Red vs. Blue - What If?

Carolina Died (S13E11) - Chapter 7

En Route to Armonia (RvBluniverse-57)

Paranoid of being chased by the mercenaries, Group B rushed through the jungle. Each was shouting different plans of action they could take to survive, though they listened to Doctor Grey's voice of reason. They were too far away from Armonia to travel by foot. Though it was a little out of the way, Grey suggested they travel to the Gateway Temple in hopes of finding a vehicle. If one were there, they could cut down on time. Unfortunately, by the time they reached the temple several days later, it was clear both sides had left no trace of their existence.

Disappointed by their find—and that it would take even longer to get home—the group travelled in silence. It wasn't out of a lack of conversations; but rather a lack of energy to talk. Emily knew the others needed time to grieve their losses and held back her enthusiastic attitude.

Doc and Tucker had spent so long around their friends that they couldn't even begin to process what had happened. After spending years with those people, even if a lot of it was fighting one another, their hearts sank. At heart, the group was a family, whether they would admit it or not.

Tucker was hit hardest by the losses. The realization that his call had gotten his friends killed was unbearable. The cyan-clad soldier's heart grew heavier as he understood a lesson Felix instilled in him. That's war, Tucker. Not everyone makes it back. Tucker resented that perspective and who it came from, but he finally understood it clearly.

The blue had been taught by three capable soldiers since crashing on Chorus. While Felix taught him lessons about war, Kimball and Washington taught him how to be a leader. How to make the tough calls that need to be made, and how to deal with those consequences. His call gave Chorus a fighting chance, even at the loss of his friends. Now, more than ever, he hated nothing more than the idea of being a leader, especially if it meant this could be a recurring theme.

And though Doyle mostly remained on the sidelines, his only action being to give Felix the sword, Doyle felt similar guilt. The Federal Army leader knew he was a coward, and he believed those around him were silently judging him for his inaction. He could hear Kimball's barrage of insults piercing his mind about how it was his fault they lost their heroes. The scenario played back in his head. If he had given Felix the sword sooner, Felix may have left without Sharkface's warning. Everyone would be alive. If he'd thrown the sword off the mountain, it could have gotten lost under some ice. Felix would have to chase it down. Everyone would still be alive.

If he had been a better leader, everyone would still be alive.

The mourning period lasted as long as the rest of the journey: ten days. The group managed to survive on food Doctor Grey prepared using the vegetation. Though it wasn't pleasant, the only other option was to starve.

During their ten days, Tucker only fell asleep three times. Though the group realized the mercenaries weren't chasing them, Tucker wanted to watch over his team to atone for losing his friends. As well, his sleeping would mean having nightmares about Donut, Lopez, Caboose and Carolina. When Doc tried confronting him about his sleep, Tucker ignored him. The nights he slept were because Doc was awake, and Tucker collapsed from sleep deprivation.

As their journey eventually came to a close, the group arrived at Armonia. Much to their surprise, both sides seemed more tolerant of one another. While not living in perfect harmony, both sides actively attempted to coexist. Kimball's plan to have Washington relay her plans to the Federal Army fell apart immediately, forcing him and Sarge to approach cooperation differently.

While walking through the bustling streets of Armonia, Team B was welcomed back into civilization by other soldiers. They asked one soldier to contact Kimball and call for a meeting in the War Room. And though it took some time to get there, the team found the rest of their friends waiting.

Washington was first to notice half the team missing. With a shaky voice, he asked, "What happened out there? We thought you were dead!"

Tucker held his head down. He had anticipated his leader's heartbreak and spent so long trying to plan what he would say but couldn't plan anything in advance. He sighed as he explained their situation. The uncertainty of Carolina's death, his call to send in his friends, getting shot out of the sky, and the journey back. The cyan soldier spent longer explaining his thought process for his call, hating himself every second of it.

"They're... dead?" Simmons asked, his heart shattering.

"It was them or Chorus," Tucker shook his head.

Doyle was the next to speak up, saying, "I still don't understand. That man in red. The new mercenary. He said something about the sword being tied to my DNA. What does that mean?"

"Our swords are keys. It's how we tried to open the Temple of Arms. When we picked them up for the first time, they became locked to our DNA. Until we die, nobody else can activate these swords. Meaning they can't activate The Purge. If it weren't tied to DNA, I wouldn't have traded our lives for theirs."

"Doyle," Kimball began, her voice unusually calm for talking to him. The Federal Army leader winced.

"Please, spare me the yelling. I'm not fit to be a leader or a soldier. Tucker took more initiative on the mountain than I have in my entire career. And under your leadership, I see both sides are more cooperative. I wish I had even a single percentage of the skill you have, Vanessa. There will be a time for mourning when we beat the mercenaries. If what Tucker says is true, they should be attacking us very soon, and we must be prepared."

"Doyle, I'm not gonna yell at you. Washington and Sarge have been helping me run things in your absence. Let's come up with a plan together, then you can rest in your qu—" Kimball was cut off by the sound of a distant explosion and a tremor shaking the room.

"What was that?" Simmons questioned, terrified already.

A few more explosion sounds echoed through the building before a transmission came through the radio, "Generals Kimball and Washington, we're under attack!"