Chapter 12: Fighting Spirit

The floor of the UNSC ship shook with the heavy footsteps of marching soldiers. The reds and the blues walked towards a large gathering hall where they were being summoned by Washington. Simmons and Grif led their group composed of Matthews, Bitters, Donut and Sarge. Simmons looked at the large line to their left and saw the soldiers marching in a disciplined manner. "I wonder what Wash wants us there for."

"Maybe it's to give the whole army a motivational speech," Matthews suggested with the wide motion of his arms. "I have noticed a distinct lack of motivation amongst some of the troops."

"Well I hope it is for an all you can eat lunch party surprise," Bitters replied rubbing his belly as it hungered for more food. His controlled portions no longer did it for him. Donut suddenly burst out into a Mexican dance saying. "Or maybe, it is for a feisty session of Mexican dancing, preferably with tacos on the side."

"Mmm tacos…," Bitters' mouth already watered.

"Can it numb nuts," Sarge grunted pointing to the entrance of the hall. "Just wait and see when we get there."

Tucker observed the growing numbers from the left side of the hall to the right. He looked back to the ex-Freelancer and asked. "So what was so important that you had to disturb my…um 'alone time'?"

"Yeah, I was going to eat some glorious chocolate cake with Iowa!" Caboose complained folding his arms together. Idaho snickered with a huge grin underneath his helmet. "The cake is a lie!"

Terrill and Darryl dropped by with Ohio and Sherry following closely. They took their place by Iowa's side and waited for the speech to begin. Washington looked at the monitors displaying the reds and blues from the other ships, and the camera in front of him to show others his picture. It looks like everyone is here but one man. Just as Washington was about to request Tucker to go hunt him down, he showed up with a plate of sausages. "Guten tag my Blood Gulch hoomies. I bring myself some delicious sausages of ultimate delight."

"And heart attacks," added one of the blues. Muffins took a bite out of the sausage and flexed his face in extreme pleasure. "Mmm, nom, nom, om!"

"Mmm…sausages," spoke Iowa and Caboose in unison. Tucker and Idaho, in unison stood in their way and said. "Stop it."

Both Grif and Bitters however managed to use their stealth mode to swipe a few sausages off of them. Grif gave a few to Caboose and Iowa and ate the rest all on his own. Washington shook his head at the antics and clapped his hands. "Okay, everyone listen up. The reason I gathered you all here is for matters of grave importance. You may have known that recently we didn't have a time limit of any sort. But recently I was informed that our enemy has given us a time limit of one month. So be ready by then."

"What would we need to do to be ready?" asked one of the reds. Washington looked in their general direction and answered. "Train, and get lots of exercise both for your body and your aim as a soldier. The training duties will be passed onto one of Muffins' men. He is a very capable soldier. The recruitment duties will remain with me. The training schedule will also change so that you have more opportunities to train. The recruitment will be fast tracked to help grow the army as soon as possible."

"Aren't you being a little too hasty?" inquired Sarge. "Speeding up recruitment, gathering so many numbers and expecting to train them all sounds a little too much in the span of one month."

"Considering our circumstances, we don't have much of a choice," argued Wash. "With our current numbers, we are close to meeting the numbers that Cradle of Hope in total possesses. But this will be nowhere near enough to ensure our victory when taking other factors into account such as combat skills and experience."

Washington looked towards Muffins who moped in one of the corners, doing his best to wipe those manly German tears! Washington cleared his throat gathering Muffins' attention. "I'm hoping we can still count on you for your support in our entry to Earth space."

"Ja, don't worry about it. I will talk to my people and they will get it sorted faster than you can shoot that mayonnaise you hunk of a man."

Washington almost threw up in his helmet again recalling a similar event taking place before in their adventures against the New Order. "Thanks…I will count on you to ensure safe entry into the UNSC controlled space around Earth then."

Washington looked back to the camera and the rest of the crowd. "Remember to give it your best in training, and be ready to kick some serious ass once we get to Earth. Ready yourselves for it will be a war. You are all dismissed now."

A double layered chocolate cake sat on a circular table surrounded by the greedy gazes of Caboose, Iowa, Idaho, Terrill and Darryl. Caboose lifted a knife to commence the cutting ritual. Where as one may think something as simple as cutting a cake may not be something ritual worthy, but they would be surprised at what could happen when the knife reaches Caboose's hands. Everyone but Iowa at the table shuffled a little in the opposite directions from Caboose for their own safety. Caboose raised his hand up in the air and the sound of thunder crackled. Everyone looked at Iowa holding up a portable speaker hooked up to his phone. "What? Oh, sorry. I was just trying to set the mood right."

Caboose swung the knife down. Everyone but the two simple headed soldiers thought, too fast! The knife cut through every little bit of the cake and reached the table. It has to stop right? They all wondered. But for some bizarre reason, the knife managed to make a crack from one end of the table to another extended from where the knife was wedged in. Everyone looked up at Caboose with eyes shot wide open and mouths opened in surprise. Idaho leaned close to study just how hard the knife was wedged in. It was in there pretty tight. "Dude, what type of workout routine do you have?"

"Um, eat your green vegetables!" Caboose exclaimed embarrassed at the display of his uncontrollable strength. Iowa wedged it free with his equally if not scarier strength and gently cut the cake into several little pieces. He handed the first piece to his slobbering blue friend who hungered for the feast. Caboose took a handful and stuck it in between from the helmet and his chin. The others broke out into laughter. "You know, it would be better if you take your helmet off."

"It's okay, I have had practice eating like this," Caboose took more and stuffed it in the small crevice. From his muffled voice, all they could make out was a confident response. "See?"

Everyone else clapped and quickly went into beast mode. All of them hungered for the sugary rush, the creamy sweetness, and the beautiful texture rub up against their tongue. They all moaned in the comfort that only a chocolate cake could ever provide. Terrill bit down on the last piece of his slice already and reached for seconds. "So guys, I was thinking that when all of this is said and done, I would open up a bar."

Darryl nearly choked on his slice looking wide eyed at his best friend. "Since when did you want to do this?"

"Since the day I found my passion of mixing drinks and working with booze," Terrill answered. "I got pretty good at it to with all the time we spent drinking on that ice ball of a planet."

"That is true," Idaho added. "But then again, I don't exactly have someone to compare you up against."

"Then, would there happen to be any room for a co-founder?" Darryl inquired leaning closer. Terrill got the clues as to what Darryl was hoping to hear. Happily he obliged his friend with the truth. "Well I do see one seat open right now."

The two quickly sealed the deal with a handshake. Darryl excitedly began to think about all the possibilities for their bar and said. "Then once this is over, let's sit down to talk about it in detail."

"You got it man," Terrill responded stuffing down another piece. Idaho wiped his fingers clean and hummed. "It's nice to have a dream isn't it? I wonder what I can do."

"What are you good at?" Caboose proposed. Idaho shook his shoulders after thinking for a few minutes. "Honestly, I don't know."

Iowa then said. "You are great at being a good best friend."

"I guess," said the ex-freelancer as he then made up his mind. "I will just stay in the military with Iowa."

"Actually," Iowa finished swallowing a bite. "I want to move into the research and exploration division of the army."

"This is the first time I'm hearing of this," Idaho retorted in surprise as with the rest. Caboose however did not find it too surprising. "He said he always wanted to be an explorer, so he should be an explorer!"

"Oh, cool beans," Idaho noted cleaning his mouth with some water. "I guess I will still tag along. After all, we are like the yin yang to one another bro."

"Or the grill to the pancakes!" said Caboose with his stomach now hungering for pancakes. Terrill then raised his empty water glass and noted. "Or maybe like the glass to the booze!"

"Heh, heh, yeah," Darryl faced the individual opposite to him. "Speaking of which, Caboose."

"Hello!"

"What do you want to do after the fight is over?"

"Hmm, I think I will just stay with my friends. Every day is fun with them, so I don't want to change it. Plus, friends stay with one another!" Caboose mentioned in a proud voice displaying his knowledge and mastery of friendship.

Two women sat face to face surrounded by soothing candles. Each candle lit a flame of different color variation. Sherry gathered a healthy serving of rice on her spoon and inched it closer to Ohio. The ex-freelancer opened her mouth and slowly felt the spoon enter. Their eyes locked and feelings exchanged in complete silence. Ohio slowly retreated with a mouthful of rice and gently chewed it down. She lifted up a small bite of her chicken nuggets and sensually pushed it inside Sherry's mouth until all that there was a kiss on her finger. The two women blushed at the intensity and looked away as their faces became redder. Sherry then cleared her throat drinking down the remains with her cup of water. "So, what do you want to do once the fight is over?"

Ohio stopped eating her own food to look up in deep contemplation, but at the same time surprise. "I don't really know, I hadn't thought about it. How about you?"

Sherry giggled thinking upon their similarities. It really shocks me sometimes just how similar our thoughts are at times. "I honestly don't know yet either."

"Hmm, then how about for starters," Ohio moved her finger in a circular fashion. "We go on a relaxing vacation all the way around Earth, just the two of us."

"I can get behind that idea. How about somewhere tropical? The beach, ocean and the sun would be nice."

Ohio smirked with a quick retort. "Perv, you just want to see me in my bikini."

"But you will get to see me in one to," Sherry quickly defended when the two had a sudden realization. We would get to see one another in a bikini. Their faces again became red and the two averted their eyes from one another, but stealthily reached for each other's hands. As the two women came into contact, they both laughed at how similar their minds worked. Ohio pinched Sherry's nose with a happy cloud nine grin and said. "That would be quite the sight. Honestly, just imagining it kind of gets the juices flowing if you catch my drift."

"Slow down there turbo," Sherry held up her hands as if to defend herself against a wild sexual animal. "Let's save those juices for our later 'activities'."

Ohio rested her head on her elbows and with half open eyes she spoke in a completely relaxed voice. "You know, you are being really cute right now, and that cuteness makes you seem sexier than usual."

"What can I say? I may just take every chance I can get to take you, my little puma to bed before the war."

Ohio's cloud nine sense of happiness quickly disappeared. Upon hearing the word 'war', concern came and invaded her once relaxed face. Sherry quickly picked up on the disturbance and reached out for her partner's hand with reassurance that she is here for her. Ohio only viewed this as an even greater concerning gesture. Sherry's tight grip further encouraged this view. "What is it that you are not telling me Sherry?"

The ex-Charon soldier looked away in contempt of her own weakness. I can never control these impulsive actions around her. I always end up making her worry. She clenched her hand around the table's edge doing her best to control her emotions. Worry and fear were un-shrouded in her eyes. Ohio rested her other hand atop Sherry's cheek and gently caressed it. "Talk to me Sherry. I know there is something bothering you. I can't be of any help if you don't tell me yourself."

"Ohio…," Sherry looked down and shook her head. She bit her lower lip and gazed up at her partner in complete fear. "I- I'm afraid. I'm afraid that one of us may die. I'm afraid to leave you or be left all alone."

"You won't be all alone," Ohio explained referring to the guys. "As far as one of us biting the dust goes, that won't happen. For if one is to die, and the other is left alone, there will be great sadness and regret for both of us. We both know that, so I also know that we won't let that happen, period."

Ohio reached over the table and rested her forehead against Sherry's making some invisible mental connection. "We will always be together, both in life and death."

Sherry jolted back a moment, surprised at Ohio's choice of words and at the same time flattered. "That sounds kind of like a cheesy marriage proposal."

"It might be."

Silence became evident, and soon it became an awkward silence. What? Oh my god, what do I do now? Both the ladies wondered. Ohio moved from her seat to face Sherry. This is going to be so cheesy as hell, Ohio thought as she positioned herself just right. She got down on one knee finally making Sherry realize just how serious she was. She nearly burst out into giggles and tears at the same time. "Sherry, I'm glad that I got to meet you as enemies first, because if we hadn't, I may have never come this far with you. I know I don't have much in the way of possessions, or even money. I can only give you my emotional and physical support. But I promise to be there for you both in life and death, so will you marry me?"

Sherry's tears finally trailed down her cheeks with the happiest smile she has ever worn in life. "And here I thought I would be the one to do the proposal."

Sherry bent down and hugged Ohio in excitement at taking another step in her life. "Yes, I will happily marry you!"

Both the women sit on the floor breaking out into a loud and innocent laughter. As their energy slowly died down, they looked into one another's eyes finally understanding the connection of all these years. It wasn't just love, but absolute support and the need for one another's presence in their lives. They shuffled closer until their lips locked. With that their deal was sealed. When the two women broke off for air, Sherry laughed at an amusing thought. "Imagine the look on Idaho's face when he finds out that we are marrying one another."

Ohio partook in the laughter as well. "Yeah, it will be quite the sight. But you know, he is a good guy and he will definitely support both of us in this decision."

"Yeah, so will Terrill, Darryl and Iowa. All of them are definitely on the list for our marriage event."

"Slow down babe," Ohio gently flicked Sherry's forehead playfully. "We haven't even won the war yet."

"I like to be prepared."

"True," Ohio pointed to the somewhat visible purple object under Sherry's bed. Sherry quickly blushed and leaned closer. Her voice became extremely seductive both from the object and the recent proposal. "Actually that is meant for both of us to use at the same time if you catch my drift."

Ohio smirked and that grew into a wider and more sensual smile. "Oh, I get your drift alright. I can't wait to put it to good use later."

Ohio helped Sherry up as the two sat hand in hand in their respective seats. Ohio thought of a few names to add to the event list just as they got settled in. "You know, I may want to invite Washington and the guys form Blood Gulch to. We do owe them quite a bit of debt for rescuing us from that ice planet after all."

"That's true, plus, the event wouldn't be as much fun without Caboose there."

"And he would make great company for Iowa," Ohio smiled noting just how close those two have gotten over this journey. Sherry quickly went silent, and so did Ohio as the two stared into one another's eyes with an aloof smile. Sherry realized just how long it has been since their initial meeting. A sense of nostalgia hit her to the brim and overflowed her with happiness. "You know, I'm real glad that I got to meet you Ohio."

"As am I."

The two rested their heads together and shared a deep passionate kiss. Their love felt renewed every time their passion was exchanged through their physical touch. The two held out great hope for the future, a future in which they walk on a sandy beach together side by side tied in matrimony.

Tucker and Palomo stood in one of the many open spots within the observatory. The two looked out in silence, a silence which was beginning to get to Palomo. "So…I can't wait to get back home and see my kid."

"The baby won't be born by that time dude," Tucker replied earning a nod of confirmation from Palomo. "Yeah, but I will be back just in time before the birth takes place."

Palomo shuffled in his spot holding back the energy that so clearly wanted to be visibly seen. He shook his arms and positioned them in a cradle position. "I can't wait to hold them in my arms. To be honest, I am a little anxious at the prospect of becoming a father. But at the same time I'm looking forward to the adventures this will bring to both Jenson and I."

Tucker smirked under the helmet recalling when he gave birth to Junior. "Just be sure to be super nice to Jenson when she is in labor, because she will be guaranteed to scream curses involving castration for putting that bun in the oven."

"What would make you think that?"

"Trust me Palomo, I have experience with giving birth."

"Wait, how does that even work?"

"I don't know, go ask Doc," Tucker shook his shoulders pointing to his butt. "All I did was push, push and push for hours until Junior popped out the hole here."

"Huh," Palomo was astonished to hear the process in greater detail than he would have liked. "Getting knocked up by an alien must have been quite the experience then."

"It wasn't fun," Tucker replied immediately to not give any wrong ideas. "Especially not when Caboose had chosen to stay by my side constantly asking if I needed a pillow, warm milk or worst of all a hug as I was giving freaking birth! I had to shower almost five times a day for a whole week after that just to wash off the Caboose from me."

"But was giving birth to and raising Junior worth it?"

Tucker looked at Palomo almost irritated at the question. "Of course, I wouldn't trade that time for anything else. Junior maybe an alien, but he is a chill alien and a great kid."

Palomo smirked noting just how proud Tucker's voice was at speaking about Junior. Tucker nodded his head in complete honesty of the fact. "Giving birth will be painful for Jenson, totally painful. But after that, it will be like the most magical feeling ever of seeing your kid. Well that is until reality sets in, where you have to pay your taxes, bills, cleaning up the baby poop, vomit and other stuff."

"So Tucker, how come you never got married?"

Tucker looked at Palomo with a raised eye brow at the sudden interest. "Well I was quite 'popular' in high school. When I joined the army, there were hardly any chicks who would take an interest in me. I mean me, the most badass soldier on this side of the galaxy. I even called dibs on the tank, I mean chicks love tanks."

"Right…"

"There were so few like Sister, I tried hitting on her offering to take her for a ride in my tank, but that didn't work because of a certain over protective brother who would constantly spy on me through her, even during alone time where I relieved some…stress. Then there was Tex, but that quickly stopped after she broke one of my arms and legs, stole my wallet and went on a shopping spree. Joke's on her because I didn't have any money in there!" Tucker laughed boldly. "I also tried hitting on Carolina, but while she was more tolerant, she did eventually set some ground rules like if I ever flirt with her, look her way with perverted looks or even have a perverted thought in her presence, she would make a smiley emote with bullets all over my manly face."

Palomo stood quite speechless. Tucker breathed out a heavy sigh and noted. "Yup, it's been one hell of a run with women. Too bad Kimball wasn't into me all that much since she threatened to throw me down below into a radiated lake that one time I tried hitting on her. Personally I stopped since I like to keep my bits and pieces as they are. So yeah, I don't really bother flirting anymore."

"Huh, wow…that sucks," Palomo answered quickly changing gears and perking up his mood. "But I can't wait to get back to my loving wife."

Tucker remained silent at the lack of subtlety shown by Palomo just as he told him about his terrible luck with women. How is it that Palomo can take a good moment and ruin it in a matter of seconds? He lowered his head and started walking away.

"Where are you going Tucker?"

"Eat a dick!" Tucker replied turning a corner with one last remark to himself. "I fucking hate you Palomo."

Dallas knocked on the wall beside the door frame and gathered Aria's attention. He entered with his arms behind his back and posture straightened like one befitting of a General. "More troops have flown in from the space colonies."

"Good, thank you for the update," Aria went back to her paper work but quickly realized that he still stood in the exact same spot. She eyed him from the top of her eyes and rested her hands together on the table. "Is there something that you need?"

"I wanted to ask if you are content with waging this war," Dallas moved closer looking deeply into her eyes, their gazes locked into a long drawn out stare. "I can tell that you are hesitant to fight."

"I'm not hesitant," her reply was instantaneous, and annoyed hoping to correct his misunderstanding. "My parents made sure of that. But I'm hesitant to take lives that can so easily be spared should the country decide to simply surrender. I don't like the idea of waging war and killing many when the most ideal solution would be for the enemy to surrender."

"Every battle has casualties."

"I know that better than anyone," Aria retorted further annoyed by his tone. "In fact I taught you this. But just because you have knowledge surrounding conflicts, it should not mean that you can revel in the violence."

"Then are you hesitant because of your brother?" Dallas Inquired taking a few steps back from Aria. He could feel the brewing storm of emotion in Aria which was thankfully under control for now. Aria glared the bearded general in the eyes, almost with bloodshot rage at the mention of her brother. "Do not talk about that, ever again. I have already declared him an enemy. There is nothing else to talk about on this matter. If you do not have any other questions, then leave."

Dallas nodded his head no longer wanting to push her buttons for now and left. Aria called in her next appointment, a group of soldiers and explained their orders. "Move the planes carrying the nuclear bombs to safe and remote locations where it can't be tracked so easily. Also, get our underground bases in the sewer system ready. I don't plan on staying here as it will be far too risky to do so. Call in for favors with the city council if you need to, but get it done."

"Yes ma'am!" saluted the soldiers as they all left one by one. The generals entered just as the final soldier left and Aria looked at yet another task to deal with. "Why are all of you here?"

Dallas looked around motioning for either of them to say it. But not one seemed to have the type of interest like he did, and so the bearded General said it himself. "We were hoping to know about our roles in the war."

"You are too early to be asking that," Aria responded crossing her arms. "But if you must know, you will act as leaders to the soldiers in your respective divisions. You all will also act as body guards for me protecting me as I work from the underground sewer base."

The generals silently accepted her orders as their absolute faith, not necessarily because they feared her, but because they believed in her. The generals all saluted and quickly left Aria to her own devices, to plan the very method and tactics that will define one of the greatest turning points in human history.

Men in blue and lightly armored uniforms stood in an organized crowd. In front of them was a small stage with a podium in the center. The cops of this city, brave men ready to get up every morning and face the dangers their jobs entailed now stood asking questions as to why they had been gathered here. A man older than most, dressed in a uniform of medals, and more extravagant piece of clothing compared to most officers stepped out holding his cap to his side. He walked to the center podium and gently placed the cap beside the prepared papers, his speech to sing to the masses. "Thank you for gathering here gentlemen. I asked for this internal meeting to take place because I felt that you all deserve to be kept in the loop with what is happening regarding the terrorists."

A few murmurs arose, but quickly dulled as he raised his hand demanding attention. "There has been quite a bit of discussion about this with the higher ups and the government. We have all reached a consensus that we will not concern ourselves or act on any concerns raised by the people of the city on this matter. The government is doing all they can to open negotiation channels with the terrorists hoping to resolve this peacefully. They don't want any violence breaking out that could jeopardize their chances of peace talks."

The officers nearly broke out into a loud protest as one spoke the loudest. "Then how are we supposed to protect people against the threat of their harmful ideologies?!"

"You are to do nothing. The protests are harmless."

The officer who once spoke with Alex before shook his head and noted. "With all due respect sir, that is not what I saw. One protestor at one of their rallies was ready to beat a woman senseless because she disagreed with what he said. I don't see that as harmless, at least not in my book."

The other cops nodded their head in agreement. "Yeah, we are the protectors of the law and the people. We should be out there!"

"Silence!" the commissioner screamed silencing the whole room. "If anyone is found acting against this order, they will be stripped of their rank, put on suspension and their future will become very uncertain on the force!"

"This is insane," many stated with a laughable tone. "We are the police of this city, and we are just supposed to bend over to the will of these terrorists?! This is exactly what they want us to do so they can maintain their presence and freely carry out their plans."

"Yeah," another cop spoke up pointing at the commissioner. "Suppressing us from doing our duties with threats like these is a violation of our workplace rights!"

The commissioner slammed his fist against the podium, and the echo silenced all at the sudden display of power and anger. "These are not my orders. They are coming directly for the government."

No one dare spoke out while the commissioner still seemed so very angry. But they all knew that this was still unfair. They knew that they all deserved to be out on the streets and fight to keep the people safe. The commissioner took in a deep breath and calmed down. "There will be no more discussion on these orders. Anyone found in breach of these orders can look forward to a long legal process headed their way."

Washington stared at the circular loading icon on two separate windows, one for his own video and another for someone else. The light on his webcam blinked and became a solid red soon enough. He looked at himself in the picture and adjusted to a better position. The other window finally finished loading, and the orange haired woman sat with a worn out smile and a face telling of much fatigue in her whole body. Washington smiled underneath the helmet and waved to her. "There she is, looking good."

"Heh, thanks," Carolina brushed her hair back to keep it from annoying her. "Thanks for coming on to talk like this Wash, I appreciate it. I already talked with the others, but I also wanted to talk to you seeing as how we will both be very busy now."

"Yeah," Washington nodded his head and studied her face with intense interest. "You look great by the way compared to the last time I saw you in that unfortunate aftermath."

Carolina lowered her head in embarrassment and admitted. "That was not one of my finer moments."

"Well, we are all only human, right?" Washington laughed with Carolina following suite. But he quickly changed topics and went onto the matter of business at hand. "Don't worry Carolina, no matter what happens, we will have that army ready and be there in no time."

"I know, I believe in you Wash. Whenever you have made a promise to me, you have always kept it. And I promise to do my best in training."

"Go be a badass again," Washington smirked underneath the helmet as did Carolina. She nodded her head in affirmation and felt even more encouraged knowing her friends still believed in her abilities and determination. Washington however leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms with a chuckle. "But be sure to leave some action for us when we get to Earth."

"Heh, no guarantees," Carolina answered with her voice slowly growing somber. Washington raised an eyebrow at this as he noticed her once good posture loosen up into that of a defeated person. She took in a deep breath and breathed out a sigh. "Wash, I have been thinking recently. Perhaps after this is over, and after the war is done with, my fighting days maybe over."

"Is it because of your trigger finger?"

"Well that is what started this whole thought spiral," Carolina explained. "But I have also realized just how much my body has reached its limits after being so bashed and battered throughout my life as a fighter. Everyone's body at some point in our lives tells us enough is enough, no more. Maybe my body is telling me that I have reached my physical limit."

"I gotta say, I'm quite surprised to hear you say all these things. I mean you are Agent Carolina, the best of the best."

"Maybe my time in torture has changed me and how I think about things now. But one thing is abundantly clear to me now, unclouded. I just want out, I want peace."

"To be honest, I have been having similar thoughts," Washington admitted studying the visible surprise on her face. Carolina scratched her hair and asked. "Why would you be thinking about this?"

"Well this whole military thing is starting to become hard on both my mind and body. When I was younger, things were simpler and there was only black and white. I was given orders to fight someone, and I would do it without questions. Now that I'm older, hopefully wiser and how things have become so much more complex, I find myself questioning so many things in this grey universe."

Washington looked at the small bobble head to his side and flicked it into a hypnotic rhythm. "Sometimes I wonder if it is even worth it to continue fighting even though in the end it never gives me any sense of accomplishment now days, or even happiness in the long run. It's the quieter moments with the others that seem to do those things."

Carolina smiled in a warm and caring gesture upon a similar realization as his. "It looks like we are on the same wavelength of thinking. You know what, if one of us doesn't kick the bucket first in this conflict, we should go out together. There is this great movie theater that I know about, it will be great, just us two ex-freelancers getting our long deserved break."

"Just the two of us?"

"Yup," Carolina stretched her arms and jerked a little at the small pain in her back. Washington nodded his head saying. "That sounds like a good time. You know, I have also had this desire lately of retiring somewhere tropical."

"I don't think retirement would really suit us."

"Why?"

"Well I'm quite certain that we would get bored of it really fast," she grinned just imagining the two of them sitting in a rocking chair, doing whatever retired individuals did, and all of a sudden Washington would kick his legs up in frustration citing how retirement was a bad idea. Washington to had a similar thought and agreed. "I guess you are right now that I think about it."

"It would be interesting to run a beach lodge though."

"Then let's make a deal," Washington found the idea interesting and was determined to hear more about it, with a few conditions set out. "If we survive the fight, we will both sit down and have a long hard thinking session to figure out our future."

Carolina crossed her arms behind her head looking up at the ceiling. She thought long and hard about the many futures that could be theirs. "Deal. A life beyond the armor would be a brand new chapter in my life which I will happily embrace."

"As will I," he replied checking the time. "Looks like my break is up, I have to get back to my duties now. Good luck to us all Carolina."

"Yes, good luck to us all."

The screens went black. Wash leaned back and smiled at this euphoria feeling. That was an interesting talk. He got up and stretched his body. A life beyond the armor, this maybe the most excited I have ever been in quite a while. He switched off the lights in his room and exited to tend to the tasks requiring his attention.

The young assassin inched closer to his destination, and his heart beat hastened with anxiety. What do I say to her? He wondered pushing his hands into his pockets. He stopped upon being met by the lifeless stare of the metal door. Church appeared just as he was about to knock on Carolina's door and held up a hand to stop him. "So why are you here?"

Church's voice was cold, unwelcoming and filled with malice. Alex looked down at the ground and motioned towards the main room of the base. "Siris told me that Carolina wanted to talk to me."

"Fine," Church slid out of the way and motioned for him to enter. "But don't you try and pull any other crap with her."

"Church, I never did. In fact, I never meant to."

"And is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"Look, I'm sorry for what happened. I feel guilty that something like that even happened. I couldn't stop my sister from hurting her, and I'm sorry for that to. I have a lot of regrets built up in life and I want to try and do better, to atone."

Church sighed letting his shoulders fall. He knew that what Alex spoke of contained the truth. He knew it all too well thanks to his superior programming, but even then as an AI he could not let go of the emotional binds. His anger outweighed his understanding at the moment. "I get why you did what you did, but I can't forgive you right now."

Church disappeared much to Alex's frustration. He had hoped to resolve this issue with Church right now. Alex moved to knock on the door and enter her room slowly and carefully so as not to alert her. She looked at his healthy form and motioned towards the bed. "Take a seat."

"Thanks," Alex felt the comfortable softness of the bed to be soothing. Carolina offered a friendly smile as she spoke. "I know what you are thinking Alex. What happened is not your fault, at least not completely. I'm sorry for following you against your will."

"I'm sorry for getting you caught," Alex explained. "Had it not been for that explosive entry of mine, you would have probably never been caught."

"Yeah, well I'm sorry for showing you that ugly side of myself after the torture."

"That was not ugly," Alex noted as he rested his hands on his knees. "It was beautiful at how strong you are, fighting to keep the silence when most others probably would have cracked by then. I'm sorry for not being able to protect you from my sister even though I had direct access to her as well as spoken with her."

"I'm sorry for unintentionally making you everyone's target of their anger."

"I'm sorry for the pain your condition may have caused you and to those around you."

Carolina stomped her foot and nearly puffed her cheeks. "Damn it, let me have the last sorry!"

The two stared at one another rather surprised and quickly broke out into a hearty laughter. Alex wiped the small tear from all the laughing and asked. "Are you really ready to train again?"

"Not you to," Carolina shifted in her seat, straightened her posture and hardened her gaze towards him. "I am ready. While my aim is not as good with my left hand, I can still fight. My hand to hand skills while a little restricted, I'm not disabled."

"When the fighting breaks out, you had better stick with someone you trust the most," Alex advised earning a nod and words of agreement from the now visible Church. Alex looked from the holographic display to the orange haired woman. He leaned closer with his hands gripped together. "Do you hate my sister for what she had done?"

Carolina looked warily at him and understood how she answers this question will no doubt affect their future partnerships. But she also understood the value of honesty. "It would be hard not to after everything that happened. But if my life experiences have taught me anything, it's that hate never leads to anything good. I hate her, but that doesn't mean I will act on that hatred to take her life with such twisted intentions. I will fight not for hatred, but to instead protect those I care for the most."

Alex smiled happy to see this determination and asked. "Would you be willing to accompany me in defeating Aria?"

"Do you know where she is?"

"Yes," he motioned towards his gauntlet that displayed a transparent map. "She hasn't caught wind of the trace I put on her before. I can track her position daily with this tracker on her armor."

"Then," Carolina smirked and stretched her body. "It will be my pleasure."

A/N: Strap in tight folks for the war is about to begin. I hope you are all looking forward to the final conflict and the conclusion to this trilogy.

Constructive feedback is always welcomed! :)

Thank you for your readership as well as support, I appreciate it.

~ Monty