The Ranch

Carrier Pigeon (7)

It once again time for Kai's group to check the data log of Tih's micro recorder. They expected to be disappointed once more, but were given a surprise.

"This...isn't this exactly what we needed?" Sherlock looks thrown off.

"Yep yep!" Kai nods his head happily. "Both of their lives are different from what the other assumes. Private Scott thinks Major Jax gave up long ago and Jax isn't aware of Scott's health condition."

For the next hour or so, the group organizes the recordings, to remove the un-useful bits. Once they finish, the group moves onto figuring out the next step of the plan.

" Now that we have confessions from the two, how are we going to get them to meet?" All three turn to look at Tih.

"A mutual friend." Sherlock nods.

"Well..that's how all of us got involved in this anyways, it'll be a good way to end it too." Kai agrees.

Kai and the others help set up the time, place and invitations to get them together from behind scenes, while Tih just sits there and looks pretty. Using Tih's name, the group manage to invite Jax and Scott to meet back on the fifth floor of cafeteria. Of course, Tih is there with them.

Neither was expecting the other to be there, but they hold back their words of complaint on account of the child and head chef Raphael giving them the stink eye, staring at them from the side in case they plan to make another ruckus.

The two sit across from each other, refusing to look at each other like children. Tih is sitting by Major Jax and Kai, who came to help with the negotiations, is sitting next to Private Scott.

Private Scott greets the child he hasn't seen since the integration period ended," You're Tih's friend, Kai right? It's good to see you again."

"That's me! I've come today on behalf of Tih and his freedom. You see, Tih is the type of person to do whatever you tell him to as long as it's not crossing his line. Now, it's come to my attention that my client has been acting as a sort of...messenger bird between the two of you. I'm here today to resolve some misunderstandings between the two of you and hopefully come to a compromise." Kai starts spouting courtroom lingo.

Tih's attorney sets a usb on the table," I offer exhibit A." Kai motions for them to play it.

Private Scott picks up the usb and inserts it into his watch, the recording immediately begins," My health has already been degrading for a long time now. Years of non-stop work and stress finally catching up with me, I suppose...I'm envious of Jax. He didn't even have to try to become a Major." A faint blush appears on Private Scott's face after hearing his own voice.

Then, it cuts to Major Jax's voice," Surprise surprise, the waste of talent actually trains. Those fools are really idiots, do they think anyone could survive for so long without training?

The older each generation grows, the more adamant they are on killing off us bastards.

If those asshole knew I was still working out, they'd probably make my trials even more of a nightmare." The self-mocking is evident in his tone.

The air is a little awkward as the two stay silence, working out their thoughts. Major Jax speaks up first, in a grumble," If you knew your health was declining, you should have relaxed idiot."

Private Scott chuckles with a smile," Says the guy that came in limping."

Major Jax glares at Scott in a non-threatening sort of way," You-"

Kai jumps in and concludes," So you were both wrong."

It takes a couple moments for the two to swallow the pill and admit defeat. The eat with a relaxed atmosphere. By the end of the meal, Jax half-heartedly promised to work more, giving Scott more time to rest.

As the meal comes to a close, everyone has to leave for work, everyone except the jobless Tih.

Tih exits the cafeteria and starts to wander around once more. Now that Major Jax and Private Scott's relationship is patched up and communication is no longer an issue, Tih isn't really needed any longer. He is free once more.

Tih finds himself walking alongside the farms and orchards and happens to bump into Pierre.

"Boss?" The redhead also spots Tih.

At this moment, a man also spots the two from the farm. He calls out while jogging over," Hey, are you soldiers busy?"

"That depends, why?" Pierre raises an eyebrow.

"We're a little low on staff today. Do you think you could help out for a couple of hours?" The farmer asks.

"That depends, how much will you pay?" Spoken like a true salesman.

"Hmm, I'm not allowed to pay non-staff member with kquil, but I can pay you with free food?"

Pierre doesn't immediately accept. A shark glint appears in his eye as he begins negotiations," Exactly how much food are we talking about, and will we receive it all immediately or in batches?"

The sudden questions makes the man momentarily frustrated. He answers," How bout a pound of your choice, and you can pick up any amount when you feel like it?"

"Deal." Pierre agrees with a smirk.

"And you?" The man asks Tih.

Tih glances at Pierre, then turns back and nods at the worker. The old man at the orphanage said free things are good.

The man smiles as he brings the two boys over. Today, he managed to grab two workers.

The farm is almost always low on staff. Supplying food for all the islanders takes a lot of manpower, but the job itself is look down upon. The argument being; how could a mere farmer compare to a fighter, despite the fact that farmers contribute much more to the island's prosperity and hold an important role.

Due to the lack of staff members, the workers often ask passerbys for help in exchange for free food. Most decline, using the excuse that the amount of time they would have to waste is not worth the offer. They'd rather spend that time training.