Chapter 3

Bad Blood

The UNSC soldiers immediately raised their weapons to the aggressor, as Washington and Simmons quickly grabbed Sarge and pulled him back away from the commander. Sarge gave little resistance and instead removed his helmet, which none of the Reds or Blues had ever seen him do, and glared daggers at the commander who was repositioning himself and rubbing his jaw where Sarge had punched him. The commander saw the face of his attacker and frowned.

Confusing his troops, he ordered them to stand down and lower their weapons.

Everyone was very confused at the situation that was playing out before Sarge growled, "So this is what you're doing nowadays, eh Duke? Commanding some flying pile of junk rather than stepping all over your unit?"

The commander, who Sarge addressed as Duke, responded in a sad tone, "Sarge, I'm sorry. I thought I was doing what was right but I was wrong. Can we just agree to move on from that?"

Sarge glared at the face of the commander for only a few seconds before turning around and storming out of the room while grumbling to himself.

Everyone was quiet for a moment before the commander resumed talking, "I'm sorry about that interruption, but I must continue with the task at hand."

"Shouldn't we go get Sarge first?" Simmons asked.

The commander, visibly frustrated with all the delays, responded, "Okay, fine. I want everyone in this room. So go and bring Sarge back here. We don't have much time to waste, so make it quick!"

Everyone began to make their way out of the room to go and find him before the commander added, "Church, I want you to stay back so we can have a quick 1 on 1 chat."

Tucker prodded Washington to remind him of the person he was impersonating.

"Oh… right."

The worries that Washington had when it came to dealing with the UNSC were returning. He could go to jail for life for being involved with Project Freelancer, and Sarge's actions and the commander's interest in Church were not going to help quell his fears.

"Everyone else is dismissed as well. There is clearly no danger, and I'd prefer privacy."

The soldiers acknowledged their superior and made their way out of the room. This made plans for escape simpler for Wash, he would only have to kill the commander to get out of this room, or he could take him as a hostage and get off this fuel station, or he could -

"I know you're not Church, so you don't have to pretend to be"

Washington was caught off guard by this and kept his defenses up. In his best Church impersonation he said, "I'm uh, not sure what you're talking about sir, I ca -"

"In truth I wanted to give you my thanks, Agent Washington. Without your efforts in dismantling Project Freelancer, the UNSC, and specifically myself, would have had to dedicate substantial time and effort into undoing what Leonard Church had done. So the UNSC has seen fit to grant yourself and your friends full pardons for your actions related to the program."

"I… Thank you so much sir" This is finally what Wash wanted to hear. Himself and his friends are now free from… well they aren't exactly his friends but -

"And there was one more matter I hoped to discuss" The commander continued and Washington perked up.

"I want to make you my right-hand man for a certain mission I've undertaken that finally puts an end to the mess that was Project Freelancer once and for all. I want you to help me hunt down and capture the Director, Doctor Leonard Church"

"Where the fuck did he even go?" Tucker asked as they turned another corner, finding nothing once again.

"I don't think I've ever seen him that pissed, and that's saying a lot" Grif commented.

Caboose gave an audible gasp. "You're right! Maybe he had to go to the bathroom."

"Not that kind of… you know what nevermind" Grif gave up on correcting him immediately. "What do you think, Simmons?"

There was a noticeable period of silence until Simmons seemed to snap out of his daze, "Huh, what? Oh yeah, I'm sure we'll find him soon. Sorry, I'm just worried cause you're right, I've never seen him that angry."

Everyone went quiet as the seriousness of the situation seemed to settle in, until Caboose pointed and shouted out, "There he is!"

Turning to the corridor he was pointing down, they found the red soldier sat down with his back against the wall. His helmet was back on his head, but his anger was still visible in his clenched fists and hostile posture.

"Sarge!" Simmons shouted out as he ran over to him, with the others close behind. "What happened? Are you okay? Why did yo-"

Sarge put his finger up in a motion to get Simmons to stop talking, sighing and using his shotgun to life himself off the ground, he responded, "It ain't your issue, so don't worry about it. Happen to know where the exit is, cause I seem to have misplaced it."

"You're trying to leave? But that commander dude was just about to explain why he brought us here!" Tucker said.

"I don't give a damn what that bastard has to say. I'm getting out of here on the double."

"How do you even know him?" Grif asked.

"As far as I'm concerned, I don't know him. Now help me find the way out of here." With that, Sarge turned away from the group to continue his search.

"But we can't leave Church behind!" Caboose cried out.

Sarge turned back around to face him, "Chur-, oh you mean Washington. Who cares, leave him."

"But he's our friend!"

Sarge scoffed. "Sure thing Blueberry, believe what you want."

Sarge began to turn back around again until they could all feel the ship start rumbling, as it was clear that the Ikaru was taking off.

"What the fuck!?" Tucker cried out, struggling to maintain balance. "They're kidnapping us, I didn't consent to this!"

Sarge marched by the group, now heading back to the control station mumbling as he passed, "Change of plans I suppose."