Red vs Blue: Private Jessie

Out of Mind - Part 2

Special Forces Training... several years ago.

Tex stands on a platform, overlooking a massive training facility. In the center of the camp is an obstacle course, meant to push men and women to their absolute limits, mentally and physically. She watches as soldiers run through their drills, practice at the firing range and slap each other on the back when someone gets a bullseye. But she knows something they don't. None of them are going to make it out alive.

The old Blue Team captain, Captain Flowers, talks over the loud speakers. He is still alive and well.

Special Forces Training Facility
Flowers: Alright, I wanna see some hustle out there! I mean the... the hard work kinda hustle, not the disco or legal scam kinda hustle. Apologize for the confusion on that one...

A familiar soldier approaches Tex. He is wearing regulation blue armor. Tex's gaze never strays from the soldiers training below. The blue soldier eyes her up, whistling.

Church: Your armor looks good. A lot better than this regulation blue stuff they give the rest of us.

Tex sighs and turns towards Church.

Tex: They told us each one has a unique ability. I've been tryin' to figure out what mine is-

Church steps forward and takes Tex's hands in his own. She falls silent.

Church: Tex, you know... you don't have to do this.

Tex: Church, I'm not doing it because I have to.

Church squeezes her hands, ever so slightly.

Church: I know, it's just that... there's all these rumors about these experiments they're running, they're... taking computer programs and puttin' them inside of people's heads. It just sounds a little crazy.

Tex steps away and turns her back to Church. He reaches out, but... slowly pulls back, his arms falling to his sides.

Tex: You know I can't talk about it with you...

Church sighs.

Church: I know.

Tex lowers her voice, just loud enough for Church to hear.

Tex: (softly) Technically you're not even supposed to be here.

Church: I know...

In front of Tex, another soldier appears from around the corner, crossing his arms and glaring at Church.

Jimmy: Hey Leonard, come on. We're shipping out.

Church groans and shouts back.

Church: Yeah, hold on a second, Jimmy!

Wyoming suddenly appears behind Church, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Wyoming: Yes, I think it best you go, Private. We've got real military work to do here. Perhaps you should go back to your training. Learn how to get shot properly.

Wyoming chuckles. Church swipes his hand off of his shoulder and starts walking towards Jimmy.

Church: Yeah, thanks. I was already leaving.

Over the loudspeaker, Flowers continues with his instruction.

Flowers: Never leave a man behind! ...except when it's to save them from danger, you should probably let women and children go first. Go back for the men later.

Church stops. Jimmy taps his foot, impatiently.

Church: Tex I... just be careful. Please.

Church leaves with Jimmy. Back in the present, Tex continues her logs while she stalks Omega's evil lair, back pressed up to a stone wall and feet dug into the sand that surrounds the fortress.

Evil Lair
Tex: Log entry two. I never told him, but... he was right about the rumors. Every operative was paired and implanted with some kind of modified A.I. They were supposed to make us faster, stronger, subservient. Or in my case... just plain meaner. The experiment worked for a while. Then people just started goin' crazy. So they scrapped the project, and began removing the A.I. modules and deleting them one by one. Problem was, some of the A.I.s didn't wanna be deleted. They resisted the removal process. The one in my head, Omega, was one of a few... difficult ones. Since they couldn't erase him, they decided to erase both of us. And that didn't go over so well. By the time we escaped the facility, it was pretty clear I had to do something to get rid of Omega for good. Unfortunately, it's pretty hard to hide your thoughts from something that lives inside your head. It wasn't long after that he figured out how to jump outta me, and into other people using their radios. So removing him was the easy part. Killing him... now that was gonna be a different story. And as much as I hate to admit it...

Tex sighs.

Tex: I'm gonna need some help.