Months passed. Liz proved to be a huge help for Control. Between her and Baird, Control had comprehensive maps of numerous grub tunnels that weren't previously mapped. Clayton was more or less in the way the entire time. He refused to leave Liz's side. Anya and Liz eventually convinced him to at least stand out of their way. Liz was on her feet occasionally. Hayman had given her a cane so she could do her physical therapy on her own. Under Hoffman's orders, the good doctor assured Liz would be back to combat in another few weeks.
"Hey, uh, Control. This is Sigma," a familiar voice crackled in Liz's ear, "We're in position, but there's no sign of grubs yet.
"Copy that Sigma," Anya began.
"Damon was just wonderin' if Liz would be a sweetheart and work her magic," Cole interrupted.
Liz was already ahead of him. Anya instructed Baird to change frequencies as Liz did the same. Anya then repeated everything Liz said to the rest of Sigma.
"There hasn't been much Locust activity in your area," Liz mumbled.
"Is there a map of tunnels for this area?" Baird asked.
Liz's eyes scanned the map. "Tunnels run under your position, but the map shows them stopping about 30 to 40 yards..."
Their minds came to the same conclusion. "Ambush," they said simultaneously.
Hell broke loose in Control.
"We've lost signal with Sigma," Mathieson said.
"I'll have Delta sent into their position. Liz, is there... Liz? Carmine?" Anya glanced around.
Liz was halfway to the door the second she said "ambush." Clayton followed, ignoring her protests. He decided it would be faster if he ran, instead of waiting up on Liz's chair. Clayton lifted her easily with one arm. He had her cane in his other. Her chair sat abandoned in the hallway. Liz, ignoring Clayton's form of transportation, was dictating orders to a Raven team.
"42?" Clayton asked.
"That's where my gun's at," Liz replied.
Robinson and Rodger were waiting for them. Robinson insisted that Liz wear a harness; she ignored her. The pilots prepared for takeoff; Liz gave them Sigma's last location.
"Four-two!" a voice bellowed from down the hall. "Stand down! I repeat stand the fuck down! Do not take off!"
Marcus sprinted towards them. He didn't look happy; he never looked happy for that matter. In that instance, he looked down right angry. Liz motioned for them to keep going. She would handle Marcus. Clayton boarded the bird. Rodger and Robinson continued their routine.
"You're not going anywhere," Marcus said flatly.
"Try and stop me, Fenix," Liz shook her head.
"I am your superior officer and I am ordering you to stand the fuck down!" he snapped.
"Sorry."
Liz smashed the butt of her rifle in Marcus' face. He stumbled back, clutching his nose. Clayton helped Liz on the Raven. He waved at Marcus, smiling under his helmet.
"For fuck's sake this is suicide!" Marcus howled.
He ducked as the Raven took off. Liz blew him a kiss as they soared away.
"So that's Marcus Fenix," Clayton thought.
"I seem to have developed a nasty habit of breaking noses," Liz smiled to herself.
"Hey, lil miss, what are we doing exactly?" Robinson asked, "Evac or what?"
"Well that depends," Liz replied.
"On what?"
"Seeders."
"Well shit," Rodger laughed.
"Alright, alright. You leave this to me now," Robinson mused, "I'll come up with something."
"KR-Four-Two. This is Lt. Stroud. We have confirmed seeders in the area around Sigma's last known position. Proceed with extreme caution," Anya's voice crackled over the radio.
"Will do, ma'am. Alright, boys and lil missy. Here's what we're gonna do. Our bird ain't to fond of seeders. So we'll make a drop point. You go down, you bring the boys there, and we'll bring everyone home quick like."
"Copy that, Four-Two," Anya said.
"Sounds good to me," Clayton shrugged.
"Elizabeth!" the radio roared.
"Lovely to hear from you today, Colonel," Liz replied.
"Don't talk back to me, young lady," Hoffman snapped.
"Sounds like somebody's in trouble," Clayton laughed.
"For the love of (static)... Just fucking (static)... Or I'll tear your (static)... You all got that?"
"We're in seeder range, Colonel," Robinson explained.
"The fuck (static)..." Hoffman's voice faded out.
"Shit. Okay. Well. Drop site! Everybody off! Careful on your way down."
Back in Jacinto, Hoffman was hollering, pointlessly, to KR-Four-Two. Anya, as calmly as she could, gave orders to the rest of CIC. Marcus tried tracking down a free Raven for another evacuation of Sigma's location. He was having no such luck. Dom pointed out it wasn't too far away, and that they could just take an Armadillo.
Liz didn't swan dive off the Raven that time. She, carefully, lowered herself down. Clayton was already waiting for her. Their pilots gave them thirty minutes to find Sigma and get out. After that, precious fuel was at stake.
Clayton led the way. He went further ahead, for reconnaissance. Sigma was locked down, but alive nevertheless. Grubs kept pouring out of holes. Clayton scanned the area for a suitable sniper's nest. One that would be easy for Liz to climb, and for him to defend. He went back to get her.
"Can you make it up there?" he gestured to one of the nests he found.
"Fuck that," Liz shrugged.
They went further ahead. Liz found, ground level, cover. A nice place to make their rescue. She switched on her Tac-Com (having turned it off in the Raven as to ignore Hoffman). Rifle up. Eye on the scope. Breathing adjusted. She waited.
"Um... What should I do?" Clayton asked.
"Distraction. Let Sigma know we're here," Liz suggested.
"Okay, I'll let you know if I die."
"Please do."
Liz considered firing over Baird's head. It might give away her position, unfortunately. She'd hate to have Cole explain why Baird lobbed a grenade at her.
Inhale. Exhale. Aim. Bang. Splat. Thud. A drone dropped. Crackling in her ear. Maybe the seeder had left? She zoomed out as she reloaded. A better view of the havoc in front of her.
"Shit... Fuck! Can anyone fuck(static)..." Baird was screaming.
Liz fired off another shot. To her left, she could hear Clayton's distraction. He had tagged a boomer, taken it's boomshot, and fired it in the face of a grinder.
"Who (static) fuck is fucking stu(static) to do that?" Baird demanded.
"What Damon meant to (static) was that (static) grateful. Tha(static), Liz," Cole said.
There was less and less static as the skirmish waged on. Clayton had fought his way to Sigma. Ten minutes left before they had to return. The horde before them was thinning out. Liz took another shot before leaving her position. She hobbled toward the drop point.
"So do we clear these fuckers out, or what?" Baird asked.
"Naw, baby. We let them live to fight another day! Let's go home," Cole smiled.
"Sure, anything you say," Baird rolled his eyes.
"Woo!"
Their ride was hovering as close to the ground as she could. The wounded was loaded first. Minus Liz. She refused to board until everyone else was on. The Locust noticed the Raven. Random shots went off in their location.
"Now's not the time to argue, sweetheart. Get your ass on that bird!" Baird snapped.
"You first, Pretty Boy!" Liz argued.
"Both of you shut up, and get up here!" Clayton yelled.
"KR-Four-Two, Sigma. This is Delta. We are on a Dill heading to your location. ETA twenty minutes," Dom said.
"Go! We'll catch the bus outta here!" Liz decided.
"You're telling me I'm stuck here with you? Fantastic," Baird rolled his eyes.
"Your call, lil miss. You come see us the second you get back. Less, of course, you're in the infirmary again," Robinson joked.
Liz waited for the Raven to fly off. Baird shoved her behind cover as he fired in the direction of the horde.
"We can't stay here," he pointed out.
Liz thought of an exit. They could run back towards Jacinto, but there was no guarantee their path would lead to Delta. She was directionless, map-less, and so very lost. Liz remembered a small town to the south of Sigma's original location. They had been heading there to scavenge for supplies.
"This way," she breathed.
Liz grabbed his hand, and they took off together. Off into the unknown. Off away from the Armadillo. Which was probably for the best. Marcus was fuming; his nose wasn't broken, but it still hurt.