Simmons said.
"Good one, sir. By the way, is it cool if I start calling you sir?" Simmons asked.
"Why is he still here?" Wash asked.
"If I was him, I'd be as far away as possible." Tucker said.
"You can't go to red base. You'll be shot on sight." Six advised.
"You can call me champ if you want. Or son." Simmons said.
"Simmons, what the fuck is wrong with you?" Six asked.
"Look, as long as I'm leader of this team, I will do everything I can to ensure your safety whether you like it or not." Wash said.
"We don't need you protecting us." Tucker said.
"I know! That's why I'm trying to help you!" Wash exclaimed.
"Help us with what? Defending against attack? No-one is going to attack us!" Tucker said.
The sound of a warthog being driven towards them was heard, quickly followed up by Sarge yelling a command.
"Attack!"