Chapter 6: Two Months Later

"Run it again, FILSS." Ark ordered, clearing his head and preparing himself. FILSS's normally cheerful voice had gradually sounded more and more annoyed; not even responding to him verbally after the eleventh round.

The holographic targets did reset however, spinning around Ark, daring him to try it again. He obliged, swinging his katana in a deadly arc downwards. The first strike alone took out more than a quarter of the targets, turning the green into red as his blade passed through them. Ark followed through with his swing, launching a side kick into one target before swiping upwards with his blade. Abandoning elegance, he swung the katana into target after target with violent slashes. Within seconds, the entire set of fifty targets had been eliminated.

Ark took a moment to catch his breath, before speaking. "Again…" He croaked, determined not to let exhaustion get the best of him. His voice echoed around the training room, FILSS completely unresponsive. "I said again, FILSS. Why can't you do the one thing I'm asking?" He hissed at the air, annoyed at the AI in control of the Mother of Invention.

"Because I told her not to, now quit your bitching." A harsh voice called out to him, causing Ark to stiffen slightly as he turned around to face the woman behind the voice.

"Agent Texas, to what do I owe the pleasure…" He began, sarcasm dripping off his every word.

The black armored female Freelancer shook her head. "Oh cut the crap Ark, you know why I'm here."

Shrugging, Ark turned his back on her and picked up the scabbard for his katana, sliding it back home into it. "Actually, I've got no idea. Enlighten me." He spoke coldly, beginning to suspect what was causing the lone wolf of the Freelancers to break her silence.

Tex sighed in exasperation, "Ever since you and 'Zona broke up, you've been… different." She ended pathetically.

"Yeah, broken hearts do that to people." He muttered, shaking his head. "I don't want to talk about it."

Tex strode right up to him, spinning him around so he was forced to meet her gaze. "You aren't Carolina, yet you've been training just as much as she has. You need to get out, do something for fucks sake!"

Ark knew he was playing with fire now, but simply pushed her arm off him. "Don't bother, Tex." Quieter, he muttered, "There's nothing anyone can do anymore…"

Tex cocked her head quizzically, "What was that?"

His temper flaring, Ark shouted back as he advanced at her. "I said there's nothing you can do, there's nothing I can do, so quit wasting your breath and my time!" If the new Number One was surprised by his antics, she didn't show it, not even moving back an inch. If anything, Tex looked disappointed in him, shaking her head.

"Look, I can't make you fix any of this or help you feel better, but if there's anything I can do, just ask…" Tex sighed, turning to walk off.

Confusion soothed Ark's anger, as he asked, "Why are you doing this?"

Tex stopped, not turning as she replied quietly. "You reminded me of someone, that's all." Then nodded and walked out the training room.

Ark stood in the training room, looking around a moment. A thought occurred to him, and he looked up at the observation deck. Sitting up there, he could see York and Washington.

York nodded at him with a smile, raising up a mug of something, like a toast. It was then Ark realized that they were wearing civilian clothing, night clothes even. He had lost track of how long he'd been training. Tex is right… I'm not Carolina, why am I trying to be? Ark wondered, nodding his head back at York in response. Wash looked as though he had fallen asleep in his chair, but Ark couldn't tell from the distance. It was then he realized how sore he was from training, and decided against one more round. "Shut down, FILSS…." He muttered, defeated. Even he couldn't argue with Tex's logic, for once.

Slowly, Ark left the training room and took the elevator up to the observation room. Stepping in, he took off his helmet and started to make himself a cup of hot chocolate. While Project Freelancer was an extremely dangerous, high risk military operation, it had quite the selection of treats and tidbits. Ark glanced over at York, while his hot chocolate cooled enough to not scald his lips. The tan freelancer was wearing a Grifball T-shirt, and grey freelancer sweatpants. He looked no worse for wear, aside from his unseeing eye; an ill result of a training match with Tex, Wyoming, and Maine. The injuries sustained from their last mission together had all but faded, not a scratch left on him.

Washington seemed the same as ever, dark black hair still cut regulation length and still seeming as excitable as ever. He was dressed in a light grey T-shirt and black jeans. Ark was right earlier, noticing that he had somehow managed to pass out in one of the seats. As though he had sensed Ark making hot chocolate, Wash snored louder.

York barely suppressed a laugh, before standing up to greet Ark. "Hey man, nice job out there" He smiled, although Ark noticed that his smile didn't reach his eyes like it used to. Not since Carolina had started pushing herself too far. Not since Tex had arrived, since the AI's had begun being implanted…

Ark pushed the darker thoughts aside, and smiled back. "Thanks man, but I'm just doing it to keep busy though y'know?"

Wash groaned and muttered, "If you're trying to keep busy, how bout you do something simple, like read a book…"

"Hey, he rejoins the world of the living!" York exclaimed, clapping Wash on the shoulder.

Covering his head, Wash replied, "No thanks to you two, or Tex…"

Seeing Ark's confused expression, York explained. "Wash went up against Tex in a training match, been knocked out for the past two hours."

A small smile danced across Ark's face as he imagined the result. "Lost a bet or something?"

Wash sighed, and put his head in his hands. "Maine bet I wouldn't last thirty seconds against her…"

Both Ark and York cracked up at that. "You thought you would last longer? C'mon Wash, I know you wanna be tough and all, but use your head!" Ark exclaimed.

"Oh shut up…. Not like you aren't just as miserable as I am without Zona…" Wash grumbled.

York's eyes widened as Wash made that comment, looking over to see Ark's reaction. Arkansas had gone stiff, the smile falling from his face instantly upon the mention of Arizona. "Let's just calm it down a little here guys…" York began nervously, sensing the tension build in the room almost immediately.

Ark shook his head, a stony expression on his face. "No, I think it's too late for that." He subconsciously had his hands balled into fists, shaking with barely restrained anger.

Realizing his mistake, Wash stood up quickly. "Look, no, I didn't mean it like that. Ark I just meant-"

"No, I know what you meant. You're tired of my bitching and complaining, am I right?"

Cautiously, Wash nodded.

"Well, then you'll be pleased to know that you won't have to deal with it any longer!" Ark spat venomously, a single tear rolling down his cheek as he turned his back on both Freelancers and stormed out.

"…"

"…."

"God knows what you just started Wash…" Ark sighed.