"Just the person we came to see." Sigma said as Maine turned around. His slouched stance combined with the insect-like shape of his helmet made him come off as something inhuman.

"Leave now." North growled.

The red AI floated to North's shoulder, the fact that Sigma was the only AI with a human face had always been more than a little disturbing. "Theta I have a question."

Sigma sent a pulse through North's AI port. Theta let out a scream as it struggled to protect itself from being hacked. But any efforts the little AI could muster would not be enough.

"Just what I thought," From what data he could pull he knew just how disabled Agent North was. Agent Maine had always been better then North, a better fighter a better killer; a better solider. He out ranked him on the leader board on several occasions.

But North was the one people put their faith in; the director, counselor price, York, Carolina; even when he failed people still admired him. He was put in to leadership positions over people who were more qualified and deserving (and was allowed to live despite his betrayal.)Why? because he was a nice person, as if being friendly, supportive and kind were of any value in combat.

'Nice guys finish last, and some don't finish at all'. Sigma said internally to himself, to Maine his command was simply "Destroy him."

Despite his disability North could still fire faster, shooting Maine's bullets out of the air, and even hitting him in the shoulder. (Unfortunately in armor that meant very little.)

"Rush him." Sigma commanded, the AI knew the twins were expert marksmen so Maine's best chance was to keep the fight at close range.

North took a blow to the ribs. As one of the physically larger agents Maine had always been abnormally strong but this blow sent him flying.

South kicked Maine in the thigh causing him to turn his attention to her. In her rage she punched him in the head, followed by a kicked to the crouch. Maine grabbed her by the neck, lifting her off the ground as she struggled.

North opened fire on Maine's back. Maine turned his attention to North slamming the blade of his weapon on North's shoulder with such force it cut through his armor. South shot Maine in the back of the head before he could sever her brother's arm.

Maine punched North in the lower chest slamming him in to a rock wall then began charging at South.

"Domed energy shield!" North shouted as a severe pain shot through his side.

South instinctively protected herself with an energy shield, shoving Maine backwards. She had almost forgotten she could do that.

"I meant trap Maine so we can get the fuck out of here!" he said readying his weapons. The deep gash in left shoulder was excruciating, and limited his ability to lift his arm more than 45 degrees without the feeling of tearing flesh, but he was confident could play through the pain.

South of course was freaking out."1. That's going to wear off when we're out of range. 2 I don't think I have the ability to do that!" South shouted back. There was a story, where North was able to throw a domed energy shield over a group of enemies and as soon as one tried to fire a bullet, the round ricocheted all over the dome killing every last one of them. South was positive the only reason he was able to do that was because of Theta.

South knew he was going to try it himself, so she did her best to keep Maine in one spot. Engaging in hand to hand combat (using the energy shield to create a smaller shield to block his direct attacks) until she got close enough to the vehicle.

He took a breath "Theta please help me with this, if necessary cut power to the pain therapy."

The little AI appeared, "range is over 2 miles, and it will be more than enough to put some distance and find shelter. I've got this." As for cutting the pain therapy, he didn't want to mention that out loud. North's armor was already down to just 40%. In order to get far enough away North would have to live with the pain until the twins could find a place to rest. Theta, activated the domed energy shield, trapping agent Maine in a bubble.

North ran for their vehicle (he knew, if given the chance Sigma could easily over power Theta). They headed West to no place in particular traveling for 4 hours until they found a mysterious formation with a source of water.

"What is this place?" South said out loud to no one in particular (since her brother had lost consciousness over an hour ago.) It appeared to be a man-made stone formation with a series of passageways and a waterfall in the center' perhaps an abandoned power facility.

"Theta" she nudged her brother's body, "can you please wake him up."

"I thought all military personnel are taught how to execute a fireman's lift?" he said referring to the ability to carry a fallen comrade despite any height or weight difference.

"I was never any good at it." She snapped. Even in Spartan Armor she was one of the smallest agents.

"He would do it for you." Theta said in a sad, voice.

"He is at least 50 pounds heavier than me!" since he was 10 inches taller and way more muscular the number would realistically be closer to 100 pounds. The AI went silent, she needed a different strategy.

"but theta" she started, in her sweetest kindergarten teacher voice, "what I make a mistake and hurt him even more then he already is?"

No reaction.

"WILL YOU AT LEAST WAKE HIM ENOUGH TO STAND ON HIS OWN AND I'LL LET HIM LEAN ON MY SHOULDER!" she shouted at the unresponsive AI.

Theta administered a single healing pulse. North opened his eyes, instinctively trying to exit the vehicle (logically the only reason they would be stopped was if South found a safe place to rest.)

"Take it slow, lean on me." South lived up to her end of the deal, helping North in to a passageway, in far enough to they could not been seen even when she would make a campfire.

"Theta I'm going to move the vehicle and get supplies to make a fire- In case he asked where I went." She said as she left. Were all AI's this annoying? Maybe she didn't want her own AI. Yes, they were men to be an ally, a friend who cared for you unconditionally- but she already had a friend who loved her unconditionally.