Red vs. Blue - What If?

Carolina Died (S13E11) - Chapter 3

Temple of the Key (RvBluniverse-57)

After landing the Falcon, Locus opened the hatch. Without skipping a beat, Felix trudged to his colleague while pointing fingers. "You let them get away!" Felix accused his teammate. "They're still alive down there, and I can't use the sword yet!" Felix took out the energy sword and waved it in his partner's face.

"The forest is too thick to search. Since we have the sword, I'd call this a victory. We can kill them later," Locus said, grabbing Felix's arm before shoving him backward. "Without all their heroes, the people of Chorus will crumble."

"Get a grip," Sharkface ordered, standing between the two mercenaries and facing the orange-clad soldier. "Felix, you could have taken them out before they got to the ship. And you," he turned to face Locus, "you could have shot better. We know you're a sharpshooter. That blue bastard, though," Sharkface stretched, a loud crackling sound following his movements, "he was tougher than I thought he would be. I had to use the strength enhancement to break through him."

"What about-" Felix began.

"If what you've told me about that scientist is true, she's thought of everything. We can't track them, and a forest fire is out of the question," Sharkface took out the broken tech from the cavern. "They took out their comms and their radar components. We're blind."

"Fine," Felix hissed. "Let's go report to control." Knowing he was getting double-teamed, Felix decided not to waste his breath anymore. Locus jumped back into the vehicle as Felix and Sharkface climbed in the back. The remaining space pirates grouped into the Pelican as they began their journey home.

Felix took out a knife and started nervously playing with it. Sharkface—in a matter of weeks—had done more damage than he and Locus had done in years. Though he was aware the situation had changed from a political war to a planetary war, he realized Sharkface succeeded in killing Carolina where both Felix and Locus failed months before. Felix shuddered at what Hargrove might say during the report. He became more and more aware of the fact he was losing his worth. Hargrove's threat repeated in his head. He looked up at Sharkface, who seemed to be pretty relaxed. He sighed, knowing it would be a long trip.

* * *

By the time they reached Crash Site Alpha, only Felix was in a panic. Though they considered the mission a success, Felix was aware his part in the victory was minuscule compared to what the others did. Locus had a high body count during the assault on Alpha while Sharkface took out two strong "heroes." Meanwhile, Felix took out a wimp and a robot.

The team rushed toward the conference room. Felix, wanting to feel useful, was the first to try calling Hargrove. Unfortunately for Felix, his boss didn't pick up immediately. The knife-wielder straightened his posture, becoming increasingly worried he'd left them to die. He wouldn't blame the chairman either; they'd failed spectacularly on many occasions, and he may anticipate yet another one. Locus stood at attention firmly and confidently, understanding Hargrove may just be busy with something else. Meanwhile, Sharkface leaned against the wall and was prepared to show little-to-no respect.

Minutes of deafening silence passed; nobody wanted to talk to one another. With tension so thick, Felix could cut through it with a knife. Just before Felix gave up on contacting Hargrove, they received a transmission. Terrified, he jumped to accept the call; he wanted everything to go perfectly and maintain high standing with the boss. When the old man appeared on the screen, Felix could feel the sharp gaze sending shivers down his spine. "The last time we talked, you were on your way to a set of coordinates in the mountains. Am I mistaken?"

"No, sir," Felix blurted, barely allowing Hargrove to finish his sentence.

"I see you abandoned that mission and returned to your headquarters, no less than five hours later. Is this also correct?"

"Y-Yes, sir."

"I do hope those five hours have been productive, and that there is some good news. The scientists are still unable to fix the alien technology you helped deactivate."

"About that-" Felix started, but quickly found himself petrified. He didn't know how to answer the situation without outing himself as useless.

Sharkface sighed and stepped forward. Unwilling to watch Felix drag this out from nervousness, he pushed the conversation forward. Unlatching the Epsilon unit from his back and presenting it on screen, he explained, "Carolina is dead and the Epsilon Unit is mine. This should be proof enough of her passing," Hargrove's eyes widened. "So are the dark blue, pink, and brown simulation troopers from Project Freelancer. Felix has a key capable of wiping out all sentient life on the planet but General Doyle of the Federal Army has to die first. The key is locked to his DNA until then. Locus lost him in the woods."

Locus and Felix stumbled back. Having not expected Sharkface's outburst, they couldn't even argue. With so much information, neither could formulate a response. "Is that so?" Hargrove asked, his gaze shifting from Sharkface to the others. "Why am I not surprised? You always were straight to the point, Terrance. It is one of the many characteristics I appreciate about you; you don't like delays." Sharkface nodded confidently.

"Woah, woah, woah! You two know each other personally?" Felix interjected, stepping between Sharkface and the screen. "And your name is seriously Terrence?"

"Do you have a problem with that, Isaac?" Sharkface growled. Felix quickly shut up and stepped back.

"Codenames," Locus spat quietly from the back of the room, though he knew it was a waste of breath. When the room quieted down, Sharkface spoke up.

"Since everyone's probably in Armonia, what's stopping you from nuking the city? You would take them all out."

"That's what I said!" Felix agreed.

"As simple as that would be, there are multiple reasons. First and foremost, I would like to bring little attention to Chorus. If I were to nuke it, people would notice. Secondly, are you familiar with the temples?"

"Yes. Other than the ones we went to, I remember the alien AI mentioned a few others. Why?"

"My research-though incomplete-indicates that there is a temple in Armonia, whether above or below ground. By nuking the city, I lose that temple. Though I don't know what temple it is, its contents could be valuable. Therefore, the situation requires a much more delicate touch; we do not want to destroy a potentially useful temple. I understand you want revenge on Project Freelancer, but we cannot do to them what Leonard did to you."

"So what do you suggest?" asked Felix.

"Sharkface, I'm sending a Pelican to you at Crash Site Alpha," Hargrove pressed a few buttons. "Please board it and bring the Epsilon Unit with you. I believe you may be the candidate we have been searching for. Once we finish our tests, I want you to return to Chorus. Felix and Locus will be preparing an attack on Armonia once you get back. Whether or not Sharkface is the one to don the suit, Armonia should be a cakewalk with him by your side. Carolina was leagues above the rest of their troops, even Washington cannot compare. If Sharkface took her down as easily as he did, taking care of the rest should not be a problem."

"Why only with him?"

"Your thread has snapped," Hargrove answered. "No longer are you straining to support the rest of the web. I no longer trust you to take out Armonia on your own. You will move only when Sharkface returns and not before. In addition, Sharkface is practically invincible. He survived a laser from the M.O.I., multiple bullet wounds, blunt force to the chest from a gravity hammer, and an entire building collapsing on him. On top of that, I have a theory I wish to test with him and the Meta suit. What have you two accomplished outside of prolonging a war?" Hargrove asked. The mercenaries stayed quiet. "It is remarkably obvious: Sharkface has more potential in one pinky finger than both of you in your primes."

"Thank you, sir," Sharkface couldn't help but smirk. Locus grumbled under his breath while Felix began fuming. "When will the Pelican arrive?"

"I've already dispatched it. Since I'm in the neighborhood, it should arrive within a few hours. I look forward to seeing you soon." With that, Hargrove ended the call, leaving the three mercenaries to take in all he'd said.