"So there I was, cornered by three Elites with only one shot left in my magnum." York began, eyes twinkling with mischief as his tale gained the attention of the other two freelancers at the table. "I'm raising hell on the comms, but I had taken a needle to my receiver earlier in combat. So I had no idea if anyone was even alive to respond or not. I figured I could've taken one of em, maybe two if I could get a hold if one of their plasma rifles."
Maine let out a chuckle at that. "Get yourself killed trying it" the large Freelancer rumbled, helmet still on unlike the rest of them.
York let out an exasperated sigh, "C'mon man, just let me finish my story. Where was I? Oh right, so we've got a stare down going on, which they decided to cheat at I suppose." He laughed before continuing. "They drew their energy swords and fall out sprinted at me. I was about to fire my last shot when I see this tealish aqua colored blur fly forwards, and she smashed the closest ones head into a wall with a sidekick. I'm telling you, that thing exploded! Do you know how bad elite guts smell?" He winced, "Took seven showers… Anyways, this guys head blew apart and his two buddies are just standing there dumbfounded. Didn't even get a chance before she picked up his energy sword and whoosh, vwomp!" York accentuated the sound effects by pretending to swing an energy sword, nearly knocking his tray over onto Washington.
"York!" A sharp female voice shouted across the mess hall, and Washington, Maine, and CT broke out in laughter as Agent Carolina walked up to their table. "You were supposed to meet the Director in his office twenty minutes ago…" She growled, looking fairly frustrated.
Yorks smile fell and his face paled, as he hurriedly picked up his helmet and dumped his tray onto Washington's. "Thanks Wash," he spoke, right before sprinting out the doors of the mess hall, and nearly running over Arkansas and Arizona as he ran past.
Carolina merely smirked a little and sat down where the tan freelancer had been, next to Wash and Maine. Washington looked up from his mess of a tray and waved. "Ark, 'Zona, over here!" the grey and yellow freelancer called out.
"Be there in a minute!" Ark replied as he and Arizona walked to the front, loading up their trays with food.
'Zona looked around the mess hall as they picked up their trays. "Where's North? I thought you said he would be here." She asked.
Arkansas felt the familiar tightening in his chest, jealousy welling up in him as she mentioned her previous lover. "Hell if I know, he said he would be here. I'm not his handler." He spoke, an unintended edge to his voice.
She simply sighed in disappointment, and they both walked over to Wash's table, taking seats next to CT and across from Wash, Carolina and Maine. CT looked up from her book and nodded at 'Zona, who returned the gesture, before returning back to her fictional world. Carolina however, frowned at the pair when they sat down. "Arizona, you're supposed to be in training with Florida still." She then looked over at Ark incredulously, "Ark you aren't supposed to be out of Recovery One for another week!" she exclaimed.
Ark took off his helmet and smiled weakly, "Sorry boss, I'm healed enough for now though and I needed to get out of there." 'Zona just rolled her eyes at Carolina, not even bothering to respond as she began to eat.
Carolina wasn't having any of that however, and turned her wrath on her. "Arizona, you're scheduled to be training with Florida for another hour. We need to keep our team in top physical condition and we can't do that if some people won't listen to the fucking rules!" She hissed, as Wash slid a little bit further away from Carolina.
Ark intervened here before 'Zona could respond. "My fault again, sorry." Then finding a way to vent his frustrations, he added, "North was supposed to meet us here but has yet so show…"
Grumbling, Carolina relented slightly. "Fine then, just don't do it again." She looked over at the clock and stood up, looking over at Arkansas with an evil glee in her eyes. "If you're so good now Ark, why don't you come with me to the Directors office. I'm sure he wouldn't mind teaming you and York together on his new assignment."
Raising his eyebrows in surprise, he thought for a moment before standing up. "Sure thing, would be nice to chill out with York for a bit." He smirked at Carolina's expression which soured slightly before she strode off to the Directors office. You want me to play your game, I'll play. But I'm playing it my way… He thought, chugging the last bit of drink he had before picking up his helmet off the table.
Arizona muttered, "You didn't have to do that…"
Ark turned to look at her, staring in confusion. "Didn't have to do what?"
She looked up from her food and looked at him with the faintest hint of worry in her eyes, "Putting yourself out there for me. Now she's throwing you into a mission fresh out of the infirmary and if you get hurt…" she trailed off, and he knew exactly what she was implying.
"I'll be careful 'Zona, I promise. Do you mind if I borrow your sniper though? York will need some backup." He questioned, giving her a smile.
Her face scrunched up, as she contemplated it for a moment. "Fine… but not ONE scratch, got that? You know I'll have your ass if it's broken."
Ark gave her a mock salute, "Yes ma'am" he joked.
"Arkansas get your ass over here!" Carolina shouted through the doors, loud even through the metal.
Every freelancer at the table winced simultaneously upon hearing her call.
CT sighed, exasperated and slammed her book down on the table, startling everyone. "Would you just fucking go already?!"
Ark merely held his hands up in surrender and jogged over to the doors, smiling weakly. "See y'all around" He spoke, before a teal armored hand shot out from the doors and yanked him through, reducing the rest of them to laughter once again.
'Zona wiped a tear away from laughing so hard, before standing up. "I really should be heading off, gotta get back to kicking Florida's ass." She smirked, remembering knocking him on his ass last round.
Maine growled and Arizona froze, looking back at the freelancer who had also stood up. Towering over 'Zona, he grumbled, "What about North?"
Blushing, she threw on her helmet quickly to hide it before replying, "What about him?"
Now Wash hopped in on the conversation, "Well, you two used to date and haven't you heard the news yet?" He asked, looking puzzled.
It was Arizona's turn to be confused, "Heard what?" She asked.
CT looked up from her book, looking surprised. "You seriously haven't heard?"
'Zona ground her teeth together in frustration, "No, I haven't heard what it fucking is yet! So tell me already and quit beating around the goddamn bush!" She cursed.
Maine growled, "North was caught in bed with Maryland"
Arizona froze in her tracks, feeling her heart sink into her stomach. "….What."
"Welcome back Agent Arkansas" The Director drawled as both Ark and York saluted and left the office. Both were groaning as they left, whereas Carolina walked inside immediately after their departure. "Are the agents in position, Carolina?" He asked.
"Yes sir, all accounted for…" Carolina spoke, before being cut off as the door shut behind her.
"Hey man, look at the bright side! We get to go on a mission together AND your girlfriend is letting you use her rifle." York accentuated with a wink while Ark groaned and put his hands to his head.
"If she ever hears you say that, she will not hesitate to unload a round into your ass." Ark mumbled.
York grinned, "Nah, I'll leave that to you two in your off time…" He cackled with laughter as they stepped in the armory.
Blushing underneath his helmet, Ark stuttered for a moment before turning away from York and walking to where 'Zona's prized sniper rifle stood. He hefted it off the rack, picking several clips of armor piercing rounds off the nearby table and loading one in. He slung it around his back before looking through the rest of the weapons. "What are you going with, York?" Ark called over his shoulder, trying to decide between an SMG or a Battle Rifle.
The tan freelancer walked over, wielding a shotgun in his hands and dual SMGs strapped to his hips. "Eh, I would go with the battle rifle if I were you."
Ark laughed, "Are you saying that because it's a good choice or because you don't want me copying you…"
Shrugging, York replied "You know me too well Ark, old buddy. Now can we please hurry up, I'm starving." He whined pathetically, his stomach growling to accentuate his point.
"Sheesh, give me a minute!" Ark grumbled, finally picking a Battle Rifle off the rack and loading it. He also picked up a couple grenades as they walked out the armory and towards the flight deck.
Upon walking up to 479er's Pelican, York turned to Arkansas. "Dude, I really hope you were listening to the mission plan…"
In response, Ark let out a defeated sigh. "We haven't even started, and we're already fucked!"