(A/N) Hey guys, welcome back to another chapter of Phase Two and this one is a particularly big one for you all. You might ask just what happens when you combine a team of former enemies all into one enclosed space and let the tension reach boiling point? Well, this week you might just find out! Buckle yourselves in, it's a big one.
And keep an eye on the story over the next month. Don't go anywhere. Things are about to explode.
Chapter Two Hundred and Five - Fatebreaker
Agent Carolina
Written by FlygonNick and BrambleStar14
"Betrayal is the only truth that sticks."
- Arthur Miller.
Carolina's brisk pace thudded down the hallways of the Mother of Invention, with the red-headed woman's green eyes focused on nothing in particular. Inside of her mind, thoughts whirled and whirled, a maelstrom of conflicting emotions.
Anger. Concern. Scorn. Doubt.
Fear.
She knew that the tension onboard the Mother of Invention was building and building, but that confrontation in the Mess Hall was definitely the worst clash between the Freelancers and Fireteam Phoenix yet, the tension lingering, yet to bleed away. It had been the first time someone needed to be sent to the Medical Bay, but Carolina knew it wouldn't be the last.
It had been nearly three weeks since the bloody fight that ended with Fireteam Phoenix and California needing treatment in the Medical Bay and had resulted in Indiana having several emergency psychiatric sessions with the Counselor. There had been some discussion regarding her being mentally fit to remain in the Project, but Carolina quietly believed any opposition to think the assassin wasn't fit for duty was silly. The woman was sane (for now), but deeply troubled.
But things had simmered down to a bubbling resentment across the board. Fireteam Phoenix had seemingly backed off from constantly instigating things, or were at the very least holding their team leader back, and the Freelancers had mostly left the Insurrectionists to their own devices. But things were tense. And the tension was getting to the point where it was suffocating.
"How much more tension can we take? How much more can Phoenix take?" Carolina mused to herself, before rubbing her forehead, trying to force back the headache that was threatening to take shape.
She was supposed to be a team leader. The team leader. The Number One. Unflappable, a rallying point around which the rest of the agents could stand together. Except even now, she was constantly looking over her shoulder, wondering which of the former Insurrectionists that she'd once exchanged blades and bullets with would be watching her.
They were a suffocating presence on the ship, Harper spilling poison into the ears of the men and women she was supposed to be leading and worst of all, there seemed to be nothing she could do to stop it.
Even then, she hadn't been able to prevent the cracks forming between her own agents. South had barely spoken since Kestrel Site. Vermont had retreated from the world and according to Indiana in one of her meetings with the Counselor, she'd seen the redhead following Harper's tech expert to the Danger Room at least once. Colorado, who'd hated the Insurrection as much as any of them, was spending less and less time with the other agents and Nebraska practically vanished altogether for days at a time.
How could she be Agent Carolina, Number One, if she couldn't keep the rest of them intact?
What use was a team leader with no team?
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Carolina blinked and glanced to her left, seeing York walking alongside her with an easy grin. She rolled her eyes and looked forward again, causing York to chuckle.
"Fair enough. I could've said hi first." York laughed good-naturedly, and Carolina had to stop herself from rolling her eyes again.
"Did you need something, York?" Carolina asked, trying to keep her tone civil. She was already frustrated with everything happening onboard the ship. She had no reason to be frustrated with York.
"I did, actually. I need a favour from you," York said, his tone becoming more serious. Carolina looked at him again and saw that his expression had darkened. Carolina stopped walking and turned to look at York, who crossed his arms.
'What could he possibly want from me? Aside from a moonlit walk on a beach?' Carolina thought to herself, though she noted that with the expression on York's face she knew this wasn't anything frivolous.
"I want you to go talk to the Director, and ask him what the hell he's thinking, letting Fireteam Phoenix stay on this ship," York said, his eyes narrowing slightly as a touch of anger crept into his voice.
"You're barking up the wrong tree, York. Missouri and some of the others already tried talking the Director out of working with Harper right when this mess started. And the past few weeks have been relatively calm," Carolina responded, causing York to nod once in response before he spoke again, caution in his tone.
"I'm not asking you to convince him to eject them out of the nearest air-lock. I'm asking you to find out what the deal is. The Director is way too smart to compromise the ship and us like this without there being some kind of greater plan at the end. I want you to find out what's going on, before someone gets killed." Despite his hesitation, his tone was firm and Carolina could clearly tell now that the number two agent was deeply troubled and concerned. He took a step forward, a ghost of a smile on his lips. "And you're right. Missouri and the others did try to talk him out of letting Harper and his boys onboard. I'm willing to bet the Director would be more willing to listen to you though. Especially after all the stunts Phoenix has pulled."
Carolina scowled at the emphasis, turning away from York and continuing down the hallway. But as York trailed behind her, she thought about it. He was absolutely correct and his logic was entirely sound.
Keeping Fireteam Phoenix onboard a ship full of people who hated their guts had been an absolute disaster from the outset. Carolina herself had not protested the move simply because it wasn't her place and she had faith in the Director's wisdom. However, certain events had made her question whether or not a conversation with him would be out of order.
"I'll think about it, York. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me," Carolina said as she glanced at the man, who offered her a smile and a sigh of relief.
"Hey, I'm just trying to look out for everyone. Thanks for humouring me, Carolina," York said gratefully, putting a bit of hustle into his step so that he walked alongside her.
"I suppose it's not a stretch to guess that the fight in the Mess Hall a few weeks back was what made you come find me?" Carolina asked York, who shuddered and nodded. Word of what had happened between Fireteam Phoenix and the Freelancers had spread very quickly, in particular what happened between Harper and Indiana.
"Wyoming told me all about it. Like, holy shit… who would've thought Indiana had a mean streak like that? And what Harper said was even worse." York visibly shuddered, and Carolina didn't like the implications either. While she didn't know everything about Indiana's time before Freelancer, she did know that the assassin had been through hell at the hands of a URF Captain whose name was used with the same hushed terror as Harper's was, but who hadn't been a target Freelancer had been able to locate before Indiana managed to put him down.
The thought that Harper himself had instigated those deaths, that his advice was responsible for hundreds of thousands of innocents dying in a blaze of hellfire, was gut-wrenching.
"I'm worried about her, Carolina. 'Sota is keeping an eye on her, but Harper's bullshit has everyone rattled. If they can get Indi to lose control of herself, what else can they mess up? What if they're biding their time, waiting to pull the trigger?" York continued, causing Carolina to reflect for a moment.
Even if Carolina admittedly still carried a great deal of frustration and resentment regarding Indiana's role in causing them to lose in the tournament, such a display worried her. Harper and his team had been stirring up trouble and flaring tensions as of late, and Indiana had been the worst yet. To get someone as kind-hearted as her so unbelievably furious, as murderous as she had been, was a bad sign. And it meant that Harper and his men simply didn't care what they did now.
"It's definitely concerning, to put it lightly," Carolina agreed, nodding as York fell into step with her properly.
"'Lightly'? If this keeps up, someone's going to die," York murmured in a tone far more serious than she was used to hearing from him. It was almost refreshing, in a way. However, she also knew that he was correct. Out of everyone present onboard the Invention, Carolina was perhaps the only one who the Director would humour enough to explain himself and possibly persuade him to sever ties with Fireteam Phoenix.
"Alright York, you've convinced me. I'll have a word with the Director and see what he's thinking. Most of your concerns are ones that I happen to share, so consider this satisfying my own curiosity as well," Carolina responded, pretending not to notice York's expression lightening considerably. The man even let out a small laugh of relief.
"Thanks, Boss. If the Director is willing to listen to anyone, it's definitely our Number One." The obvious emphasis on the title made Carolina feel a small rush of pride.
"Perhaps," Carolina remarked, a sliver of a smile on her face. "He'd probably be willing to listen to you as well if you hadn't invited him to come watch Grifball with you."
"That was one time! Come on, Carolina, even you have to admit that his expression was totally worth it," York chuckled, causing Carolina not to meet his eyes. The Director's expression of absolute contempt was hilarious, but she'd never tell York that.
"You should be serious more often. Women appreciate a guy who's shown he's dependable," Carolina remarked half-jokingly as York looked at her in surprise.
"Should I start taking notes?" His question was accompanied with a crooked grin, while his comment earned him a look from Carolina. "Right, gotcha."
"While I'm discussing things, try to diffuse some of the tension onboard. Maybe round up some of the more vocal of Fireteam Phoenix's critics and do… whatever you do when I'm pretending not to notice."
"When you put it like that, I'm tempted to send you an engraved invitation to the next Grifball game," York remarked slyly, flashing her an admittedly charming grin. Carolina snorted, shaking her head as she put some speed into her walk.
"Not on your life, York. Just get to it!" Carolina called over her shoulder as York waved cheerily, distantly pleased that she had managed to not only ease York's concerns, but also distract and direct him back to doing something constructive. Keeping tensions onboard low was critical at times like these.
It only took a few more minutes to reach the Bridge, where she knew for a fact the Director was located. It was where he spent so much of his time these days, preferring to remain at what seemed like endless vigilance rather than seclude himself in his office as he had so often throughout her childhood after…
She shook the thought loose, before it could latch itself somewhere deep inside of her.
Before she reached the door, Carolina stopped in her tracks and mulled over what she wanted to say.
'Pull yourself together! It's simply asking if he would be okay with hearing some feedback from his operative.' Carolina willed herself forward, her usual confidence back on display as the door shut behind her. The Number One walked up to the Director as he looked over a datapad filled with what looked like scrolling pages of personal notes resting on the podium he normally stood behind.
"Can I help you, Agent Carolina?" The Director asked, apparently tired enough to allow himself a weary sigh out in the open. Carolina felt no small amount of concern at the sheer rarity of the sight, but held her tongue on the topic and chose instead to speak her mind about another.
"I wanted to speak to you about Fireteam Phoenix, sir," Carolina responded respectfully, causing the Director to turn and look at her. For a moment, he held her gaze unblinkingly, but he simply nodded a moment later.
"I suppose I can listen to your concerns, Carolina. What did you want to discuss about Lieutenant Harper and his team?" Her commanding officer said as he turned to face Carolina properly, his arms resting now on the podium he stood behind.
"With all due respect, sir, I have to ask… do you seriously plan to continue this alliance with Harper and his men?" Carolina said to the man that led them all. The Director himself considered Carolina's words for a moment before nodding.
"Yes, Agent Carolina. Fireteam Phoenix are our guests onboard the Mother of Invention and are our allies in the fight against the Crimson Sun. I'll admit to being somewhat surprised that you're choosing now of all times to put forward your concerns. Especially considering that Agents Missouri, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, Virginia and South Dakota voiced their concerns several weeks ago, before a successful joint operation and several other smaller investigations," the Director responded, his tone almost questioning.
"I didn't have the concerns then that I do now," Carolina said evenly, receiving a nod of acknowledgment from the Director. "Things have changed, now that I've had time to assess the situation. To be completely honest, sir, morale is plummeting on the ship and Fireteam Phoenix seem to be doing everything in their power to create as much friction as possible. Even when we worked together on a mission, Fireteam Phoenix was a liability to both the mission and the psychological safety of the team." Her assessment caused the Director to furrow his brow in annoyance.
"I dislike repeating myself, Agent Carolina. The negatives of working with Harper and his men do not outweigh the benefits we receive. Their presence at Kestrel Site was invaluable in securing its stolen intelligence for our inspection. However, I will allow you the opportunity to convince me where your teammates failed. Continue," The Director offered, causing Carolina to feel a touch of apprehension. Truth be told, she hadn't been sure if even her lofty status within the Project would have granted her this level of freedom to speak plainly. Now that she had it, her next words felt so much heavier.
However, she pushed onward.
"They're wanted criminals by the UNSC. Terrorists who have slaughtered thousands of innocent people. Fireteam Phoenix alone has killed enough people to fill this entire ship, but the murders that they're responsible for while in the URF whilst in a leading role are likely immeasurable," Carolina began, causing the Director to shut his eyes for a moment, as if considering her words.
"Can't the same be said of each of you, Agent Carolina? Many of those in the Project were part of groups with high kill-counts. Agents Wyoming, Indiana and Alaska in particular have a significant amount of blood on their hands. You have also killed many people, even before stepping aboard this vessel." The Director countered, which earned him a nod from Carolina. It was a true enough statement.
But she wasn't done.
"There's a difference between doing your duty and killing to overthrow the system, sir." Her retort made the Director's expression twist, his lip rising into a smirk at the sentiment behind the United Revolutionary Front's stated goal.
"Very true. Lieutenant Harper and his men are soldiers in every definition of the word. But also so much more than that." The Director agreed, the words so carefully chosen that she had to wonder exactly what comparisons he was drawing in his mind. Before she could ask, just when the silence was lingering, he added more. "But I feel like that is not your only concern, now is it?"
She didn't have to be Alaska to know that he hadn't been convinced yet.
"It's all of that combined with the fact that Ian Harper's completely insane, sir," Carolina remarked with a small sigh of frustration, causing the Director to lean a little more heavily on his podium. "He's completely unrepentant about the damage he's caused and the lives that he's snuffed out. And the situation several weeks ago in the Mess Hall made that fact even more certain. He bragged about causing hundreds of thousands of people to burn alive."
"...So he did."
"Harper tortured California and turned him into...whatever passes for Cal now. He helped break Indiana alongside Alexander Jacobson. He's dangerous and so is the rest of Fireteam Phoenix. I'm worried, sir. Worried that at the end of this, they'll stick a knife in our backs and walk away to cause even more mayhem. Keeping them so close is a disaster waiting to happen."
She finished, only then realising how her voice had risen. The Director watched her without speaking and for the first time in a long time, Carolina felt the urge to shuffle her feet awkwardly, like a child caught in a forbidden act of mischief. Then, her father allowed himself to smile for a moment, a confident upturn of the lips that bespoke someone who was used to being in total control and knew exactly what to say to people to show them why he was the smartest man in the room.
"You've certainly been far more persuasive than your peers, Carolina. However, you have much more to learn before you will ever be able to change my mind." The Director's voice was oddly jovial, his tone light for a moment, before his smile faded. "Allow me to explain some truths to you, if you will indulge me."
"Of course sir." She snapped to attention, no longer the pleading daughter but instead the obedient soldier.
"Lieutenant Ian Harper and his team are vital assets to locating key resources, strongholds and supporters of the Crimson Sun. They are also providing our most complete picture of the psychological states of both Arkansas and Pennsylvania as they are now. Harper himself has given me a list of various targets for us to pursue over the next few weeks, and has promised his support to take the fight directly to the Crimson Sun, much like Fireteam Phoenix and our operatives did not too long ago on Fortuna." The Director spoke like he was delivering a lecture, with Carolina nodding to show that she was still listening intently.
"Such knowledge and assets are vital to winning battles such as the ones we find ourselves in now. The Crimson Sun is a grave threat to the security of the UNSC, yes, but this has the potential to become so much more. Arkansas' voice remains a rallying cry to an unsettling number of people in the Outer Colonies. According to the Lieutenant, even numbers of the Inner Colonies population have been swayed not only by his words, but by what he has been revealing about the UNSC's less… savoury operations."
She didn't blame him. She'd been sickened by what she'd seen and heard in Ark's file on Doctor Simon Eisenberg even as she'd watched the man die before thousands of spectators.
"The resistance must be crushed, by any means necessary," the Director went on, sighing softly as he took off his glasses. Grabbing a small cloth, he wiped them for a moment to gather his thoughts, an old habit that brought so many memories flooding back to her. "This is why certain Agents are recruited, for example. Some have experience where others do not, and sometimes such experience can be the difference between life and death, while perhaps carrying burdens that make them less than ideal in any other scenario. Ian Harper and his men, Fireteam Phoenix, are a formidable group worthy of the renown that they possess. There's a reason we pursued Harper in particular over other URF targets that were also worthy of concern. Because their group is the sort that comes along once in a lifetime. And a group like theirs is the sort of ally we need in a battle like this."
"I fail to see them being that much of a benefit sir," Carolina responded, which made the Director nod as he put his slightly-cleaner glasses back on.
"Understandably so. They've proven to be far more problematic than anticipated. The Counselor has been working diligently to monitor any fault lines that they may be attempting to take advantage of. However, Harper and his men know the Crimson Sun better than any of us, and their insight is invaluable. I only ask that you and the others continue to have faith in my judgement and remain patient with Fireteam Phoenix. In the meantime, I will speak with them and remind them to continue to stay out of the way of other Freelancers, so that no more incidents occur." He finished with raised eyebrows, silently asking if she was satisfied.
Carolina considered the man's words. After a few moments the Number One let out a sigh.
"My apologies, sir. I suppose I'm just frustrated and concerned about a possible betrayal. Their behaviour so far hasn't given me much faith that they'll abide by our agreement and not kill us all while we sleep. Even worse is that at the end of this they'll be allowed to get away with everything they've done and walk away scot-free," Carolina muttered darkly, crossing her arms as the cold thought nestled over her.
After all of this, even with Ark and Penn dead, it felt wrong not to cut off all three heads of the snake.
"Agent Carolina, what makes you think I plan on letting them walk away?" The Director's quiet reply snapped her back to the present as a cold smirk of amusement crossed her father's face.
"Sir, I don't understand," Carolina said slowly, which made the Director lean forward slightly, his smirk fading and expression turning deadly serious. His voice was low when he spoke his next words.
"Once the Crimson Sun are no more and Arkansas and Pennsylvania are no longer in the picture, Fireteam Phoenix will no longer be of any use to Project Freelancer. The terms of our agreement is that they be allowed to part ways and receive amnesty, to escape judgement for their many, many crimes," the Director continued, narrowing his eyes slightly as Carolina's sense of unease grew. "I do not plan on honouring that particular part of our agreement."
"Sir?" Carolina asked, confusion and surprise running through her, leaving her with the feeling of ice running down her spine at the sheer malice on her father's face.
"Ian Harper and Fireteam Phoenix will be turned over to HIGHCOMM after the Crimson Sun is dealt with. They will be tried and judged for their crimes, which I believe will almost certainly result in their executions. That is the 'mercy' they have earned," the Director finished, a sense of satisfaction evident in his voice.
Carolina distantly felt the frown form on her face, rather numb as she considered the implications of what had just been said. The Director was using Harper and Fireteam Phoenix to get to Arkansas and Penn. That much had been obvious, but… then going back on their agreement to throw them into the deadly jaws of ONI? It was a fitting end and they deserved it.
However, it was thoroughly underhanded and it admittedly left a bitter taste in her mouth. Did Fireteam Phoenix deserve to all die horrible deaths after what they had done? Yes. But to go back on an alliance and stab allies (even reluctant ones) in the back was something Carolina had never considered.
It was cold. It was callous. After their own countless stings of betrayal and the sheer damage that it had done to each of them in turn, to offer the same to a group that had chosen to work with them was unsettling.
'Does that reflect poorly on me as a leader? That I hadn't even considered stabbing Fireteam Phoenix in the back? Sacrificing allies, even ones as terrible as them, for the sake of a goal?' Carolina wondered for a moment, but the Director spoke and snapped her out of her reverie.
"Is that satisfactory, Agent Carolina?" The Director asked, causing the red-headed woman to snap out of her surprise. She looked into green eyes that should have been so familiar. They were hard to recognise. When she opened her mouth to speak, unsure what she was even about to say, to confirm or condemn, she was interrupted by a sound behind her, applause ringing out, slow and sarcastic as dread washed over her.
"What do you think, Agent Carolina? Is that satisfactory?"
She was used to hearing the voice filled with malice, with cold and cruel entertainment or the melodic laughter at the rest of the galaxy. Now, it carried the low growl of fury, of apocalyptic wrath.
The Director's eyes widened in surprise, looking past her shoulder after being so fixated on her reactions to his announcement, and Carolina whirled around, sheer horror gripping her heart.
Lieutenant Ian Harper was leaning in the doorway to the bridge, his back to the metal frame, arms folded over one another, gaze on the far wall rather than looking directly at either of them but his eyes… they glittered with cold, furious hate. She hadn't seen that expression on the battlefield during the few times she'd actually been the one to face off against him. She hadn't seen it when he was provoking California and Indiana into blood rages. She hadn't seen it when he'd watched Maine dismantle the Danger Room versions of his team.
She had seen anger before. She had seen fury. Rage of all kinds. But right now, the hauntingly familiar flashes of something close to human emotion on Harper's face was a new level of anger and loathing she had never before seen from him. But she knew it well.
She knew the pain of betrayal well enough to know just how much it could hurt and how much it could enrage.
Harper was apoplectic.
"Lieutenant." The Director stood up straight, unapologetic, jaw setting, his own brief display of satisfied pleasure now wiped clean. "I should assume you heard every word of that."
"Oh, enough." Harper's voice was chillingly cold, that growl still not leaving it. She was reminded uncomfortably of California when he was particularly enraged, when Wyoming had let him off the leash to hunt down Arkansas. "I can tell you did time in ONI, Director. You fit in well with the rest of them. You make deals, you offer promises and guarantees and they're just ash. An elaborate little dance. ONI betrays us, Arkansas betrays you, you betray us. Turn, turn, turn. Over and over again. You've played it very well."
"I think I'll take that as a compliment, Lieutenant." The Director watched as Harper pushed himself away from the door frame with deceptive laziness to turn and face them fully.
"Oh, you should. You know what sets you apart from your agents, Director Church?" Harper's eyes flickered to Carolina, something like pity visible amidst the rage. "You lie to everyone else and you do it very well. But you don't lie to yourself. How long have you been planning it? When did you settle on betrayal?"
It was almost conversational and her father matched his tone, his eyes never leaving Harper's.
"Since the moment I sent Agent California to collect you."
Her head snapped to him, shock slamming into her like a bullet. The entire time?
Harper nodded silently, looking down at the floor for a moment. He inhaled, taking a long breath, letting the moment drag on for a moment. His expression twisted through a myriad of emotions, almost too quickly for her to read. Rage, something like pain, before his jaw clenched in determination…
"It's today, then." The words were spoken with an exhale, soft, barely audible, but carrying a weighty finality to them, his shoulders slumping with what seemed strangely like relief. "Finally."
His eyes moved back up to Church, a bizarre peaceful bliss visible beneath the rage and Carolina knew what he was about to do before he even did it, blurring into motion as he drew his pistol and firing three times at the heart of Director Church, the shots reverberating across the room loud enough to make everyone on the bridge scream and take cover where they could.
She felt the yell of fear rip free from her throat as she threw herself in front of the Director, shielding him from the bullets of the insane insurrectionist.
However, to her surprise, it was completely unnecessary. A blue glass-like bubble flickered into life around them just as Carolina moved, and the bullets simply struck the shield before bouncing off of it back towards Harper, who casually sidestepped the shots. The former URF leader's head tilted to the side, taking in the sight of the shield and his expression twisting into a grin that was all mirthless teeth.
She was intensely grateful for that shield at the sight of the shark's empty smile.
"Mr. Harper, did you really think I would allow myself the same sort of injury twice? Our former mutual associate Arkansas taught me a very painful lesson in being prepared. You would have done well to heed the same lesson," the Director remarked, a dark chuckle escaping his lips as Carolina braced herself to attack, to tear Harper apart right here and now on the Bridge.
The blonde shrugged his shoulders, the magnum lowering now that it wasn't needed anymore. "You don't try, you don't succeed. Bit like coming here, I suppose. Retirement wouldn't have suited me anyway, I don't think. Things like us, we're built for this. You know, Ark never broke his word. He used exact wording, sure, the whole 'I won't kill you, but I didn't say anything about him' cliche, but when he said something, he stuck to it. His agreements held weight. I suppose your daughter will have to remember that about you."
The Director's expression twisted abruptly and Carolina watched in shock as Harper's words left her commanding officer incensed.
"Yes, we did have an agreement. However, you seem to be under the impression that I'm willing to give a damn about what you think after what you've done. It was easier than I thought it would be to convince you to work with us." The Director remarked coldly, his drawl becoming more pronounced with the sudden addition of rage. "Agent California proved himself useful in acquiring your knowledge and abilities."
"Mmm. See, dragging Jay into it is, I think, the most insulting part of it. And it's why I'm going to bleed you dry today." It was spoken as though from one old friend to another, but Harper's expression carried enough finality for the words to leave Carolina with chills. The Lieutenant's rage had intensified, crystallised, settled into a decision from which there was no coming back.
"We all have weaknesses, Mr. Harper. You and I both. I simply used yours to acquire your services. I did nothing heinous, other than go back on a deal that I knew would end in you betraying us in the end regardless," the Director remarked as Harper's head tilted to one side. "Your conduct as of late has shown a distinct lack of a desire to cooperate with us, after all."
The answering laugh was soft, barely there, filled with resignation as Harper's head shook. "I might've done it, you know. If the job was done, if Jay had asked… but I think we both knew what coming back to this ship was. How it would end. It's almost the easy way out, I suppose. So, with that in mind, Leonard, thank you."
His smile carried a strange serenity to it, oddly charming even with the death carried in his eyes. The Director's jaw clenched, his fingers curling on the edge of his podium at the head of the holographic table.
"No man can escape the repercussions of his actions, Mr. Harper. You knew this was coming. Don't even try to pretend it wasn't. I would ask if you and your team would surrender quietly, but I know you enough by now to know we will have to make an example of you." Her father's tone levelled itself out, fighting against the visible anger in his face as his temper was provoked simply by the expression that his target turned ally turned target wore. "I rather think that promise of, what was it, 'bleeding me dry' will remain unfulfilled."
"I don't have to touch you to bleed away the things that matter to you, Director. This whole ship is full of them." Harper's words were casual, the magnum held loosely at his side, but tensed like a rabid animal ready to pounce. "You don't happen to believe in fate, do you?"
He stared into the eyes of the Director, as if searching for something. What, exactly, Carolina had no idea. The other man offered Harper a small smile, confident and self-assured despite the twitch at the corner of his mouth.
"No, Mr. Harper. Things such as fate and destiny are for people who have no ambition to create their own future with their own two hands. But I do believe that this is the end of the line for you and Fireteam Phoenix."
"Well. I'd hate to disappoint. He's been coming a long time, the least I can do is meet him head on and give it my best." Harper's fingertips moved to his wrists, as though adjust the cuffs of a suit shirt. "One more dance. Just to make it hurt for you. I'll give regards from Triestina, Director."
He offered a half-bow, that madness that was the midpoint of rage and serenity dancing in his eyes and a strange smile in place, before turning and vanishing through the doorway. The moment that the doors closed in his wake with a hiss of finality, the Director deactivated the barrier around them and released a small sigh of relief before pressing a button on the podium.
"F.I.L.S.S., initiate Emergency Protocol Sunshot. Sound the alarm." The Director's words were filled with forced calm as a warning tone began to play throughout the Mother of Invention. Carolina glanced at the nearest monitor, which was glowing bright red now.
'Naturally. Of course the Director had a plan for this.' Carolina thought before her gaze snapped back to the Director. She opened her mouth to speak-
"Director, something is wrong. My vital systems have been com- I cannot- there is-" F.I.L.S.S.'s words were aborted, her sentences stuttering to a halt as both pairs of green eyes flashed to the console in alarm. Static was overlaying each of her words, interrupting them, twisting the syllables in a way that left the AI sounding distressed.
"F.I.L.S.S.? Report." The Director's words were sharp, his expression setting into a cold fury.
"I am sorry, Director. I appear to be… locked out of several vital systems. A malware has been introduced into my operating software."
"A malware?" Her father's eyes were narrowed. "Harper's technician is talented, but even he cannot accomplish that."
"The code appears familiar, sir. It carries the electronic signatures of former Agent Arkansas."
'What?!' Carolina's eyes widened in horror as the Director's eyes closed, his fist coming down onto the podium in a sudden display of fury. Just how long had Harper been holding onto that? How long had he been anticipating betrayal?
And had Arkansas given him that virus?
At the same time, the deck shook beneath their feet, almost throwing them to the floor as Carolina clutched at the holographic table and the Director gripped the podium with white-knuckled fingers. A series of detonations rang out across the ship and overhead, alarms began to blare.
"Sir, are you alright?" She risked a glance at her father, seeing the sheer rage gathering in his expression as he surveyed the dark and non-responsive table before him. Carolina tried again. "What are your orders, Director?"
The words seemed to shake him from his wrath, head turning to her at last, words tight and bitterly angry.
"Rally the Freelancers and stop Fireteam Phoenix. Secure high-priority targets of interest. The Armory, Danger Room, Medical Bay, and the Reactor Room in particular. Hunt down Harper and his men and put them down. I will attempt to purge Arkansas' little Trojan Horse and restore F.I.L.S.S. to operational status," the Director ordered Carolina, who nodded sharply in response before sprinting out of the room to obey.
"Agent Carolina." Carolina froze and looked back at the Director. The man had leaned forward on the podium, no doubt to prepare himself for whatever was to come next. But for now, he had words for his Number One.
"Come back to me. That's an order." Her father spoke firmly, something intense in his gaze that made Carolina inhale sharply, fighting the urge to react how she wanted to, but instead did what she needed to do.
Carolina nodded and sprinted out of the room to gather the Freelancers before Harper could do his worst.
The race was on.