Red vs. Blue: Northern Wind

North

It had been months since the break-in. Agent Carolina was killed, Texas and York escaped, and Maine simply disappeared. Everyone's AI program had been removed, except for North Dakota's. He was last on the list, and he wondered what was going to happen to Theta. Was he going to be deleted? Would he meet the Alpha? So many questions had plagued North since the break-in, and it seemed like his sister was having similar doubts.

Security had doubled since the incident, and missions were mainly with the purpose of hunting down the rogue Freelancers. Wyoming had recently been sent on an unspecified assignment, one only he knew about. North questioned the nature of his assignment, but no information was given these days. Even less than before. That worried North.

Now, he was in the observatory, watching South in the training room. Since the break-in, she had been having these pent-up frustrations that were only ever released in there. North had been growing increasingly concerned for her, but she had been much more closed-off. Even Theta had started worrying for her, despite her treatment of him.

"She doesn't seem okay."

North sighed. "I know, Theta... she doesn't let me speak to her at all, though. I don't regret our confrontation, but it might have opened this rift between us that I don't think will ever be closed."

"Maybe you just have to give it time," Theta suggested.

South Dakota's reflexes had drastically sharpened over the last few weeks. Even against Agent Nevada, the acrobatics specialist, she had been winning all of her matches. North wasn't sure if this was good or bad. She was on her way to becoming the next Carolina. And every Freelancer, pilot, and janitor knew how that ended. Speaking of pilots...

North stood up from his chair as the voice of F.I.L.S.S. announced the winner of the match: Agent Massachusetts. A piercing scream followed, no doubt belonging to South Dakota. North tuned it out and stepped out of the observatory, putting his helmet back on.

"Where are we going?" Theta asked.

"To see someone who can help us."

As North walked through the halls, he was greeted by multiple other Freelancers. One of them was Massachusetts.

"Sorry about my sister. Ever since the break-in, she's been acting more hostile than usual."

Massachusetts shrugged. "Hell if I care. You don't need to apologize, North."

"I know, but... part of me feels like I'm responsible for all of this." North paused. If he told Massachusetts the reason, he'd be apprehended on sight. South was the only one who knew who North had sided with during the break-in, and her knowing was already a big enough risk.

"I know. You're a cool guy, North. Don't feel bad about it." After saying that, Massachusetts walked off and headed for the locker room, leaving North standing there.

North Dakota stepped into the hangar bay, a large opening allowing him a clear view of the endless starfield surrounding the Mother of Invention. Two Pelicans were stationary and positioned for takeoff, and a third was just returning. North presumed this one was Wyoming's.

"Hey, North, what the hell are you doing in here? Do you have a mission or something?"

North knew that voice. He turned to the source and sure enough, his old friend Four-Seven-Niner was there.

"No. I came here because I wanted to ask for a favor," he told her.

"What kinda favor? What exactly are you pulling, North?"

North exhaled and lowered his voice. "They've been pulling most of the artificial intelligence programs after what happened to Wash. I don't know what they're doing with them, if they're deleting them or what. But I can't let them do anything to Theta," he explained.