The next day went on as normal. Still miffed from the last training session, nobody trained today. I hadn't seen Tex since the yesterday either, though I was hoping I'd find her.

That's what caused me to walk around the Mother of Invention's halls, glancing in every nook and cranny I could to find the black armor clad woman. To keep myself occupied, I had a silent conversation with Alpha, who seemed to be doing a lot better since the last A.I. was created. I was just getting over the headaches when the Counselor told me I was scheduled for another surgery tomorrow.

I was pissed off, and tried to argue against it, but the Director had none of it. He claimed that he was planning on giving me more time to rest, but due to the 'mishap' I caused yesterday, he cut my time short.

Completely ridiculous, I said like five words!

'Well I hope after going through this several times, the pain goes away. We should get used to it, right?'

I didn't answer, simply taking Alpha's comment into account. I mean, that made sense, right? You'd think we'd get used to it, but how was Alpha supposed to get used to being literally torn apart.

Sighing, I turned a corner and ended up running into Connie. Excuse me, C.T., she hated being called 'Connie.'

Judging from her sweats and tank top, I assumed she wasn't training today either. I would be wearing the same, but I remembered we had a mission today, so I was wearing my armor.

"Hey, Cal, sweet. Can I talk to you for a sec?" she asked, looking down the hall to make sure we were alone.

I nodded. "What's up?"

"Have you noticed anything...suspicious going on lately?"

"No," I frowned, "what do you mean exactly?"

"Well, I...I just-" she glanced around once more before lowering her voice. "I think that the Director is up to something."

I raised an eyebrow. "'Up to something?'"

She nodded eagerly before spouting out some theory about where the other A.I. came from.

"I mean, they had to come from somewhere, right? And honestly, I think there's only supposed to be one. I found something, and I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but I'm-"

"Agent California, Agent Connecticut, would you please meet with the Director and the other Agents for your next assignment?" F.I.L.S.S.' voice rang through the hall, interrupting CT.

"Shit! I forgot we had a mission! I'll be right there!" she called before running off, most likely to her room. I rolled my eyes, but smirked at her forgetfulness. Placing my helmet on my head, I decided it would be best to get there as soon as I could, so the Director wouldn't get anymore mad at me.

"Okay! Well, I just ran everything again. All calculations are up to date. Taking into all standard delays for communication and response time. Our window...looks good!"

"I agree."

I rolled my eyes and Alpha gave me his signature 'this fucker' look. "Uh, yeah, well, you should. I'm sure you'd make the same calculations I did. Just, you know, more slowly."

I snickered and gave Alpha a mental hi-five.

The Director turned his gaze on the A.I. floating next to me, green eyes filled annoyance.

"Arrogance is a rather unbecoming trait, Alpha."

"Are you seriously giving him a lecture on arrogance right now?" I scoffed, before noticing someone walk towards us.

I was about to warn the Director, but Al beat me to it. "Heads up, you've got a visitor."

"Director-"

"Log off," the Director said.

"On it."

"Yeah yeah, way ahead of ya,'" Alpha disappeared.

The Director turned around and I stood next to him nodding at Carolina.

"Yes, Agent Carolina?"

"The team is ready, sir."

"Excellent. Let us begin."

I followed the Director, and Carolina looked at me suspiciously when we passed. Did she see Alpha?

"Agents," the Director started, "you mission today is by far the most important you've undertaken to date. A our number one, Agent California, with the help of our number two, Agent Carolina, will be leading from the field."

The Director nodded at me and Carolina and I stood at the head of the counter thing (?).

"Okay, so, here's what we have," I started. "As you may have heard, there is suspected Insurrection activity in this area."

As I said that, I noticed C.T. glance away, looking down at her hands as if she was guilty of something. It reminded me of how strange she's been acting recently, and I hesitated before speaking again. Noticing my troubles, Carolina stepped in.

As she was talking, she pressed a button and a hologram of the building formed on the table.

"What does security look like?" Wyoming asked.

Having regained my train of though, I answered, "Well, there's enough troops to fill a 110 story building."

"So," Wash muttered, "That's a lot of security."

Carolina nodded, "We're up to it."

I rolled my eyes (fondly) at Carolina's arrogance. She was determined, but extremely cocky.

'You're one to talk.'

"Anyway, our job is to infiltrate the building, work our way to the floor where the sarcophagus is being held, and secure it," I explained.

North cocked his head to the side, "The 'sarcophagus?'"

"That is what we're calling the primary objective," the Director answered before I could.

"But, since this is a high-level asset, we need to assess a key code to open the sarcophagus."

Wash snorted, "And I'm guessing they don't just keep that strapped to the side?"

"Unfortunately," I mumbled. It would probably make our lives a lot easier.

"It's held by an official of the program who will be moving in a vehicle along the freeway between inspections," Carolina continued. " That's when we'll hit the facility."

I nodded, "Right. We'll need to acquire both targets within minutes of each other. If we fail that-"

"-the remaining target will enter lock-down, and we miss our window." I glared at Carolina for cutting me off.

"We will not have another chance at this," the Director said.

"So, that means two teams?" Wash asked.

I nodded again, "Two teams. Team A will consist of me, Carolina, Wash, and Maine. We will work infiltration on the package's storage facility. York is still in the infirmary, so that means Was will take over lock picking duty."

Wash tilted his head, thoroughly confused. "Me? Well, alright, I guess that means I have to reread my field manual."

I chuckled and opened my mouth to speak, but another voice cut me off.

"Hey, don't be so quick to give my job away, Cali."

"York?"

Turning around, it sure enough was. I frowned, not because I wasn't glad to see him, but because I knew for a fact he was supposed to be in the infirmary until tomorrow.

Carolina walked over to meet him halfway to the door. She said something I couldn't necessarily hear, but their conversation got louder as they walked back to the table.

"..it's okay, docs are lettin' me out tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, huh?" Wash asked skeptically.

"Look," York held his hands up," I couldn't let you guys have all the fun without me. 'Sides, you need someone to get you in."

I sighed and shrugged, not completely agreeing with it, but not dejecting the idea either. Wash took Carolina to the side, most likely to talk about York being here.

"Hey, York says he's good, then he's good."

Wash looked at me, "Technically, it's Cali's call."

Everyone looked at me and I shrugged in response. "...I guess... I mean, I trust York's judgement."

The Director set his hands on the table. "It's settles then. York will join Team A and get them in the facility."

"Thank you, sir."

I noticed something a little off about the teams. Five of us on Team A? That means only 3 on Team B. "But Director, that means-"

"Transport will be lightly equipped pelican drop ships," Carolina said, cutting me off once more. She seemed to have a really bad habit of doing that.

"We're rigged for fast running only, people," the 479er pilot said. "No heavy armament."

It finally seemed to register to the Director that I had said something. "California, was there something you had to say?"

"Yes, sir. With York on Team A-"

"What about it?"

"With York on Team A," I said more forcefully, openly glaring at Carolina, "that means that Team B will have North, Wyoming, and CT. I'm not saying they can't handle themselves, but wouldn't it make more sense if York-"

"York needs to get us in. If we're moving anyone, it would be Wash. We don't need him as much...sorry." I could tell she wasn't sorry.

"Yeah, it-it's cool."

"Carolina-"

"Now, Team B will act as recon for Team A," deciding it was pointless to argue against her, I shut up and listened to Carolina. "Once we enter the building, you will disengage to attack the target on the freeway." When she finished speaking, she glanced at me, as if expecting something.

'Of fucking course you don't need me to play leader role, but as soon as we have to make decisions-'

'Cali, focus. Carolina isn't the enemy.'

I sighed, "Right, um... North will lead Team B."

"Got it."

"What about Agent South?" CT asked suddenly, taking me by surprise.

"Agent South will not be accompanying you on this mission," the Director answered.

I figured that would be the end of that conversation, but CT never knows when to shut up.

"Hmm, guess the world's a tough place when you move down a rank. And where's our new recruit? Will she be joining us?"

"That's enough questions, Agent Connecticut," I snapped.

"Noticed she didn't say 'no?'" she whispered to Carolina, who glared in return.

"Team B shall be simple," 'Lina continued. "Stop the vehicle, and grab the case. Team A, we have more of a challenge."

"She's right," I picked up. "The sarcophagus is...unknown."

Wash stepped forward, "Uh, how unknown are we talking?"

"Well, unknown in that we don't know its size or its weight or its dimensions. We just know it will have these markings somewhere on the exterior," I answered as the hologram changed from the building to the symbol.

"I saw those same markings on the oil platform," North said.

The Director nodded, "Correct. That facility created the primary object."

"Do we know what's inside?" Wash asked.

"Yes, we know," I answered before stopping myself.

CT shook her head. "How do we know what's inside, but not how big it is?"

She noticed the Director looking at her. "Sorry, sir."

"We have a job to do people, let's do it right," Carolina said.

"And come home safely!" I added.

"That's all," the Director said. "You are dismissed."

We stood at attention and said together, "Yes, sir!" before moving to our assigned ships.

"This seat taken?"

I looked up to Wash referring to the seat next to me.

"N-no! Go ahead," I said, strapping myself to the seat.

He nodded and sat, securing himself as well. We sat quietly for a while, the ship took off and 479er began to fly us to our destination.

I took a quick glance at Wash and smiled to myself. I mean, he wanted to sit next to me!

God, I feel like such a little girl. Why am I worrying about these kind of things right now? Not only have I never felt like this around a guy, but we're in the middle of a mission. Get a hold of yourself!

'You ever wonder that maybe it's something more than a crush?'

I mentally glared at Alpha, but physically glared at Maine, who was sitting across from me.

'No. And its not. I don't even like him like that, we're friends.'

'Cali, I can literally read your mind. You're not fooling anyone here.'

'Shut up.'

Suddenly, North spoke over our radio, and I put my focus back on our task.

"Team A, you look clear. Window is open. Start you clocks on my mark...Mark."

"Sync."

"Roger that. Team A is moving," I said.

"Copy that, California. Good luck, Team A,' North responded.

"Thanks."

"We won't need it," Carolina said.

With that, we moved out.

Once in the building, Wash, Maine and I began looking around, on the lookout for any Insurrectionists (is that an actual thing?) as Carolina and York made their way to the lock.

"How long to crack that lock?'

"Should take about 60 seconds. You can give me 15."

However, as he got closer to the lock, he seemed to get less cocky. "Wow. Is that holographic?"

Their conversation grew quiet as they talked more privately, and I continued to keep my guard up. York may be amazing with locks, but one can never-

Suddenly, an alarm went off.

"Hey, guys?"

Still, the door opened. "Everybody in!"

"Thanks York," I said, "but please do something about the alarm system."

"Yeah, we don't need anymore surprises."

"Does saying sorry count as something?"

Carolina glared at him for a good ten seconds.

"Mm, guess not."

"Guys, stop flirting, we have a mission," I joked (but sort of not joking bc I was still salty lina from earlier (who dares cut me off?)).

"I could say the same to you and Wash."

"What?" Wash asked.

"What."

"Carolina, can we focus please?"

She smirked at me before talking to York, "We'll secure the package. Set some trackers and then find us a way out of this."

"Moving."

When we entered the next room, I took charge. "Alright everyone, spread out. What we need is in here somewhere. It's probably something small, easy to miss."

Carolina nodded, "Take as many scans as possible. There may be other things we can use here."

As soon as Carolina said that, Maine found a really scary looking knife/gun, and picked it up. He looked at Wash and I from across the table where he got his weapon and held it against his armor, as if posing for us.

"That's a good look," Wash said awkwardly. I nodded in agreement and the three of us turned to walk in separate directions.

Noticing Carolina was on the radio, I walked over to her. Did York have something important to say? If so, why didn't he radio the whole team? Or at least me (the damn leader).

"Alright team, we're about to have company," she said to us.

"Great," I muttered, cocking my rifle.

"Hey, boss...es," Wash said, jogging over to Carolina and I. "I have good news and bad news."

"Hit me," I said. "Us?"

He gave a breathy laugh before explaining his 'news' to us. "Well, we found the markings we're looking for. The bad news is:...they're on that."

We looked over to where he was pointing and I felt extremely dejected looking at the giant sarcophagus.

"That?"

Before anyone could respond, York spoke over the radio.

"Team A, I got an exit up here. Straight up the stairwell, door to the roof, helipad."

"Copy," I said, "I'll radio air support."

"How are we supposed to get that on the roof?" Carolina asked, though no one answered.

'Cal, remember that window washing unit we passed?'

'Yeah...why?'

Alpha didn't respond, but suddenly, I got an idea. Immediately, I radioed York.

"York, I saw a window washing unit when we came in. Can you find where it attaches to the building?" I asked.

"Uh, I dunno, that's a little tough, let me see what I can do."

Wash stepped closer to me, "What are you doing?"

"Improvising. Come here, Maine."

"Improvising? I hate it when we do that!"

A/N: Late update again yes I knowooowoww but I mean it's finals and I'm like super stressed, but my last day of school is Wednesday so hopefully I can start updating regularly again. Anyway, this chapter was originally supposed to be longer, but my eyes burn and I want to get it out as soon as possible to yeah! Also, I don't mean to make Carolina seem like a total bitch, I love her, she's awesome, but we know she's pretty arrogant n stuff. But we're just seeing everyone through Cali's eyes I guess, and she is jealous of her. California wants to be the best and she's scared cause she thinks that without alpha she's a terrible soldier (there will be more depth to this later in the story and I don't mean to give spoilers, but it's quite obvious she's grown very attached to the AI. Wanna see how she reacts when he's taken away from her? (-: )

Oooh ooh also B4 I 4get, hopefully/probably more Wash/Cali action soon? I want to begin building they're relationship, but I don't want it to be like in the middle of a mission and like "hey guess what I love you haha k"

Anyway, hope you guys like this chapter! It's kinda trash, but review n lemme know anyway lmao

~Saaammmm